Cargo aircraft for transporting intermodal containers in transverse orientation
First Claim
1. An aircraft for transporting intermodal containers, the aircraft comprising:
- a fuselage comprising a cargo space,the fuselage extending in a longitude direction,the cargo space configured to receive and support the intermodal containers during operation of the aircraft such that each of the intermodal containers extends in a transverse direction while inside the cargo space,the intermodal containers having a length of at least 30 feet measured in the transverse direction and a width not exceeding 15 feet in the longitudinal direction,wherein the fuselage has an opening at a bottom of the fuselage, the opening providing access to the cargo space and used to receive the intermodal containers into the cargo space.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are aircraft for transporting intermodal containers and methods of operating such aircraft including methods of loading and unloading the containers. An aircraft includes a fuselage having a cargo space for receiving and supporting intermodal containers. The containers are oriented in the transverse direction in the cargo space or, more specifically, in a direction normal to the longitude direction that extends from the nose to the tail of the aircraft. The aircraft may transport standard 20-foot or 40-foot containers or lighter version of such containers that otherwise have the same form and features as the standard intermodal containers. The intermodal containers may be loaded through an opening in the bottom of the fuselage. Specifically, intermodal containers may be arranged into a row. The aircraft may be then rolled over this row of the containers and lowered onto the containers followed by engaging container corners.
12 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An aircraft for transporting intermodal containers, the aircraft comprising:
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a fuselage comprising a cargo space, the fuselage extending in a longitude direction, the cargo space configured to receive and support the intermodal containers during operation of the aircraft such that each of the intermodal containers extends in a transverse direction while inside the cargo space, the intermodal containers having a length of at least 30 feet measured in the transverse direction and a width not exceeding 15 feet in the longitudinal direction, wherein the fuselage has an opening at a bottom of the fuselage, the opening providing access to the cargo space and used to receive the intermodal containers into the cargo space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification