Fuselage And Body Construction Patents (Class 244/119)
  • Patent number: 11511861
    Abstract: In an example, an overhead payload module is described. The overhead payload module comprises a ceiling assembly, an aisle floor assembly, a first payload assembly attached to the ceiling assembly and the aisle floor assembly to form a first side of the overhead payload module, and a second payload assembly attached to the ceiling assembly and the aisle floor assembly to form a second side of the overhead payload module. The first payload assembly comprises a first payload module and a first overhead stowbin module structurally integrated with the first payload module and having a first stowage area configured to receive stowbins. The second payload assembly is positioned opposite the first payload assembly to form an aisle therebetween and comprises a second payload module and a second overhead stowbin module structurally integrated with the second payload module and having a second stowage area configured to receive stowbins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Young, Duane M. Egging, Douglas J. Seiersen, Kyong S. Kim
  • Patent number: 11511846
    Abstract: An aircraft has a vertical stabilizer having a multi-spar box and a base rib assembly secured to the multi-spar box. The base rib assembly has a pair of middle longitudinal lugs between a front and rear of the base rib assembly, a pair of front lateral lugs along the front of the base rib assembly, and a pair of rear lateral lugs along the rear of the base rib assembly. There are no lateral lugs between the pairs of middle lugs. A pair of middle clevises extend through corresponding apertures in an outer skin of the fuselage and are secured to one of the plurality of frame members and a plurality of retaining members are inserted through mounting holes in each middle longitudinal lug and mounting holes in each middle clevis to secure the vertical stabilizer to the aircraft fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph H. Campana, William H. Pearson, Charles R. Coates, Kevin P. Ryder, Peter J. Newnham
  • Patent number: 11505334
    Abstract: An installation system for a cabin of a vehicle includes at least one built-in component for installation in the cabin, multiple base elements for arrangement on a structurally fixed component of the vehicle and multiple holding devices that can be connected to the at least one built-in component. The holding devices each include a clamping unit with receiving space defined by at least two clamping members, wherein the receiving space can be moved between an open and a closed state through movement of at least one of the clamping members in the direction of the other clamping member in each case and wherein the clamping unit is configured to move the at least one clamping member by pressing the clamping unit onto a base element when the receiving space is in the open state and thereby closing the receiving space including the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventors: Matthias Hegenbart, Alexander Horn, Marcus Hinrichs, Thorsten Otto, Ingo Roth, Andreas Wietzke
  • Patent number: 11493104
    Abstract: A damper member may include a gel-like member and a first film joined to a first surface of the gel-like member in a thickness direction, in which a side surface of the gel-like member located between a second surface opposite to the first surface of the gel-like member in the thickness direction and the first surface is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shoji Hinata
  • Patent number: 11485468
    Abstract: An aircraft structure and its method of construction avoids the inefficiencies involved in current methods of constructing the aircraft structure, reduces the manufacturing time required for constructing the aircraft structure and reduces the cost involved in constructing the aircraft structure. The aircraft structure and its method of construction is comprised of a geodesic or multi-grid framework of intersecting thermoplastic composite strips that are joined to an interior surface of a thermoplastic composite fuselage skin panel through overmolding/co-consolidation of the grid framework and the skin panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Adriana Willempje Blom-Schieber
  • Patent number: 11453481
    Abstract: A leading edge structure for an aerofoil is disclosed. The leading edge structure includes a skin configured to form an external aerodynamic surface of the aerofoil. The skin includes a plurality of first regions interleaved with a plurality of second regions. Each first region includes a plurality of holes extending through the skin, and each second region includes an electrical heating system configured to increase the temperature of the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: David Andrew Phipps, Vernon John Holmes
  • Patent number: 11453473
    Abstract: An aircraft fuselage includes a stretched-quadrant fuselage segment having from to four stretched-quadrant fuselage projections spaced at intervals around the fuselage. The stretched-quadrant fuselage segment enables an aircraft to be configured for three-across seating rows and for carrying an LD-3 unit load device inside the fuselage with the seats removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Inventors: Luc Van Bavel, Michael Derman
  • Patent number: 11447228
    Abstract: A method includes providing a frame sheet. The method also includes elevating a temperature of the frame sheet to at or above an elevated target temperature. Further the method includes, at or above the elevated target temperature, forming the frame sheet to provide a frame defining a web and at least one flange. Also, the method includes machining at least one of the web or the at least one flange to reduce a thickness of the at least one of the web or the at least on flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jared L. Bolin, Christopher Tyler
  • Patent number: 11441731
    Abstract: A pressure vessel includes at least one pair of side bulkheads spaced apart from each other. In addition, the pressure vessel includes at least one substantially flat panel having at least one panel span extending between the pair of side bulkheads and being in non-contacting proximity to the side bulkheads. The panel and the side bulkheads collectively form at least a portion of a structural assembly enclosing the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel also includes a plurality of panel braces coupling the side bulkheads to the panel at a plurality of panel attachment nodes distributed along the panel span. At least two of the panel braces have a different axial stiffness configured to result in the outward deflection of the panel attachment nodes by substantially equal deflection amounts when the panel is subjected to an out-of-plane pressure load during internal pressurization of the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert Erik Grip
  • Patent number: 11429159
    Abstract: A tape structure, a display panel and a display device utilizing the tape structure is provided. The tape structure includes a first adhesive layer, a supporting layer, and a second adhesive layer. The first adhesive layer extends along a first direction and has a first surface. The supporting layer is disposed on the first surface and includes a plurality of supporting units. A part of the second adhesive layer is attached to the first surface. The supporting layer is covered by the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer located at the side of the supporting layer opposite to the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ching-Feng Hsu
  • Patent number: 11420718
    Abstract: An aircraft tail assembly includes an aft fuselage section secured to a forward fuselage section, and includes a stiffener-reinforced pivot bulkhead defined by separate parts secured together by a first set of splices. A longeron extends longitudinally along the aft and forward fuselage sections, and includes a discontinuity adjacent a peripheral edge of the pivot bulkhead. The aircraft tail assembly includes a second set of splices that overlie the discontinuity. One of the second set of splices extends laterally over the longeron to bridge the discontinuity adjacent the peripheral edge of the pivot bulkhead, and another of the second set of splices extends longitudinally along the longeron to secure the longeron to the pivot bulkhead adjacent the discontinuity. A chord engages the peripheral edge of the pivot bulkhead to facilitate transfers of force loads from the bulkhead along a load path that includes the longerons and the splices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joel Kevin Joseph, Max Tyler Breedlove, Paul Diep, Peter John Newnham
  • Patent number: 11420722
    Abstract: A seal for sealing an aircraft fuel tank, an aircraft wing rib and stringer sealing assembly, an aircraft wing fuel tank, an aircraft structural wing box, an aircraft wing, and a method of sealing an aperture are disclosed. The seal is for sealing a wing rib to a stringer passing through an aperture in the rib at a variable position in the aperture. The seal includes self-adjustment means to absorb any tolerance when forming the seal, upon the stringer being assembled into the aperture in the rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Edwards, Antony Peacock, Timothy Sanderson
  • Patent number: 11414172
    Abstract: A shear tie connector system for securing a frame component to a composite fuselage skin, which includes a shear tie connector and a fuselage mandrel, which defines a slot within which the shear tie connector is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Tyler E. Berkey, Charles D. Peyton
  • Patent number: 11414171
    Abstract: A system and method for forming a strut. A strut comprises a laminated composite tube having a substantially hollow interior and a pair of longitudinal stiffeners attached to opposite sides of the laminated composite tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Samuel Ray Stewart
  • Patent number: 11396366
    Abstract: An active laminar flow control arrangement may comprise a modular arrangement comprising a plurality of frames and cover panels coupled to an outer skin having a plurality of hat stiffeners and stringers. A first cover panel may be coupled between a first frame and a first hat stiffener. A second cover panel may be coupled between a second frame and a second hat stiffener. A third cover panel may be coupled between the first cover panel and the second cover panel. The cover panels may enclose associated plenums whereby a flow of air is pumped into the arrangement for maintaining a laminar flow across an aerodynamic surface of the outer skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo T. Sanz Martinez, Johann Steven Schrell, Thomas Paolini
  • Patent number: 11383841
    Abstract: In an example, an overhead payload module is described. The overhead payload module comprises a ceiling assembly, an aisle floor assembly, a first payload assembly attached to the ceiling assembly and the aisle floor assembly to form a first side of the overhead payload module, and a second payload assembly attached to the ceiling assembly and the aisle floor assembly to form a second side of the overhead payload module. The first payload assembly comprises a first payload module and a first overhead stowbin module structurally integrated with the first payload module and having a first stowage area configured to receive stowbins. The second payload assembly is positioned opposite the first payload assembly to form an aisle therebetween and comprises a second payload module and a second overhead stowbin module structurally integrated with the second payload module and having a second stowage area configured to receive stowbins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Stephen M. Young, Duane M. Egging, Douglas J. Seiersen, Kyong S. Kim
  • Patent number: 11383817
    Abstract: Modular fuselage assemblies for aircraft, aircraft including modular fuselage assemblies, and methods of assembling modular fuselage assemblies. A modular fuselage assembly includes a plurality of fuselage lobes that may extend along a longitudinal axis of the modular fuselage assembly. Each fuselage lobe includes a plurality of frame members and a lobe skin that is operatively attached to the plurality of frame members and defines an external surface of the fuselage lobe. The modular fuselage assembly also includes a plurality of longerons extending along a longitudinal axis of the modular fuselage assembly. At least two fuselage lobes are operatively attached to each longeron and the plurality of fuselage lobes and the plurality of longerons at least partially bound a cargo hold defined within the modular fuselage assembly. The methods include methods of assembling the modular fuselage assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Robert Erik Grip, Joseph Paul Giesing
  • Patent number: 11377189
    Abstract: A structure for an aircraft fuselage, the structure comprising a skin having an outer face and an inner face machined as a grid-stiffened panel, a plurality of frames, each frame shaped as the cross section of the fuselage and the frames being arranged one after the other along a longitudinal direction of the fuselage. The outer perimeter of each frame is secured to the inner face, a plurality of stringers extend parallel to the longitudinal direction, each stringer extending across multiple frames, passing through these at an opening provided to that end in each frame, and each stringer is pressed against the inner face and secured thereto. In the upper part and in the lower part of the fuselage, a torsion box is provided extending parallel to the longitudinal direction, each torsion box comprising a horizontal plate and tabs which secure the plate to the inner face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS SAS
    Inventors: Christophe Mialhe, Andreas Dresel
  • Patent number: 11370523
    Abstract: An aircraft has a vertical stabilizer with a multi-spar box and a base rib assembly secured to the multi-spar box. The base rib assembly has front longitudinal lugs, rear longitudinal lugs, and opposing middle longitudinal lugs. Front clevises corresponding to the front longitudinal lugs are secured to frame members of the fuselage of the aircraft and each has a first, second, and third mounting arms. Rear clevises corresponding to the rear longitudinal lugs are secured to frame members and each has a first, second, and third mounting arms. Middle clevises corresponding to the middle longitudinal lugs are secured to frame members and each has only first and second mounting arms. Retaining members inserted through mounting holes in each longitudinal lug and mounting holes in each corresponding clevis secures the vertical stabilizer to the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph H. Campana, William H. Pearson, Charles R. Coates, Kevin P. Ryder, Peter J. Newnham
  • Patent number: 11370545
    Abstract: Methods and systems for efficiently loading cargo transports, such as cargo aircraft, are described. The methods and systems rely upon payload profiles for various payloads where the payloads include repeatable payloads that have the same characteristics. Based on the payload profile, the payload is positioned at a designated location in an interior cargo bay of the cargo transport. The designated location is denoted by one or more pre-formed markings in the interior cargo bay that establish where a payload having the respective payload profile should be positioned in the bay. The payload can then be secured in the bay. Because the designated location accounts for centers of gravity, the payload can be loaded and secured in the bay without having to run various calculations each time a payload is loaded. Systems and methods related to how the payloads are packaged in an efficient, expeditious manner are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ZSM HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Etan D. Karni, Scott David Rewerts, Mark Emil Lundstrom
  • Patent number: 11338898
    Abstract: A truss connected to a structure via a fixed rod end attachment and at least one swing-link attachment. A first beam of the truss is connected to a frame member of the structure via a fixed rod end attachment, which locates the truss relative to the frame of the structure. Remaining beams of the truss to be connected to the frame of the structure are attached via swing-link attachments, which can pivot relative to the beam of the truss and the frame of the structure to allow relative movement between the beam and frame. The relative movement allows the structure to flex without imparting additional loads in the truss or the frame of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brad A. Kauffman, Thomas V. Gendzwill, Sergey S. Shevchenko, Ilia A. Rumyantsev
  • Patent number: 11332228
    Abstract: A wide-body aircraft is disclosed with a fuselage section that includes a set of side-by-side fuselage lobes having a fuselage skin. A first woven composite preform positioned at a first intersection of the set of side-by-side fuselage lobes located at a first cusp of the side-by-side fuselage lobes. A second woven composite preform positioned at a second intersection of the set of side-by-side fuselage lobes located at a second cusp of the side-by-side fuselage lobes. Each of the first and second woven composite preforms are configured to receive a structural component, such that each of the first and second woven composite preforms accommodates vertical load imparted through the structural component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation
    Inventors: Clint Church, Jeffrey Chambers
  • Patent number: 11325689
    Abstract: In an example, a composite stringer assembly includes a composite stringer, a radius filler, and an overwrap layer. The composite stringer includes: (i) a skin flange configured to be coupled to a support structure, (ii) a web, (iii) a lower corner portion of the composite stringer extending from the skin flange to the web, and (iv) an inner surface of the composite stringer extending along the skin flange, the lower corner portion, and the web. The radius filler includes a first surface coupled to the inner surface at the lower corner portion, a second surface configured to couple to the support structure, and a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface. The overwrap layer is coupled to the inner surface at the web, the third surface of the radius filler, and the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Jiangtian Cheng
  • Patent number: 11319060
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pivoting main landing gear of a cargo aircraft. One embodiment is a main landing gear of an aircraft that includes a shock strut coupled to a truck with one or more wheels, and a trunnion coupled to a bulkhead and configured to pivotally couple the shock strut with the bulkhead. The main landing gear also includes a folding brace extending from the shock strut in a forward direction toward a nose of the aircraft and configured to stabilize the shock strut. The main landing gear further includes a retraction actuator configured to pivot the shock strut about the trunnion to retract the one or more wheels in the forward direction toward the nose and up toward a fuselage of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Justin Duane Cottet
  • Patent number: 11318705
    Abstract: A composite panel includes a plurality of segments, wherein each segment includes a plurality of reinforcement plies such as carbon fiber plies. Collimated fiber bands (e.g., carbon fibers) within each reinforcement ply are oriented in a single direction, which can be, for example, 0°, 45°, 90°, and ?45°. Each segment can include a stack of reinforcement plies, wherein the collimated fiber bands of each reinforcement ply are oriented in one of these directions. The orientations of the collimated fiber bands that form the reinforcement plies in a stack determine a stiffness of the stack and the segment that includes the stack. The stiffness of each segment is controlled to reduce a stiffness mismatch between adjacent segments that form the composite panel, thereby reducing separation of the segments during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Jiangtian Cheng
  • Patent number: 11320296
    Abstract: A test cage and method for testing a gap formed between a wall and an insulation layer in a vehicle. The test cage includes first and second end walls and a sidewall to form an interior space. Openings extend through one or more of the first and second end walls and the sidewall. The openings are configured to allow air flow through the interior space. Two or more ports extend through the first end wall and are in communication with the interior space. Each of the ports comprises an inner end at the interior space with the inner ends spaced apart within the interior space and also spaced away from the second end wall. Hoses can be connected to the ports to provide for inputting a gas and/or testing the air within the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: William John Connell, Marcus Karel Richardson
  • Patent number: 11305875
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle chassis includes providing the vehicle chassis including a main body and at least one compartment arranged on the vehicle chassis, selectively receiving one or more components in the compartment, and effecting an operational state of a vehicle comprising the vehicle chassis based on a type of at least one of the one or more components that are selectively received in the compartment. The one or more components is selected from a plurality of components of different types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hanping Chen, Xiangyu Chen, Mingxi Wang, Qi Zhou
  • Patent number: 11279486
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an auxiliary-pod mounting system for mounting an auxiliary pod to a landing skid assembly of a helicopter. The landing skid assembly comprises a forward crossbar, a rearward crossbar, and skids coupled to the forward crossbar and the rearward crossbar. The auxiliary-pod mounting system comprises a first rail. The auxiliary-pod mounting system also comprises a second rail, spaced apart from the first rail. The auxiliary-pod mounting system further comprises a mounting plate, interposed between and coupled to the first rail and the second rail. The mounting plate comprises pod engagement features configured to engage the auxiliary pod and to secure the auxiliary pod to the mounting plate. The auxiliary-pod mounting system additionally comprises a plurality of brackets configured to couple the first rail and the second rail to the forward crossbar and the rearward crossbar of the landing skid assembly of the helicopter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Szarek
  • Patent number: 11279487
    Abstract: Systems and methods for loading a cargo aircraft are described. The system includes at least one rail disposed in an interior cargo bay of a cargo aircraft that extends at an angle relative to an interior bottom contact surface of a forward portion of the interior cargo bay, through a kinked portion and an aft portion of the interior cargo bay. Payload-receiving fixtures are described that can be used in conjunction with the rail system, allowing for large cargo, such as wind turbine blades, to be transported by aircraft. Methods of loading a cargo aircraft can include advancing the large payload into the interior cargo bay of the aircraft such that at least one of the payload-receiving fixtures rises relative to a plane defined by the interior bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay. Various systems, methods, components, and related tooling are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ZSM HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Jason C. Bell, Etan D. Karni, Scott David Rewerts, Ravi Singh
  • Patent number: 11273900
    Abstract: A thermal management system for transferring heat from a heat load includes a composite structural member that supports a heat load source and a heat transfer member in thermal contact with the composite structural member, and in thermal contact with a heat sink. The system further includes at least one thermally-conductive first fastener that is in thermal contact with the heat transfer member, couples the heat load source to the composite structural member, and conducts heat from the heat load source into the heat transfer member. The heat transfer member conducts heat from the thermally-conductive first fastener to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Edward V. White
  • Patent number: 11203407
    Abstract: A floor grid includes an outboard member, a first seat track and a second seat track, a first member extending from the outboard member to the first seat track, a second member extending from the first seat track to the second seat track, a first stanchion extending from the outboard member to the first seat track, a second stanchion extending from the outboard member to the second seat track, a third seat track and a fourth seat track, an intercostal extending from the second seat track to the fourth seat track, a third member extending from the outboard member to the third seat track, a fourth member extending from the third seat track to the fourth seat track, a third stanchion extending from the outboard member to the third seat track, and a fourth stanchion extending from the outboard member to the fourth seat track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brett Dayton Sjostrom, Jose A. Cantos
  • Patent number: 11167835
    Abstract: A lower fuselage shell for an aircraft rear fuselage section, wherein the lower fuselage shell is made of a composite material and comprises at least one lower skin and stringers integrally formed with the lower skin, and frame segments extending crosswise relative to the stringers. Shear-ties are co-cured or co-bonded with the lower skin and extend crosswise relative to the stringers. Frame segments are fastened to the shear-ties, such that the frame segments are distanced from the lower skin. An aircraft rear fuselage section comprises an upper fuselage shell and the described lower fuselage shell. The upper fuselage shell has an upper skin reinforced with omega-shaped stringers, and the lower shell has a lower skin reinforced with T-shaped stringers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L.U.
    Inventors: José María Pina Lopez, Enrique Vera Villares
  • Patent number: 11148780
    Abstract: A wide body aircraft is discussed having a fuselage with a first structural element, a second structural element, a wide-body fuselage section, and a plurality of tension members. Each of the first structural element and the second structural element may be arranged to traverse a longitudinal length of the wide-body fuselage section. The wide-body fuselage section may comprise a set of side-by-side fuselage subassemblies, where the set of side-by-side fuselage subassemblies can be coupled to one another via the first structural element and the second structural element. The plurality of tension members can be arranged to manage tension between the first structural element and the second structural element. The plurality of tension members can be configured to remain flexible under a compression load, while managing tension therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation
    Inventor: Abraham Oonnoonny
  • Patent number: 11104446
    Abstract: A propulsion assembly for an aircraft includes a nacelle having a rapid connection interface, at least one battery disposed within the nacelle, a speed controller coupled to the battery and a propulsion system coupled to the speed controller and the battery. The propulsion system includes an electric motor having an output drive and a rotor assembly having a plurality of rotor blades that are rotatable with the output drive of the electric motor in a rotational plane to generate thrust. The electric motor is operable to rotate responsive to power from the battery at a speed responsive to the speed controller. The rapid connection interface of the nacelle is couplable to a rapid connection interface of an airframe nacelle station to provide structural and electrical connections therebetween that are operable for rapid in-situ assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: John Richard McCullough, Paul K. Oldroyd
  • Patent number: 11077929
    Abstract: A pressure bulkhead system is presented. The pressure bulkhead system comprises an aft pressure bulkhead having a bulkhead interface surface, skin splice angles positioned adjacent to one another and joined to the aft pressure bulkhead, and a plurality of shims between the flange surface and the bulkhead interface surface of the aft pressure bulkhead. The skin splice angles form a circumferential surface and a flange surface, wherein the circumferential surface has a nominal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charlie E. Branyon, III, Dennis R. Mathis
  • Patent number: 11059264
    Abstract: Provided herein is are multilayer damping laminates comprising alternating damping and constraining layers. The materials and configurations of the damping layers are selected such that the damping layers have a decreasing glass transition temperature profile beginning at the first damping layer, allowing the laminates to effectively dissipate vibrations over a wider range of operating temperatures and/or frequencies. Also provided are systems and methods using the multilayer damping laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Henry W. Milliman, Mahesh Ganesan
  • Patent number: 11021226
    Abstract: A method for producing a fuselage portion, in particular for an aircraft or spacecraft, has the following method steps: welding a skin portion containing a thermoplastic material with a former containing a thermoplastic material in the region of a predetermined welding zone; and connecting an attachment element, configured as a crack stopper, to the skin portion and to the former in the region of the welding zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Paul Joern
  • Patent number: 11001363
    Abstract: An example aircraft wing includes a first skin, a second skin opposite to the first skin, and a composite spar. The composite spar includes a double-flanged spar cap, a single-flanged spar cap, a spar web connecting the double-flanged spar cap and the single-flanged spar cap, and a tear strap. The double-flanged spar cap includes an inward-facing flange and a first outward-facing flange, and the inward-facing flange and the first outward-facing flange are integrated with the first skin during a co-curing process. The single-flanged spar cap includes a second outward-facing flange that is attached to the second skin. The tear strap is stitched to an inner side of the spar web along at least a portion of a length of the composite spar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kim A. Linton, James P. Dobberfuhl, Jaime E. Baraja, Hsi-Yung T. Wu
  • Patent number: 10987833
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a three dimensional structure having an internal space, the method comprising the following steps: (a) arranging a preform of fibre reinforced material in a first configuration in which the preform is supported by a support structure; (b) selectively curing the preform when laid out on the support structure to produce an intermediate preform, the intermediate preform comprising at least two selectively cured portions interconnected by at least one non-selectively cured portion; and (c) moving the two selectively cured portions with respect to one another to form the three dimensional composite structure in which the two portions at least partially surround the internal space of the structure. A preform of fibre reinforced material for use in a method of manufacturing a three dimensional structure having an internal space also forms part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: WILLIAMS ADVANCED ENGINEERING LIMITED
    Inventor: Iain Bomphray
  • Patent number: 10988253
    Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle may include a fuselage and an anchor structure coupled to the fuselage and including a wing retention structure and a power module retention structure. The unmanned aerial vehicle may also include a wing releasably coupled to the wing retention structure, thereby coupling the wing to the fuselage, and a power module releasably coupled to the power module retention structure, thereby coupling the power module to the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Zipline International Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Perry, Zoltan Laszlo, Scott Parker, Nathan Goldsberry, Bryan Wade, Keenan Wyrobek, Brian Boomgaard, Zhefei Li, Sven Blaser
  • Patent number: 10968620
    Abstract: A sandwich structure includes two face plates, with a lattice structure between the plates, and with hard points at selected locations. The face plates, and the lattice structure with its hard points, may all be made as a single continuous piece by an additive manufacturing process. The hard points may be strengthened and/or stiffened areas of the lattice that may be used for connecting fasteners, or for other purposes. The hard points may be located at the junction between the lattice and one of the faces, and may be a locally thickened portion on one of the faces, for example being a cylindrical or parallelepiped protrusion out from the face. The hard points may serve the purpose of a built-in nut plate, such as themselves containing threaded holes, or by having a threaded inserts put into holes or recesses in the hard points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Andrew Truxel
  • Patent number: 10926857
    Abstract: A pressure bulkhead for an aircraft includes a wall assembly. The wall assembly includes a first wall section which extends in a direction nonparallel to a length of the aircraft. The wall assembly further includes a second wall section secured to the first wall section wherein the second wall section includes a curved shape. The curved shape includes a convex portion which extends further along the length of the aircraft in a direction toward the aft end of the aircraft than the first wall section. A method for assembling a pressure bulkhead is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kyle L. McNamara, Edward Frederick Lauser, Jr., David William Bowen, Kevin Andrew Crow, Michael Stephen Niezgoda
  • Patent number: 10899066
    Abstract: A thermoforming machine for manufacturing articles from a heated thermoplastic film includes a molding station, an extraction device, a hole punch; and a stacking station. The hole punch includes a pivotable lower punching tool which receives punched-out articles from the extraction device while being pivoted into a tilted position facing the extraction device and which pivots into a vertical 0° position to face an upper punching tool for punching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Gabler Thermoform GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Grolla
  • Patent number: 10882602
    Abstract: A fairing is provided in one example embodiment and may include a first edge portion to provide a first clearance distance between the fairing and rotor flight controls of a rotorcraft; a second edge portion to provide a second clearance distance between the fairing and the rotor flight controls of the aircraft, wherein the second clearance distance is greater than the first clearance distance; and a support structure attached to the fairing below the second edge portion. A rotorcraft is provided in another example embodiment and may include a fairing in which the fairing can include a handhold portion along an edge of the fairing. The handhold portion can include a handhold clearance distance between the handhold portion and rotor flight controls of the rotorcraft; and a support structure attached to the fairing below the handhold portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Brent Scannell, Thomas Mast, Keith C. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10822070
    Abstract: A pressure bulkhead system comprises a pressure bulkhead adapted to be connected to a fuselage of a vehicle to separate a pressurized cabin space of the vehicle from an unpressurized cabin space of the vehicle, and a peripheral pressure frame to sealingly connect the pressure bulkhead to the vehicle fuselage. The peripheral pressure frame comprises an attachment section sealingly attached to an outer rim portion of a first surface of the pressure bulkhead. The first surface, when the pressure bulkhead system is installed in the vehicle, faces the unpressurized cabin space of the vehicle. A flange section is adapted to be sealingly attached to an inner surface of the vehicle fuselage and extends in a direction facing away from the first surface of the pressure bulkhead. A flexible section interconnects the attachment section and the flange section and is flexible to accommodate cabin pressure acting on the pressure bulkhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Karim Grase, Marc Schimmler, Wolfgang Eilken, Memis Tiryaki
  • Patent number: 10814954
    Abstract: An insulation system comprises a first insulation blanket and a second insulation blanket. The first insulation blanket extends circumferentially within a curved body. The second insulation blanket extends circumferentially within the curved body and covers a zero position of the curved body. A portion of the second insulation blanket covers a portion of the first insulation blanket so that the portion of the second insulation blanket is between the portion of the first insulation blanket and the curved body to form an overlap. The overlap is positioned within a range having an absolute value of 5 to 40 degrees from the zero position of the curved body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Arif Zaman, Patrick M. Lane
  • Patent number: 10766598
    Abstract: Wing-to-fuselage joints and aircraft including the same. An aircraft includes a fuselage with an outer fuselage skin that at least partially defines an outer surface of the fuselage and a wing assembly operably coupled to the fuselage via a wing-to-fuselage joint. The wing assembly includes a left wing region with a lower left-wing-region skin and an upper left-wing-region skin, a right wing region with a lower right-wing-region skin and an upper right-wing-region skin, and a center wing region with a lower center-wing-region skin. The outer fuselage skin is coextensive with the lower center-wing-region skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Griess, Gary E. Georgeson
  • Patent number: 10752332
    Abstract: One example of a fairing for a rotorcraft includes an outer mold line portion (OML portion) and a bearing portion extending from the OML portion. The OML portion provides at least a portion of an outer mold line of the rotorcraft. Both the OML portion and the bearing portion shield a portion of a structural member. The bearing portion can protect the portion of the structural member from damage resulting from foot traffic associated with accessing an area nearby the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventors: Jon Damon Bennett, Joshua Allan Edler
  • Patent number: 10755585
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for unmanned aerial vehicle authorization and geofence envelope determination. One of the methods includes determining, by an electronic system in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), an estimated fuel remaining in the UAV. An estimated fuel consumption of the UAV is determined. Estimated information associated with wind affecting the UAV is determined using information obtained from sensors included in the UAV. Estimated flights times remaining for a current path, and one or more alternative flight paths, are determined using the determined estimated fuel remaining, determined estimated fuel consumption, determined information associated wind, and information describing each flight path. In response to the electronic system determining that the estimated fuel remaining, after completion of the current flight path, would be below a first threshold, an alternative flight path is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Skydio, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Downey, Bernard J. Michini, Joseph Moster, Donald Curry Weigel, James Ogden
  • Patent number: 10752333
    Abstract: An airframe for a tiltrotor aircraft includes a wing airframe including a rib, a fuselage airframe including a fore-aft overhead beam and a cradle support assembly. The cradle support assembly includes a forward wing support coupled to the fore-aft overhead beam and the wing airframe and an aft wing support coupled to the fore-aft overhead beam and the wing airframe. The rib, the fore-aft overhead beam, the forward wing support and the aft wing support are substantially aligned to form a wing-fuselage integrated airframe beam assembly to support the wing airframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: John Elton Brunken, Jr., Andrew G. Baines, James Everett Kooiman, John Richard McCullough, Brett Rodney Zimmerman