U.S. patent application number 10/052903 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-15 for aircraft maintenance apparatus and method of maintaining aircraft.
Invention is credited to Marrero, Lou.
Application Number | 20020108635 10/052903 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25139707 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020108635 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marrero, Lou |
August 15, 2002 |
Aircraft maintenance apparatus and method of maintaining
aircraft
Abstract
An apparatus and methods are provided for performing maintenance
procedures such as washing, cleaning, deicing, and painting to an
aircraft. The apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention preferably has a mobile base having a plurality of wheel
members for allowing the mobile base to travel along surfaces and a
plurality of support surface registering members for registering
the mobile base to a support surface to inhibit movement of the
plurality of wheel members. The apparatus also preferably has a
boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to the
mobile base and being movable between a retracted position and an
extended position and an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably
connected to a distal end portion of the boom member.
Inventors: |
Marrero, Lou; (Orlando,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jeffrey S Whittle
Bracewell & Patterson LLP
711 Louisiana Street
Suite 2900
Houston
TX
77002-2781
US
|
Family ID: |
25139707 |
Appl. No.: |
10/052903 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10052903 |
Jan 19, 2002 |
|
|
|
09694716 |
Oct 23, 2000 |
|
|
|
09694716 |
Oct 23, 2000 |
|
|
|
08786829 |
Jan 21, 1997 |
|
|
|
5858111 |
|
|
|
|
09694716 |
Oct 23, 2000 |
|
|
|
09161610 |
Sep 25, 1998 |
|
|
|
5979001 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/6 ;
134/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60S 3/00 20130101; B60S
3/06 20130101; B64F 5/20 20170101; B64F 5/30 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/6 ;
134/21 |
International
Class: |
B08B 007/04 |
Claims
That which is claimed:
1. An apparatus for maintaining an aircraft, the apparatus
comprising: a mobile base having a plurality of wheel members for
allowing said mobile base to travel along surfaces and a plurality
of support surface registering members for registering said mobile
base to a support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of
wheel members; a boom member having a proximal end portion
rotatably mounted to said mobile base, said boom member being
movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and
an aircraft maintenance tool connected to a distal end portion of
said boom member.
2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile base
includes a plurality of fluid tanks for supplying fluid to the
maintenance tool.
3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of wheel members includes an omni-directional vehicle
wheel for providing at least forward, lateral, diagonal, and
rotational motion of said mobile base.
4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile base
includes a rotatable platform positioned along an upper end portion
thereof, and wherein said boom member includes a first boom arm
having a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the rotatable
platform of said mobile base and having a retracted position and an
extended position, a second boom arm having a proximal end portion
mounted to said first boom arm and having a retracted position and
an extended position, and a third boom arm having a medial portion
pivotally mounted to the distal end portion of said second boom arm
and having a retracted position and an extended position.
5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said boom member
further includes a fourth boom arm having a proximal end portion
rotatably mounted to a distal end portion of said third boom
arm.
6. An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said fourth boom arm
includes a plurality of arm links, the plurality of arm links
including a first arm link having a proximal end rotatably
connected to the distal end portion of said third boom arm, a
second arm link having a proximal end pivotally connected to the
distal end of the first arm link, a third arm link having a
proximal end portion pivotally connected to the second arm link,
and a fourth arm link having a proximal end rotatably connected to
the distal end of the third arm link.
7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, said plurality of support
surface registering members each include a support surface contact
member and a hydraulic engaging member connected to the support
surface contact member for hydraulically engaging the support
surface contact member with the support surface.
8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said aircraft
maintenance tool includes at least one of the following: an
aircraft deicing tool and an aircraft cleaning tool.
9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said aircraft
cleaning tool includes a tool housing, a pair of cleaning brushes
having at least portions thereof mounted in said tool housing, and
driving means connected to said tool housing for rotatably driving
said pair of cleaning brushes in opposite rotational
directions.
10. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile base
includes rotating means for providing rotational movement of said
mobile base on a support surface, wherein said boom member is
rotatably connected to said mobile base, and wherein said
maintenance tool is rotatably connected to said boom member.
11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said mobile base
further has an operator cab for operating the apparatus from said
mobile base.
12. An apparatus for maintaining a transport vehicle, the apparatus
comprising: a mobile base mounted to said transport vehicle and
being readily separable from said transport vehicle; a boom member
having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to said mobile
base, said boom member being movable between a retracted position
and an extended position; and an aircraft maintenance tool
rotatably connected to a distal end portion of said boom
member.
13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said mobile base
includes rotating means for providing rotational movement of said
mobile base on a support surface.
14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said rotating
means of said mobile base includes a plurality of wheel members
each having an omni-directional vehicle wheel for providing at
least forward, lateral, diagonal, and rotational motion of said
mobile base.
15. An apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said mobile base
includes a plurality of fluid supply tanks for supplying fluid to
the maintenance tool, a power source, and at least one pump
connected to said power source and positioned in fluid
communication with said plurality of fluid tanks for pumping fluid
to the maintenance tool.
16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said mobile base
includes a rotatable platform positioned along an upper end portion
thereof, and wherein said boom member includes a first boom arm
having a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the rotatable
platform of said mobile base and having a retracted position and an
extended position, a second boom arm having a proximal end portion
mounted to said first boom arm and having a retracted position and
an extended position, and a third boom arm having a medial portion
pivotally mounted to the distal end portion of said second boom arm
and having a retracted position and an extended position.
17. An apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said boom member
further includes a fourth boom arm having a proximal end portion
rotatably mounted to a distal end portion of said third boom
arm.
18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein said fourth boom
arm includes a plurality of arm links, the plurality of arm links
including a first arm link having a proximal end rotatably
connected to the distal end portion of said third boom arm, a
second arm link having a proximal end pivotally connected to the
distal end of the first arm link, a third arm link having a
proximal end portion pivotally connected to the second arm link,
and a fourth arm link having a proximal end rotatably connected to
the distal end of the third arm link.
19. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said base further
includes a plurality of support surface registering members each
having a support surface contact member and a hydraulic engaging
member connected to the support surface contact member for
hydraulically engaging the support surface contact member with the
support surface.
20. An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said aircraft
maintenance tool includes at least one of the following: an
aircraft deicing tool and an aircraft cleaning tool.
21. An apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said aircraft
cleaning tool includes a tool housing, a pair of cleaning brushes
having at least portions thereof mounted in said tool housing, and
driving means connected to said tool housing for rotatably driving
said pair of cleaning brushes in opposite rotational
directions.
22. An apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said mobile base
further has an operator cab for operating the apparatus from said
mobile base.
23. An apparatus for maintaining an aircraft, the apparatus
comprising: a mobile base including rotating means for providing
rotational movement of said mobile base on a support surface; a
boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to said
mobile base; and an aircraft maintenance tool connected to a distal
end portion of said boom member.
24. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said rotating
means of said mobile base includes a plurality of wheel members
each having an omni-directional vehicle wheel for providing at
least forward, lateral, diagonal, and rotational motion of said
mobile base.
25. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said mobile base
includes a plurality of fluid supply tanks for supplying fluid to
the maintenance tool, a power source, and a plurality of pumps
connected to the power source and positioned in fluid communication
with said plurality of fluid supply tanks for pumping fluid to the
maintenance tool.
26. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said mobile base
includes a rotatable platform positioned along an upper end portion
thereof, and wherein said boom member includes a first boom arm
having a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the rotatable
platform of said mobile base and having a retracted position and an
extended position, a second boom arm having a proximal end portion
mounted to said first boom arm and having a retracted position and
an extended position, and a third boom arm having a medial portion
pivotally mounted to the distal end portion of said second boom arm
and having a retracted position and an extended position.
27. An apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said boom member
further includes a fourth boom arm having a proximal end portion
rotatably mounted to a distal end portion of said third boom
arm.
28. An apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein said fourth boom
arm includes a plurality of arm links, the plurality of arm links
including a first arm link having a proximal end rotatably
connected to the distal end portion of said third boom arm, a
second arm link having a proximal end pivotally connected to the
distal end of the first arm link, a third arm link having a
proximal end portion pivotally connected to the second arm link,
and a fourth arm link having a proximal end rotatably connected to
the distal end of the third arm link.
29. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said base further
includes a plurality of support surface registering members each
having a support surface contact member and a hydraulic engaging
member connected to the support surface contact member for
hydraulically engaging the support surface contact member with the
support surface.
30. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said maintenance
tool is rotatably connected to said boom member.
31. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said aircraft
maintenance tool includes at least one of the following: an
aircraft deicing tool and an aircraft cleaning tool.
32. An apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein said aircraft
cleaning tool includes a tool housing, a pair of cleaning brushes
having at least portions thereof mounted in said tool housing, and
driving means connected to said tool housing for rotatably driving
said pair of cleaning brushes in opposite rotational
directions.
33. An apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein the aircraft
deicing tool includes a tool housing, a nozzle connected to said
tool housing, and nozzle moving means connected to said tool
housing for pivotally moving said nozzle in a first plane and for
pivotally moving said nozzle in a second different plane.
34. An apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein said mobile base
further has an operator cab for operating the apparatus from said
mobile base.
35. An aircraft maintenance tool for maintaining an aircraft, the
maintenance tool comprising: a tool housing; a pair of cleaning
brushes having at least portions thereof mounted in said tool
housing; and driving means connected to said tool housing for
rotatably driving said pair of cleaning brushes in opposite
rotational directions.
36. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 35, wherein
each of said pair of cleaning brushes includes an inflatable roller
and a roller cover, said roller cover including a plurality of
brushing members associated therewith.
37. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 36, further
comprising roller inflating means connected to said tool housing
for inflating each of said inflatable rollers.
38. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 35, further
comprising fluid supplying means connected to said tool housing for
supplying fluid to an aircraft for cleaning thereof.
39. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 38, wherein
said fluid supplying means includes a plurality of fluid supply
lines connected to an inner surface of said tool housing and a
fluid supply connected to said plurality of fluid supply lines.
40. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 35, further
comprising suctioning means connected to said tool housing for
suctioning fluid from an aircraft adjacent the maintenance
tool.
41. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 40, wherein
said suctioning means includes a suction wiper positioned between
said pair of cleaning brushes and a suction hose connected to said
suction wiper.
42. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 35, wherein
said driving means includes at least one motor positioned within
said tool housing and positioned between portions of said pair of
cleaning brushes mounted in said tool housing.
43. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 42, wherein
said driving means further includes a drive assembly connected to
said at least one motor and at least one end of each of said pair
of cleaning brushes.
44. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 43, wherein
said motor includes a drive shaft, wherein each of said pair of
cleaning brushes includes a cleaning brush drive gear, and wherein
said drive assembly includes a first drive gear mounted to said
drive shaft, a first drive belt connected to said first drive gear
and one of said cleaning brush drive gears for driving the one of
said pair of cleaning brushes, a second drive gear operatively
engaging said first drive gear, and a second drive belt connected
to said second drive gear and the other one of said cleaning brush
drive gears for driving the other one of said pair of cleaning
brushes in the opposite rotational direction from the one of said
pair of cleaning brushes.
45. A maintenance tool comprising: a tool housing; a pair of roll
members having at least portions thereof mounted in said tool
housing; and driving means connected to said tool housing for
rotatably driving said pair of roll members in opposite rotational
directions.
46. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 45, wherein each of said
pair of roll members includes a roller and a roller cover, said
roller cover including a plurality of surface contact members
associated therewith.
47. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 46, wherein each of said
rollers are inflatable, wherein the plurality of surface contact
members comprises brushing members, and wherein the tool further
comprises roller inflating means connected to said tool housing for
inflating each of said inflatable rollers.
48. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 45, further comprising
fluid supplying means connected to said tool housing for supplying
fluid to an item for cleaning thereof.
49. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 48, wherein
said fluid supplying means includes a plurality of fluid supply
lines connected to an inner surface of said tool housing and a
fluid supply connected to said plurality of fluid supply lines.
50. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 49, further comprising
suctioning means connected to said tool housing for suctioning
fluid from an item adjacent the maintenance tool.
51. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 50, wherein
said suctioning means includes a suction wiper positioned between
said pair of roll members and a suction hose connected to,said
suction wiper.
52. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 45, wherein said driving
means includes at least one motor positioned within said tool
housing and positioned between portions of said pair of roll
members mounted in said tool housing.
53. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 52, wherein said driving
means further includes a drive assembly connected to said at least
one motor and at least one end of each of said pair of roll
members.
54. A maintenance tool as defined in claim 53, wherein said motor
includes a drive shaft, wherein each of said pair of roll members
includes a roll member drive gear, and wherein said drive assembly
includes a first drive gear mounted to said drive shaft, a first
drive belt connected to said first drive gear and one of said roll
member drive gears for driving the one of said pair of roll
members, a second drive gear operatively engaging said first drive
gear, and a second drive belt connected to said second drive gear
and the other one of said roll member drive gears for driving the
other one of said pair of roll members in the opposite rotational
direction from the one of said pair of roll members.
55. An aircraft maintenance tool for maintaining an aircraft, the
maintenance tool comprising: a tool housing; a nozzle connected to
said tool housing; and nozzle moving means connected to said tool
housing for pivotally moving said nozzle in a first plane and for
pivotally moving said nozzle in a second different plane.
56. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 55, further
comprising a deicing fluid supply line connected to said nozzle and
a deicing fluid supply connected to said deicing fluid supply line
for supplying deicing fluid to said deicing nozzle.
57. An aircraft maintenance tool as defined in claim 55, wherein
said nozzle moving means includes a first pneumatic cylinder
connected to said tool housing for operatively moving said nozzle
in the first plane and a second pneumatic cylinder connected to
said tool housing for operatively moving said nozzle in the second
different plane.
58. A method of maintaining an aircraft, the method comprising the
steps of: rotating a boom member connected to a base; extending the
boom member from a retracted position; and rotating an aircraft
maintenance tool connected to the boom member during operation of a
maintenance procedure upon an aircraft.
59. A method as defined in claim 58, further comprising rotating
the base about a support surface.
60. A method as defined in claim 59, further comprising moving the
base in at least forward, lateral, diagonal, and rotational
directions about the support surface.
61. A method as defined in claim 58, further comprising supplying
fluid to the maintenance tool and suctioning fluid from the
maintenance tool.
62. A method as defined in claim 58, wherein said base further
includes a plurality of support surface registering members each
having a support surface contact member and a pneumatic engaging
member connected to the support surface contact member, the method
further comprising pneumatically engaging the support surface
contact member with the support surface.
63. A method as defined in claim 58, wherein the aircraft
maintenance tool includes at least a pair of roll members, and the
method further comprising rotatably driving the pair of roll
members in opposite rotational directions.
64. A method as defined in claim 58, further comprising remotely
operating the base, the boom member, and the maintenance tool.
65. A method as defined in claim 58, further comprising operating
the base, the boom member, and the maintenance tool with an
operator positioned on the base.
66. A method of treating a surface, the method comprising:
providing a pair of roll members having surface treating means
associated therewith; and rotationally driving the pair of roll
members in opposite rotational directions.
67. A method as defined in claim 66, wherein each of the pair of
roll members includes a roller and a roller cover, the roller cover
including a plurality of surface contact members associated
therewith.
68. A method as defined in claim 67, wherein each of the rollers
are inflatable, and wherein the method further comprises inflating
each of the inflatable rollers.
69. A method as defined in claim 66, further comprising supplying
fluid to an item for cleaning thereof with the pair of roll
members.
70. A method as defined in claim 69, further comprising suctioning
fluid from an item adjacent the maintenance tool.
71. A method as defined in claim 70, wherein the step of suctioning
fluid includes suctioningly wiping fluid positioned between the
pair of roll members.
72. A mobile vehicle, the mobile vehicle comprising: a base having
at least upper and lower portions; a drive connected to said base;
and a plurality of wheels connected to a lower portion of said base
and connected to said drive so that said plurality wheels
responsively move said base in at least three different directions
responsive to said drive, each of said wheels including a hub and a
plurality of roller members dispersed around said hub.
73. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 71, wherein each of said
plurality of wheels is drivable responsive to said drive in a
selected direction independent of each of the other plurality of
wheels.
74. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 73, wherein said lower
portion of said base includes a plurality of recessed regions into
each of which one of said plurality of wheels is mounted.
75. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 74, further comprising a
plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules connected to the upper
portion of said base.
76. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 75, wherein the plurality
of auxiliary maintenance modules are positioned along peripheral
edges of said base.
77. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 76, further comprising at
least one main maintenance module connected to the upper portion of
said base and having a maintenance tool connected thereto.
78. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 77, wherein said at least
one main maintenance module further includes a module base portion,
a boom arm portion rotatably connected to said module base portion,
and the maintenance tool being connected to said boom arm portion,
said boom arm portion being extendable between retracted and
extended positions.
79. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 77, further comprising
retractable and extendable connecting means positioned between and
connected to the upper portion of said base and said main
maintenance module for retracting and extending said main
maintenance module.
80. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 77, wherein at least
either one of said plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules or
said main maintenance module includes a chamber having at least one
maintenance fluid positioned therein.
81. A mobile vehicle as defined in claim 72, further comprising a
plurality of leveling legs connected to said base for leveling said
base in selected positions, said plurality of leveling leg being
movable between retracted and extended positions.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/786,829, filed on Jan. 21,
1997, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/161,610, filed on
Sep. 25, 1998, and which are both incorporated herein in their
entireties by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of aviation and,
more particularly, to the maintenance of aircraft.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Over the years, various aircraft maintenance equipment has
been developed for maintaining various portions of an aircraft.
This aircraft maintenance equipment has included washing, cleaning,
deicing, painting, polishing, sanding, grinding, and/or other
maintenance functions. Such systems conventionally provide an
aircraft cleaning or painting apparatus which has a pair of
spaced-apart tracks for positioning an aircraft therebetween and a
track base slidably mounted to each track. An example of such a
system can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,299 by Collins et al.
titled "Aircraft Deicing Apparatus". Other systems provide an
aircraft cleaning or painting apparatus that has a boom pivotally
mounted to a slidable support base. Examples of such an apparatus
can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,646 by Shaw et al. titled
"Aircraft Maintenance Robot", U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,254 by Shaw et
al. titled "Aircraft Maintenance Robot", and U.S. Pat. No.
3,835,498 by Arato titled "Craft Washing Plant". Still other
systems provide overhead tracks under which an aircraft or other
vehicle passes for providing maintenance such as painting,
cleaning, or deicing. Examples of this type of system can be seen
in French EPO-0341-134 Published Patent Application by Jonca and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,121 by Alexanian titled "Vehicle Washing
Systems".
[0004] These conventional aircraft maintenance systems, however,
attempt to provide movement of a washing, cleaning, deicing,
painting, polishing, sanding, or grinding apparatus by complex boom
type systems which often require an expensive installation facility
which includes extensive installation obstacles to overcome. These
systems also often distribute the weight of the apparatus
performing the maintenance functions either with the structure,
i.e., building, hangar, garage, itself or at a substantial distance
from the aircraft. This operational requirement, in turn, requires
the extensive boom-type or robotic-type arms which extend outwardly
from a base to perform the maintenance operation. These boom-type
arms conventionally carry extensive electronics and can be quite
expensive to manufacture. Other problems associated with these
boom-type arms include the risk from damage to the long outwardly
extending arms by moving aircraft, the requirement of complex and
expensive control of the arm at a base a distance away from the
aircraft, and the lack of effective control of the arm, e.g., to
track the contour of the aircraft, and the maintenance tools
adjacent the aircraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] With the foregoing in mind, the present invention
advantageously provides an apparatus and method for maintaining an
aircraft that provides effective control of maintenance tools
adjacent the aircraft. The present invention also advantageously
provides an apparatus and method to track or follow the contour of
the aircraft by providing the weight of the control of the
maintenance tool adjacent the aircraft and reducing the problems
and risks associated with the use of a long boom-type arm extending
outwardly from hangar walls or roofs to provide the maintenance
functions. The present invention additionally advantageously
provides an aircraft maintenance apparatus and method with
increased degrees of freedom of movement for movement of a
maintenance tool in the X, Y, and Z planes.
[0006] More particularly, an apparatus for maintaining an aircraft
according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has
a mobile base having a plurality of wheel members for allowing the
mobile base to travel along surfaces and a plurality of support
surface registering members for registering the mobile base to a
support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel
members. The apparatus also preferably has a boom member having a
proximal end portion rotatably mounted to the mobile base and being
movable between a retracted position and an extended position and
an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably connected to a distal end
portion of the boom member.
[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus for maintaining an aircraft preferably includes a mobile
base, a boom member having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted
to said mobile base. The boom member is preferably movable between
a retracted position and an extended position. The apparatus also
preferably includes an aircraft maintenance tool rotatably
connected to a distal end portion of the boom member.
[0008] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus for maintaining an aircraft preferably includes a mobile
base including rotating means for providing rotational movement of
the mobile base on a support surface, a boom member having a
proximal end portion rotatably mounted to the mobile base, and an
aircraft maintenance tool connected to a distal end portion of the
boom member.
[0009] The present invention also provides a maintenance tool such
as for an aircraft. The maintenance tool preferably includes a tool
housing, a pair of roll members having at least portions thereof
mounted in the tool housing, and driving means connected to the
tool housing for rotatably driving the pair of roll members in
opposite rotational directions.
[0010] Another embodiment of a maintenance tool such as for
maintaining an aircraft preferably includes a tool housing, a
nozzle connected to the tool housing, and nozzle moving means
connected to the tool housing for pivotally moving the nozzle in a
first plane and for pivotally moving the nozzle in a second
different plane.
[0011] The present invention also includes a mobile vehicle which
preferably has a base having at least upper and lower portions and
a drive connected to the base. A plurality of wheels are connected
to a lower portion of the base and are also each connected to the
drive so that the plurality wheels responsively move the base in a
plurality of different directions, e.g., radial directions,
responsive to the drive. The lower portion of the base includes a
plurality of recessed regions into each of which one of the
plurality of wheels is mounted. Each of the wheels of the vehicle
preferably include a hub and a plurality of roller members
dispersed around the hub. Each of the plurality of wheels is
drivable or movable responsive to the drive in a selected direction
independent of each of the other plurality of wheels. Also, a
plurality of leveling legs can be connected to the base for
leveling the base in selected positions. The plurality of leveling
leg are preferably being movable between retracted and extended
positions.
[0012] The present invention also provides a method of maintaining
an aircraft. The method preferably includes rotating a boom member
connected to a base, extending the boom member from a retracted
position, and rotating an aircraft maintenance tool connected to
the boom member during operation of a maintenance procedure upon an
aircraft. The method can also include rotating the base about a
support surface.
[0013] Another method according to the present invention preferably
includes a method of treating a surface. The method preferably
includes the steps of providing a pair of roll members having
surface treating means associated therewith and rotationally
driving the pair of roll members in opposite rotational directions.
The method can also include each of the pair of roll members having
a roller and a roller cover. The roller cover includes a plurality
of surface contact members associated therewith. Also, each of the
rollers can advantageously be inflatable, and the method further
including inflating each of the inflatable rollers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Some of the features, advantages, and benefits of the
present invention having been stated, others will become apparent
as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of an aircraft
maintenance apparatus operating on an airplane in a hangar
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus in an extended position according to a first embodiment
of the present invention and illustrating portions of an airplane
in broken lines;
[0017] FIG. 3 is side elevational view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus in an extended position according to a second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus in a retracted position according to a first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus having a transport vehicle and a separable base according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an aircraft
maintenance apparatus and an airplane according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a maintenance tool of
an aircraft maintenance apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a maintenance
tool of an aircraft maintenance apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 11 is an environmental top plan view of a plurality of
aircraft maintenance apparatuses according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a plurality of aircraft
maintenance apparatuses operating on an airplane according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a deicing tool
of an aircraft maintenance apparatus according to a third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a deicing tool of an
aircraft maintenance apparatus of FIG. 13 according to the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a deicing tool of an aircraft
maintenance apparatus of FIG. 11 according to the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a mobile base portion of an
aircraft maintenance apparatus according to the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus having a plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules added
to a mobile base portion thereof according to the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus having an aircraft maintenance module added thereto
according to the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus having another embodiment of an aircraft maintenance
module according to the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 20 is an exploded side elevational view of a mobile
base portion having a plurality of maintenance modules adapted to
be connected thereto of an aircraft maintenance apparatus according
to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus having another embodiment of a maintenance tool according
to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance
tool of an aircraft maintenance apparatus according to the present
invention; and
[0037] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an aircraft maintenance
apparatus having yet another embodiment of a maintenance tool
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings which
illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these illustrated embodiments are provided so that
this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully
convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like
numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime and double
prime notation are used to indicate similar elements in alternative
embodiments.
[0039] FIGS. 1 and 11-12 illustrate environmental views of an
aircraft A maintenance apparatus 30 according to a first embodiment
of the present invention. The aircraft A as illustrated is
generally mounted to or rolls along a support surface or floor F.
The floor F of a maintenance hangar, warehouse, or other
maintenance region, for example, is preferably slanted toward a
drain for collecting waste fluid run-off from the washing,
de-icing, painting, or other maintenance process. The apparatus 30
preferably has the capability to perform maintenance tasks along
the fuselage, wings, tail, and nose sections of the aircraft.
[0040] An apparatus 30 for maintaining an aircraft A according to
an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a mobile base
40 having a plurality of wheel members 50 for allowing the mobile
base 40 to travel along surfaces F and a plurality of support
surface registering members 45 for registering the mobile base 40
to a support surface to inhibit movement of the plurality of wheel
members 50. The plurality of support surface registering members 45
preferably each include a leveling leg 46 which extends and
retracts generally in a vertical plane. The registering members 45
also can extend and retract in transverse or horizontal planes, as
illustrated.
[0041] The mobile base 40 can also advantageously include a
plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules, e.g., fluid tanks 49
for supplying fluid to one or more maintenance tools associated
with the apparatus 30. The apparatus 30 also preferably has a boom
member 60 having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to the
mobile base 40 and being movable between a retracted position and
an extended position and at least one aircraft maintenance tool 80
rotatably connected to a distal end portion of the boom member
60.
[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates an operator 0 remotely operating the
apparatus 30 from a remote operator booth B 25 according to a first
embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the
mobile base 40' of a second embodiment of an apparatus 30' can
further have an operator cab C for positioning an operator O
therein and for operating the apparatus 30' from the mobile base
40'. The mobile base 40' also preferably includes at least one
drive 42, e.g., an engine and a drive assembly, for driving the
wheels 50' of the mobile base 40'.
[0043] FIGS. 2-5 and 8 illustrate structural features of the boom
member 60 and the operation of the boom member 60, the mobile base
40, and the maintenance tool 80. Each of the plurality of wheel
members 50 of the mobile base 40 includes an omni-directional
vehicle wheel for providing at least forward, lateral, diagonal,
and rotational motion of the mobile base 40 (see FIG. 5 arrows).
The mobile base 40 also has a rotatable platform 43 positioned
along an upper end portion thereof. The plurality of support
surface registering members 45 each preferably includes a support
surface contact member or legs 46 and a hydraulic engaging member
48 connected to the support surface contact member 46 for
hydraulically engaging the support surface contact member 46 with
the support surface F.
[0044] The boom member 60 preferably includes a first boom arm 61
which has a proximal end portion pivotally connected to the
rotatable platform 43 of the mobile base 40 and which has a
retracted position (see FIG. 4)and an extended position (see FIG.
3), e.g., by the use of a piston and cylinder connector assembly. A
second boom arm 63 has a proximal end portion mounted to the first
boom arm 61 and likewise has a retracted position and an extended
position. A third boom arm 65 has a medial portion pivotally
mounted to the distal end portion of the second boom arm 63 and
also has a retracted position and an extended position. The boom
member 60 further preferably includes yet a fourth boom arm 67
having a proximal end portion rotatably mounted to a distal end
portion of the third boom arm 65.
[0045] As perhaps best illustrated in FIG. 8, the fourth boom arm
67 includes a plurality of arm links. The plurality of arm links
include a first arm link 72 having a proximal end rotatably
connected to the distal end portion of the third boom arm 65, a
second arm link 74 having a proximal end pivotally connected to the
distal end of the first arm link 72, a third arm link 76 having a
proximal end portion rotatably or pivotally connected to the second
arm link 74, and a fourth arm link 78 having a proximal end
rotatably connected to the distal end of the third arm link 76.
[0046] As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, the present
invention also provides a maintenance tool 80 such as for an
aircraft A. The maintenance tool 80 preferably includes a tool
housing 81, a pair of roll members 83, 84 having at least portions
thereof mounted in the tool housing 81, and driving means, e.g., a
motor 86, drive rolls or shafts and drive chains, connected to the
tool housing 81 for rotatably driving the pair of roll members 83,
84 in opposite rotational directions. The roll members 83, 84, for
example, can include bristles, strips of soft cloth, or other
brush-like members for cleaning or buffing the outer surface of an
aircraft A. The tool 80 also preferably includes a suctioning wiper
member 88 which is preferably connected to a fluid collection hose
26. The roll members 83, 84 or other portions of the tool 80 are
also preferably connected to a fluid supply hose 28.
[0047] As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 13-15, another
embodiment of a maintenance tool 80' such as for maintaining an
aircraft A preferably includes a tool housing 81', a nozzle 85
connected to the tool housing 81', and nozzle moving means 87
connected to the tool housing 81' for pivotally moving the nozzle
85 in a first plane P1 (see FIG. 14) and for pivotally moving the
nozzle 85 in a second different plane P2 (see FIG. 15).
[0048] FIGS. 7 and 16-23 illustrate another embodiment of a mobile
base 38 or mobile vehicle 40' of an aircraft maintenance apparatus
30 according to the present invention. Notice that the base 38 can
be separable from the general platform of the vehicle 40' as shown
in FIG. 7. It will be understood by those skilled in the art,
however, that the mobile vehicle 40' can also advantageously be
used for other operations such as missile transport, fire fighting
operations, or aircraft towing operations. The mobile vehicle 40'
preferably includes a base 38 having at least upper and lower
portions and a drive 42' connected to the base 38. A plurality of
wheels 50' are connected to a lower portion of the base 38 and are
also each connected to the drive 42' so that the plurality wheels
50' responsively move the base 38 in a plurality of different
directions, e.g., radial directions and other directions as
previously described, responsive to the drive 42'. The lower
portion of the base 38 includes a plurality of recessed regions 41
into each of which one of the plurality of wheels 50' is mounted.
