Support structure for a cargo aircraft
First Claim
1. An aircraft comprising:
- a first outer planar structure;
a second outer planar structure;
wherein the first outer planar structure and the second outer planar structure each comprise a truss;
a number of planar structures located between the first outer planar structure and the second outer planar structure, wherein the first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, and the number of planar structures are substantially parallel to each other, are coupled to each other to form a fuselage structure, and are configured to receive a number of containers;
a second plurality of planar structures connected to the first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, and the number of planar structures, wherein the second plurality of planar structures is substantially parallel to each other and wherein the first plurality of planar structures and the second plurality of planar structures form a plurality of bays in the fuselage structure, wherein the plurality of bays is configured to receive the number of containers, and wherein the first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, the number of planar structures, and the second plurality of planar structures are each comprised of a plurality of nodes and a plurality of elements connecting the plurality of nodes;
a wing; and
a support structure connecting the wing to a first bottom end of the first outer planar structure, a second bottom end of the second outer planar structure, and a number of bottom ends of the number of planar structures.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for transporting containers in an aircraft. A number of containers is loaded into the aircraft. The aircraft is comprised of first and second outer planar structures, a number of planar structures located between the first outer planar structure and the second outer planar structure, a wing, and a support structure. The first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, and the number of planar structures are substantially parallel to each other, are coupled to each other to form a fuselage structure, and are configured to receive the number of containers. The support structure connects the wing to a first bottom end of the first outer planar structure, a second bottom end of the second outer planar structure, and a number of bottom ends of the number of planar structures. The aircraft is operated to transport the number of containers to a destination.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An aircraft comprising:
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a first outer planar structure; a second outer planar structure; wherein the first outer planar structure and the second outer planar structure each comprise a truss; a number of planar structures located between the first outer planar structure and the second outer planar structure, wherein the first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, and the number of planar structures are substantially parallel to each other, are coupled to each other to form a fuselage structure, and are configured to receive a number of containers; a second plurality of planar structures connected to the first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, and the number of planar structures, wherein the second plurality of planar structures is substantially parallel to each other and wherein the first plurality of planar structures and the second plurality of planar structures form a plurality of bays in the fuselage structure, wherein the plurality of bays is configured to receive the number of containers, and wherein the first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, the number of planar structures, and the second plurality of planar structures are each comprised of a plurality of nodes and a plurality of elements connecting the plurality of nodes; a wing; and a support structure connecting the wing to a first bottom end of the first outer planar structure, a second bottom end of the second outer planar structure, and a number of bottom ends of the number of planar structures. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for transporting containers in an aircraft, the method comprising:
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loading a number of containers into the aircraft, wherein the aircraft is comprised of a first outer planar structure;
a second outer planar structure;
wherein the first outer planar structure and the second outer planar structure each comprise a truss;
a number of planar structures located between the first outer planar structure and the second outer planar structure, wherein the first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, and the number of planar structures are substantially parallel to each other, are coupled to each other to form a fuselage structure, and are configured to receive the number of containers;
a wing, wherein the first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, and the number of planar structures are a first plurality of planar structures;
a support structure connecting the wing to a first bottom end of the first outer planar structure, a second bottom end of the second outer planar structure, and a number of bottom ends of the number of planar structures;
a second plurality of planar structures connected to the first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, and the number of planar structures, wherein the second plurality of planar structures is substantially parallel to each other and wherein the first plurality of planar structures and the second plurality of planar structures form a plurality of bays in the fuselage structure, wherein the plurality of bays is configured to receive the number of containers, and wherein the first outer planar structure, the second outer planar structure, the number of planar structures, and the second plurality of planar structures are each comprised of a plurality of nodes and a plurality of elements connecting the plurality of nodes; andoperating the aircraft to transport the number of containers to a destination. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification