Patents by Inventor Ludger Merz

Ludger Merz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11761848
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining mechanical robustness of an overhead stowage bin for an aircraft includes repeatedly effecting an impact of a test body against an impact surface of the overhead stowage bin with a predefined impact force by a robotic arm of a manipulator, and investigating damage parameters of the overhead stowage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Kim, Ludger Merz, Tobias Müller, Ulrich Meier-Noe, Maik Simon, Franz Krause
  • Publication number: 20200278271
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining mechanical robustness of an overhead stowage bin for an aircraft includes repeatedly effecting an impact of a test body against an impact surface of the overhead stowage bin with a predefined impact force by a robotic arm of a manipulator, and investigating damage parameters of the overhead stowage bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Johann KIM, Ludger MERZ, Tobias MÜLLER, Ulrich MEIER-NOE, Maik SIMON, Franz KRAUSE
  • Patent number: 8491241
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reducing latch loads during the process of loading and flying air cargo containers inside cargo holds of aircraft. The device exhibits a floor plate of a cargo unit of a transport means, an edge profile, a rail bumper as well as a first damping unit. The first damping unit is situated between the edge profile and the floor plate, or between the edge profile and the rail bumper of the cargo unit. The first damping unit is designed for damping a movement by the cargo unit in a direction of movement of the cargo unit so as to reduce the loads placed on the cargo unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Dietmar Glatz, Markus Kaulbars, Ulrich Meier-Noe, Achim Merklinger, Ludger Merz
  • Patent number: 8209159
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing gusts and/or structural loads at aircraft, in particular passenger aircraft. The method includes generating an observer on the basis of a nonlinear model of the aircraft which describes the movement of the aircraft in all six degrees of freedom (DoF) and the elastic motion of the aircraft structure; continuously supplying all the data and measurements substantial for the description of the state of the aircraft to the observer; and calculating the gust velocities and structural loads (maneuver and gust loads) by the observer from the supplied data and measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Bensch, Hermann Henrichfreise, Juergen Jusseit, Ludger Merz
  • Publication number: 20120037619
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reducing latch loads during the process of loading and flying air cargo containers inside cargo holds of aircraft. The device exhibits a floor plate of a cargo unit of a transport means, an edge profile, a rail bumper as well as a first damping unit. The first damping unit is situated between the edge profile and the floor plate, or between the edge profile and the rail bumper of the cargo unit. The first damping unit is designed for damping a movement by the cargo unit in a direction of movement of the cargo unit so as to reduce the loads placed on the cargo unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar Glatz, Markus Kaulbars, Ulrich Meier-Noe, Achim Merklinger, Ludger Merz
  • Patent number: 8113751
    Abstract: A locking device for fastening containers for an aircraft. The locking device comprises at least one locking arrangement that can be affixed to an aircraft floor and that comprises a retaining element. The locking arrangement can be fastened to the aircraft floor such that a gap for adjusting the container is provided between the container and the locking arrangement. The retaining element of the locking arrangement can subsequently be moved in the direction of the payload such that a gap between the locking arrangement and the payload can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Ludger Merz
  • Patent number: 7975963
    Abstract: A safety system for reducing the impact energy of a container for an aircraft includes an aircraft cargo hold with at least one safety wall; an accommodation device; and at least one airbag. The accommodation device can be affixed to the safety wall, wherein the accommodation device is designed to accommodate the at least one airbag. In the case of a movement of the container, the at least one airbag can be activated so that air can be injected into the airbag so that some of the impact energy of the container can be absorbed by the at least one activated airbag, with the remaining forces then being distributed over an area of the at least one safety wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ludger Merz, Roland Fuhrmann
  • Publication number: 20100040427
    Abstract: A locking device for fastening containers for an aircraft. The locking device comprises at least one locking arrangement that can be affixed to an aircraft floor and that comprises a retaining element. The locking arrangement can be fastened to the aircraft floor such that a gap for adjusting the container is provided between the container and the locking arrangement. The retaining element of the locking arrangement can subsequently be moved in the direction of the payload such that a gap between the locking arrangement and the payload can be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Ludger Merz
  • Publication number: 20090171634
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing gusts and/or structural loads at aircraft, in particular passenger aircraft. The method includes generating an observer on the basis of a nonlinear model of the aircraft which describes the movement of the aircraft in all six degrees of freedom (DoF) and the elastic motion of the aircraft structure; continuously supplying all the data and measurements substantial for the description of the state of the aircraft to the observer; and calculating the gust velocities and structural loads (manoeuvre and gust loads) by the observer from the supplied data and measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Bensch, Hermann Henrichfreise, Jürgen Jusseit, Ludger Merz
  • Publication number: 20080315037
    Abstract: A safety system for reducing the impact energy of a container for an aircraft includes an aircraft cargo hold with at least one safety wall; an accommodation device; and at least one airbag. The accommodation device can be affixed to the safety wall, wherein the accommodation device is designed to accommodate the at least one airbag. In the case of a movement of the container, the at least one airbag can be activated so that air can be injected into the airbag so that some of the impact energy of the container can be absorbed by the at least one activated airbag, with the remaining forces then being distributed over an area of the at least one safety wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ludger Merz, Roland Fuhrmann