Method and system for loading and unloading cargo assembly onto and from an aircraft
First Claim
1. An aircraft for transporting a cargo assembly comprising:
- a forward fairing;
an aft fairing movable between a fixed position for flight and an open position for at least loading and unloading of the cargo assembly;
a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the aft fairing, the spine defining an upper external surface of the aircraft and a lower coupling surface; and
a plurality of mounts attached to the lower coupling surface of the spine to structurally engage and suspend the cargo assembly from the spine;
wherein the aircraft is configured such that an unobstructed passageway is provided between the ground surface and the spine during loading or unloading of the cargo assembly onto or from the spine, respectively; and
wherein an aft access to the unobstructed passageway and the spine is provided when the aft fairing is moved to the open position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for loading and unloading a cargo assembly onto and from an aircraft. The system comprises an aircraft and a movable platform. The aircraft comprises a forward fairing, an aft fairing, a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the aft fairing and a plurality of mounts coupled to the spine and configured to structurally engage the cargo container onto the spine. The aft fairing is movable between a fixed position for flight and an open position for at least loading and unloading of the cargo assembly. The aircraft is configured such that an unobstructed passageway is provided in an area underneath the spine during loading or unloading of the cargo assembly. An aft access is provided when the aft fairing is moved to the open position. The movable platform is used to maneuver the cargo assembly for loading and unloading onto and from the spine, respectively.
82 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An aircraft for transporting a cargo assembly comprising:
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a forward fairing; an aft fairing movable between a fixed position for flight and an open position for at least loading and unloading of the cargo assembly; a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the aft fairing, the spine defining an upper external surface of the aircraft and a lower coupling surface; and a plurality of mounts attached to the lower coupling surface of the spine to structurally engage and suspend the cargo assembly from the spine; wherein the aircraft is configured such that an unobstructed passageway is provided between the ground surface and the spine during loading or unloading of the cargo assembly onto or from the spine, respectively; and wherein an aft access to the unobstructed passageway and the spine is provided when the aft fairing is moved to the open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An aircraft comprising:
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a forward fairing; an aft fairing; a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the aft fairing, the spine defining an upper external surface of the aircraft and a lower coupling surface; a cargo container comprising a plurality of laterally-oriented modular bays; a plurality of mounts to structurally engage the cargo assembly to the lower coupling surface of the spine; side fairing panels disposed on opposing sides of the cargo container, the side fairing panels comprising a plurality of retractable subpanels corresponding to the plurality of laterally-oriented modular bays, the subpanels retracting to expose the contents of the laterally-oriented modular bays. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An aircraft comprising:
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a forward fairing; an aft fairing; a spine disposed between the forward fairing and the aft fairing, the spine defining an upper external surface of the aircraft and a lower coupling surface; a cargo container comprising a plurality of laterally-oriented modular bays; a plurality of mounts to structurally engage the cargo assembly to the lower coupling surface of the spine; and lower fairing doors which may be pivotally opened and closed. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification