Multi-function rotary access door

A door for an aircraft comprising:

• a vehicle body having an opening;
• a frame;
• a door moveably connected to the frame and capable of being rotated in the frame between a closed position and an open position to provide access to the opening of the vehicle body without moving the door outside of a mold line of the vehicle body;
• a door movement system capable of rotating the door to provide the access to the opening without moving the door outside of the mold line of the vehicle body, wherein the door movement system is capable of translating the door inward from a first position to a second position into the vehicle body and rotating the door in the second position to provide the access to the opening without moving the door outside of the mold line of the vehicle body, and wherein the door movement system is capable of translating the door from the second position to the first position after the door has been rotated to provide the access to the opening, wherein the door movement system comprises a motor, a gear system connected to the motor and the door, and a door translation system, wherein the motor is capable of rotating the door and a gear system, wherein the gear system is capable of rotating the door in the frame in response to operating the motor, wherein the door translation system is a linear actuator system capable of translating the door inward from the first position to the second position into the vehicle body, wherein the door comprises a cylindrical structure having an opening capable of providing access to the interior of the vehicle when rotated to the open position from the closed position and a track system on the cylindrical structure moveably connected to the frame;
• and
• a plurality of wheels attached to the frame, wherein the plurality of wheels engage the track system for the cylindrical structure moveably connected to the frame, wherein the motor is capable of rotating a wheel within the plurality of wheels to rotate the cylindrical structure between the open position and the closed position, and wherein the vehicle body is for a vehicle selected from one of a mobile platform, an aircraft, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a submarine, and a bus.

A method for moving a door, the method comprising:

• translating the door inward from a first position to a second position into a vehicle body;
• rotating the door in the second position to an open position to provide access to an opening in the vehicle body, wherein rotating the door is performed without moving the door outside of a mold line of the vehicle body;
• and
• translating the door from the second position to the first position.

A method for moving a door in an aircraft, the method comprising:

• translating the door inward from a first position to a second position into a vehicle body;
• rotating the door in the second position to an open position to provide access to an opening in the vehicle body, wherein rotating the door is performed without moving the door outside of a mold line of the vehicle body;
• translating the door from the second position to the first position;
• performing a number of operations with the door in the first position and in the open position;
• translating the door inward from the first position to the second position into the vehicle body with the door in the open position;
• rotating the door to a closed position to prevent the access to the opening in the vehicle body, wherein rotating the door is performed without moving the door outside of the mold line of the vehicle body;
• and
• translating the door in the closed position from the second position to the first position.