Door Patents (Class 244/129.5)
  • Patent number: 11939996
    Abstract: A locking system includes a locking element which is movable between a first, locking position and a second unlocking position and an unlocking actuator for moving the locking element (from the first position to the second position over an unlocking stroke length (Su). The system further comprises a control unit configured to command the unlocking actuator to move the locking element from the first position to a third position over an anti-icing stroke length (Sa) which is shorter than the unlocking stroke length (Su).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: GOODRICH ACTUATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventors: Graham James Burgess, Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 11878814
    Abstract: Airstair systems and associated methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the airstair has a deployable upper step, a primary deployment device and a secondary deployment device. The upper step is movable between a stowed configuration when a door of the aircraft is closed and a deployed configuration when the door is open. The primary deployment device resiliently biases the upper step toward the deployed configuration. The secondary deployment device is movable in coordination with a movement of the door and configured to drive the deployable upper step toward the deployed configuration during opening of the door and during a failure of the primary deployment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: John Richard Savidge, Peter Lyver, Remi Crozier, Patrick Serres
  • Patent number: 11834176
    Abstract: There is disclosed a blended wing body aircraft including a center body having a lower side and an upper side opposed to the lower side. The center body has a central chord extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the center body. The lower side has a lowest point located between a first location forward of a pivot point about which the aircraft rotates during take-off and a second location aft of the pivot point. The first location is at a first distance corresponding to about 10% of a length of the central chord forward of the pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: BOMBARDIER INC.
    Inventors: Ian Chittick, Mark Rakowitz, Thomas Reist
  • Patent number: 11780590
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for disinfecting an aircraft cabin that includes injecting a non-peroxide disinfectant into an environmental control system of an aircraft and discharging cabin supply air through the environmental control system to discharge the non-peroxide disinfectant into the aircraft cabin. In some instances, the method includes aerosolizing the disinfectant into a plurality of liquid droplets while injecting the disinfectant into the environmental control system. In some instances, the injected disinfectant includes a non-corrosive, non-toxic disinfectant, such that the disinfectant may be discharged into the aircraft cabin in the presence of personnel in the aircraft cabin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Michalakos, Amanda Childers, Giorgio C. Isella, Tim Lippold, Sean Skomurski
  • Patent number: 11718382
    Abstract: Aircraft door (1) having: an opening panel (2) provided with engagement abutments (26); a frame (3) intended to be attached to the fuselage (4) of the aircraft and including engagement counter-abutments (27); a hinge arm (5); a lifting lever (10); and a rotary control lever (20) which can be operated in a disengagement direction in order to unlock the opening panel (2). The door includes a one-way operating rod (18) which connects the control lever (20) to the lifting lever (10) and is designed to drive the lifting lever (10) only when the control lever (20) is actuated in the direction of disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: LATECOERE
    Inventor: Martin Gildas
  • Patent number: 11691710
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aircraft door system including an aircraft door configured to translate from a closed position to an open position. The aircraft door system further includes a plurality of door pressure stops positioned along a length of the aircraft door and a handle coupled to the aircraft door. A rotation of the handle causes a first translation of the aircraft door in an inward direction and a forward direction. The aircraft door system further includes a hinge system coupled to the aircraft door. An outward force applied to the aircraft door causes a second translation of the aircraft door in an outward direction and a forward direction. The hinge system causes the aircraft door to translate such that the aircraft door remains parallel to the aircraft fuselage throughout an entirety of the second translation until the aircraft door reaches the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Benjamin Lee Beezhold
  • Patent number: 11692389
    Abstract: A composite door comprises a composite frame, which comprises a first rail, a second rail, and crossbeams, joining the first rail and the second rail. The composite door also comprises a first composite side beam, a second composite side beam, and a composite skin, connected to each of the crossbeams of the composite frame, to the first composite side beam, and to the second composite side beam. The composite door further comprises first composite edge fittings, each connected to a corresponding one of the crossbeams of the composite frame, to the first composite side beam, and to the composite skin, and second composite edge fittings, each connected to a corresponding one of the crossbeams of the composite frame, to the second composite side beam, and to the composite skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven P. Walker, Perlas G. Martinez
  • Patent number: 11661168
    Abstract: A door (3) of an aircraft (1) equipped with an opening/closing mechanism, the movement which is in a main horizontal plane (P) of the aircraft (1) is controlled by coupling between the door (3) and the frame (4) on a control ramp (7) and on two front (AV) and rear (AR) guides (8,9), arranged between the respective front (AV) and rear (AR), and the frame (4) coupled to at least one handling arm (5, 6) hinged in rotation on a front side (AV) of the frame (4) and to the door (3) via a forearm (5b, 6b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LATECOERE
    Inventor: Gregory Dubosc
  • Patent number: 11623727
    Abstract: An aircraft-fuselage structure with an external skin and reinforcement structure, supporting the external skin and includes transverse reinforcement elements and longitudinal reinforcement elements. A door opening is in the external skin, between two transverse reinforcement elements and between two longitudinal reinforcement elements, and a door arrangement is installed therein, the door arrangement having a door frame fastened in the door opening and a door panel fastened on the door frame. The door frame and/or the door panel have/has an outer surface directed towards the surroundings and having a curvature differing from curvature of the external skin adjacent to the door opening, and an adapter arrangement is on the outer surface of the door frame and/or of the door panel and, on a side directed towards the surroundings, has at least one surface element which steadily continues the curvature of the external skin adjacent to the door opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Pahl
  • Patent number: 11597492
    Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an aircraft with a fuselage having a sliding door system disposed on at least one side of the fuselage. The sliding door system includes a forward sliding door having an upper slide rail and a lower slide rail, a rearward sliding door having an upper slide rail and a lower slide rail, an upper rail coupled to each of the upper slide rail of the forward sliding door and the upper slide rail of the rearward sliding door, a lower rail coupled to each of the lower slide rail of the forward sliding door and the lower slide rail of the rearward sliding door, and a plurality of actuators coupled to each of the upper rail and the lower rail and configured to displace and retract the forward sliding door and the rearward sliding door linearly with respect to the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Charles Griffiths, Bryan Sugg, Samuel Bryk
  • Patent number: 11584544
    Abstract: A cockpit access security system controls changes to a record of personnel authorized to access the cockpit by reference to the state of the aircraft as determined by a plurality of on-board sensors indicating the state of particular aircraft subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: David Elias Smith
  • Patent number: 11548607
    Abstract: A pressure deck assembly for a fuselage includes a longitudinal beam extending a length along a roll axis of the fuselage. The longitudinal beam includes a central member and opposing first and second flanges extending from the central member. The first flange includes a first upper side and a first lower side. The second flange includes a second upper side and a second lower side. The pressure deck assembly includes a pressure deck that includes first and second deck segments. The first deck segment is joined to the first flange of the longitudinal beam along the first lower side of the first flange. The second deck segment is joined to the second flange of the longitudinal beam along the second lower side of the second flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark R. McLaughlin, Steven D. Ingham, Daniel J. Cox, Charles B. Lockin, Danilo Vukosav
  • Patent number: 11542027
    Abstract: A thrust reverser of a nacelle may include a translating sleeve and an inner fixed structure a pressure relief assembly. A pressure relief mechanism may include a pressure relief door coupled via a hinge and a latch to the inner fixed structure. Alternatively, a pressure relief door may be coupled to a frame via a hinge and a latch to the inner fixed structure. The pressure relief assembly may limit deflections between the thrust reverser and the pylon in response to a burst duct. The pressure relief door may release from the latch automatically in response to an over pressurization event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Rohr, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sean Pretty, Walter J. Heim
  • Patent number: 11535357
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a custom aircraft door mounting system that employs a vertical rolling motion enabled assembly, comprising: a first fitting configured to be mounted to an overhead structure of an aircraft, the first fitting including a cam follower slot formed within the first fitting; an elastomeric bearing pivotally coupled to a second fitting; and a cam follower coupled to the elastomeric bearing, the cam follower being configured to slide vertically within the cam follower slot to accommodate relative motion between the second fitting and the overhead structure of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventors: Randy L. Barton, Tracy L. Ogle
  • Patent number: 11495945
    Abstract: An actively driven pressure relief system for a container, a building, an enclosure, or a cubicle with an electrical installation, the actively driven pressure relief system includes a panel. The system further includes a fault detection device for detecting an arc fault in the electrical installation of the container, the building, the enclosure or the cubicle; and a triggering unit for triggering an opening signal for the panel upon detection of an arc fault by the fault detection device. A panel opening mechanism opens the panel in a destructive manner. Further, a container, building, enclosure or cubicle with an actively operated pressure relief system is described. A method for relieving pressure from a container with a panel and an electrical installation inside the container is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Christer Pers, Raeto Stadler
  • Patent number: 11492821
    Abstract: An emergency exit system comprising a first primary structure frame, a second primary structure frame extending substantially parallel to the first primary structure frame, a door opening arranged between the first primary structure frame and the second primary structure frame, and a door shiftable substantially parallel to the first primary structure frame and the second primary structure frame between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the door closes the door opening. In the open position, the door opens up the door opening. At least one of the primary structure frames comprises a primary structure guide element for guiding the door when the door is shifted between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Papenroth, Hermann Benthien, Torsten Witt
  • Patent number: 11485471
    Abstract: A system for use in an aircraft or other system in an ambient airflow includes a body defining a cavity having an opening exposed to ambient airflow, with a cavity interface defined by body structure surrounding the opening. The cavity interface includes a cavity floor opposite the cavity opening, a leading edge facing away from the ambient airflow, a trailing edge facing the airflow, and a rear wall extending between the trailing edge and the cavity floor. A panel of sound-absorbing material is attached to and covers substantially all of the surface area of the rear wall of the cavity, and minimizes emanation of a predetermined range of audible sound frequencies from the cavity. The system may include an elongated serrated element connected to body and extending along the leading edge and arranged flush with the leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF NASA
    Inventors: Mehdi R. Khorrami, Patricio A. Ravetta
  • Patent number: 11479337
    Abstract: A passenger door rapid emergency egress (PDREE) system that can be used on airplanes, such as the Cessna 206, allows the forward cargo door to be safely jettisoned allowing unrestricted egress for occupants in the rear of the aircraft. Unlike the manufacturer's design, the (PDREE) system is designed to work when the landing flaps are down. Extended flaps interfere with the exit door. Mechanical levers in the PDREE system are designed to function even if used improperly. The PDREE system opens and allows the passenger door to be jettisoned when the door is closed, or closed and locked, and binding loads are placed on the hinges. This is accomplished through the use of robust, non-corrosive, stainless steel mechanical levers and pins. A separate, red emergency handle safely stowed to prevent accidental activation, is easily accessible in the back of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: KArl Braun
  • Patent number: 11465730
    Abstract: The invention relates to an opening system (10) for an auxiliary door (20) of an airplane in a fuselage (30), the door and the fuselage having skins in the extension of one another. In one exemplary embodiment, the system (10) includes a framing lintel (11) integrated into the fuselage, an upper beam (2S) of the door structure arranged opposite the lintel (11), and a set of three lever links (4A, 4B, 4C). Each link is connected, on the one hand, to the lintel (11) by a lever articulation (5a, 6a) fixed relative to the fuselage (30) and, on the other hand, to the upper beam (2S) by a lever articulation (5b, 6b) mobile with the door (20), the articulations (5a, 5b; 6a, 6b) being connected respectively to the lintel (11) and to the upper beam (2S) by fittings (41, 43; 42, 44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: LATECOERE
    Inventors: Christian Romec, Renaud Othomene
  • Patent number: 11421464
    Abstract: An aircraft door, and, more particularly, to an electromechanical door system for operating an aircraft door that closes an opening in the outer hull of an aircraft, as well as to a method of operating an electromechanical door system of an aircraft door that closes an opening in the outer hull of an aircraft. The electromechanical door system may be adapted for operating in a normal opening mode, an emergency opening mode, and a closing mode. If desired, the electromechanical door system may include a lifting and lowering lever, a lifting and lowering electric motor, and a gearbox that transmits a force from the lifting and lowering electric motor to the lifting and lowering lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Markmiller, Daniel Stegmair, Dirk Trott
  • Patent number: 11414205
    Abstract: A fuel containment system for an aircraft is provided. The fuel containment system comprises an upper fuel barrier under a cabin floor, an aft wheel well bulkhead, an aft fuel barrier opposite the aft wheel well bulkhead, a lower fuel barrier associated with a cargo floor, and a lower fuselage skin panel. A fuel tank is created by the upper fuel barrier, the aft wheel well bulkhead, the aft fuel barrier, the lower fuel barrier, and the lower fuselage skin. The fuel tank is integrated into the aircraft and existing structural components are sealed to prevent fuel from leaking out of the integrated fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael A. Lawyer
  • Patent number: 11338900
    Abstract: A plug door assembly for a pressurized aircraft is provided. The door assembly includes a surround and a door, and connector assemblies along the edges that act to transfer in-plane stresses directly across the fuselage opening via the door, as well as stops that react radial loads generated by cabin pressure. The door assembly obviates the need for a separate frame to transmit stresses around the perimeter of the fuselage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventors: James M. Curry, Randolph Schemkes
  • Patent number: 11292571
    Abstract: A door arrangement for an aircraft segment, which door arrangement comprises a passenger door, a fuselage portion accommodating the passenger door, and a girt bar for arming and disarming an emergency slide. The passenger door is movable relative to the fuselage portion between a raised position and a lowered position. The girt bar is connectable by means of a connecting arrangement to the passenger door and/or to the fuselage portion. The connecting arrangement comprises a mechanism which is configured to, during arming of the emergency slide, actuate a locking mechanism of an engagement device fastened to the fuselage portion, in such a way that the girt bar is fixed in a decouplable manner to the engagement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Luc Andreani
  • Patent number: 11235853
    Abstract: A windowed structure includes a body having a frame with an outer wall extending between a first end and a second end. An inner wall extends from the outer wall. The inner wall is connected to the outer wall at the first end to define a proximal joint of the body delimiting a window opening extending through the body. A window element covers the window opening and defines an outer window surface and an inner window surface. The window element has an overlap segment overlaying the outer wall and attached thereto. An unobstructed portion of the window element is defined between the overlap segment and is unobstructed by the frame between the proximal joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Pier-Alexandre Pelletier, Guillaume Noiseux-Boucher, Sebastien Duval
  • Patent number: 11235852
    Abstract: A bi-directional egress hatch for a passenger aircraft may allow passengers to rapidly and safely exit an overhead cabin of the aircraft onto the main deck, while allowing cabin crew to safely ascend into the overhead cabin if need be. Hatch panels may blend in with overhead bin doors and ceiling panels of the main cabin; the inner portions of the hatch panels (facing the overhead cabin) may include anti-skid portions and graspable handles for descending passengers. The hatch may be easily activated by a passenger with a single motion (or remotely activated, or autodeployed). Once activated, the hatch panels may swing open and a telescoping ladder may deploy from the inner portion to the main deck, remaining rigid once reaching the floor. Similarly, any barriers protecting the ladder from passengers in the overhead cabin may be released, granting access to the telescoping ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Behr, Daniel N. Moe, David Barrett
  • Patent number: 11220852
    Abstract: A versatile door system for an aircraft includes forward and aft door assemblies. The forward door assembly includes a forward hingeable door hingeably coupled to the airframe proximate a forward location of an aircraft opening and a forward slidable door slidably coupled to the forward hingeable door. The aft door assembly includes an aft hingeable door hingeably coupled to the airframe proximate an aft location of the aircraft opening and an aft slidable door slidably coupled to the aft hingeable door. In a closed configuration, the forward hingeable door, the forward slidable door, the aft hingeable door and the aft slidable door are securably disposed within the aircraft opening. In operation, the forward hingeable door, the forward slidable door, the aft hingeable door and the aft slidable door are individually operable to collectively provide access to a selectable width of the aircraft opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk Landon Groninga, Daniel Bryan Robertson
  • Patent number: 11208837
    Abstract: A door system with a deceleration mechanism may be adapted to control an opening of a door module that separates compartments of an aircraft and includes a door panel and a door frame. During the opening of the door module, the door panel performs a rotational movement 389 above a floor structure of the aircraft. The deceleration mechanism is operable in a normal operation mode and a deceleration mode and comprises a hinge, a wedge-shaped component that is rotatably attached to the hinge, and an activation device. The activation device is coupled to the wedge-shaped component and switches the deceleration mechanism from operating in the normal operation mode to operating in the deceleration mode when a difference in pressure between the compartments exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Tendyra, Uwe Renner, Xaver Pascoe, Markus Buehlmeyer, Stephen Ward, Guido Borchers
  • Patent number: 11203405
    Abstract: An aircraft includes first and second zones, and a sealing system, interposed between a doorframe and a door providing access to the second zone, including: a peripheral seal secured to the door, a stop secured to the doorframe, and including a body in the form of at least one plate which extends around the perimeter of the doorframe, parallel to the door when the door is in the closed position, a peripheral groove positioned on the stop in such a way that the peripheral seal closes off the peripheral groove around the perimeter of the opening when the door is in the closed position, and at least one passage configured to cause the peripheral groove and the first zone to communicate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Inventors: Christophe Casse, Lionel Alonso
  • Patent number: 11198498
    Abstract: The invention proposes a simple system, with small space requirement, without hinge arms or sealing skirt, while providing secure and effective opening. To achieve this, the invention provides a door opening by a lateral guidance defining an integrated doubling-back kinematics, towards the interior then the exterior of the fuselage. An opening system of an emergency door (1) is positioned in an aircraft fuselage (2), the door and the fuselage comprising respective frameworks (11, 21) extending opposite each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Latecoere
    Inventors: Patrick Vergnot, Christian Romec
  • Patent number: 11180253
    Abstract: A fire suppression system has a unique combination of components that includes interoperable electric-powered vehicles, facilities, hardware and software along with their range of specifications, standards, processes, capabilities and concepts of operations that comprise a concerted, multi-modal, system for delivering fire-retardant onto fires by uniquely-capable, ultra-quiet, electrically-powered, autonomous robotic aircraft (“SkyQarts”) that fly precise trajectories and perform extremely short take-offs and landings (ESTOL) at a highly-distributed network of small facilities (“SkyNests”) that have standardized compatible facilities, as defined herein, that interoperate with SkyQarts as well as with versatile, autonomous robotic electric-powered payload carts and electric-powered autonomous robotic delivery carts to provide safe, fast, on-demand, community-acceptable, environmentally friendly, high-capacity, sustained, affordable, day or night delivery of fire-retardant, even in smokey, IFR conditions to wil
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventor: Brien Aven Seeley
  • Patent number: 11135979
    Abstract: An emergency exit door assembly for a vehicle. The door assembly can include a door panel that is movably coupled to the wall of the vehicle. The door panel can have an inner surface and an outer surface. The door panel can be configured for selective movement between a closed position and an open position in which an opening within the wall is exposed. A headboard component can be incorporated into the door panel, and a bed pedestal within the vehicle can be positioned in proximity to the headboard component when the door panel is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Tiffin Motor Homes, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Coon, Chris Melvin
  • Patent number: 11065659
    Abstract: A harsh environment enclosure for use with sensor systems, such as cameras. The enclosure can include a housing having an end wall, sidewalls, a top wall, and a bottom wall. A door is hinged to the top wall. The enclosure can have a linkage assembly including a door lever having an elongate first end portion connected to the door, a laterally extending second end portion, and an elbow positioned therebetween. A pivot arm having a proximal end is connected to an interior surface of the housing and a distal end of the pivot arm is connected to the elbow. An actuator can be connected between the housing and the laterally extending second end portion. The linear actuator can be positioned with respect to the door lever and pivot arm to move the door to an open position when extended and a closed position when retracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Larry J. Costa
  • Patent number: 10899425
    Abstract: A stabilization assembly for a door frame secured to a fuselage skin of an aircraft and positioned about an opening defined in the fuselage skin including a strap, wherein a first end portion of the strap is secured to the fuselage skin with a first fastener which extends through the first end portion of the strap and through at least a portion of the fuselage skin. A second end portion of the strap is coupled to the door frame and a third portion of the strap extends between the first and second end portions of the strap and spaced apart from the fuselage skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul S. Nordman, Eder A. Martins, Justin David Boynton Malcolm
  • Patent number: 10882599
    Abstract: An aircraft door arrangement includes a door, a door seal, and a door opening. The door opening has an opening edge adjoining the door opening and extending into the aircraft fuselage, at which a seal seat is arranged, which can be brought into flush contact with the door seal. A hollow space, partially covered by the edge region of the door, is formed by the door seal, the seal seat, and the opening edge. A gap (located between the door and the door opening when the aircraft door is closed) is connected with the hollow space. A sound reducing profile is arranged at the opening edge in the hollow space, and it includes a sound reflecting surface oriented oblique with respect to a surface of the door, which is adjacent to the gap. The sound reflecting surface at least partially follows the course of the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Fischer, Jean-Marc Hanke, Uwe Dittmann, Matthias Siercke, Sebastian Kagel, Enno Houtrouw, Peter-Philipp Frenzel
  • Patent number: 10875622
    Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an aircraft with a fuselage, an airframe that provides structural rigidity to the fuselage, and at least one door that allows access to an interior of the fuselage through an opening in the fuselage. The aircraft includes an overlapping, tongue and groove door interface formed between a frame of the door and a portion of the airframe that at least partially borders the opening in the fuselage. At least a portion of the airframe includes a concavity. At least a portion of the door frame includes a complementary shaped profile to the concavity of the airframe. The complementary profile of the door frame and the concavity of the airframe form a seal between the door frame and the airframe when the complementary portion is at least partially received within the concavity by selectively rotating the door to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Yann Lavallee
  • Patent number: 10843805
    Abstract: Inadvertent in-flight inflation of an inflatable slide associated with a non-co-located over-wing emergency door of an aircraft fuselage is prevented by a system having a source of compressed gas (e.g., a compress air cylinder) and a 3-way valve having an input port and a pair of output ports each being individually connectable to the input port. The 3-way valve is operable in response to a control signal so as to fluid-connect the source of compressed gas with either a vent line which vents the compress gas overboard or a supply line the inflatable slide. When the control signal fluid connects the gas source to the vent line, the system will be in a safe in-flight mode indicative of inflight operation of the aircraft in which case inadvertent inflation of the slide is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: YABORÃ INDÚSTRIA AERONÁUTICA S.A.
    Inventor: Sidney de Brito Teixeira
  • Patent number: 10843786
    Abstract: A reinforcing arrangement for an opening in an aircraft fuselage structure has a fuselage skin having an inner side, an outer side and a first opening with a first opening contour, and a one-piece reinforcing structure having a thickening section and at least one projecting profile. The first opening contour is surrounded on the inner side of the fuselage skin by an opening edge surface having a thickness corresponding to a thickness of the fuselage skin surrounding the opening edge surface. The thickening section has a bearing surface matched to the opening edge surface and has a receiving section facing away from the bearing surface and surrounding a second opening. The bearing surface is in surface contact with the opening edge surface, and the reinforcing structure is connected to the fuselage skin, with the result that the first opening and the second opening lie one above the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Jörn, Claus Hanske
  • Patent number: 10829955
    Abstract: To reduce complexity, solve tolerance problems and increase reliability and customer satisfaction, a door switch arrangement for a lavatory of an aircraft is provided, wherein, to generate signals which indicate a current status of the lavatory door, the door switch arrangement uses a sensor device with contactlessly operating reed sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Daniel Hawle, Dennis Gallun, Kevin Foth
  • Patent number: 10807694
    Abstract: In some examples, a track comprises a plurality of members coupled to one another. The plurality of members comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member. The first member is operable to couple the track to an aircraft. The second member forms a first rail. The third member forms a second rail. In addition, the third member comprises at least a portion of an outer mold line of the aircraft. Moreover, the third member is operable to support a step load. The first rail and the second rail are operable to guide movement of an aircraft component along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Allan Edler, Tomy Turcotte, Jean Pierre Paradis, Steve Pothier
  • Patent number: 10807706
    Abstract: A jettisonable emergency exit for a vehicle, comprising an outer peripheral edge that is adapted to be accommodated in an associated frame provided in a vehicle, wherein at least one emergency exit retention means and at least one emergency exit locking device are integrated into the outer peripheral edge, the at least one emergency exit retention means comprising at least one non-retractable pivot finger around which the jettisonable emergency exit is rotatable in an emergency mode, and the at least one emergency exit locking device comprising at least one locking hook that is adapted for locking the jettisonable emergency exit in an associated locking position in normal operation mode and for releasing the jettisonable emergency exit in an associated retracted position in the emergency mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH, AIRBUS HELICOPTER
    Inventors: Fabrice Joussellin, Aurelien Vayssiere, Pierre Fruitet, Laure-Anne Mathieu, Hassene Heboub, Philippe Benentendi
  • Patent number: 10751921
    Abstract: In order to reduce production tolerances, a receiving device is proposed for receiving a first, in particular a sealing profile for vehicle doors, which is designed to injection mold at least one, in particular two further profiles onto the first profile, comprising at least two molds, in order to hold the first profile in each of the molds at least in some sections, having a connecting device for connecting two of the at least two molds and for aligning the first profile, wherein the two interconnected molds each comprise at least one receiving opening for receiving and holding the profile and the connecting device, wherein the receiving opening is designed to be able to receive the first profile and the connecting device in at least one of the two interconnected molds so as to be at least partly countersunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Stefan Pfaff Werkzeug—Und Formenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Anton Sutter
  • Patent number: 10752335
    Abstract: An emergency escape window for a rotorcraft includes a window frame, a window pane set inside the window frame, a plurality of pins connecting the window frame to the fuselage of the rotorcraft, and a release mechanism having at least one actuator connected to a respective pin and constructed to retract the pin from the window frame. The escape window can then be pivoted away and/or completely detached from the fuselage in the event of an emergency to allow occupants to safely exit the rotorcraft. The disclosure also relate to a method of operating an emergency escape window for a rotorcraft and to a rotorcraft having an emergency escape window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: BELL HELICOPTER TEXTRON INC.
    Inventor: Michael Reaugh Smith
  • Patent number: 10752331
    Abstract: An aircraft emergency exit door (10) with opening mechanisms integrated by a grouping of the mechanisms into a door beam (3) located on a given side of a window (16) of standard dimensions. In the beam, an inner handle (1) is mounted on a main shaft (102) connected with a locking shaft (8A) on which there is mounted, against return springs (83), a door blocking/locking mechanism (8) comprising a lock (81). A mechanism for conditionally opening the door (100) includes a vent flap (110), a pivot connection (12) for coupling the flap (110) to the inner handle (1), and a blocking shaft (120) that has, at each end, a pressure lever (121) equipped with supports for blocking (122) and unblocking (123) the flap (110). Return springs (32) mounted against the conditional opening mechanism (100) are calibrated to allow the opening of the flap (110) by exerting reduced pressure in residual pressure variation conditions, and to prevent it from opening in overpressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Latecoere
    Inventors: Cyrille Bessettes, Damien Buchet
  • Patent number: 10745938
    Abstract: Provided are integrated locks, aircraft galley systems using such locks, and aircraft including such galley systems. An integrated lock has a low profile and provides secure locking and visual indication of the lock status to meet various FAA regulations. The visual indication may be provided mechanically (e.g., by moving a two-color indicator between two positions) or electronically (e.g., by triggering a switch connected to a light or an electro-chromic device). Furthermore, a main indicator may be connected to multiple different locks to provide a combined visual indication of the status of all locks. A visual indicator may be disposed on a galley system frame. Each integrated lock may include a handle portion and a locking portion connected to the handle portion and configured to engage the galley system frame when the handle portion is in the locked position and the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Cynthia A. Vandewall, Kai Shen Elston Cheah, Jun Yuan Dexter Tan
  • Patent number: 10696377
    Abstract: A fuselage rear end of an aircraft, comprising a structural part comprising a skin and longitudinal and transversal reinforcing members and a fairing. The structural part longitudinally spans over the whole rear end and comprises a first portion in which the transversal reinforcing members occupy the whole perimeter of the corresponding fuselage section and at least a second portion in which the transversal reinforcing members occupy only a portion of the perimeter of the corresponding fuselage section. The fairing is located below the second portion of the structural part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS OPERATIONS S.L.
    Inventors: Elena Arévalo Rodríguez, Francisco José Cruz Domínguez, Ana Reyes Moneo Peñacoba
  • Patent number: 10689089
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an entry assist system for an aircraft doorway. The system includes a securement member configured to be secured into at least one aperture of the doorway, a handle portion pivotally attached to the securement member, and a releasable locking feature for locking the handle portion. A mounting device is used for securing the stationary member to an existing aperture in the doorway and for removing the entry assist system when no longer needed. The securement member forms a stationary portion along an inner edge of the doorway. The handle portion includes a hub configured for rotating about an axle that is coupled to an interface of the securement member. The hub and interface interconnect to form the releasable locking feature for locking the handle in a collapsed position adjacent the securement member or in an extended position protruding outside the doorway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Terry, Rodd William Fuller
  • Patent number: 10683690
    Abstract: A vehicular opening/closing body control device includes a braking controller configured to apply a braking force to an opening/closing body, a full-closing detection unit configured to detect that the opening/closing body is in a fully-closed state, and a failure detection unit configured to detect failure of a latch mechanism provided on the opening/closing body. The latch mechanism is provided with a pawl switch, which is switched between ON and OFF states in conjunction with operation of a pawl. The failure detection unit detects, based on the ON and OFF states of the pawl switch, occurrence of an engagement failure in which the latch mechanism fails to hold the opening/closing body in the fully-closed state. The braking controller executes braking control for applying the braking force to the opening/closing body when the engagement failure is detected in the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshiki Bito, Kenta Izumi, Takeshi Nishikibe
  • Patent number: 10676032
    Abstract: An emergency exit door assembly for a vehicle. The door assembly can include a door panel that is movably coupled to the wall of the vehicle. The door panel can have an inner surface and an outer surface. The door panel can be configured for selective movement between a closed position and an open position in which an opening within the wall is exposed. A headboard component can be incorporated into the door panel, and a bed pedestal within the vehicle can be positioned in proximity to the headboard component when the door panel is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Coon, Chris Melvin
  • Patent number: 10647403
    Abstract: An actuatable emergency exit door with a door actuating device that comprises at least two connection rods that are pivotally mountable to an associated structural frame that is adapted for accommodating the actuatable emergency exit door in closed state, the at least two connection rods being provided for enabling an opening movement of the actuatable emergency exit door with respect to the associated structural frame during opening, wherein at least one door-mounted goose neck-shaped structure is mountable to the associated structural frame for enabling an initial translational opening movement and subsequently a swiveling opening movement of the actuatable emergency exit door with respect to the associated structural frame during opening. The invention is further related to an aircraft or space craft with a pressurized cabin having such an actuatable emergency exit door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Christoph Merkel, Stephen Ward, Michal Vinarsky, Florian Naumann
  • Patent number: 10577072
    Abstract: A connecting mechanism between an aircraft door and a structure of the aircraft, a related aircraft and method are provided. The connecting mechanism includes an arm intended to be hinged on to the structure, a rotating connection between the door and the arm. The rotating connection may be disengaged from a connection configuration for connecting the door with the arm in an open position of the door, into an uncoupling configuration for uncoupling of the door from the arm, in a closed door position of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: DASSAULT AVIATION
    Inventors: Pascal Herau, Guillaume Dedieu