Descrizione del progetto
Migliorare l’efficienza del trasporto aereo di merci grazie a nuovi contenitori per aeromobili
Il trasporto merci svolge un ruolo cruciale nell’odierna economia, logistica e crescita del mercato, in un contesto nel quale le infrastrutture ferroviarie e navali sono tradizionalmente in prima linea. Tuttavia, l’introduzione dei velivoli commerciali e del trasporto aereo di merci ha sconvolto questo approccio convenzionale, offrendo una nuova opzione in grado di offrire maggiore rapidità. Purtroppo, questa alternativa non è ancora vantaggiosa a livello economico. Con l’obiettivo di migliorare lo stato attuale del trasporto aereo di merci, il progetto INTELLICONT, finanziato dall’UE, svilupperà un innovativo contenitore per tale modalità chiamato ULD (Unit Load Device, ovvero unità di carico). Questo dispositivo sarà caratterizzato da peso ridotto, migliori capacità di contenimento, sistemi di rilevamento e soppressione di incendi e fumi ottimizzati e, infine, procedure di carico, scarico e manutenzione semplificate.
Obiettivo
Air cargo has experienced tremendous growth. Essential components and open field of technological advancement are air-cargo containers (ULDs) which have not followed the technological advances of aircraft structures and systems. The faced challenges are: reduce ULD and aircraft weight; enhance container fire/smoke detection and suppression; eliminate permanent moving and locking hardware; enhance flight safety, loading/unloading logistics and maintenance. The main goal of the proposal is to develop, manufacture and validate a new intelligent lightweight aircraft cargo container with integrated functions for restrain, transportation, fire/smoke suppression, with sensing and wireless monitoring capabilities. The outlined approach entails development of a full composite ULD, manufactured by low cost, high output methods (pultrusion, RTM). Following common certification practice, a building block approach is employed to design and validate the container. A self-moving platform allowing the motion of the ULD inside and outside the aircraft. Low-cost and low-energy sensors in the container track status (ID, location, locking state) and detect critical events, fire/smoke, impacts and accidental misuse. The status of each container will be available to the pilots though a wireless communication network, such that problems would be detected and proper measures would be taken. Lab-scale and full-scale tests are proposed for the validation of the ULD. Obtained numerical and test data will pave the routes to certification and industrialization. The ambition of the project is to provide a major break-through in the state of the art of current ULD technology and aircraft cargo operations. Substantial impact is anticipated on the CleanSky program, the reduction of aircraft payload and weight, safety, maintenance and lean aircraft operation processes. INTELLICONT will be a game changer for the air-cargo industry with substantial broader impact on air-cargo handling operations.
Campo scientifico
- engineering and technologymaterials engineeringcomposites
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraft
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuels
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technology
Programma(i)
Argomento(i)
Meccanismo di finanziamento
CS2-IA - Innovation actionCoordinatore
190 19 SPATA LOUTSA
Grecia
L’organizzazione si è definita una PMI (piccola e media impresa) al momento della firma dell’accordo di sovvenzione.