Each of the wheels 50' of the vehicle 40' preferably include a hub
52 and a plurality of roller members 54 dispersed around the hub
52. Each of the plurality of wheels 50' is drivable or movable
responsive to the drive 42' in a selected direction independent of
each of the other plurality of wheels 50'.
[0049] Additionally, a plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules
49' are connected to the upper portion of the base 38. The
plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules 49' are positioned along
peripheral edges of the base 38. At least one main maintenance
module 58 is preferably connected to the upper portion of the base
38 and has a maintenance tool connected thereto. The at least one
main maintenance module 58 further includes a module base portion
57, 57', a boom arm portion 60" rotatably connected to the module
base portion 57, 57', and the maintenance tool 80", 80'" being
connected to the boom arm portion 60". The boom arm portion 60',
60'", 60"", is preferably extendable between retracted and extended
positions. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, retractable and
extendable connecting means, e.g., preferably provided byn the
movable cross members 51 as illustrated in FIG. 19, can be
positioned between and connected to the upper portion of the base
38 and the main maintenance module 58 for retracting and extending
the main maintenance module 58. At least either one of the
plurality of auxiliary maintenance modules 49 or the main
maintenance module 58 includes a chamber 6 having at least one
maintenance fluid positioned therein. The fluid is preferably a
deicing or washing fluid, but other maintenance fluids can be used
as well as understood by those skilled in the art. Further, the
mobile vehicle 40' can also advantageously include a plurality of
leveling legs 46' connected to the base 38 for leveling the base 38
in selected positions, e.g., along support surfaces which are not
level so as to balance and adjust the base 38 and/or boom arm 60'.
The plurality of leveling legs 46' are preferably movable between
retracted and extended positions as previously described. These
alternate embodiments of the apparatus 30, 30' and the associate
elements connected thereto further advantageously illustrate the
modularity and interchangeability of the components of the
apparatus 30, 30'.
[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-23, the present invention also
provides methods of maintaining an aircraft A. A method preferably
includes rotating a boom member 60 connected to a base 40,
extending the boom member 60 from a retracted position, and
rotating an aircraft maintenance tool 80 connected to the boom
member 60 during operation of a maintenance procedure upon an
aircraft A. The method can also include rotating the base 40 about
a support surface. The method can also advantageously include
moving the base 40 in at least forward, lateral, diagonal, and
rotational directions about the support surface F, supplying fluid
to the maintenance tool 80, and suctioning fluid from the
maintenance tool 80 (see FIGS. 8-9).
[0051] The method can further include the base 40 further having a
plurality of support surface registering members 45 each including
a support surface contact member or leg 46 and a hydraulic engaging
member 48 connected to the support surface contact member 46. The
method then includes hydraulically engaging the support surface
contact member 46 with the support surface F. The method can also
include the aircraft maintenance tool 80 having at least a pair of
roll members 83, 84, and the method further including rotatably
driving the pair of roll members 83, 84 in opposite rotational
directions. Additionally, the base 40, the boom member 60, and the
maintenance tool 80 can be either remotely operated or operating
with an operator O positioned on the base 40 (see FIGS. 2-3).
[0052] Another method according to the present invention preferably
includes a method of treating a surface. The method preferably
includes the steps of providing a pair of roll members 83, 84
having surface treating means 87 associated therewith and
rotationally driving the pair of roll members 83, 84 in opposite
rotational directions. The method can also include each of the pair
of roll members 83, 84 having a roller and a roller cover. The
roller cover includes a plurality of surface contact members
associated therewith. Also, each of the rollers can advantageously
be inflatable, and the method further including inflating each of
the inflatable rollers.
[0053] The method can also advantageously include supplying fluid
to an item for cleaning thereof with the pair of roll members 83,
84 and suctioning fluid from an item adjacent the maintenance tool
80. The step of suctioning fluid includes suctioningly wiping fluid
positioned between the pair of roll members 83, 84 (see FIG.
9).
[0054] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
a typical preferred embodiment of the invention, and although
specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The invention has
been described in considerable detail with specific reference to
these illustrated embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that
various modifications and changes can be made within the spirit and
scope of the invention as described in the foregoing specification
and as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *