Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft structure – Load accommodation
Patent
1996-04-15
1998-07-07
Mojica, V. Lissi
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft structure
Load accommodation
2441371, 2483168, 89 1801, B64D 110, B64C 120, F41F 3042
Patent
active
057756414
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to an improved container storage system for an aircraft, and in particular to a cargo pannier assembly which is designed to be suspended within the fuselage of an aircraft having a longitudinally extending weapons bay which opens downwardly.
A number of existing cargo pannier systems are known to the applicant. One system, known as the P3 Pannier used by the Royal Australian Air Force for its P3 Orion aircraft, has a number of problems or deficiencies associated therewith. This pannier type is an open top, rectangular box of welded steel frame construction with a plywood floor and steel angles forming the side rails and removable gates for the ends. It has a limited volumetric capacity, in the order of 50 cubic feet, and limited load capacity (in the order of 800 pounds), and being of an open frame construction, the pannier has limited containment capability and requires the use of individual restraints (tie-down straps) to secure the cargo being carried.
The limited load carrying capacity of the P3 Pannier is due in part to the limitations on the suspension system which is used for attaching the pannier to the aircraft. The P3 Pannier is attached to the aircraft via the weapons pylons (stores suspension system) in the weapons bay of the aircraft. This form of attachment has several drawbacks including the need to use special trade skills (armament technicians) to install and remove the unit, and to carry out the necessary armament system checks. In addition, to gain usable space within the pannier, the standard pylon configuration must be changed by the removal of two of the dual pylon racks. These racks must then be carried either in the aircraft cabin or in the pannier itself to enable the aircraft to be reconfigured to normal operational status (four pylons) with the pannier removed. The means for carrying these pylon racks significantly reduces the effective cargo space available in the aircraft.
The existing steel framed pannier unit has an empty weight of approximately 150 kgs while another known aluminium frame version of the P3 unit weighs approximately 120 kgs. The existing versions of the pannier are loaded empty into the aircraft weapons bay with the assistance of a bomb loader, or when a bomb loader is not available, loading is effected manually by up to eight personnel. It is desirable therefore that the empty weight of the pannier system be reduced, as a means of reducing the effort required and difficulty involved in manual loading of the unit, and of minimising the effect of the pannier installation on aircraft payload.
During installation of the existing P3 Pannier, its positioning and subsequent attachment within the weapons bay of the aircraft, even with the assistance of a bomb loader unit, is unnecessarily difficult. The need to manually adjust the position of the pannier while holding the bomb rack sway braces open is an undesirable feature of the unit. The height of the pannier floor above the tarmac and the limited crawl space available to gain access to the suspension points for securing the four sway braces onto the existing panniers are considered undesirable features. Still further, the proximity of the ceiling of the weapons bay and its associated hardware, eg power outlets, wiring routing etc, presents a hazard to loading personnel carrying out the securing (and, later, cargo loading) operations.
A still further problem is that associated with its cargo restraint system. Such a system utilises separate cargo straps of varying lengths and types. The straps are either anchored (tied) to the side frames of the pannier and tensioned over the cargo or looped around the pannier and the cargo, then tensioned. Though offering some level of flexibility, this method of restraint does not provide any form of containment in the event of an item of cargo opening or breaking free, is considered to be too subjective and requires the use of separate equipment (ie several tie-down straps) which may be misplaced on deployment.
It is the main object of the present inventi
REFERENCES:
patent: 2472947 (1949-06-01), Hlobil
patent: 2950073 (1960-08-01), McLain et al.
patent: 2950791 (1960-08-01), Babcock
patent: 3026071 (1962-03-01), Barcellona et al.
patent: 3028130 (1962-04-01), Burton
patent: 3463334 (1969-08-01), Blakely et al.
patent: 3552587 (1971-01-01), Warren
patent: 3899092 (1975-08-01), Nordstrom
patent: 3952974 (1976-04-01), Lang
patent: 4208949 (1980-06-01), Boilsen
patent: 4858855 (1989-08-01), Dalbera
Derwent Soviet Inventions Illustrated, vol. V, issue 7, issued 21 Mar. 1974, Road Vehicles, Ships, Aircraft, Railways, p. 2, SU 380536 (Balykin et al.), 30 Aug. 1973, abstract.
Derwent Soviet Inventions Illustrated, Section 3, Mechanical and General, issued 4 May 1967, Road Vehicles, Ships, Aircraft, Railways, SU 195895 (Rakhilin et al.), 20 Feb. 1970.
Australian Flight Test Services Pty Ltd
Mojica V. Lissi
LandOfFree
Aircraft cargo pannier assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Aircraft cargo pannier assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Aircraft cargo pannier assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1197403