Aircraft With Modular Structure

• US 20100012782A1
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH (Airbus SE)
• Inventors: Schuldzig, Hans-Georg, Hoffjann, Claus
• Application Number:
  US12/086,958
• Publication Number:
  US 20100012782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/120
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/0009 Aerodynamic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2001/0045 Fuselages characterised by special shapes
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2211/00 Modular constructions of airplanes or helicopters

Abstract

An aircraft includes a module carrier for accommodating a plurality of module elements in which in each case at least one system element is integrated. The module elements and system elements are networked among each other such that a desired aircraft model is implemented.

Claims

1. An aircraft comprising:

a module carrier;

a plurality of module elements;

a plurality of integrated system elements;

wherein the module carrier accommodates the plurality of module elements;

wherein each module element comprises at least one integrated system element; and

wherein a module element comprises one or more of a propulsion unit for propelling the aircraft, a lift unit for generating lift of the aircraft, and/or a transport unit for the transport of passengers or freight.

2. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the module elements are individually exchangeable.

3. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the system elements in the case of an installed or deinstalled module element are arranged to be exchangeable.

4. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the module elements form a network.

5. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the system elements form a network.

6. The aircraft of claim 4, wherein the network comprising module elements reflects an overall function.

7. The aircraft of claim 5, wherein the network comprising system elements reflects an overall function.

8. The aircraft of claim 4, wherein the network comprising module elements is arranged to be redundant.

9. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the module elements are arranged to be combinable such that different variants of an aircraft model can be implemented.

10. The aircraft of claim 1, further comprising identical module elements provided with different system elements such that different variants of an aircraft model can be implemented.

11. The aircraft of claim 9, wherein all the module elements within the same aircraft model or with other aircraft models of the same design are exchangeable, wherein the aircraft models may differ as far as their size, flying range and performance data are concerned.

12. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the module elements can be assembled, loaded, or boarded by passengers while said module elements are outside the aircraft.

13. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the module elements are movable by another transport system.

14. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the module carrier comprises at least one fuselage, and at least one aerofoil, with the fuselage and the aerofoil forming a combined component.

15. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the module carrier comprises a module element that forms at least part of the fuselage and/or of an aerofoil.

16. The aircraft of claim 15, wherein the module element is situated within the fuselage or the aerofoil and is accessible from the outside on the fuselage or the aerofoil, or forms part of the fuselage structure or the aerofoil structure.

17. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein at least one module element is used for the supply to the aircraft, and at least one module element is used for disposal from the aircraft.

18. The aircraft of claim 17, wherein the supply module element supplies the aircraft with at least one of the following media:

hydrocarbon-based fuel, hydrogen, oxygen, water, gases, liquids or solids.

19. The aircraft of claim 17, wherein the disposal module is used for the disposal of at least one of the following media:

waste water, gases, liquids or solids.

20. The aircraft of claim 1, wherein the system element comprises at least one of the following:

a hydraulic system element;

pneumatic system element;

energy supply system element;

electrical system element;

cooling system element;

air conditioning system element;

water supply system element;

waste water disposal system element;

gas supply system element;

liquid supply system element;

exhaust gas disposal system element;

liquid disposal system element;

communication system element;

control system element;

data transmission system element;

emission element for heat or light;

element for functions of the aircraft operation;

element for safety functions;

element for comfort or the supply to passengers or crew;

element for the transport of passengers;

or element for the transport of freight.

21. The aircraft of claim 5, wherein the network comprising module elements reflects an overall function.

22. The aircraft of claim 6, wherein the network comprising system elements reflects an overall function.

23. The aircraft of claim 21, wherein the network comprising system elements reflects an overall function.

24. The aircraft of claim 5, wherein the network comprising the systems element is arranged to be redundant.

25. The aircraft of claim 10, wherein all the module elements within the same aircraft model or with other aircraft models of the same design are exchangeable, wherein the aircraft models may differ as far as their size, flying range and performance data are concerned.