The overview of modern technologies of transporting the baggage into the civil transport aircraft

CHAPTER 1

The overview of modern technologies of transporting the baggage into the civil transport aircraft

 

1. Technologies of the baggage and cargo delivery to the aircraft

 

There is a significant amount of technologies being implemented at airports in providing air transportation services.

If to talk  more detaily about the handling of baggage on the aircraft parking space, it should be noted that there are two technological schemes of this process.

The first technology involves the use of special vehicles in the service area of aircraft such as CLB( car with a lift body ). This technology is that CLB is loaded in the collecting luggage area in the passenger terminal, then it moves along the apron coming to the baggage compartment of the aircraft (without containers). After fixing the car in the desired position,thrust pads are put, body ıs raised using scissor mechanism. This technology of loading the baggage does not require other special transport aids.

The second technology involves using of conveyor belt vehicles.

Conveyor belt vehicles can be distinguished as (fig.1.1 - 1.3):

-self-propelled conveyor belt vehicles with or without driver's accommodation;

-self-propelled conveyor belt vehicles equipped with a van body;

-towed conveyor belt vehicles,

They are intended to be used for manual loading/unloading of aircraft. Their proper operation is related with the following components and concepts.

Conveyor belt vehiclevehicle comprising a chassis, a boom with a belt, and a lifting device.

Boom load carrying assembly which includes a belt to move the load and any possible tray.

Telescopic boom load carrying assembly, adjustable in length.

Lifting device system to vary the height of the boom.

Incline angle of the boom to a horizontal plane.

Guide rail lateral device attached to the boom to prevent loads from falling off the sides.

Fig. 1.1 Self-propelled conveyor belt vehicle with enclosed driver's cabin

Fig. 1.2 Baggage conveyor belt vehicle with enclosed van body

 

Tray loading platform fitted at either end of the boom and independent of the belt.

Contact protection system device at the end of the boom to disconnect the power source during approach/travel to the aircraft.

There is a wide range of mechanical means to implement both technological schemes.

 

Fig. 1.3 Towable conveyor belt vehicle

 

A car with a lift body АПК-КМ (fig. 1.4 ) is a universal means of transpiration and loading - unloading. It is a structure consisting of lifting gear such as «scissors» with a mechanized platform mounted on the chassis. On the vehicle frame there are fitted front and rear outrigger beams and rails for moving rollers of a lifting gear.

Fig.1.4   A car with a lift body АПК-КМ

 

Purpose and design of lifting body:

• The lifting body is designed for installation and fixing of transportable containers or pallets, moving them when performing loading and unloading from the aircraft or stationary storage equipment.
• Lifting bodyАПК-КМ is provided by hydraulic cylinders.
• The drive is provided by a hydraulic pump car. As a backup system has a manual pump for cleaning outriggers and lowering the platform . Hydraulic cylinders are equipped with hydraulic locks.
• The body is designed for installation and fixing of transportable containers or pallets, moving them when performing loading and unloading from the aircraft or stationary storage equipment.
• The platform is able to transverse and longitudinal movement relative to the transport position , as well as the ability to rotate ± 3 °, which greatly simplifies the process of loading and unloading .
• Center platform located driving metal rollers , combined in three sections on each side - non-driven metal rollers .
• At the rear of the platform , the left and right there are two folding platform with non-driven rollers.
• The platform is equipped with guards and remote control.
• On each side of the platform can attach additional removable pads with non-driven rollers.

Table 1.1

Technical specifications of a car with a lift body АПК-КМ

Payload, kg	7000
Platfrom height, mm	1740÷5700
Time to maximum lifting height of the platform with the load, s, not more than	120
Lowering time with a load platform , s, not more than	100
Correction platform:            - transverse, mm            - angle, deg            - longitudinal, mm	±125 ±3 0÷500
Speed of load moving, m/s	0,2
Overall dimensions, mm:            - length            - width            - height	10600 2800/3560/3780 2700
Platform dimensions, mm:            - length            - width	7730 2800/3560/3780
Chassis	ЗИЛ-433182 (also available on МАЗ or Mercedes)
Engine	diesel
Transmission	manual

 

A320 baggage compartment door design and ground level.

Fig.1.5 Cargo Compartments.Locations, Dimensions and Loading Combinations

Fig.1.6 Doors Clearances. Forward Cargo Compartment Door

Fig.1.7 Doors Clearances. Bulk Cargo Compartment Door

 

 

1.2 Design solutions for conveyor belt vehicles

Conveyor belt vehicle AT-4. Design. AT-4 is mounted on the frame of  ГАЗ-69 vehicle (fig. 1.8). The specific equipment is the following: conveyor booms, front and rear cylinders of boom elevation and lowering, power plant, hydraulic pipework, electrical equipment, and stabilizers.

Basic vehicle is modified. An additional structure is mounted on it. It is the support for front and rear booms of conveyor and for fastening for belt and headlight drive gear. Design of the front bumper is changed in a such way that it could support the front boom elevating cylinder and place the front stabilizers fastening. Rear stabilizers are mounted to the rear part of frame. Front and rear cylinders are three-stage ram cylinders of the same design but with different stroke value. Power plant is mounted in the driver's cabin on the transfer gear box of vehicle and is two-position power takeoff gear box.

Electrical equipment consists from the electrical equipment of vehicle ГАЗ-69 and specific one, necessary for supply of work and normal operation of conveyor belt vehicle as special vehicle.

Hydraulic system provides exposure and retraction of stabilizers; elevation and lowering of belt conveyor booms; changing of folding conveyor sections position; power drive of conveyor belt and changing of the direction of its run.

Hydraulic system consists from the following basic assemblies: fluid tank, hydraulic pump НШ-64, power plant, hydraulic accumulator, return valve, aircraft hydraulic unit ГА-186М, two hydraulic pumps НПА-64, hydraulic valve, front and rear gears of folded trays exposing, hydraulic cylinders of front and rear stabilizers, front and rear hydraulic cylinders of booms lifting and lowering.

Principle of operation. The belt conveyer is mounted on the ГАЗ-69 vehicle frame (fig. 1.8), consists of two parts, each of which has a conveyor belt and a separate drive. The front part of the conveyer consists of the front boom, which is connected through the exposing gear with the foldable tray; rear part consists of rear boom, which is also connected with through the exposing gear with foldable tray. Booms and foldable trays of box-type structure are made of riveted duralumin sheet and internal cross beams. Mounted on the loader, front and rear conveyor belts are endless. The ends of the belts are joined by vulcanized transversal angled seam. The conveyers are driven by powered rubberized drums.

Fig. 1.8 Double boom conveyer belt vehicle AT-4: 
1 - hydraulic cylinder, 2 - front boom of the vehicle, 3 - frame, 4 - lamp, 5 - gearbox, 6 - hydraulic motor,7 - stabilizer (outrigger), 8 – hydraulic cylinder, 9 - hydraulic tank, 10 - cover, 11-power unit, 12 – main engine

 

Exposing gear provides positioning of the foldable trays on the front or rear booms from 0 to 180 ° and the installation of foldable trays in any extreme or intermediate position. The length and tension of the conveyor belt does not change and the belt can move freely in any mutual arrangement of foldable trays on the booms of the conveyor within a specified angle. The exposing gear is activated by hydraulic cylinder, equipped with pilot controlled check valve.

Conveyor belt vehicle AT-6. AT-6 (fig. 1.9) consists of the following main components: the modified truck chassis УАЗ-452Д with the drive of hydraulic pump and controls placed on it, base frame, loaded by the attachments of the front and rear booms of the conveyor loader, with the hydraulic equipment placed inside the vehicle, spare wheel and supports (stabilizer) installed on, double boom conveyor and its control system.

The basic modified truck УАЗ-452Д consists of single driver seat cab and two booms of the conveyor, which ends are hinged to the main frame. Lifting height of outer ends of the booms can be varied with hydraulic cylinders, which lower ends are attached to the frame securing points. For stability of the conveyor belt vehicle and load reduction of the truck chassis during the aircraft unloading four hydraulic retractable stabilizers are used. Conveyor boom is driven by two hydraulic motors through the worm gear. Due to the kinematic link through the chain transmission, both belts are moved with the same speed, which varies from 0.2 to 1 m/sec. Transfer gear box of the vehicle is equipped with the take-off power gear unit, the hydraulic pump of conveyor specific equipment is driven by. Instead of cargo bed there is a spatial support structure installed and secured on the vehicle frame. It includes: a fuel tank, oil tank, hydraulic units, pipes, spare wheel and starting handle of the vehicle engine.

Fig.1.9 Single boom conveyor belt vehicle AT-6

 

Conveyor control – is electrical and hydraulic from switches and buttons located on the remote control in the driver's cab. Control of the belt motion is duplicated at the ends of booms. When it is operated in the dark day period, the conveyor belt vehicle has two lights headlights on the roof of the cab driver and lamps for lighting the conveyor belt mounted on guard rails.

Operation features. Conveyor belt vehicle is to be driven to the aircraft parking place with the speed not exceeding than 15 km/h. Working equipment of the conveyor belt vehicle during travelling on the apron is secured in the travelling position. On the distance of 10 m from the aircraft, the driver has to stop a conveyor belt vehicle travelling and installs the boom into the  position coinciding the threshold of the aircraft luggage hatch. Further travelling motion of the conveyor belt vehicle to the aircraft is done with the first speed gear switched on. When the boom bumper will be 5…10 cm distantly from the aircraft skin, driver has to stop the conveyor belt vehicle, he has to set the parking brake and expose stabilizer. While loading procedure is undergoing, the conveyor belt vehicle is parked in such way that the working surface of the belt was positioned at the height of 15…20 cm above the threshold of the hatch of luggage compartment, and boom bumper at a distance of 5 ... 7 cm from the threshold. While the unloading procedure is undergoing the conveyor loader is installed in such way that its belt must be 10 ... 15 cm below the luggage compartment threshold.

Conveyor belt vehicles (fig 1.10) are intended for loading of loosen (bulk) cargo, luggage and mail items (parcels) into belly compartments of aircraft.

Conveyor belt vehicles are applicable together with an electric tractor, baggage dollies and other vehicles that provide luggage supply to the aircraft parking place.

 

Table 1.1

Technical specifications of conveyor belt vehicles AT-4 and AT-6

Specification	АТ-4	АТ-6
Basic vehicle	ГАЗ-69	УАЗ-452Д
Overall dimensions, mm - length in working configuration - when conveyor boom in horizontal position  width:     height	10100	9000
	1750(2500)	1960
	2830	2100
Maximal allowable travel speed, m/s (km/h)	13,8(50)	13,8(50)
Total laden weight, kg	2600	2400
Maximal loading height, mm: - from the front - from the rear	4000	4100
	2900	1980
Conveyor elevation maximal angle, °	22	—
Performance, tones/hour	80	100
Working configuration deployment time, s	60(50)	30
Travel configuration folding time, s	30	30
Conveyor boom width, mm	800	—
Belt available width, mm	600	—
Conveyor belt drive	two hydraulic motors НПА-64	—
Upper conveyor end height, mm	400—000
Allowable total belt load, kN	4	4
One load-place mass, kg	200	200
One place overall dimension, mm: length width height	2000	2000
	800	800
	800	800
Tank capacity, m3	0,06	0,06

 

Fig.1.10. Double boom conveyor belt loader АТ-7

It is intended for loading of luggage, loosen cargo and mail items in aircraft or into storehouse.

·   Vehicle - truck ЗИЛ, FORD or any another on customer’s order.

·   It can tranship from:

- Luggage dolly;

- Own platform;

- Platform of other vehicle;

- Ground level.

·  It can transport the cargo items of total weight up to 2000 kg on an own platform with a guard rail.

·   It is capable of loading the cargo of weight up to 200 kg having the width up to 1300 mm

·   Stability of conveyer belt vehicle when is operated is provided with two hydraulic exposing support.

·   The boom has guide rails, which can be folded while loading of bulk cargo items.

·   The forward and rear parts of conveyer boom on its both sides the buttons of an emergency stop are located.

The control panels of conveyer belt vehicle are located:

- In the driver cabin;

- From the right side of a cabin (remote control panel);

- On a rear part of conveyer boom on its both sides.

Table 1.2

Technical specifications

Platform carrying capacity, kg	2000
Local carrying capacity of conveyer belt, kg / m	100
Conveyer belt run speed, m/s	0,2 - 0,5
Belt run direction	reversible
Engine type	diesel

 

 

Conveyor belt vehicle AT-7

Design. АТ-7 (fig. 1.11)consists of the following main parts: modified chassis of the vehicle, with mounted on it hydraulic pump and control panel; support frame loaded by forward and back booms of the conveyor, with the hydraulic equipment placed inside, spare wheel and with the exposable supports, attached on the frame, (outriggers or stabilizers); the double-boom conveyor and its controls.

Fig. 1.11 External view of the double boom conveyor belt vehicle АТ-7

 

On the modified base vehicle a single driver seat cabin and two booms of the conveyor, which ends are hinged with basic frame are placed. The rising height of the booms external ends is changed by hydraulic cylinders supporting with their bottom ends on fastenings of the basic frame. For stability of the conveyor belt vehicle and for load reduction of the vehicle chassis when it is operated near the aircraft four hydraulic exposable support are applied. The drive of the conveyor belt is carried out from two hydraulic motors through the worm reduction gears. Using the kinematical link of chain transmission both belts have identical run speed, being changed from 0,2 up to 1 m/s.

On the power transfer box of the vehicle the power take-off gear box is installed, through which the hydraulic pump is driven. Under the load platform: fuel tank, oil tank, hydraulic units, pipelines, spare wheel and starting handle of the vehicle engine are placed.

Control of the conveyor belt vehicle – is electro hydraulic from the switchers and buttons placed on the control panel inside the driver’s cabin. The control by the belt run is duplicated on the booms ends.

For operation in dark period of a day on the conveyor belt vehicle there are two rotary headlights on the roof of the driver cabin and lights of belt illumination mounted on guide rails.

Conveyor belt loaders

Conveyor belt loaders (CBL) with enclosed van carbody are the trucks equipped with loading/unloading transferring devices. They are intended for internal airfield transporting and loading/unloading from/to the aircraft of loosen loads, mail, parcels, and packages with periodical printed media. According to efficiency, conveyor belt loaders with enclosed van carbodies are subdivided onto light with total carrying capacity up to 30 kN and with mass of one load-place not more than 100 kg and heavy with carrying capacity 30…50 kN and with mass of one load-place up to 500 kg. Special vehicles of CBL(EVB) type are designed for loading/unloading procedures for commercial cargo and mail transportation.

Design. According to the construction and technology of execution of loading/unloading works, autoconveyers are divided into groups.

According to the design of loading/unloading equipment conveyor belt vehicles with enclosed van carbody can have chain conveyors and belt transporters. According to the technique of loading/unloading procedures of the aircraft conveyor belt vehicles are distinguished: into CBL with loading and unloading forward through the vehicle cabin; CBL with loading and unloading procedures through the rear side of the vehicle.

Technical specifications of conveyor belt loaders those are used at the airports are shown in table 1.3.

The basic components of conveyor belt loaders are: basic chassis, loading/unloading equipment and the control system. The conveyor belt loader AK-4 (fig. 1.12) has the basic chassis of the ЗИЛ-130 Г model, which is equipped by additional hydraulic device of safe approach to the aircraft and by the exposable hydraulic supports.

 Table 1.3

Technical specifications of conveyor belt loaders

Specification	АК 3	АК-4
Carrying capacity, kN	20	50
Load elevation maximal height, m	4,0	3.2
Biggest mass of one load-place, kg	100	500
Biggest overall dimensions of one load-place, m	0,5×0,6×1,0	0,6×0,8×1,0
Conveyor length, m	7,2	4,7
Working unit speed, m/s	0,5...0,8	0,6…0.8

 

Fig. 1.12. Conveyor belt loaders with enclosed van carbody AK-4:1 – basic vehicle; 2 – side guard rail; 3 – rubber bumper; 4 – end boom; 5 – middle boom; 6 – main boom; 7 – elevating hydraulic cylinders; 8 – supporting jacks; 9 – hydraulic motor; 10 – roller bed.

 

Design of the main assembliesАК-4.

Loading/unloading equipment of vehicles consists of the roller mat transfer device, installed in the floor of the carbody, and foldable chain conveyer with three sections. Width of the roller mat transfer device is 50 sm, and of the working part of conveyer is 1 m. When loads are transported conveyer sections are in folded position. They are placed in working position using the hydraulic cylinders. Continuous chains with plastic hook devices are working units of conveyer. The chains are reinforced with steel plates. Drive of the moving conveyer shaft is performed by the hydraulic motor НПА-64 through the additional reduction gear. Control of vehicle operation is accomplished using of assemblies of electrical system from the remote or additional control panel installed on the right side of carbody. Using the hydraulic system of conveyer belt vehicle АК-4 the following operations: placing of the conveyer sections in the folded position, conveyer lifting, securing and lowering; system of safety approach of engine shutdown; drive of chain working units are performed.

          Hydraulic system operation. From the hydraulic tank with capacity 60 the working liquid is pumped to the gear pump НШ-6. It is driven from the vehicle transmission through the additional power takeoff that is switched by the pneumatic servomechanism. From the pump, working liquid through the pressure pipeline comes to the hydraulic selector sliding valves that control separate operations.

          Operation peculiarities. Conveyer sections are retracted continuously. At first, main and middle sections are installed along one line using the hydraulic cylinders. Then working liquid through the hydraulic matching valve is delivered to the cylinders that control final conveyer sections mounting under some inclination angle.