Professional Documents
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2013-2014
Group
p sp
pare parts inventoryy
440
of 32 MUSSD 400 Revenues
Alvest Group
330 in MUSD
300
280
More than 2 500 mootorized units
de
elivere
ed in 2013
in 20 countries
London
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city
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Increasing safety of ramp operations equipment is now in safe mode. speed if the operator does not
is a much broader challenge than In this area, the GSE speed is respond properly in time.
it appears. As part of its innovative limited to 5km/h, and the proximity
Being in charge and not relying on
culture, TLD has decided to develop sensor, associated to a sensitive
a fully automated system, the driver
a new solution, bringing GSE bumper, are activated. The sensor
is much less exposed to possible
to a higher level of safety during is a 3D camera able to detect any
system or equipment technological
operations, with the ASD (Aircraft obstacle in front of the GSE up to
failure or adverse conditions. He
Safe Docking System). 7 meters (fuselage, engines, other
must still ensure that he operates
GSE, other operators…). A buzzer
As this safety challenge concerns in a safe way,
warns the driver if he gets too close
the aircraft docking of any GSE, to the speed limit and in case This concept is also allowing us to
TLD has developed a solution of slow or no reaction from him, design a system with a reasonable
adapted to belt loaders, passenger the system will automatically stop level of complexity. There is no
steps and loaders. The goal of the the equipment. 100% foolproof system and overly
system is to prevent damage by complex systems are difficult to
GSE to the aircraft, and moreover In the final phase of the docking,
maintain. If the driver totally relies
to ensure that no aircraft should or approaching closer than few
on the system, technical failures
depart with unreported impact. meters from an obstacle (mainly
can have disastrous consequences.
The TLD ASD is a simple, reliable the fuselage), the ASD system
been performed. The final certification on these
and easy to maintain solution. automatically limits the speed of the
aircraft is expected in 2014. vehicle to 0.7 km/h. At that speed, What makes the ASD
An important objective of our R&D even in case of contact, the GSE’s unique to other systems?
LEOS, which has also been involved in early field has been to develop a solution kinetic energy can hardly cause any
retrofittable on most existing significant damage to the aircraft. The concept is simple, systematic
tests of the concept, is looking at launching actual
equipment, from any manufacturer, and still largely relies on the
airline operations with Taxibot in 2014, initially In case an impact with the aircraft operator supervised by the system,
as this safety improvement, once
occurs (or in case the operator does
with three tractors. implemented, will most preferably and not the other way around.
not activate the ASD system for In case of system failure (harsh
Luthansa Pilots reports were very positive during need to be installed on the whole
instance) the impact strength will meteorological conditions,
fleet of equivalent equipment. As a
their first runs with the Taxibot in Frankfurt - be measured and the GSE will be electronic failure, etc…) the GSE
matter of fact, it would be dangerous
Pilot Rupert Mayer wrote: “TaxiBot will definitely stopped until the responsible remains just as safe as today.
for an operator already accustomed
manager un-locks the vehicle after
save energy and our environment in the future. to this safety system, to be suddenly
fuselage inspection. This procedure The ASD is based on a single 3D
Regarding these aspects, it is important to deprived of it when using the
is comparable to the one existing camera instead of multiple sensors
equipment from another brand.
continue the development. “Hats off to the team, on towbarless tractors in case of or radars. We believe that a solution
this is a lot of high performance “brainstorming” reported overtorque events. based on a single sensor is a key
and engineering knowledge!” How does the ASD work? advantage over solutions based on
multiple radars. First, those radars
The ASD system prevents the Why is the ASD system are more sensitive than a camera to
The Wide Body TaxiBot prototype dedicated for equipment from approaching safe? interference due to meteorological
the aircraft too fast, thus avoiding conditions. Second, when a large
wide body aircraft, including the A380, is nearing ASD is not only a system, it is a
a potential contact resulting in number of radars is deployed, the
its completion in March 2014. This machine is combination between an operational
damage to the fuselage. With this potential of technical failure is
process (systematic and easy to
the most powerful piece of equipment ever built view, we have defined 3 different increased, and it is difficult to make
enforce and to control) and an
for a GSE application with more than 1500hp areas in the airport for equipment the difference between a radar not
electronic control supervising the
speed control. detecting any obstacle and a radar
and it will tow a fully loaded A380 (560 tons) speed of the GSE according to the
In the ramp area, the GSE can be area of operations. not functioning. This creates a
up to 20 knots!
driven without any speed limitation significant risk as operators may
The process is based on the fact rely on a non-functioning system.
(up to 25km/h) and without
The architecture of the Wide Body tractor is that the driver is still in charge and
specific supervision.
responsible. So the ASD is initially The 3D Camera requires very limited
similar to the Narrow Body with a full redundancy
As the driver approaches the not taking the lead on the driver cabling, thus allowing an easy
on major functionalities (2 engine packs, 6 wheels aircraft, he enters the safety area. but supervises his behavior. This equipment retrofit, and maintains
modules, secured software system, etc...), and a The operator reduces his speed and supervision ensures that the driver its own correct performance (the
big cradle system designed to sustain the weight presses the ASD button to activate operates in a safe manner, avoiding camera monitors itself every
the system. Immediately, a potential accidents with severe 150 millisecond that it is functioning
and the forces induced by jumbo Aircraft. With
dedicated flashing beacon alerts consequences. Within the aircraft properly). In case of malfunctioning
a 13m length, 4.5m width and 50 ton weight, the management and the other area, the ASD is assisting the driver, or extreme operations conditions,
the Wide Body TaxiBot is a unique machine. operators on the ramp that the and only acts on the equipment the camera detects the problem and
The TLD loaders range continues to expand with
the 7.5 ton Extended Loader TXL-838-STD-XL
automatically defaults to the safest
TLD offers the largest range of cargo loaders in the industry. The range spans from
operation mode (eg. low speed).
commercial applications to military applications, and even includes the giant loaders
The other critical ASD sensor is the used by the leading aircraft manufacturers for their airlift operations.
Incident black box, measuring all
excessive decelerations and logging
the event, including the complete The TXL-838 7.5 ton loaders range already offers the
conditions of the unit (speed, largest range of configurations from Standard, Wide,
gearbox status, brakes pedal status
Combo, Universal to Superior. Today, the evolution
etc…) before, during and after the
event. All data is then accessible by of ground handling operations continues to create new
the management through a very requirements and has resulted in a new version in the
simple, user friendly graphic TLD loaders range: the TXL-838-STD-XL, a 7.5 ton
interface. The existence of this black
box will definitively induce a higher
extended loader.
level of operator accountability.
This new TLD model is a result of an increasing demand
Lastly, the system is retrofitable on
from ramp operations for longer loaders. The objective
most TLD equipment as well as
machines from other manufacturers. is to provide the baggage tractor and its dollies an easier
The ASD can be installed not only and safer access to the rear platform of loader elevator,
The TLD loaders use the latest PLC CANBUS control technology
on new GSE but also on existing reducing the risk of interference with a long catering
GSE (with the exception of which insures the most reliable electrical circuit and a very user
friendly diagnostic center. This control design launched in 2009 truck in operation in the same environment. Although
equipment mounted on commercial
chassis). This is an important point, has been an immediate success and remains by far the best TLD already provides the longest 7.5 ton loader on the
as this will allow to avoid application of PLC control available today. market in order to address this requirement we have
managing a fleet of GSE with developed an extended Standard version offering an
and without safety enhancement
systems. The solution will be
additional length of 1.2 meter.
available on electric GSE, Diesel Our loaders range include:
or Hydrostatic powered units. • 3.5 tons loader TXL-737 & TFE-3.5 The TXL-838-STD-XL brings safer operations and
At the cost of this ASD option, • 7.5 tons TXL-838 & TFE-7-GR increased productivity through more rapid loading
handling operations can bring • 15 tons 929 operations. This new answer to the numerous
significant value to their global • 20 tons 929-S challenges of ground handling operations is one more
fleets with increased ramp safety
• 23 tons PFA-50 (military) example of how TLD supports its customers’
and the reduction of potential
aircraft impacts. • 25 tons PFA-25 (military) requirements everywhere in the world, for every
• 30 tons 121 application, by delivering innovative high quality
• 36 tons 121-S products and industry-leading support.
Why is ASD reinforcing
safety of ramp operations? • 70 tons DBT-110