US 12,434,819 B2
Assist system and method for aircraft ground operation
Daniel Alecu, Brampton (CA)
Assigned to PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed by PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP., Longueuil (CA)
Filed on Nov. 7, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/939,645.
Application 18/939,645 is a continuation of application No. 18/239,790, filed on Aug. 30, 2023, granted, now 12,168,526.
Application 18/239,790 is a continuation of application No. 17/332,162, filed on May 27, 2021, granted, now 11,772,820, issued on Oct. 3, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2025/0058895 A1, Feb. 20, 2025
Int. Cl. B64C 25/00 (2006.01); B60L 50/30 (2019.01); B60L 50/60 (2019.01); B64F 1/10 (2006.01); B64F 1/36 (2017.01); B64D 27/30 (2024.01)
CPC B64C 25/001 (2013.01) [B60L 50/30 (2019.02); B60L 50/60 (2019.02); B64C 25/00 (2013.01); B64F 1/10 (2013.01); B64F 1/364 (2013.01); B60L 2200/00 (2013.01); B64D 27/30 (2024.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aircraft takeoff assist system comprising:
an aircraft coupling counterpart attached to an aircraft; and
an unmanned takeoff assist vehicle including:
a frame;
ground-engaging wheels mounted to the frame;
a first actuator operable to steer a steerable wheel of the ground-engaging wheels;
a power source for driving one or more of the ground-engaging wheels;
a vehicle coupling counterpart for engagement with the aircraft coupling counterpart, the aircraft coupling counterpart and the vehicle coupling counterpart cooperatively defining an electric power transfer interface between the aircraft takeoff assist vehicle and the aircraft; and
a second actuator operable to lower and raise the vehicle coupling counterpart relative to the aircraft coupling counterpart.