Patent ID: 6820296
Filing Date: 2004-11-23
Classification: B64F

Abstract:
A method of aligning a passenger loading bridge having first and second aircraft engaging ports mounted at an outboard end of first and second passageway members, respectively, to an aircraft having first and second spaced apart doorways along a same side thereof, comprising the steps of:a) automatically determining a type of the aircraft; b) retrieving information relating to an expected stopping position of one of the first and second doorways for the determined type of the aircraft; c) automatically moving a corresponding one of the first and second passageway members, in order to move the aircraft engaging port mounted at the outboard end thereof toward the expected stopping position of the one of the first and second doorways of the aircraft; d) engaging the one of the first and second doorways of the aircraft using the aircraft engaging port mounted at the outboard end of the corresponding one of the first and second passageway members, to allow passengers to move therebetween; and, e) relatively moving an outboard portion of the corresponding one of the first and second passageway members relatively to an inboard portion of the corresponding one of the first and second passageway members about a first flexible connection disposed between the outboard and inboard portions, and adjusting a height of the first flexible connection by pivoting the inboard portion of the corresponding one of the first and second passageway members about a second flexible connection, such that during step (c) a point along the lower surface of the corresponding one of the first and second passageway members remains above a predetermined minimum height profile of the wing of the aircraft, to maintain the desired minimum safe distance relative to the wing of the aircraft, wherein the one of the first and second doorways of the aircraft is a rear doorway located aft of or over a wing of the aircraft, andwherein the corresponding one of the first and second passageway members is moved in a cantilever fashion at at least a desired minimum safe distance above the surface of the wing of the aircraft, andwherein steps (b) to (d) are performed using an automated bridge control system.