Aircraft sensor pod assembly

• US 7,520,467 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2006
• Issued: 04/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Gioffre, Charles Anthony, Healy, James Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins; Timothy D
• Application Number:
  US11/368,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20070205327A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 244/118.1, 244/121, 244/129.1, 244/130, 244/133, 244/137.4, 244/1.R, 343/872
• US Class Current: 244/118.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras

Abstract

The invention is sensor pod assembly for mounting sensor systems for an aircraft, the aircraft having a fuselage with a longitudinal axis. In detail the sensor pod includes an elongated pod having front and rear ends, the pod removable mountable to the underside of the fuselage of the aircraft aligned with the longitudinal axis. A mounting system is includes to mount at least one container capable of being pressurized in a plurality of locations within the pod along the longitudinal axis, the at least one container including means to mount the sensor systems there within.

Claims

1. A sensor pod assembly for mounting sensor systems for an aircraft, the aircraft having a fuselage with a longitudinal axis, the sensor pod comprising;

an elongated pod having front and rear ends, said pod removable mountable to the underside of the fuselage of the aircraft aligned with the longitudinal axis; and

means mounting at least one container capable of being pressurized in a plurality of locations within the pod along the longitudinal axis, said at least one container including means to mount the sensor systems there within.

2. The sensor pod assembly as set forth in claim 1 including means to pressurize said at least one container.

3. The sensor pod assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means to pressurize said at least one container includes means to control the pressure level within said at least one container.

4. The sensor pod assembly as set forth in claim 1, or 2 or 3 comprising means to mount additional sensors within said pod on either end of said at least one container.

5. The sensor pod assembly as set forth in claim 4 where in there are at least first and second containers, each having first and second ends, said first ends of said at least first and second containers joined together.

6. The sensor pod assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said pod includes first and second ends, at least one of said first and second ends of said pod made of material transparent to radar signals.

7. An aircraft comprising:

a fuselage portion having a longitudinal axis; and

a sensor pod comprising;

an elongated pod having front and rear ends, said pod removable mountable to the underside of the fuselage of the aircraft aligned with the longitudinal axis; and

means mounting at least one container capable of being pressurized in a plurality of locations within the pod along the longitudinal axis, said at least one container including means to mount the sensor systems there within.

8. The aircraft set forth in claim 7 including means to pressurize said at least on container.

9. The aircraft as set forth in claim 8 wherein said means to pressurize said at least one container includes means to control the pressure level within said at least one container.

10. The aircraft as set forth in claim 7 or 8 or 9 comprising means to mount additional sensors within said pod on either end of said at least one container.

11. The aircraft as set forth in claim 10 where in there are at least first and second containers, each having first and second ends, said first ends of said at least first and second containers joined together.

12. The aircraft as set forth in claim 11 wherein said pod includes first and second ends, at least one of said first and second ends of said pod made of material transparent to radar signals.