Load (e.g., Cargo) Accommodation Patents (Class 244/118.1)
  • Patent number: 8636251
    Abstract: A storage compartment is provided for a transportation means, for mounting in an overhead region. The storage compartment includes, but is not limited to a universal housing module and a transformable container module. Various container modules, in particular fixed bins and pivot bins, can be installed in the universal housing module without this requiring any alteration of the housing module. The transformable container module can be converted within the housing module from a state as a fixed container to a state as a movable chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Mayer, Thomas Lerche
  • Patent number: 8636249
    Abstract: A storage system for an emergency apparatus provided in a conveyance includes at least one structure-holder connectable to a structural component of the conveyance. A frame is attached to the at least one structure-holder, and a carrier is configured to receive the emergency apparatus. A locking apparatus has a locking position in which the carrier is fastened to the frame, and an unlocking position in which the carrier is detached from the frame. A belt element is fixedly connected to the carrier. A first end of a retaining belt is connectable to a structural component of the conveyance via a belt-winder, and a second end of the retaining belt is fastenable in a detachable manner via a belt lock to the belt element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Conen, Sebastian Westphal
  • Patent number: 8636250
    Abstract: An external hook system for a rotary-wing aircraft includes a lower frame interface which accommodates longitudinal and lateral loads and an upper frame interface. A tension member is mountable between the lower frame interface and the upper frame interface to transfer tension loads between the lower frame interface and the upper frame interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl M. Toni, Mary McCarthy, Bruce H. Barr, Anthony Z. Stobiecki, Thomas Swift, Thomas Dziekonski
  • Patent number: 8626383
    Abstract: A method of determining the locations of loads in a vehicle in such a manner as to ensure mission safety in terms of loads being retained in the aircraft. On the basis of vehicle parameters, the anchor points available in this type of vehicle for retaining the loads are identified. As a function of the available loading volume(s), a possible loading configuration is calculated using at least some of the available anchor points, at least some of the retaining means, and the characteristics of the loads. The forces that might be exerted on the selected anchor points are verified as being less than maximum limits. The calculated loading configuration is confirmed, otherwise a new loading configuration is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Pierre PrudHomme-Lacroix, Laurence Maille
  • Publication number: 20130334367
    Abstract: An aircraft cargo handling system has a pair of load restraining rail assemblies, each of which has a shaft assembly running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The shaft assembly has a plurality of lock pawls, each of which comprises a body having a cylindrical pallet-engaging surface. The pallet engaging surfaces of the lock pawls have increasing included angles at stations moving toward the front of the aircraft (or vice versa). This enables the pallets to be locked in place sequentially by rotating the shaft assembly an predetermined angular rotation each time a pallet is loaded. Unloading of the aircraft is carried out in the reverse order, by rotating the shaft assembly in the opposite direction in steps to unlock each pallet individually as the aircraft is unloaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace H. LARSON, James R. Brown
  • Publication number: 20130334368
    Abstract: An aircraft capable of carrying passengers and cargo includes a fuselage, having a crown section and a keel, a first passenger cabin, having a first floor, located in a forward portion the fuselage, and a first cargo deck, located below at least a portion of the first passenger cabin. A split level cabin is located in an aft portion of the fuselage, the split level cabin including an upper second cabin having a second floor above the level of the first floor, and a lower third cabin beneath the upper second cabin and having a third floor below the level of the first floor. A second cargo deck is located in the aft portion of the fuselage and beneath at least a portion of the lower third cabin. The crown section has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape fore-to-aft above the first passenger cabin and the split level cabin, and the keel below the second cargo deck is lowered compared to the keel below the first cargo deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mithra M.K.V. Sankrithi, Sergey D. Barmichev
  • Patent number: 8608110
    Abstract: An aircraft for transporting a plurality of cargo containers comprising a forward fairing, an empennage and a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the empennage. The spine is made of a lightweight structure such that the aircraft has insufficient rigidity to withstand bending and tortional loads in flight. A cargo assembly comprising a plurality of modular cargo units is structurally and detachably mounted onto the spine to provide the additional structure to the aircraft required for it to fully withstand the bending and tortional loads of the aircraft in flight. Mounts may be provided to detachably engage the cargo assembly to the spine of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Biosphere Aerospace, LLC
    Inventor: Elie Helou, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8608109
    Abstract: An aircraft passenger cabin in an aircraft fuselage wherein an upper portion of the cabin volume is a substantially elliptical cross section and a lower portion of the cabin volume is a cross section extending laterally into a blended area of the wing and fuselage typically referred to as a wing to body fairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Lowell B. Campbell
  • Patent number: 8602358
    Abstract: An interface element connects a first section of an aircraft supply system, which is provided on an aircraft interior equipment component, to a second section of the aircraft supply system and includes a carrier structure which is fastenable to the aircraft interior equipment component. Further, the interface element includes a connector element which is connectable to the first section of the aircraft supply system provided on the aircraft interior equipment component and which is mounted on the carrier structure by way of a bearing device. The bearing device includes at least one resilient bearing element which enables the connector element to be mounted such that it is movable in all three spatial directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Gerrit Pladeck, Remigiusz Kowalski, Dietmar Ströbele, Joerg Stuetzer, Stefan Knoepfle
  • Patent number: 8596577
    Abstract: An apparatus for closing a locker, which can be lowered, of a baggage compartment, in particular of an overhead baggage compartment in an aircraft, wherein the locker is connected in an actuating element (5) which is held on a frame (1) such that it can rotate or pivot, and is connected to a gas compression spring (18) in order to assist a closing movement of the locker. In order to allow a completely automatic closing movement, the invention proposes that an electromechanical hybrid drive is provided in order to drive the actuating element (5) and, in addition to the mechanical component of the gas compression spring (18), has an electrical drive apparatus (12) as an electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Diehl Aircabin GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Berkenhoff, Oleg Graf
  • Patent number: 8590837
    Abstract: A device for holding luggage in a passenger cabin of an aircraft is arranged above a seat row in a passenger cabin of an aircraft or a vehicle and fastened to a structure which is fixed to the aircraft. The luggage rack includes an outer housing which is fixed in position and into which a separate inner housing is fit in a positive-locking manner. The inner housing is arranged relative to the outer housing so that the inner housing can move between two end positions about a moving pivot point close to the center of gravity in a force-operated manner. In the closed end position, the luggage rack is visibly integrated into a cabin lining of the passenger cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Bernd Ehlers
  • Publication number: 20130306793
    Abstract: A fuselage segment for an aircraft fuselage includes a wall with a closed cross section, a first cabin floor, a second cabin floor, and a cargo hold floor. The first cabin floor, the second cabin floor, and the cargo hold floor are vertically spaced apart from each other and connected to the wall. A first passenger region is arranged above the first cabin floor, a second passenger region is arranged above the second cabin floor, and a cargo region is arranged above the cargo hold floor. The cargo region is dimensioned in such a manner that for at least four passenger seats a maximum of 1 m3 of cargo hold volume is provided. In this manner an existing aircraft fuselage can be designed in a demand-oriented manner so that it can accommodate two or more passenger regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Johann Konrad Erben, Sten Kramer
  • Patent number: 8567710
    Abstract: A cable protection device is designed to prevent a cable from being damaged by rubbing against a helicopter. A protection frame is installed-below a winch 11 connected to a helicopter. A supporting groove is formed on the protection frame, and a slide-contact body is rotatably fitted in the support groove. A part of the slide-contact body is exposed, and the cable hung down from the winch is brought into contact with the exposed portion. The slide contact body is divided into two or more parts, and it is formed by continuously aligning the divided slide-contact bodies of the cylindrical shape. Both ends of the divided slide-contact body are aligned by fitting the recession and the projection of the tapers of the ends of the adjacent divided slide-contact bodies to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aero Asahi Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8561946
    Abstract: Different advantageous embodiments provide a method and apparatus to increase a clearance of a cargo area of an aircraft. The apparatus and method may comprise an aircraft with a cargo area. A tray system may have a plurality of segment trays with each segment tray positioned between a plurality of floor beams located underneath a surface of the floor of the cargo area. A plurality of rollers in the tray system may be configured to allow an object to be moved across the cargo area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Sergey D. Barmichev, Harry Wilbert Slusher, Gary Peter Seagrave
  • Patent number: 8556211
    Abstract: A floor segment for a transportation system, in particular for an aircraft, for the spatial separation of an interior space of the into a lower space and into an upper space. The floor segment has an upper partition and a lower partition, which together with the upper partition encloses a hollow space, which is equipped for accommodating system component of the aircraft. Preferably, the floor segments are of a modular design so that within a floor individual floor segments can be exchanged for other floor segments that comprise identical or compatible dimensions and connections for the system components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Hoffjann, Markus Maibach, Wolfgang Zierold
  • Patent number: 8550401
    Abstract: A floor section for a vehicle cabin includes juxtaposed profiled elements of identical cross section. Each profiled element includes a mainly planar elongated cross member and a generally flat elongated panel. The cross member includes a lower stiffener, is positioned in a transverse vertical plane, and is attachable at two extremities to a vehicle frame. The elongated panel is positioned in a horizontal plane and includes an overlap region along one longitudinal edge and a bearing region along another longitudinal edge. The overlap region and the bearing region are of similar width and of total thickness less than or equal to a mean panel thickness. The panel is perpendicular to the cross member, and a bearing region underside is coplanar with a lower face of the elongated panel and is secured to the cross member at two or more points substantially in line with a middle of the bearing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations S.A.S.
    Inventors: Patrick Lieven, Daniel Bellet
  • Patent number: 8534608
    Abstract: An airborne tree trimming system is described that includes a helicopter having a chassis and a frame extending beneath the helicopter chassis; a trimming apparatus including a boom with an upper end and a plurality of rotatable cutting blades mounted on the boom; and a release mechanism attaching the trimming apparatus to the helicopter, the release mechanism including a connector having an upper end with a first hook attachment point, a lower end with a boom attachment point, and a second hook attachment point intermediate the upper and lower end; a first release hook mounted on the helicopter chassis and releasably attachable to the first hook attachment point; and a second release lock mounted on the frame and releasably attachable to the second hook attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: William Cleveland Cox, IV
  • Patent number: 8534604
    Abstract: A lounge assembly configured to be positioned in the interior of an aircraft. The lounge assembly includes a first seat shell configured to at least partially surround a passenger seat, and an overhead storage bin assembly. The overhead storage bin assembly includes first and second posts configured to be secured to a floor of the aircraft, and an overhead bin housing supported by the first and second posts. The overhead bin housing includes at least a first overhead storage bin that is positioned generally above the first seat shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: C&D Zodiac, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Savian
  • Publication number: 20130228650
    Abstract: A mounting system is provided including a center platform having a plurality of mounting lugs for mounting the center platform transversely extending at least partially through an aircraft cabin with a first end and second end of the center platform adjacent a respective first and second side opening of the aircraft cabin. A first support pylon may be removably coupleable to the first end of the center platform to extend outwardly from a first side of the aircraft. A second support pylon may be removably coupleable to the second end of the center platform to extend outwardly form a second side of the aircraft. A modular floor component may be removably coupleable relative to a longitudinal side of the center platform to provide a substantially planar load surface including a top portion of the modular floor component and a top surface of the center platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER CANTINE, John Croghan, Andrew Scott
  • Patent number: 8523109
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airframe having a substantially circular cross section in a lateral direction (Y) and which extends in the longitudinal direction (X). The airframe comprises, a plurality of rails for supporting seats, each rail being parallel to the longitudinal direction (X) of the airframe, a plurality of beams parallel to the rails; and a plurality of crossmembers aligned, in use, in the lateral direction (Y) of the airframe. Each crossmember supports only some of the successive rails, each crossmember being supported by only some of the successive beams in the lateral direction (Y) of the airframe with the beams forming part of a wing box and/or a main landing gear well of the airframe. Each crossmember comprises at least one connection to each of the beams that support it where each connection comprises at least one articulation about at least one axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Benoit Demont, Sebastien DeConto, Roland Grillon
  • Patent number: 8517308
    Abstract: A hatrack module with a moveable hatrack comprises a housing with a hatrack accommodation space, a hatrack with laterally arranged guide elements and optionally at least one passenger service unit, wherein each guide rail is arranged on one sidewall of the hatrack accommodation space, and wherein the guide elements of the hatrack can be made to engage the guide rails on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Thorsten Gerber
  • Publication number: 20130206903
    Abstract: A pivot bin assembly configured to receive luggage and be positioned in the interior of an aircraft. The pivot bin assembly includes an upper housing that includes a strongback and first and second side panels, a bucket that cooperates with the upper housing to define a bin interior, a first pivot mechanism operatively associated, with the first side panel and the bucket, and a second pivot mechanism operatively associated, with the second side panel and the bucket. The first and second pivot mechanisms are axially aligned along and are rotatable about a pivot axis such that the bucket pivots about the pivot axis with respect to the upper housing between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: C&D ZODIAC, INC.
