Modular Mounting Structure with Embedded Electrical Bus

• US 20160016666A1
• Filed: 07/17/2014
• Published: 01/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Textron Systems Corporation (Textron Inc)
• Original Assignee: AAI Corporation (Textron Inc)
• Inventors: Uskert, Richard C., Nesline, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,694,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/22 Other structures integral with fuselages to facilitate loading , e.g. cargo bays, cranes
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2211/00 Modular constructions of airplanes or helicopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 7/00 Arrangements of military equipment, e.g. armaments, armament accessories, or military shielding, in aircraft; Adaptations of armament mountings for aircraft dropping bombs or the like B64D1/00; armaments or mountings therefor per se F41
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 9/00 Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like emergency equipment B64D17/00, B64D19/00, B64D25/00; structures integral with fuselage to facilitate loading, fuselage floors specially adapted for freight, steps mounted on and retractable within aircraft B64C; ground installations B64F
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 20/70 Constructional aspects of the UAV body
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/00 UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography

Abstract

A modular mounting structure is described which allows for the easy installation and removal of various payloads from a vehicle structure. An embedded electrical bus feature further supports the installation of the various payloads into the vehicle structure.

Claims

1. A mounting system for the removable attachment of a payload to an air vehicle comprising:

a pair of lower rails disposed adjacent a payload area of the aircraft, said lower rails configured to interface with the payload; and

,

a pair of upper rails disposed adjacent the payload area, said upper rails spaced apart from said lower rails, said upper rails configured to interface with the payload.

2. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein said lower rails and said upper rails extend along a longitudinal axis of the air vehicle.

3. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein said lower rails and said upper rails are symmetrically spaced about the air vehicles longitudinal axis.

4. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein said lower rails and said upper rails are integrally formed into the structure of the air vehicle.

5. The mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mounting devices configured to engage and lock onto said upper and lower rails.

6. The mounting system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical bus embedded into the structure of the air vehicle, said electrical bus configured to interface with the payload.

7. The mounting system of claim 6, further comprising a connector plate in electrical communication with said electrical bus.