摘要:
A system and method for providing an air curtain for impeding the entry of dust, dirt, debris, smoke, insects and other airborne particulate matter into an interior area of an aircraft without the need for disposing heavy, bulky and high power consuming blower assemblies above the opening in the aircraft. The invention comprises a pair of air intake ducts each having a fan disposed therein. The fans draw an ambient airflow into the air intake ducts. Pressurized air from a power unit associated with the aircraft, such as an engine or auxiliary power unit, is injected into the air intake ducts. This has the effect of significantly accelerating the airflow in the air intake ducts to a velocity suitable for forming an air curtain. The air intake ducts are coupled to a manifold having a length sufficient to substantially span the opening of an aircraft at which the air curtain is formed. An air dispenser associated with the manifold directs the airflow out of the manifold in a narrow, width-wise pattern to form an air curtain. In preferred embodiments the manifold can be rotated in accordance with the position of a loading ramp of the aircraft such that the angle of impingement of the air curtain relative to the ramp can be precisely controlled. A flow control system also enables the pressurized airflow injected into each air intake duct to be varied in accordance with the distance of the ramp surface from the air dispenser.
摘要:
A cargo handling system and method employing a plurality of slide units and tracks. The tracks are mounted in or on a floor of a cargo area of a mobile platform, and also on a ramp of the mobile platform. The slide units slide within the tracks and enable container roll in, roll out platforms (CROPs) and 1077 flatracks to be slidably moved into and out from the cargo area. The slide units are arranged at the four corners of each CROP or 1077 flatrack and can be positively locked to a CROP or 1077 flatrack by a standard ISO twist lock assembly. The slide units eliminate the need for a K-loader and a crane to be present at the site where loading or unloading is to occur. Instead, suitable vehicles such a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTTs), which are more readily transported to remote cites, can be used to assist in slidably loading and offloading CROPs and 1077 flatracks.
摘要:
A pallet interface system for supporting a Container Roll in/Out Platform (CROP), flatrack or ISO container within an aircraft, such as a C-17 aircraft. The interface system includes two independent, identical interface pallets which are coupled together by flexible cables. The cables have lengths which enable the two interface pallets to be spaced apart a precise distance so as to be able to support a CROP, flatrack or ISO container. The interface pallets are of small enough dimensions and weight such that same can be manipulated by one or more individuals, thereby obviating the need for a crane to be employed to lift the load onto the pallets before the loading process can begin. Each pallet has a plurality of ISO locking assemblies which allow a CROP, flatrack or ISO container to be locked thereto. Each pallet also has a 463L cargo system edge structure which permits it to be locked to the rails within the C-17 aircraft. The pallet interface system also enables combat offloads and permits cargo supporting platforms to be transported to small, austere airfields where cranes and other large material handling equipment are not available. The pallet interface system can also accommodate different lengths of flatracks, ISO containers, etc., with only minor modifications to the lengths of the cables being required, and is adaptable to handle cargo supporting platforms having varying widths.
摘要:
Fixed parallel cargo rails are positioned on the cargo bed floor of an aircraft, spaced sufficiently to fit a pallet snugly therebetween. A plurality of collinear slots arranged along the length of the cargo bed floor are positioned just inboard of each rail. The slots are evenly spaced and oriented lengthwise with respect to the cargo bed floor. A dog extends above the cargo bed floor from each slot and is adapted to engage a notch in the cargo. While engaged, the dog is adapted to move along its slot, thereby moving the pallet lengthwise along the cargo bed floor. The pallet is passed bucket brigade style from one dog to the next.Another aspect of the invention is the employment of movable cargo rails on the cargo ramp. The rails are slidable widthwise across the ramp within mounting slots, thus permitting the spacing between the rails to vary. The result is that loading cargo onto the ramp and aligning it with the fixed cargo rails on the cargo bed floor is made much easier.
