System and method for affixing gateboxes to an aircraft
First Claim
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1. An aircraft gatebox affixing system, comprising:
- a first gatebox configured to provide a firefighting functionality and to release a first material selected from one of water and a fire retardant while affixed to an aircraft;
a second gatebox configured to provide agricultural functionality and to release a second material selected from one of a fertilizer, an insecticide, an herbicide, and seeds while affixed to an aircraft, the first gatebox and the second gatebox being of different constructions;
a frame configured to affix to an aircraft and interchangeably couple to a selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox;
a plurality of fastenings configured to interchangeably couple the selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox to the frame; and
a seal configured to create a barrier between the frame and the selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox, wherein the seal is recessed within the frame to receive a compression structure from the selected one of the first gatebox and second gatebox, the recessed seal is operable to self-align the selected one of the first gatebox and second gatebox when coupled to the frame.
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Abstract
A system for affixing a gatebox to an aircraft includes a first type of gatebox operable to release material from an aircraft, a second type of gatebox operable to release material from the aircraft, a frame coupled to the aircraft operable to receive a selected one of the first type of gatebox and the second type of gatebox; and a plurality of fastenings operable to secure the selected one of the first type of gatebox and the second type of gatebox to the frame.
52 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An aircraft gatebox affixing system, comprising:
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a first gatebox configured to provide a firefighting functionality and to release a first material selected from one of water and a fire retardant while affixed to an aircraft; a second gatebox configured to provide agricultural functionality and to release a second material selected from one of a fertilizer, an insecticide, an herbicide, and seeds while affixed to an aircraft, the first gatebox and the second gatebox being of different constructions; a frame configured to affix to an aircraft and interchangeably couple to a selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox; a plurality of fastenings configured to interchangeably couple the selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox to the frame; and a seal configured to create a barrier between the frame and the selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox, wherein the seal is recessed within the frame to receive a compression structure from the selected one of the first gatebox and second gatebox, the recessed seal is operable to self-align the selected one of the first gatebox and second gatebox when coupled to the frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An aircraft gatebox affixing system, comprising:
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a frame affixable to an aircraft, wherein the frame is configured to receive a first gatebox configured to provide a firefighting functionality and to release a first material selected from one of water and a fire retardant and a second gatebox configured to provide agricultural functionality and to release a second material selected from one of a fertilizer, an insecticide, an herbicide, and seeds, the first gatebox and the second gatebox being of different constructions, and the frame is configured to interchangeably couple to a selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox; a plurality of fastenings configured to couple the selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox to the frame; and a seal configured to create a barrier between the frame and a selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox, wherein the seal is recessed within the frame to receive a compression structure from the selected one of the first gatebox and second gatebox, the recessed seal is operable to self-align the selected one of the first gatebox and second gatebox when coupling to the frame. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An aircraft gatebox affixing method, comprising:
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affixing to an aircraft a frame configured to couple to a first aircraft gatebox configured to provide a firefighting functionality and to release a first material selected from one of water and a fire retardant and a second aircraft gatebox configured to provide agricultural functionality and to release a second material selected from one of a fertilizer, an insecticide, an herbicide, and seeds, the first gatebox and the second gatebox being of different constructions, and wherein the frame is configured to interchangeably couple to a selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox, wherein one or more of the frame, the first gatebox, and the second gatebox include a recessed seal configured to create a self-aligned barrier between the frame and the selected one of the first gatebox and the second gatebox; coupling to the frame the first gatebox by engaging one or more of a plurality of fastenings; removing from the frame the first gatebox by disengaging one or more of the plurality of fastenings; and coupling to the frame the second gatebox by engaging one or more of the plurality of fastenings. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification