US 11,952,146 B2 · Systems and methods for loading and unloading a cargo aircraft

Abstract

Systems and methods for loading a cargo aircraft are described. The system includes at least one rail disposed in an interior cargo bay of a cargo aircraft that extends at an angle relative to an interior bottom contact surface of a forward portion of the interior cargo bay, through a kinked portion and an aft portion of the interior cargo bay. Payload-receiving fixtures are described that can be used in conjunction with the rail system, allowing for large cargo, such as wind turbine blades, to be transported by aircraft. Methods of loading a cargo aircraft can include advancing the large payload into the interior cargo bay of the aircraft such that at least one of the payload-receiving fixtures rises relative to a plane defined by the interior bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay. Various systems, methods, components, and related tooling are also provided.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of loading a payload onto a cargo aircraft, comprising:

advancing a payload into a forward end of a cargo aircraft and towards an aft end of the cargo aircraft, the cargo aircraft including an interior cargo bay having a forward bay portion located in the forward end of the cargo aircraft and an aft bay portion located in the aft end of the cargo aircraft, the payload including a plurality of payload-receiving fixtures holding one or more structures of the payload in a set position with respect to at least some portion of the payload-receiving fixtures;
placing a first structure of the one or more structures on a first receiving surface of a first piece of a payload-receiving fixture of the plurality of payload receiving fixtures;
coupling a second piece of the payload-receiving fixture to the first piece to secure a location of the first structure with respect to the first receiving surface;
and
securing the payload within the interior cargo bay such that a distal-most payload-receiving fixture is secured in the aft bay portion of the interior cargo bay and a proximal-most payload-receiving fixture of the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures is secured in the forward bay portion of the interior cargo bay.

2 more elements

A system for at least one of loading a payload onto a cargo aircraft or unloading a payload from a cargo aircraft, comprising:

at least one rail disposed in an interior cargo bay of a cargo aircraft, the interior cargo bay having a forward bay portion located in a forward end of the cargo aircraft and an aft bay portion located in an aft end of the cargo aircraft;
and
a plurality of payload-receiving fixtures configured to couple to the at least one rail such that the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures are configured to translate along a length of the at least one rail,
wherein the at least one rail extends from the forward bay portion and into the aft bay portion,
wherein at least one payload-receiving fixture of the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures comprises:
an opening configured to receive a terminal end of a first structure;
and
a second opening configured to receive a terminal end of a second structure,
wherein the opening and the second opening are configured to receive the first and second structures therethrough.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for loading and unloading a cargo aircraft

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for loading and unloading a cargo aircraft

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20