US 12,234,007 B2
System and methods for designing and building regional hybrid-to-electric systems and methods for designing and optimizing regional hybrid-to-electric aircraft
Jimmy Lu, N. Markham (CA); Mathew Isler, Sammamish, WA (US); Matt Knapp, Redmond, WA (US); Kevin Holcomb, Sultan, WA (US); Petek Saracoglu, Langley, WA (US); Lauren Burns, Templestowe (AU); and Herb West, Bothell, WA (US)
Assigned to Zunum Aero, Inc., Redmond, WA (US)
Filed by Zunum Aero, Inc., Redmond, WA (US)
Filed on Feb. 24, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/174,567.
Application 18/174,567 is a continuation of application No. 16/696,671, filed on Nov. 26, 2019, granted, now 11,591,074.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/772,455, filed on Nov. 28, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0286646 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. B64C 13/50 (2006.01)
CPC B64C 13/507 (2018.01) 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
transporting, by a ground system vehicle, at least one charged energy storage unit from a first airport location to a stationary, landed aircraft; and
while the ground system vehicle is aligned with the stationary, landed aircraft and using equipment installed on the ground system vehicle:
removing at least one depleted energy storage unit from the stationary, landed aircraft, removing the at least one depleted energy storage unit from the stationary, landed aircraft comprising mechanically and/or electrically disconnecting the depleted energy storage unit from an aircraft bay; and
installing the transported at least one charged energy storage unit on the stationary, landed aircraft to replace the removed at least one depleted energy storage unit by positioning the transported at least one charged energy storage unit while external to the landed aircraft using one or more locating devices to track a location of the transported at least one charged energy storage unit relative to the landed aircraft and, once installed on the landed aircraft, mechanically and/or electrically connecting the transported at least one charged energy storage unit to the aircraft bay.