Removable, Load Bearing, Airframe Section Patents (Class 244/118.2)
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Patent number: 11492099Abstract: An aircraft having a fuselage with a nose and a flat tail at opposite ends and a pair of wings extending therefrom. A pair of nacelles are detachably connected to the top of respective ones of the wings to be spaced from the fuselage to establish an air flow space therebetween. Each wing-mounted nacelle includes a plurality of fans, a corresponding plurality of electric motors to drive the fans, and dividers that separate the fans from one another. Each wing-mounted nacelle also includes a pair of rotatable air inlet slats at an air intake end and a pair of rotatable air exhaust flaps at an air exhaust end that are rotated relative to one another to control horizontal propulsive thrust, thrust vectoring and thrust reversing of the aircraft. A third nacelle is mounted on top of the flat tail of the fuselage between a pair of horizontal turbo generators.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Wright Electric, Inc.Inventor: Darold B Cummings
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Patent number: 11465545Abstract: A modular transportation system to transport one or more persons and/or objects. The system may include a pod with wall segments that mount together to form an interior space to house the one or more persons and/or objects. The wall segments are modular and configured to connect together in a variety of different configurations to selectively configure the interior space. Vehicles are each configured to individually connect to the pod and to transport the pod from a first location to a second location. At least one of the vehicles is configured to transport the pod by land and at least one of the vehicles is configured to transport the pod by air.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: John William Glatfelter, Brian Dale Laughlin
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Patent number: 11167848Abstract: System and method for loading cargo onto an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). One embodiment is a cargo pod for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The cargo pod includes a hollow body that forms a section of a fuselage of the UAV, and further includes a latching mechanism that releasably secures the hollow body with the fuselage of the UAV.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael James Duffy, Matthew S. Stauffer, Justin Fowler Rogers
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Patent number: 11161620Abstract: An aircraft nacelle comprising an air inlet, with a single fan cowling made of a single piece which extends over all the circumference of the fan. The fan cowling is borne by the air inlet and is mounted to be rotationally mobile about the axis of the nacelle relative to the air inlet, via a link and guiding arrangement comprising a circular rail and a runner capable of sliding along the circular rail. The fan cowling comprises one or more openings closed by hatches allowing access to the interior of the nacelle. The fan cowling has little susceptibility to being deformed both in flight and on the ground during maintenance operations. Furthermore, no pylon portion is needed in the zone of the fan cowling since the latter is not attached to the pylon.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Alain Porte, François Pons, Gregory Albet
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Patent number: 10967973Abstract: A cargo transport system comprising a spine assembly and a container assembly. The spine assembly comprises a rigid spine and a plurality of mounts arranged on the rigid spine in a plurality of mount rows. The container assembly comprises a plurality of containers and is secured to the spine assembly using at least a subset of the plurality of mounts. Each container of the plurality of containers comprises a plurality of fittings for securing the container to the spine assembly and/or another container of the container assembly. Each mount row extends along a width of the spine assembly, and the plurality of mount rows are spaced apart at regular distance intervals along a length of the spine.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: Biosphere Aerospace, LLCInventor: Elie Helou, Jr.
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Patent number: 10902748Abstract: Modular aircraft display arrangements and methods for assembling a modular aircraft display arrangements are provided. In one example, a modular aircraft display arrangement includes a fuselage display structure. The fuselage display structure includes a tubular wall at least partially surrounding an interior display space and has a first opening section formed through the tubular wall. A first removable display module includes a first aircraft interior display and is configured to be advanced through the first opening section to a first display position to expose the first aircraft interior display within the interior display space.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace CorporationInventor: Timothy O'Hara
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Patent number: 10899240Abstract: A passenger transport system has a pod adapted to carry passengers or articles and a first attachment interface, a plurality of transport vehicles, each adapted to couple to the passenger pod, a first entry station adapted to load a passenger or articles into the pod, a plurality of exchange points, and a final destination station adapted to unload the passenger or articles from the pod carried by the transport vehicle. The pod with a passenger or articles is loaded at the first entry station travels on transport vehicles between individual ones of the exchange stations, until arriving at the final destination station where the passenger or the articles are unloaded, the passenger or articles remaining in the pod through all exchanges between transport vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Inventor: Michael Steward Evans
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Patent number: 10710715Abstract: A heavy payload, autonomous UAV able to deliver supply by way of airdrop with more precision and at a lower cost. The UAV is equipped with two movable wing systems that rotate from a stowed position to a deployed position upon jettison of the UAV from a mothership. The UAV can be controlled remotely or it can operate autonomously and the movable wings can include ailerons to effectuate flight control of the UAV. The UAV can be reusable or can be an expendable UAV.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: W.Morrison Consulting Group, Inc.Inventor: William M. Yates
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Patent number: 10669015Abstract: A method, vehicle, and system for calculating the location of a center of mass of the vehicle and transferring fuel to move the location of the center of mass are provided. The location of the center of mass of the vehicle is determined by measuring or calculating forces acting on the vehicle that counteract the gravitational forces on the vehicle. The location of the center of mass is calculated by determining on a moment arm of the gravitational force that counteracts the moment arms of the other forces acting on the vehicle. Fuel can be transferred among differently-located fuel tanks in the vehicle to move the location of the center of mass to a position in which at least some of the other forces acting on the vehicle are reduced, which may increase the speed and/or efficiency of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Nils Kneuper, Ralf Rene Shu-Zhong Cabos
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Patent number: 10640192Abstract: An aircraft having an airframe including a hollow structure referred to as a “storage” structure, the storage structure having an opening that is open to the outside of the aircraft. A sealing device extends around the opening, the sealing device including at least one compressible gasket. A plurality of non-removable fittings are fastened to the storage structure. At least one removable storage shell comprises at least a covering configured to close the opening while compressing each gasket. Removable fittings of the storage shell are attached in reversible manner to the non-removable fittings by respective elongate fasteners passing through each removable fitting and the non-removable fitting.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERSInventor: Luc Lecerf
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Patent number: 10443262Abstract: An exchange station has openings for drones, a passenger check-in/check-out bay for processing passengers, a drone connect/release bay, having apparatus adapted to manage passenger pods mounted on smart chassis, and a computerized control system in wireless communication with control circuitry in the drones and smart chassis, guiding smart chassis with mounted passenger pods and drones, to make the exchange of pods from the smart chassis to drones. A passenger entering the passenger check-in bay is loaded into a pod mounted on a smart chassis, the pod with passenger is transported to the drone-connect/release bay, and the pod is there joined to a bare drone and disconnected from the smart chassis, the drone leaving with the passenger pod to a destination, and the smart chassis traveling away from the drone connect-release bay.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Inventor: Michael Steward Evans
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Patent number: 10202193Abstract: Reconfigurable payload systems (RPS) and methods of configuring and using the same with operational load envelopes are disclosed that may be employed to enable external aircraft payloads to be rapidly interchanged or swapped out together with associated internal equipment within a given aircraft so as to modify or change payload capability of the aircraft, e.g., to meet a particular mission and/or to enable use of future payload types as they are developed. The RPS and associated methods may be implemented to allow multiple different payload systems to be swapped in and out on a given aircraft as required based on needs for a given mission.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems L.P.Inventors: Ben D. Hodge, Timothy W. Troup, Richard D. Cropper, Brandy D. Stokes
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Patent number: 10144500Abstract: A nacelle having a longitudinal axis and comprising a chassis, two articulated fan cowl doors and a sliding fan cowl door. Each articulated fan cowl door is rotatably mounted in an upper portion of the chassis, each about their own opening axis. The opening axes are parallel to the longitudinal axis. The articulated doors pivot between a closed position and an open position. The sliding fan cowl door, in its closed position, is placed between free edges of the articulated fan cowl doors. A sliding arrangement for the sliding door is configured such that, in the open position of either articulated door, the sliding fan cowl door can rotate about the longitudinal axis. The nacelle has fan cowl doors which take up less space when in the open position and which are more compact, in comparison to articulated fan cowl doors without a sliding fan cowl door.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)Inventors: Olivier Pautis, Jerome Colmagro
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Patent number: 9731811Abstract: A UAV includes a body. The body defines a payload opening 14. The payload opening is circular, but any shape may be used. A payload of the UAV is arranged in the payload opening. The payload may be a camera, sensors, a package, etc. A payload shroud may be installed which prohibits or reduced ingress of foreign material via payload opening. A payload shroud may include a diverter. The diverter may act as a barrier wall preventing the water or debris from entering the body of the UAV. The diverter should fit flush with the payload opening in the body of the UAV.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: AAI CorporationInventors: Monica Atzert, Jason Wallace, Robert Hurn, Doug Deardorff, Terry Zeleny
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Patent number: 9604728Abstract: The invention relates to an aircraft turbojet nacelle including a cowling assembly (60) made up of four covers (62, 64, 66, 68). Each cover extends in arcuate shape around part of the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, in symmetrical manner about a vertical plane (P) containing the axis. On either side of said plane, the cowling assembly comprises a top cover (62, 66) hinged at its top portion and a bottom cover (64, 68) hinged at its bottom portion. Access to the internal space (e) of the nacelle is obtained by moving the covers away from the longitudinal axis by pivoting them about their hinge axes. A top cover is less heavy for handling purposes than is a single cover of the prior art.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)Inventors: Christian Fabre, Alain Bignolais
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Patent number: 9499268Abstract: A pod system for an aircraft is disclosed. Embodiments provide an external, near belly-tangent modular plug-and-play pod system that includes a scalable set of left-side bays which are connected to a scalable set of right-side bays via a central compartment positioned on a bottom external surface of the aircraft's fuselage. The bays accommodate removable slide trays which have various equipment (for example, communications, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance equipment) mounted thereon. The bays and slide trays combination allow for quick removal, insertion, and connection of the various mounted equipment to IP-based connectivity, power, and foundation signals from the aircraft. In an embodiment, the left-side bays, right-side bays, and central compartment each have a planar bottom surface which are substantially equiplanar so that inserted and connected mounted equipment extending downward and externally from the bays from the planar bottom surface have 360 degree unobstructed views.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Kenneth W. Aull, Albert C. Stewart, III
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Patent number: 9475575Abstract: A compound rotorcraft including a rotary wing aircraft having a fuselage and at least one rotor and a fixed-wing aircraft coupled to the rotary wing aircraft, wherein the rotary wing aircraft can fly on the rotor or the fixed-wing aircraft, and wherein the fixed-wing aircraft is detachable from the rotary wing aircraft to fly independently.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Glenn T. Rossi
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Patent number: 9387986Abstract: The invention relates to the cargo area of an airport, having transporting paths which connect the land side and the air side of the airport and are intended for the standard loading units (ULDs), and also having interim stores for the buffer storage of the loading units prior to the cargo being assembled. In order to create storage and sorting opportunities in the immediate vicinity of the transporting paths, while being simultaneously independent of the main store, and in order to achieve flexible supply of the loading units, it is proposed for the transporting paths to be assigned vertical stores each with a plurality of storage levels which are arranged one above the other, are set up above or alongside the transporting paths and in which, with the aid of lifting means, the loading units, which can be lifted off from the transporting paths, can be stored.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Reinhard Wenzel
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Patent number: 9278739Abstract: The modular foil includes a wing and a fuselage extending in a longitudinal direction and bearing the wing. The fuselage includes a central segment, a first segment bearing a first portion of the wing, and being removable from the central segment, and an assembling device to connect the central segment with the first segment in the longitudinal direction. The central segment and the first segment are connected end to end. The assembling device includes a pair formed by a male connector and a female connector cooperating through a specific interlocking. The male connector includes at least one outer inclined wall, complementary and cooperating with an internal inclined wall born by the female connector for an optimal interlocking between the central segment and the first segment. There is a locking device along the longitudinal axis of the fuselage ensuring locking in at least one direction of the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: F. ONEInventor: Raphael Salles
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Patent number: 9205910Abstract: Provided are aircraft for transporting intermodal containers and methods of operating such aircraft including methods of loading and unloading the containers. An aircraft includes a fuselage having a cargo space for receiving and supporting intermodal containers. The containers are oriented in the transverse direction in the cargo space or, more specifically, in a direction normal to the longitude direction that extends from the nose to the tail of the aircraft. The aircraft may transport standard 20-foot or 40-foot containers or lighter version of such containers that otherwise have the same form and features as the standard intermodal containers. The intermodal containers may be loaded through an opening in the bottom of the fuselage. Specifically, intermodal containers may be arranged into a row. The aircraft may be then rolled over this row of the containers and lowered onto the containers followed by engaging container corners.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Lowell B. Campbell, Victor Ken Stuhr
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Patent number: 9193460Abstract: Methods for transferring a payload such as passengers and/or luggage and/or freight between an airport and a cabin of an aircraft are provided. Air terminals, aircraft and removable cabin modules suitable for implementing these methods are also provided. An aircraft is provided which includes a removable cabin module. A docking module is also provided for transferring a removable cabin module between an aircraft and an airport. A method for modifying the internal configuration of the cabin of such an aircraft by replacing a removable cabin module of the aircraft is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)Inventor: Yann-Henri Laudrain
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Patent number: 9027879Abstract: A method and apparatus for a composite helicopter comprising a rotary wing parent vehicle with various modular cabins detachable therefrom to facilitate various configuration aircraft platforms, dual operation and modular economy.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Inventor: Robert N. Talmage, Jr.
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Patent number: 9016625Abstract: A floorboard for a reconfigurable floorboard system may include a substantially trapezoid shaped plate. An interlocking feature may be formed proximate an edge of at least three sides of the plate for interlocking with adjacent floorboards. Each interlocking feature may be formed to interlock with a mating interlocking feature formed at an edge of a side of at least one adjacent floorboard. A notch may be formed on an underside of the plate proximate each corner of the plate to contact a member of a floor grid to prevent movement of the floorboard.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Roberto F. Lu, Owen C. Moheet, Rachel L. Hannah
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Patent number: 9019719Abstract: A module in the form of a pallet or a closed container includes a grouping together of the electrical devices in an avionics bay, in which the electrical devices are interconnected and attached so as to facilitate the mounting and thus limit the time it takes to mount the electrical devices in the avionics bay.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Marc Tomasi, Matthieu De Kergommeaux, Laurent Bertandeau, Christian Banis
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Patent number: 9010686Abstract: A module for an aircraft having a fuselage structure and a floor element defining a floor plane. The module includes a frame device adapted for mounting a functional element and the frame device is adapted for attachment to the floor element of the aircraft at a first location in the floor plane. The frame device is adapted for attachment to the fuselage structure of the aircraft at a second location, wherein the second location is not in the floor plane.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Airbus S.A.S.Inventors: Bruno Saint-Jalmes, André Rezag, Jason Zaneboni, Markus Schumacher, Andrew Muin, Cord Haack, Michael Carr
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Patent number: 8944377Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconfiguring a lavatory area. An apparatus comprises a first lavatory area, a second lavatory area, a first door for the first lavatory area, and a second door for the second lavatory area. The first door and the second door are configured to move between an open position and a closed position. A single passageway is present in both the first lavatory area and the second lavatory area when the first door and the second door are in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Darren Carl McIntosh
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Patent number: 8888041Abstract: A tank module for an aircraft is designed for being fitted into the aircraft fuselage from outside. The tank module comprises at least one receptacle and a shell section that forms an outer end of the tank module and is connected to the receptacle. The shell section can be fitted into a fuselage opening in such a way that the receptacle is positioned in the interior of the aircraft fuselage.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Claus Hoffjann, Wolfgang Zierold
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Patent number: 8875400Abstract: A method for installing an interior structure for a mobile platform is provided. The method may involve carrying a lightweight collapsible frame through a man-door of a mobile platform while the collapsible frame is in a collapsed state. The collapsed frame may then be expanded to provide at least a portion of a load bearing frame for a mobile platform interior structure. A plurality of interchangeable panels may be attached to the collapsible frame to form interior surfaces of the mobile platform interior structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael A. Ritts, Gregory W. Davidson, Christopher J. Mills
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Patent number: 8844865Abstract: A multifunctional module is provided for a passenger services conduit in an aircraft. The multifunctional module includes, but is not limited to a first interface and at least one utility unit for providing a passenger with services. The first interface is for connecting the utility unit to the passenger utility conduit, the interface, for example, being designed as a mechanical interface.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Marcus Gehm, Thomas Vogt, Andreas Dannenberg
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Patent number: 8814081Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a unique aircraft. Another embodiment is a unique external pod for an aircraft. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aircraft and external pods for aircraft. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Steve Gagne, John R. Arvin
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Patent number: 8807894Abstract: Surface-area safety means (10) comprising a barrier net (20) and at least one fastener means (30), each fastener means (30) having a fastener strap (40) fastened to a segment (25) of said barrier net (20) and co-operating with a fastener member (50) suitable for fastening said fastener strap (40) to said structure (2). The fastener means (30) also include a tensioning strap (60) fastened thereto, said tensioning strap (60) including at least two tensioning eyelets (61), said fastener strap (40) having a securing system (200) for securing it to a tensioning eyelet (61) and securing the fastener strap (40) to the tensioning strap (60) by passing through a particular tensioning eyelet in order to tension said barrier net (20) to the tension corresponding to the particular tensioning eyelet.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Airbus HelicoptersInventors: Olivier Bistuer, Laurence Maille, Pierre Prudhomme-Lacroix
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Patent number: 8708282Abstract: A system for loading and unloading a cargo assembly onto and from an aircraft. The system comprises an aircraft and a movable platform. The aircraft comprises a forward fairing, an aft fairing, a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the aft fairing and a plurality of mounts coupled to the spine and configured to structurally engage the cargo container onto the spine. The aft fairing is movable between a fixed position for flight and an open position for at least loading and unloading of the cargo assembly. The aircraft is configured such that an unobstructed passageway is provided in an area underneath the spine during loading or unloading of the cargo assembly. An aft access is provided when the aft fairing is moved to the open position. The movable platform is used to maneuver the cargo assembly for loading and unloading onto and from the spine, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Biosphere Aerospace, LLCInventor: Elie Helou, Jr.
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Patent number: 8636250Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft CorporationInventors: Darryl M. Toni, Mary McCarthy, Bruce H. Barr, Anthony Z. Stobiecki, Thomas Swift, Thomas Dziekonski
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Patent number: 8626383Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: EurocopterInventors: Pierre PrudHomme-Lacroix, Laurence Maille
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Publication number: 20130228651Abstract: Methods for transferring a payload such as passengers and/or luggage and/or freight between an airport and a cabin of an aircraft are provided. Air terminals, aircraft and removable cabin modules suitable for implementing these methods are also provided. An aircraft is provided which includes a removable cabin module. A docking module is also provided for transferring a removable cabin module between an aircraft and an airport. A method for modifying the internal configuration of the cabin of such an aircraft by replacing a removable cabin module of the aircraft is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S.)Inventor: Yann-Henri LAUDRAIN
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Patent number: 8474754Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Telair International GmbHInventors: Thomas Huber, Richard Holzner
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Patent number: 8424803Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Hermann Benthien, Andreas Poppe
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Publication number: 20130082139Abstract: An aircraft is disclosed which is analogous to a tractor motor vehicle. In alternative fixed wing and helicopter embodiments, an airframe is adapted to transport different cargo modules. Some modules are adapted to carry freight and other modules are adapted to carry passengers. The aircraft arrives at a destination with an attached module, decouples from that module and attaches a different module to be transported to a different destination.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventor: SARKIS AGAJANIAN
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Patent number: 8401742Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Ralf Schliwa, Tobias Mayer
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Patent number: 8342449Abstract: A vertically movable passageway for a space in the ceiling region in an aircraft cabin. The passageway comprises a passageway floor and a displacement device, wherein the displacement device is designed to variably set the height (h1) of the passageway floor.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2006Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Michael Schuld, Harry Kwik
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Publication number: 20120261522Abstract: An aircraft comprises an airframe, an electric propulsion system, a number of battery pods, and an engagement system. The number of battery pods has a physical connector system. The engagement system is attached to the airframe and is capable of engaging the physical connector system to connect the number of battery pods to the airframe.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Christopher K. Droney
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Patent number: 8262026Abstract: A device for the releasable fastening of a component in an aircraft includes a component carrier with a base plane, wherein the component carrier comprises an installation state in which the base plane of the component carrier comprises an angle relative to the horizontal base plane of the aircraft, and wherein the component carrier is equipped to accommodate a component in a releasably affixed manner.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Hartwig Jaeger, Gerd Rohlfs
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Patent number: 8157210Abstract: In conventional aircraft cargo compartments panels or similar flat floor elements are fastened to floor beams or similar supporting elements that are installed in the body of the aircraft. Subsequently functional units such as roller elements latches or PDUs are mounted and connected to one another by way of appropriate control conductors. In the present invention it is proposed to fasten the floor elements permanently to the supporting beams so as to form prefabricated floor modules and to install these floor modules in the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Telair International GmbHInventors: Thomas Huber, Andreas Patzlsperger, Richard Holzner
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Patent number: 8152102Abstract: A module for an aircraft is provided for the accommodation of crew members. The module includes, but is not limited to a trough-shaped floor region having an external contour that corresponds to the contour of further stowage bins installed in the aircraft. The storage space created in this way in the interior of the module is accessible from the interior of the module. In this way the stability of the module may be enhanced and the installation expenditure may be reduced. Furthermore, comfort may be enhanced, in particular as a result of more space being available for the crew.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbHInventors: Holger Warner, Felix Helfrich
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Patent number: 8128026Abstract: A removable cargo pod for attachment to an aircraft fuselage; a mechanism in said pod to raise and lower it into and from engagement with the fuselage; and an open top so as to provide access to the interior while it is vertically displaced or removed from the fuselage.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Inventor: David Barbour Shelton
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Patent number: 8100362Abstract: A cockpit and an aircraft including such cockpit. The cockpit includes a front section of an aircraft. Such cockpit includes a pressure bulkhead sealing the section and a pressurization system for pressurizing such section.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Airbus FranceInventor: Bernard Guering
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Patent number: 7987596Abstract: A method for installing an interior structure for a mobile platform is provided. The method includes carrying a lightweight collapsible frame through a man-door of a mobile platform while the collapsible frame is in a collapsed state. The collapsed frame is then expanded to provide at least a portion of a load bearing frame for a mobile platform interior structure. A plurality of interchangeable panels are removable attached to the collapsible frame to form interior surfaces of the mobile platform interior structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Michael A. Ritts, Gregory W Davidson, Christopher J. Mills
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Patent number: 7967251Abstract: A truss network for aircraft floor attachment includes an aircraft fuselage, an aircraft floor disposed in the aircraft fuselage and a three-dimensional truss network comprising at least two truss assemblies each comprising a plurality of tie rod assemblies connecting the aircraft fuselage to the aircraft floor. A method of attaching a floor structure to a honeycomb fuselage structure and an aircraft having a truss network connecting an aircraft fuselage to an aircraft floor are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Jeffrey H. Wood
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Patent number: 7946530Abstract: A method and apparatus for a composite helicopter comprising a rotary wing parent vehicle with various modular cabins detachable therefrom to facilitate various configuration aircraft platforms, dual operation and modular economy.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Inventor: Robert N. Talmage, Jr.
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Patent number: 7909287Abstract: A super-transporter aircraft for transporting at least one element of a secondary aircraft, wherein the structural rigidity of a fuselage of the super-transporter is at least partly imparted by the transported element. The super-transported aircraft can be equipped with a securing device for securing the transported element to the fuselage of the super-transporter aircraft, the securing device adapted to pick up the loads to which the super-transporter aircraft is subjected.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2005Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Airbus FranceInventor: Bernard Guering