US 11,807,393 B2
Bi-stable power drive unit (PDU) for a cargo hold loading and storage system and associated methods
Oliver Nuessen, Bremen (DE); Martin Guse, Hamburg (DE); Dirk Meiranke, Hamburg (DE); Sascha Nowarre, Riede (DE); Dennis Fischer, Hamburg (DE); Uwe Panzram, Ganderkesee (DE); and Matthias Horst, Ganderkesee (DE)
Assigned to Airbus Operations GmbH, Hamburg (DE)
Filed by Airbus Operations GmbH, Hamburg (DE)
Filed on Jun. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/362,052.
Application 17/362,052 is a continuation of application No. PCT/IB2019/061236, filed on Dec. 20, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/786,736, filed on Dec. 31, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/786,747, filed on Dec. 31, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/786,718, filed on Dec. 31, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0354828 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
Int. Cl. B64D 9/00 (2006.01); B64C 1/20 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 9/003 (2013.01) [B64C 1/20 (2013.01); B64D 2009/006 (2013.01)] 37 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A power drive unit (PDU) for transporting cargo units into, out of, and/or within a cargo hold, the PDU comprising:
a frame, by which the PDU is rigidly attached to a floor of the cargo hold;
a body pivotably attached, via a hinge, at a first end of the frame;
at least one drive roller attached at a second end of the body; and
an actuator attached to the body and configured to cause a pivoting angular movement of the body, relative to the frame, about the hinge,
wherein an angular position of the body relative to the frame is maintained by the actuator even upon a loss of power to the PDU, and
wherein the body is configured to move between and including a retracted position and a deployed position.