Expandable aircraft cargo bay and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An aircraft with a variable cargo bay, comprising:
- a frame having an inner surface and an outer skin covering the frame;
a pair of faceted fairings coupled to the frame;
a door assembly between the pair of faceted fairings and having an inner surface;
a linkage mechanism coupling between the inner surface of the frame and the inner surface of the door assembly; and
a continuous moldline technology assembly between the skin of the frame and the door assembly.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An aircraft (50) with a variable cargo bay (52) includes a frame (60) having an inner surface and an outer skin (64) covering the frame (60). The frame (60) has a pair of faceted fairings (54, 56) coupled to the frame (60) and a door assembly (58) between the pair of faceted fairings (54, 56). The door assembly (58) has an inner surface connected to a linkage mechanism (66). The linkage mechanism (66) couples the inner surface of the frame (60) and the inner surface of the door assembly (58). A conformable surface (70) is connected between the skin (64) of the frame (60) and the door assembly (58).
40 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An aircraft with a variable cargo bay, comprising:
-
a frame having an inner surface and an outer skin covering the frame; a pair of faceted fairings coupled to the frame; a door assembly between the pair of faceted fairings and having an inner surface; a linkage mechanism coupling between the inner surface of the frame and the inner surface of the door assembly; and a continuous moldline technology assembly between the skin of the frame and the door assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A variable cargo bay connected to a frame having a skin substantially covering an exterior surface of the frame, the variable cargo bay comprising:
-
a faceted fairing assembly coupled to the frame; a door assembly adjacent to the faceted fairing assembly and coupled to the frame; and a conformable surface connected to the door assembly and the skin. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method for expanding a cargo bay of an aircraft, comprising the steps of:
-
(a) installing a linkage mechanism to a frame of the aircraft; (b) attaching a translational surface to the linkage mechanism, the translational surface and the linkage mechanism having a flush position and an expanded position; and (c) attaching a continuous moldline technology assembly between the translation surface and a skin covering the frame. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
Specification