Abstract: A cargo aircraft is disclosed, and may include a fuselage defining a longitudinally-extending cargo compartment and including: an elongate cylindrical portion, longitudinally-opposed forward and rearward ends, and laterally-opposed first and second sides, and a forward portion engaged with the forward end of the cylindrical portion, the fuselage defining a continuous cargo opening to the cargo compartment along the first side, the cargo opening having a first portion extending along the cylindrical portion to a rearward edge and a second portion extending along the forward portion to a forward edge, wherein an increased distance of the forward edge from the forward end of the cylindrical portion allows an elongate cargo item to be obliquely inserted lengthwise through the cargo opening from the forward edge at a decreased acute loading angle between the elongate cargo item and the lateral centerline.

Abstract: A cargo aircraft is disclosed, and may include a fuselage defining a longitudinally-extending cargo compartment and including: an elongate cylindrical portion, longitudinally-opposed forward and rearward ends, and laterally-opposed first and second sides, and a forward portion engaged with the forward end of the cylindrical portion, the fuselage defining a continuous cargo opening to the cargo compartment along the first side, the cargo opening having a first portion extending along the cylindrical portion to a rearward edge and a second portion extending along the forward portion to a forward edge, wherein an increased distance of the forward edge from the forward end of the cylindrical portion allows an elongate cargo item to be obliquely inserted lengthwise through the cargo opening from the forward edge at a decreased acute loading angle between the elongate cargo item and the lateral centerline.

Abstract: A seat assembly is configured to be positioned within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat support structure that is configured to connect to a floor structure within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The seat support structure includes a seat base and a front end opposite from a rear end. Arm rests are pivotally coupled to the seat support structure. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the seat support structure proximate to pivotal coupling of the arm rests to the seat support structure. In at least one other embodiment, a seat back coupling upwardly and rearwardly extends from a middle portion of the rear cross beam. A seat back includes a narrowed mounting portion that pivotally couples to the seat back coupling without interfering with knee space formed in a back side of the seat back.

Abstract: An aircraft empennage includes a lower vertical fin member attached to a rear portion of a fuselage, and an upper stabilizer assembly connected to the lower vertical member by an articulating mount configured to allow movement of the upper stabilizer assembly relative to the lower vertical member to adjust pitch trim of the fuselage. The upper stabilizer assembly includes first and second horizontal stabilizer portions and at least one upper vertical member.

Abstract: The invention provides a pumped storage system with waterfall control subsystem, architected to enable optimized achievement of two primary goals in the context of a geography with upper and lower water bodies such as lakes, which are connected by a river with a waterfall. The first primary goal comprises energy storage utilizing a pumped storage system between two water bodies of different elevation, which can store energy from excess power production periods and return that energy by producing power to fill needs during deficit power production periods. The second primary goal comprises touristic value & waterfall viewer satisfaction combined with environmental & ecological objectives. A multiobjective control subsystem is utilized for synthesis of time-domain control commands aimed towards optimized achievement of the aforesaid two primary goals, and for control of the pumped storage system with waterfall control subsystem responsive to these time-domain control commands.

Abstract: The invention provides a pumped storage system with waterfall control subsystem, architected to enable optimized achievement of two primary goals in the context of a geography with upper and lower water bodies such as lakes, which are connected by a river with a waterfall. The first primary goal comprises energy storage utilizing a pumped storage system between two water bodies of different elevation, which can store energy from excess power production periods and return that energy by producing power to fill needs during deficit power production periods. The second primary goal comprises touristic value & waterfall viewer satisfaction combined with environmental & ecological objectives. A multiobjective control subsystem is utilized for synthesis of time-domain control commands aimed towards optimized achievement of the aforesaid two primary goals, and for control of the pumped storage system with waterfall control subsystem responsive to these time-domain control commands.

Abstract: An aircraft empennage includes a lower vertical member attached to a rear portion of a fuselage, and an upper stabilizer assembly connected to the lower vertical member by an articulating mount configured to allow movement of the upper stabilizer assembly relative to the lower vertical member to adjust pitch trim of the fuselage. The upper stabilizer assembly includes a V-shaped tail member having a pair of angled stabilizer portions, and each angled stabilizer portion has a trailing-edge ruddervator control surface. A rudder may be attached to a trailing edge of the lower vertical member.

Abstract: A seat configuration management system and method for determining a seat configuration of an internal cabin of an aircraft include a seat configuration determination control unit that provides a portfolio of seat configuration options for a scheduled trip of the aircraft. The seat configuration determination control unit iteratively updates the portfolio of seat configuration options based on reservations for the scheduled trip. The seat configuration determination control unit determines a final seat configuration for the scheduled trip by, at least one part, iteratively updating the portfolio of seat configuration options.

Abstract: A seat assembly is configured to be positioned within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat support structure that is configured to connect to a floor structure within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The seat support structure includes a seat base and a front end opposite from a rear end. Arm rests are pivotally coupled to the seat support structure. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the seat support structure proximate to pivotal coupling of the arm rests to the seat support structure. In at least one other embodiment, a seat back coupling upwardly and rearwardly extends from a middle portion of the rear cross beam. A seat back includes a narrowed mounting portion that pivotally couples to the seat back coupling without interfering with knee space formed in a back side of the seat back.

Abstract: A shape adapting system of a cushion assembly and method of forming a shape adapting system of a cushion assembly include an array of cells that retain a fluid, a fluid exchange sub-system coupled to the cells, wherein the fluid exchange sub-system fluidly connects the cells together, and at least one valve coupled to the fluid exchange sub-system. The valve(s) is configured to move between an open position in which the fluid is able to migrate among the cells to change a shape of the support base, and a closed position in which the shape of the support base is maintained.

Abstract: A seat assembly is configured to be positioned within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat support structure that is configured to connect to a floor structure within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The seat support structure includes a seat base and a front end opposite from a rear end. Arm rests are pivotally coupled to the seat support structure. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the seat support structure proximate to pivotal coupling of the arm rests to the seat support structure. In at least one other embodiment, a seat back coupling upwardly and rearwardly extends from a middle portion of the rear cross beam. A seat back includes a narrowed mounting portion that pivotally couples to the seat back coupling without interfering with knee space formed in a back side of the seat back.

Abstract: Fuselage configurations in which window seats project into and partially occupy inter-frame spaces. In accordance with some embodiments, a frame in proximity to a window seat is equipped with a riser duct closure cover for defining a riser duct for passing a volume of air through a supply duct located below a floor of a passenger cabin through the riser duct and through a crown distribution duct located above a ceiling of the passenger cabin. In accordance with other embodiments, the frames in proximity to window seats are equipped with respective airbags. More specifically, for each pair of adjacent frames in which the forward frame of the pair is located forward of the window seat, the aft frame of the pair is located aft of the window seat, the forward frame is equipped with an airbag.

Abstract: An aircraft empennage includes a lower vertical fin member attached to a rear portion of a fuselage, and an upper stabilizer assembly connected to the lower vertical member by an articulating mount configured to allow movement of the upper stabilizer assembly relative to the lower vertical member to adjust pitch trim of the fuselage. The upper stabilizer assembly includes first and second horizontal stabilizer portions and at least one upper vertical member.

Abstract: An aircraft empennage includes a lower vertical member attached to a rear portion of a fuselage, and an upper stabilizer assembly connected to the lower vertical member by an articulating mount configured to allow movement of the upper stabilizer assembly relative to the lower vertical member to adjust pitch trim of the fuselage. The upper stabilizer assembly includes a V-shaped tail member having a pair of angled stabilizer portions, and each angled stabilizer portion has a trailing-edge ruddervator control surface. A rudder may be attached to a trailing edge of the lower vertical member.

Abstract: A shape adapting system of a cushion assembly and method of forming a shape adapting system of a cushion assembly include an array of cells that retain a fluid, a fluid exchange sub-system coupled to the cells, wherein the fluid exchange sub-system fluidly connects the cells together, and at least one valve coupled to the fluid exchange sub-system. The valve(s) is configured to move between an open position in which the fluid is able to migrate among the cells to change a shape of the support base, and a closed position in which the shape of the support base is maintained.

Abstract: A seat assembly is configured to be positioned within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat support structure that is configured to connect to a floor structure within the interior cabin of the vehicle. The seat support structure includes a seat base and a front end opposite from a rear end. Arm rests are pivotally coupled to the seat support structure. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the seat support structure proximate to pivotal coupling of the arm rests to the seat support structure. In at least one other embodiment, a seat back coupling upwardly and rearwardly extends from a middle portion of the rear cross beam. A seat back includes a narrowed mounting portion that pivotally couples to the seat back coupling without interfering with knee space formed in a back side of the seat back.

Abstract: Fuselage configurations in which window seats project into and partially occupy inter-frame spaces. In accordance with some embodiments, a frame in proximity to a window seat is equipped with a riser duct closure cover for defining a riser duct for passing a volume of air through a supply duct located below a floor of a passenger cabin through the riser duct and through a crown distribution duct located above a ceiling of the passenger cabin. In accordance with other embodiments, the frames in proximity to window seats are equipped with respective airbags. More specifically, for each pair of adjacent frames in which the forward frame of the pair is located forward of the window seat, the aft frame of the pair is located aft of the window seat, the forward frame is equipped with an airbag.

Abstract: A wedge frame for an aircraft that provides tailstrike angle enhancement. The wedge frame has converging, non-parallel faceplanes that tilt a rear portion of the aircraft fuselage upward in order to prevent or reduce risk of the tail of the aircraft striking the ground during takeoff and landing. A method to prevent or reduce risk of the rear portion of an aircraft from striking the ground during takeoff and landing by using a wedge frame having converging, non-parallel faceplanes to tilt upward the rear portion of the aircraft.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for permitting evacuation of an aircraft following a water landing are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves deploying, an evacuation unit, from inside a storage housing located proximate a door of the aircraft. In one or more embodiments, the evacuation unit comprises at least one step and a wave fence. In at least one embodiment, when the evacuation unit is fully deployed, at least a portion of the wave fence is in water-tight contact with at least a portion of a frame of the door such that water flow into the aircraft is prevented and/or inhibited.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for permitting evacuation of an aircraft following a water landing are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves deploying, an evacuation unit, from inside a storage housing located proximate a door of the aircraft. In one or more embodiments, the evacuation unit comprises at least one step and a wave fence. In at least one embodiment, when the evacuation unit is fully deployed, at least a portion of the wave fence is in water-tight contact with at least a portion of a frame of the door such that water flow into the aircraft is prevented and/or inhibited.