Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vertically stowable aircraft storage unit for providing additional storage in a cabin area of an aircraft can include a storage compartment and a vacuum lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the storage compartment between a stowed position and a deployed position. The vacuum lift mechanism can include at least one vacuum actuator in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The aircraft storage unit can further include an overhead mounting frame for mounting the vacuum lift mechanism to an upper structure of an interior of the aircraft, and a storage compartment frame configured to releasably receive the storage compartment. The vacuum lift mechanism may be releasably attached, at an upper end, to the overhead mounting frame, and at a lower end, to the storage compartment frame. The upper structure of the interior of the aircraft can be above a ceiling of the cabin area.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a vertically stowable aircraft storage unit for providing additional storage in a cabin area of an aircraft includes a storage compartment, a vacuum lift mechanism, and a stowage container housing. The vacuum lift mechanism may include at least one vacuum actuator, and an air manifold in fluid communication with a vacuum source, the air manifold configured to provide vacuum and venting to the at least one vacuum actuator. The stowage container housing may be configured to receive the storage compartment in the stowed position and may be configured for mounting above a ceiling of the cabin area.

Abstract: A method of installing an aircraft overhead stowage system includes installing a plurality of bin support rail fittings onto a plurality of bin support rails disposed above a ceiling of a cross-aisle galley complex; positioning a stowage compartment housing supported by a stowage support structure above the ceiling of the galley complex, the stowage compartment housing including a first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing; aligning the stowage compartment housing and the stowage support structure with the bin support rails; and fastening the stowage support structure to the bin support rails using the bin support rail fittings such that the stowage compartment housing is structurally supported above the ceiling of the galley complex.

Abstract: A method of installing an aircraft overhead stowage system includes installing a plurality of bin support rail fittings onto a plurality of bin support rails disposed above a ceiling of a cross-aisle galley complex; positioning a stowage compartment housing supported by a stowage support structure above the ceiling of the galley complex, the stowage compartment housing including a first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing; aligning the stowage compartment housing and the stowage support structure with the bin support rails; and fastening the stowage support structure to the bin support rails using the bin support rail fittings such that the stowage compartment housing is structurally supported above the ceiling of the galley complex.

Abstract: An aircraft overhead stowage system for a cross-aisle galley complex. The aircraft overhead stowage system includes a stowage compartment housing disposed above a ceiling of the galley complex that is supported above the ceiling by a stowage support structure. A first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment are each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing, and each stowage compartment is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the stowage compartment housing using a vacuum system. A vacuum generator that creates a vacuum force is mounted on the stowage compartment housing, and a plurality of vacuum bellows connected to each stowage compartment are in fluid communication with the vacuum generator. The vacuum system causes the stowage compartments to move between the stowed position and the deployed position. Vacuum-driven and manually-driven latching assemblies and removable extensions for each stowage compartment are also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum powered system for moving a movable component, such as for raising and lowering a stowage container, includes a vacuum actuator connected between a fixed structure and a movable component. The vacuum actuator includes one or more intake ports that are configured to connect with a source of vacuum for moving the movable component in a first direction to a first position, and one or more bleed valve ports for venting the vacuum actuator to move the movable component in a second direction to a second position. The vacuum actuator may be an air bellows, a single acting linear vacuum actuator, or a dual acting linear vacuum actuator. A guiding system is further provided that includes elongated tracks in a stationary stowage container housing that houses the movable component, and corresponding guide elements on the movable component that slidably engage with the elongated tracks for moving the movable component.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vertically stowable aircraft storage unit for providing additional storage in a cabin area of an aircraft can include a storage compartment and a vacuum lift mechanism for lifting and lowering the storage compartment between a stowed position and a deployed position. The vacuum lift mechanism can include at least one vacuum actuator in fluid communication with a vacuum source. The aircraft storage unit can further include an overhead mounting frame for mounting the vacuum lift mechanism to an upper structure of an interior of the aircraft, and a storage compartment frame configured to releasably receive the storage compartment. The vacuum lift mechanism may be releasably attached, at an upper end, to the overhead mounting frame, and at a lower end, to the storage compartment frame. The upper structure of the interior of the aircraft can be above a ceiling of the cabin area.

Abstract: An aircraft overhead stowage system for a cross-aisle galley complex. The aircraft overhead stowage system includes a stowage compartment housing disposed above a ceiling of the galley complex that is supported above the ceiling by a stowage support structure. A first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment are each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing, and each stowage compartment is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the stowage compartment housing using a vacuum system. A vacuum generator that creates a vacuum force is mounted on the stowage compartment housing, and a plurality of vacuum bellows connected to each stowage compartment are in fluid communication with the vacuum generator. The vacuum system causes the stowage compartments to move between the stowed position and the deployed position. Vacuum-driven and manually-driven latching assemblies and removable extensions for each stowage compartment are also provided.

Abstract: A vacuum powered system for moving a movable component, such as for raising and lowering a stowage container, includes a vacuum actuator connected between a fixed structure and a movable component. The vacuum actuator includes one or more intake ports that are configured to connect with a source of vacuum for moving the movable component in a first direction to a first position, and one or more bleed valve ports for venting the vacuum actuator to move the movable component in a second direction to a second position. The vacuum actuator may be an air bellows, a single acting linear vacuum actuator, or a dual acting linear vacuum actuator. A guiding system is further provided that includes elongated tracks in a stationary stowage container housing that houses the movable component, and corresponding guide elements on the movable component that slidably engage with the elongated tracks for moving the movable component.