SPACE FRAME FUSELAGE STRUCTURE AND RELATED METHODS
First Claim
1. An aircraft for carrying containerized cargo, the aircraft comprising a fuselage structure including a plurality of nodes and a plurality of elements connecting the nodes to form a space frame in which to carry one or more containers, at least some of the nodes positioned in the space frame based on dimensions of the one or more containers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aircraft for carrying cargo in one or more containers. The aircraft includes a fuselage structure having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of elements connecting the nodes to form a space frame in which to carry cargo. At least some of the nodes are positioned in the space frame based on dimensions of the one or more containers. The fuselage structure is more compact, lighter and less expensive compared to conventional semi-monocoque fuselages.
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Citations
29 Claims
- 1. An aircraft for carrying containerized cargo, the aircraft comprising a fuselage structure including a plurality of nodes and a plurality of elements connecting the nodes to form a space frame in which to carry one or more containers, at least some of the nodes positioned in the space frame based on dimensions of the one or more containers.
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11. A method of making an aircraft for transporting cargo in one or more containers, the method comprising:
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connecting a plurality of trusses at a plurality of nodes to provide a space frame; positioning at least some of the nodes in the space frame based on dimensions of the one or more containers; and including the space frame in a fuselage of the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An aircraft comprising:
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a fuselage structure including a plurality of elements and a plurality of nodes at which the elements are connected to form a space frame; a wing connected with the fuselage structure via at least some of the nodes of the space frame; and a plurality of links movably connecting the wing with the at least some of the nodes. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of loading and/or unloading containerized cargo relative to an aircraft, the method comprising:
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moving one or more containers of the cargo into a space frame of a fuselage of the aircraft; and fastening a plurality of corners of the one or more containers to a plurality of nodes of the space frame. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification