We describe a ground handling apparatus (1) for an aircraft (20), in particular an electrically driven aircraft, more particular an electrically driven vertical take-off and landing aircraft, eVTOL, especially multicopter, said ground handling apparatus (1) comprising an autonomous motion device for moving the apparatus (1) underneath the aircraft (20) and a lifting device for lifting the aircraft (20) from below, wherein said motion device and said lifting device are adapted to cooperate for moving the aircraft (20) in its lifted state, wherein said ground handling apparatus (1) further comprises at least one or any combination of the following additional devices:i) a holding device (7) for securing the aircraft (20) prior to lifting;ii) a battery swapping device for extracting and inserting a battery (26) from and into the aircraft (20), respectively;iii) a passenger access device that provides at least one step (19) for permitting passenger access to the aircraft (20), in particular in a lifted state of the aircraft;iv) a power supply device (18) for supplying the aircraft (20) with electric power, in particular during or after battery swapping;v) a battery charging device for charging a battery (26) of the aircraft (20), in particular a low-voltage onboard back-up battery;vi) an air conditioning device (10) for providing conditioned air to the aircraft (20) during ground handling;vii) a data transmission device for exchanging data with the aircraft (20);viii) a damage detecting device for detecting damages to a mechanical structure of the aircraft (20);ix) a landing zone monitoring device for detecting dirt, debris or other objects within an operating zone of the apparatus (1);x) a loading/unloading device for loading and unloading luggage and/or other payload to and from the aircraft (20), respectively;xi) a cleaning device (8) for removing dirt, debris or other objects within an operating zone of the apparatus (1);xii) a weighing and balancing device for measuring a weight and/or a weight distribution of the aircraft (20).
AIRCRAFT GROUND HANDLING APPARATUS AND AIRCRAFT
VORRICHTUNG ZUR BODENHANDHABUNG EINES FLUGZEUGS UND FLUGZEUG
APPAREIL DE MANUTENTION AU SOL D'AÉRONEF ET AÉRONEF
2024-03-13
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64F GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT , Boden- oder Flugzeugträgerdeckeinrichtungen besonders ausgebildet für die Verwendung in Verbindung mit Luftfahrzeugen |
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