摘要:
An apparatus for transporting and handling a cargo platform is provided. The apparatus includes a frame having a cradle beam that receives the cargo platform. The cradle beam supports a lower surface of the cargo platform. The apparatus further includes a locking mechanism operably associated with the cradle beam and actuates to securely fasten the cargo platform to the frame when the cargo platform is rested upon the cradle beam. The apparatus also includes a plurality of wheel assemblies for wheeling the frame along a ground surface.
摘要:
A single transportation platform system capable of interfacing with standardized ISO containers, PLS truck-and-trailer systems, HSVs Fast Sealift Ships, and cargo aircraft's 463L rail and pallet locking systems. The system can be handled by a LHS equipped vehicle as a joined platform or separated into individual pallets and handled like a 463L pallet. The platform provides a pallet system that eliminates the need for a married pallet system to be used in the process of loading and supporting loads normally transported on standard CROPs when being transported on a cargo aircraft. The platform can be positioned directly on the roller assembly of a loading ramp of a cargo aircraft, such as a C-17 by a LHS equipped vehicle, so as to facilitate loading and unloading from the aircraft without the need for large cranes or K-loaders. The platform also permits combat offloads to be performed.
摘要:
Restraining and tensioning apparatus (10) for a cargo tie-down belt (12) has a chassis (26) with a fluted spindle (98) onto which the belt is wound, ratchet gears (120,122), tensioning lever (28), and two pairs of locking pawls (136, 138, 148, 150), each locking pawl being engaged by an individual spring urging the pawl into contact with a ratchet gear.
摘要:
A ramp system in a first embodiment incorporates a fore and an aft ramp section interconnected by a spindle which permits both pitch and roll movement of the aft section relative to the fore section. The fore section is hingedly connected to an aircraft structure at an opening thereof so that the fore section is capable of pitch movement relative to the aircraft. A set of hydraulic actuators provide controlled movement to the sections and additionally secure the sections in their desired positions. A set of rollers and curved tracks on adjoining portions of the sections both provide secure interconnection of the sections and prevent yaw movement of the aft section relative to the fore section. Rotation of the aft section relative to the fore section allows quick and simple disconnection and removal of the aft section and thereby provides interchangability with alternate aft sections adapted to provide the aircraft with alternate functional capabilities. The second embodiment is essentially similar to the first embodiment except that it utilizes a ramp which is directly connected to an aircraft structure via the spindle and set of rollers and tracks so that the ramp is removeable from the aircraft structure and interchangeable with other ramps.
摘要:
A pallet system for loading and supporting cargo is provided. The pallet system includes a cargo pallet having an upper surface, a lower surface along with a pair of oppositely disposed longitudinal sides having forklift slots generally formed between the upper and lower surfaces, and a pair of oppositely disposed ends generally interconnecting said upper surface and said lower surface. A plurality of drop-down rails is configured to convert the lower surface from a flat bottom to a non-planar bottom. A plurality of extendable rails is used to extend a width of the cargo pallet. A locking mechanism enables the cargo pallet to be coupled to another cargo pallet. A collapsible bale arm assembly can be removed from the cargo pallet when the cargo pallet is stored.
摘要:
A utility loop includes a loop of fiber which forms the loop core. The loop of fiber is made from a thread wrapped into a plurality of loops. The two loose ends of the thread can then optionally be tied together to form the loop of fiber. The outer loop cover of the utility loop is a tube of braided material, which surrounds loop of fiber. The tube of braided material has a tube axis running along a length of the tube of braided material. The tube of braided material includes a relatively small number of relatively large-diameter monofilament fibers, which are braided together in a tubular form. All of the relatively large-diameter mono-filament fibers are oriented to form acute angles with the tube axis. The two loose ends of the tube of braided material are connected together to form the utility loop. Specifically, a first opposing end of the tube of braided material is slipped over a second opposing end of the tube of braided material to thereby form an overlap. These two opposing ends are then secured together at the overlap.