Universal Electric Airplane Tug
Client/Sponsors | Inceptus |
Team Name: | Quality Tugs |
Duration: | Fall 2018 - Spring 2019 |
Faculty Adviser: | Dr. Matthew Swenson |
Mentor: | Brandon Hilliard |
Team Members: |
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Inceptus wants an easy to use electric airplane tug that works with a wide variety of tire sizes as well as aircraft with wheel pants.
Problem Definition[edit | edit source]
Background
Currently, there are no airplane tugs on the market that can tow multiple aircraft with little input from the user or without significant modification with changes in wheel type. As the average age of the general aviation pilot increases, the need for an easy to use powered airplane tug increases. Also, most flight schools have multiple airplane tugs to pull specific airplanes. The goal is to create a solution for this problem by designing an airplane tug that can be used with a wide variety of tire sizes and types including those with wheel pants. Our solution will be easy to use and require very little input from the user.
Specifications[edit | edit source]
Tire Sizes
- The tug must be able to move aircraft with the following tire sizes:
- 4.00x4
- 5.00x6
- 6.00x6
- 7.00x6
- 8.00x6
Strength Requirements
- The design shall be able to carry a rolling load of 4000 lbs, up a 2% grade and must be able to handle a static load of 500 lbs.
Mounting/ Interface Requirements
- The tug shall be able to mount and interact with all different types of wheels, including wheels with pants.
Project Learning[edit | edit source]
Pallet Jack[edit | edit source]
The client wants a system that can be used as a prosthetic on the pallet jack shown below. The pallet jack is electric and can supply power to any electrical systems that might be used on the final design.
Design Ideas[edit | edit source]
Design Idea 1[edit | edit source]
Design Idea 1 | |||||
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Image | Description | ||||
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Design Idea 2[edit | edit source]
Design Idea 2 | |||||
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Image | Description | ||||
the linear actuator pushes on
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Design Idea 3[edit | edit source]
Design Idea 3 | |||||
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Image | Description | ||||
use a single arm gate.
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Linear Actuator[edit | edit source]
All of the ideas above use a linear actuator to capture an aircraft wheel. The linear actuator must have a stroke length of at least 10 inches. This could run off the power supply of the pallet jack. The pros of using a linear actuator are it is light weight, small in size, and has a long stroke length. The cons of using a linear actuator are they are expensive, needs power, and requires a control system.
Using 8020[edit | edit source]
The client suggested the use of 8020 to build the final design. Also, 8020 is modular and would allow rapid prototyping at a low cost, and there is large amount of scrap 8020 in the University of Idaho machine shop that can be used for free.
Final Design[edit | edit source]
We combined the best parts of all three design ideas to make our final design. The design is meant to be a prosthetic attachment for an electric pallet jack that our client has given to us. The biggest problem we encountered was how to close and open the gate with little to no user input. The images below shows how the mechanism captures wheels, how the gate works, and how the clamp works.
Overall Design[edit | edit source]
Overall Design | |||||
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Image | Description | ||||
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linear actuator which will start to close the gate behind the wheel. | |||||
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slightly so the user can move the aircraft around. |
Gate Design[edit | edit source]
Gate Design | |||||
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Image | Description | ||||
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keeps the gate closed. |
Clamp Design[edit | edit source]
Clamp Design | |||||
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Image | Description | ||||
a toilet paper roll works.
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Manufacturing[edit | edit source]
The majority of the parts were laser cut, and we used a slot and key design to simplify the manufacturing process. This design eliminates guess work and allows everything to be aligned properly. Also, we designed it so we only had to machine one part.
To save money, we made custom linear sliders out of steel square tube. We purchased UHMW sliders and mounted them to the square tubing. We also made mounts for the latch and hinge out of steel square tube.
Validation[edit | edit source]
In testing we found that it picks up aircraft with tail wheels with ease.
We tested it with an aircraft with wheel pants and found that it works with no problems. Also, we found that the UHMW rollers work as predicted. When the wheel starts to get pinched the wheel starts to roll onto the rollers. One other thing we found out in testing was, if the aircraft as flat tire our product will not work very well, because it pinches the tire instead of lifting it.
Team Members[edit | edit source]
Name Josh Frei
Major: Mechanical Engineering
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Name Nick Locke
Major: Mechanical Engineering
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Name Max Johnson
Major: Mechanical Engineering
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Name Chase Anderson
Major: Mechanical Engineering
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Additional Documentation[edit | edit source]
Meeting Minutes
File:QualityTugs MeetingMinutes 2018.pdf
Presentations
File:QualityTugs DesignReview 2018.pdf
File:Quality Tugs Engineering Release Review V2.pdf
File:Quality Tugs EXPO Poster.pdf
Budget
File:Quality Tugs Budget 1.pdf
Schedule