    Inventor: C&D ZODIAC, INC.
  • Patent number: 8500069
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for moving objects, particularly luggage, in an aircraft hold, said device including a moving wall (10) and at least one belt. One end of the belt (20) is connected to a roller (24) around which the belt (20) is wound. The other end of the belt (20) is attached to the moving wall (10). A lower section of the belt (20) extends from the moving wall (10) to a threshold element (22) and an upper section of the belt (20) extends from the threshold element (22) to the moving wall (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Bernard Guering, Laurent Saint-Marc
  • Publication number: 20130193269
    Abstract: In one possible embodiment, a UAV payload module retraction mechanism is provided including a payload pivotally attached to a housing. A biasing member is mounted to bias the payload out of the housing and a winch is attached to the payload. An elongated flexible drawing member is coupled between the housing and the winch, the elongated drawing flexible member being capable of being drawn by the winch to retract the payload within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: John Peter Zwaan, Pavel Belik, Manolis Dimotakis, Christopher J. D'Aquila
  • Patent number: 8496207
    Abstract: A connection device for a plurality of cabin components of an aircraft includes a rail extending in a longitudinal direction of an aircraft structure, wherein the plurality of cabin components is disposed on the rail; and a plurality of adjustment devices configured to self-adjust each of the plurality of cabin components in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Alexander Goehlich, Daniel Wenninger
  • Patent number: 8496418
    Abstract: Fastening elements are known in which locking elements can be swivelled out of a non-operative position and into a fixing position. Usually, each of these locking elements has a locking lug. The known fastening devices are mostly very complex in their structure. The some embodiments of present application propose the provision of a fastening device for at least partially securing a first and a second freight item, which fastening device comprises a frame and comprises a locking claw having a first locking lug and a second locking lug. The locking lugs in this case are aligned along a longitudinal direction of the fastening device, for the purpose of encompassing and holding partial portions of the freight items. The locking claws are pivotally fastened to the frame of the fastening device in such a way that the locking claw can be swivelled out of a fixing position, for securing the freight items, into a non-operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Telair International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Huber, Richard Holzner
  • Patent number: 8496205
    Abstract: A dual pivot load restraint for cargo aircraft for restraining pallet type loads from vertical movement having an upper pivot member pivotally mounted on a lower pivot member and the lower pivot member is pivotally mounted on a base member and the upper pivot member having an engagement portion having an engagement position for projecting into pockets on a pallet type cargo load and abutting against a lower wall thereof, and the lower pivot member having an engagement position for the upper pivot member in the engagement position thereof, and the walls of the pallet type cargo load engaging the engagement portion of the upper pivot member to move the upper pivot member to a retracted position for movement of the pallet type cargo load in the aft direction of the aircraft, and the walls of the pallet type cargo load engaging the engagement portion of the upper pivot member to move the upper pivot member with the lower pivot member to a retracted position of the lower pivot member, and having resilient members
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ancra International, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Moradians, Robert Smith
  • Publication number: 20130186999
    Abstract: Conventional aircraft offer an inadequate solution for handling freight items. The present invention significantly improves the handling of freight items. Inter alia, for this the cargo compartment of an aircraft is equipped with a robot with at least one robot arm, wherein the robot arm comprises a receiver tool to receive freight items and is arranged displaceably on a ceiling construction of the cargo compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Telair International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Huber
  • Patent number: 8494663
    Abstract: An interactive switch system for a stowage compartment system for a mobile platform (for example, commercial aircraft) is provided. The switch system is mounted to a moveable structure, such as an overhead stowage bin, and is responsive to a local input from a user, as well as to a remote input from an external control/monitoring panel. The switch system has at least one indicator surface responsive to the local input and the remote input to display indicator data. The indicator surface has a portion that forms at least one user input device for enabling the local input. The switch system further comprises a control system disposed behind the indicator surface. The control system is responsive to the local input and the remote input to transmit the indicator data to the indicator surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bret L. Lamoree, Dennis C. Lin, Heidi J. Kneller, Henry V. Fletcher, Brock J. Prince, Phillip J. Ayoub
  • Patent number: 8480029
    Abstract: An ergonomically improved stowage system includes a supporting structure, a bin having a volume with an opening to receive a load, the bin being movable with respect to the supporting structure from a closed to an open position, and an attaching mechanism for attaching the bin to the structure. The attaching mechanism includes a bin pivot axis that is located in substantial alignment with a center of gravity of the bin in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: David A. Young, Steven L. Scown
  • Publication number: 20130168494
    Abstract: A dual pivot load restraint for cargo aircraft for restraining pallet type loads from vertical movement having an upper pivot member pivotally mounted on a lower pivot member and the lower pivot member is pivotally mounted on a base member and the upper pivot member having an engagement portion having an engagement position for projecting into pockets on a pallet type cargo load and abutting against a lower wall thereof, and the lower pivot member having an engagement position for the upper pivot member in the engagement position thereof, and the walls of the pallet type cargo load engaging the engagement portion of the upper pivot member to move the upper pivot member to a retracted position for movement of the pallet type cargo load in the aft direction of the aircraft, and the walls of the pallet type cargo load engaging the engagement portion of the upper pivot member to move the upper pivot member with the lower pivot member to a retracted position of the lower pivot member, and having resilient members
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Edward Moradians, Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 8474754
    Abstract: Cargo hold floors are provided, and comprise panels or similar two-dimensional floor elements for the attachment of roller elements, ball elements, locking bar elements or similar functional elements. Support elements, in particular floor beams, are provided which support the two-dimensional floor elements whereby the floor elements are permanently joined to the support elements to make pre-fabricated floor modules and the floor modules are installable in the aircraft. To make installation work easier, separate load-bearing elements, for supporting the floor modules on and joining the floor modules to a body or a skin of the aircraft, are provided which, before the floor modules are installed in the aircraft, are joinable to the body or skin of the aircraft, and, when the floor modules are installed in the aircraft, are joinable to the support elements. As a result, it is possible in particular cases to make installation significantly easier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Telair International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Huber, Richard Holzner
  • Patent number: 8469310
    Abstract: The idea of the present invention is that an airfreight container according to the invention, which is designed especially for an unpressurized cargo hold of an aircraft, comprises an airtight and pressure-tight container housing with a container interior space for accommodating airfreight goods. This airfreight container furthermore comprises an internal compressed air generating device which is designed for independently generating compressed air for supplying the container interior space with compressed air. The concept according to the invention of an at least partly autonomous airfreight container, which is created as a result, provides that the airfreight container according to the invention, in addition to the pure bundling of goods, now provides, moreover, different supply systems, such as the device for compressed air generation and compressed air provision, corresponding to the specific requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Glaser, Oliver Thomaschewski, Peter Theis, Alexander Wieser, Andrew Muin, Markus Schumacher
  • Patent number: 8459592
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuselage nose door for sealing an opening in the hull of an aircraft. In order to make loading and unloading as efficient as possible, a door shell is proposed that is movably held between a closed setting and an open setting by a bearing device, wherein the door shell can be pivoted and shifted in relation to the bearing device. The invention also relates to an aircraft with such fuselage nose door. In addition, the invention also relates to a method for opening and closing an opening in the hull of an aircraft with a fuselage nose door, which has a door shell that is movably held by a bearing device between the closed setting and open setting, wherein the door shell is pivoted and shifted in relation to the bearing device in the opening and closing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Pahl
  • Patent number: 8453968
    Abstract: A retractable optical sensor system includes a sensor body (e.g., an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) remote sensor) connected to a sensor support structure that is actuated by an actuator. The sensor support structure accomplishes angular movement whose turning point is located in an end that is mounted to an articulation support. A bulkhead support is fastened to the aircraft structure. The actuator is electrically or hydraulically actuated and has an end united to a support member which is fastened to the aircraft structure. The opposite end of the actuator is connected for articulation to the sensor support structure so as to cause angular movement thereof. Articulation of the sensor support structure causes the sensor body to extend/retract while simultaneously causing the fairing door to be raised/lowered, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Embraer S.A.
    Inventor: Mario Sergio Dias Ferraz
  • Patent number: 8430358
    Abstract: A hatrack module with integral service channel for optimized mounting comprises a housing with a hatrack accommodation space and a passenger service channel, a hatrack with laterally arranged guide elements, and at least one passenger service unit, wherein in each case a guide rail is arranged on the sidewalls of the hatrack accommodation space, and wherein a wall of the housing comprises at least one reach-through access opening, and wherein the guide elements of the hatrack can be made to engage the guide rails on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Schneider, Thorsten Gerber
  • Patent number: 8424803
    Abstract: The present invention provides an aircraft floor of an aircraft consisting of a number of base plates and a number of longitudinal supports and provides an aircraft with a floor of this type. The aircraft floor has transverse joints for partitioning the floor into a plurality of segments transversely to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft, the respective segment consisting of a number of longitudinal support elements, partitioned by the transverse joints, of the longitudinal supports and of a number of base plate elements partitioned by the transverse joints, of the base plates and the segments being coupled together such that they have exclusively a translatory degree of freedom with respect to one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Benthien, Andreas Poppe
  • Publication number: 20130084792
    Abstract: An integrated avionics bay in a floor area can be provided with adequate ventilation. The structure of an aircraft cockpit floor is able to integrate at least one bay, with a walking floor in the cockpit, a structural volume and a bay integrated in a space of the liberated structural volume. The bay as integrated in a horizontal position in this space includes a peripheral frame with at least one protective cover with a direct access to the bay at the floor level and a lower wall with a rear face access. Side openings formed in the frame can couple with vertical walls to allow fresh air blowing from the rear wall of the bay via a flow from rearwards to upwards to reach the top cover and an air extraction by an upper surface extractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
    Inventors: Bernard GUERING, Yves DURAND
  • Patent number: 8408492
    Abstract: A floor panel, in particular for covering floors of cargo holds of aircraft, is formed by a plurality of milled profiles, which are friction stir welded along their longitudinal edges, with preference continuously to form longitudinal (butt) seams. The milled profiles each form a beam “of equal stress”, with an upper flange and a lower flange spaced apart from one another along their extent. The milled profiles have a double-T-shaped cross-sectional profile, the upper flanges and the lower flanges being respectively connected by webs. With preference, the milled profiles are milled out in one piece from solid material of a sufficiently tough aluminum alloy. The joining together of the floor panel including a plurality of milled profiles that are arranged in parallel and friction stir welded allows a high mechanical load-bearing capacity of the floor panel in comparison with conventional sandwich floor panels along with a comparatively low weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Herrmann Benthien
  • Patent number: 8403262
    Abstract: An overhead luggage compartment is provided with a mounting for a control unit, having a first, top guide, which is fastened in the overhead luggage compartment. A second, bottom guide extends below and at least substantially parallel to the first guide. The first guide comprises a horizontal, first portion adjoined in an inward direction of the luggage compartment by a second portion, which extends obliquely upwards from the level of the first portion. The first portion of the first guide and the second guide are telescopically extensible in horizontal direction. The second guide is open in the direction of the first guide. A first suspension point is coupled rotatably to the outer end of the extensible portion of the first guide. A second suspension point is disposed inwards of the first suspension point and configured for displaceable engagement with the first portion and the second portion of the first guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Benjamin Bartels, Klaus Hanna
  • Patent number: 8401742
    Abstract: A control and monitoring system is provided in the aircraft cabin and controls a reconfiguration process with corresponding software in combination with reconfiguration data received from the ground personnel. The control is realized, for example, with a suitable light signals and the unlocking of the seats at certain times. All work sequences are acoustically and/or optically displayed such that the reconfiguration can also be carried out by untrained personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Schliwa, Tobias Mayer
  • Patent number: 8398029
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an on-board device for measuring the mass and the position of the center of gravity of an aircraft having a plurality of landing gears (T1, T2), each landing gear (T1, T2) being provided with at least one contact member (2) having a deformable element (3) that is deformable under the action of the weight of the aircraft when the aircraft is standing on a surface, and is remarkable in that the formable element (3) is provided with a bar (4) having an eddy current sensor (6) at its free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Julie Leroy, Bertrand Tardy
  • Patent number: 8387919
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for use in an aircraft cargo hold a plurality of direction-independent conveyor elements such as ball elements or similar, on which an item of freight such as a container can be transported in a transport plane linearly and with a change of direction. In order to improve the handling of items of freight, in particular to avoid damage, the apparatus comprises at least one brake element, for example in a door region of the cargo hold, in order to brake movement of the item of freight with a predetermined, finite braking force while it is being transported into the cargo hold or out of the cargo hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Telair International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Huber, Richard Holzner
  • Patent number: 8387917
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting containers in an aircraft. A number of containers is loaded into the aircraft. The aircraft is comprised of first and second outer planar structures, a number of planar structures located between the first outer planar structure and the second outer planar structure, a wing, and a support structure. The first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, and the number of planar structures are substantially parallel to each other, are coupled to each other to form a fuselage structure, and are configured to receive the number of containers. The support structure connects the wing to a first bottom end of the first outer planar structure, a second bottom end of the second outer planar structure, and a number of bottom ends of the number of planar structures. The aircraft is operated to transport the number of containers to a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Erik Grip, Blaine Knight Rawdon
  • Patent number: 8387918
    Abstract: A compartment for a transportation device is provided. The compartment may include a one-piece basin, an inflatable wall member, and multi-directional support arms to attach the basin within the transportation device. The one-piece basin may fit through an opening in the transportation device. Methods of installation for installing the compartment within the transportation device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Richard L. Rankin, Dennis C. Lin
  • Patent number: 8387916
    Abstract: A galley including a galley body on a cabin floor for accommodating storage boxes, appliances and at least one service cart; storage boxes for storing goods, and a service cart. The galley body has a plurality of vertical levels that are substantially equidistant from each other, each of the vertical levels divided into a plurality of laterally adjacent compartments whose horizontal and vertical dimensions are equal to an integer multiple of the respective dimensions of a single one of the storage boxes. A transfer table is provided in front of the galley body for access to the compartments. A method includes catering for passengers on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Baatz, Joyce Tan, Jonathan Short, Robert Henshaw, Mark Londborg, Steve Casey
  • Patent number: 8382034
    Abstract: A system box for accommodating aircraft systems, and for load transmission between an aircraft structure and a crew rest compartment. The system box comprises a first, a second and a third region, wherein the three regions differ from each other. The first region is adapted attachment of the system box to the primary structure of the aircraft, wherein the second region is adapted for mechanical contact with a crew rest compartment for the aircrew. The mechanical contact in turn is adapted for load transmission between the aircraft structure and the crew rest compartment. Necessary aircraft systems are accommodated in the third region of the system box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Gijsbertus Beentjes, Holger Warner, Christian Wesselink
  • Patent number: 8382033
    Abstract: A ballistic resistant and explosive protective system for an aircraft. The system may include a plurality of composite panels. Each composite panel may include a first layer and second layer formed of a fiber-reinforced plastic material, and a ballistic resistant laminate core layer formed between the first layer and the second layer. The composite panels may be integrally combined and installed at an interior of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Gary Thomas Reece
  • Publication number: 20130043344
    Abstract: An aircraft interior panel for supporting high-weight loads including a core panel sandwiched between structural plies, a panel insert embedded in the panel and passing through and interrupting the core panel, the insert having an elongate stem capped on each end with an enlarged flange, the elongate stem being arranged axially perpendicular to the core panel and the enlarged flanges being arranged parallel to the core panel, and facing sheets bonded outward of the panel insert for concealing the panel insert within the aircraft interior panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Ruonavaara, Ryan Hohensee, James C. Grieve
  • Patent number: 8366049
    Abstract: A payload or cargo is delivered from a cargo hold of an aircraft during flight, by orienting the fuselage into a nose-up and tail-down position of at least 30 degrees off horizontal, and lowering the cargo from a cargo hold in the fuselage by means of one or more lines. Preferred vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft include tilt-rotor or tilt-wing aircraft, and especially preferred aircraft are capable of generating control moments with their rotors to assist in orientating the fuselage of the aircraft into a nose-up and tail-down position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Abe Karem