EP1993935A1

EP1993935A1 - Air cargo carrier

Info

Publication number: EP1993935A1
Application number: EP07702371A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erwin Baur; Adalbert Bruns; Paul Filz
Original assignee: Acep - Advanced Composites Engineering and Production GmbH
Current assignee: Acep - Advanced Composites Engineering and Production GmbH
Priority date: 2006-02-10
Filing date: 2007-01-15
Publication date: 2008-11-26
Also published as: DE102006006511A1; WO2007090363A1

Abstract

It is the urgent object of the invention to reduce considerably the empty weight of air cargo carriers without reducing the permissible payload. This object is achieved in an air cargo carrier, in particular an air cargo carrier having a base plate (1), an integrated frame (2) and securing elements (6) which can be connected to it for secured positioning of the freight, in that the base plate (1) is a sandwich construction having a covering layer laminate (4) and an integrated frame (2) having a surrounding covering layer (5) from composite material and a supportive core material (3).

Description

Air freight carrier

description

The invention relates to an air freight carrier, with a bottom plate and thus connectable security elements for secure placement of the cargo.

It is a generic carrier for the transport of air freight known (WO 035492 A1), which has a bottom, a lid and four wall elements, wherein the wall elements are detachably connected to the bottom and the lid. Cover and bottom come to lie one above the other in the folded state, whereby they receive the wall elements between them.

The known air freight carrier therefore solves in particular the problem of reducing the required storage space in the empty transport quickly and reliably substantially compared to the space required for a filled carrier.

The cited prior art does not address the problem of weight saving, which is particularly important in aviation, while maintaining the respective stability of the freight carrier to be taken into account. It is also not about reducing the susceptibility to damage, ease of repair or longer life. This is where the task of the invention begins.

To achieve this object, it is provided in a generic air cargo carrier that the bottom plate is a one- or multi-part sandwich construction with a cover layer laminate, an integrated frame with a covering cover layer of composite material and a supporting core material. This construction of bottom plate and frame results in high strength, a relatively low weight of the air carrier.

Other important features of the invention are primarily the subject of the following subclaims and the description.

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Fig. 1 is a bottom plate which is provided with an integrated frame;

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment with wall elements without balcony-like training and

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment with wall elements with a balcony-like design.

The airfreight carrier according to the invention is a sandwich construction with cover layer laminates and an integrated frame 2 with an enveloping cover layer 4, 5 of composite materials.

The air freight carrier has a base plate 1 in sandwich construction with cover layer laminates and an integrated frame 2 with a covering covering layer 4, 5 made of composite materials. The bottom plate may be formed in several parts. Depending on the particular requirement profile, different foams of crosslinked or thermoplastic plastics, preferably polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyimide or so-called honeycombs or tubes, preferably of thermoplastics or paper or metal, are used as the core material. The cover layer laminates consist of different fibers or fiber combinations (preferably carbon, aramid, glass, polyester, polyethylene) and matrix systems

(Curable molding compositions preferably based on epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, polyurethane, phenol or thermoplastics preferably polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene).

Woven fabrics of said fiber materials are preferably used as reinforcing material, which, however, can be reinforced locally with, for example, unidirectional or multidirectional layers if required.

Substances are added to the above-mentioned matrix materials which make them flame-retardant within the meaning of the existing regulations.

The bottom plate 1 with the integrated frame 2 can be used both as airfreight carrier floor and as a pallet. Depending on this, the integrated frame profile is executed. In the first case are special fasteners with the Frame profile connected. In the case of use as a pallet, it is necessary, if necessary using suitable inserts, to provide the possibility of attaching nets to NAS 3610 to securing elements 6.

The cover layer laminate 4, 5 is made using fibers or

Formed fiber combinations and preferably has carbon and / or aramid and / or glass and / or polyester and / or polyethylene.

The fibers or fiber combinations are embedded in a matrix system, preferably of epoxy-polyester-vinyl-ester, polyurethane or phenol-based or of thermoplastics, preferably of polyamide, polypropylene or polyethylene. The core material consists of foams or is honeycomb or in the form of tubes, for example made of paper, plastic or metal.

The carrier has at least six parts in such an embodiment.

Depending on the version of the air cargo carrier, the ceiling element 10 consists either of a thin sandwich construction, which is comparable to that which is possibly used for the bottom plate 1, or of a thin-walled highly flexible laminate, like the cover layers of the 4.5 Sandwich constructions, of different fiber combinations (preferably coal, aramid, glass, polyethylene) and matrix systems (curable molding compositions preferably on epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, polyurethane-based) consists. Also in the ceiling element part special fasteners are integrated in the detachable form.

The wall elements of the air cargo carrier exist in two variants, namely in a planar shape with the elements 7,7a, 8,9 and in a balcony-like formation with the elements 7,8,9,11, 11a, as "balcony" 11, 11a By any combination of these two variants, the airfreight carrier in shape and size can be adapted to the space conditions of different aircraft, wherein the beveled balcony variant 11, 11a in the aircraft on the aircraft wall, at the curvature of which it is substantially adapted arranged Through these two variants of the side part of the air cargo carrier of the invention Airplane size to be adjusted. That is, in an aircraft of such a width that an air cargo carrier can be transported on one side of the aircraft and another on the opposite side of the aircraft, each of the two consists of side panels. In the case of large aircraft in which there is still space for an air cargo carrier in the middle between two air freight carriers on the walls of the aircraft, a suitable block-shaped air freight carrier can be assembled by using only two flat side parts. For smaller aircraft, where only one airfreight carrier has space between the aircraft walls, on the other hand, an air freight carrier with two balcony parts can be assembled.

The side parts consist of a thin-walled, highly flexible laminate which, like the cover layer of the sandwich constructions, consists of different fiber combinations (preferably carbon, aramid, glass, polyethylene) and matrix systems (curable molding compounds preferably based on epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, polyurethane). Base). Also in the wall elements are special in the detachable form

Safety elements 6 integrated. The thin-walled highly flexible laminates have a high strength and a high ductility and thus a pronounced energy absorption capacity, whereby the vulnerability to damage by z. B. the tines of a forklift compared to conventional air cargo carriers made of aluminum is significantly reduced. Should it nevertheless come to a damage, the molding can either easily replaced or repaired by simple means quickly.

The rear wall of the cargo carrier is directly comparable with the wall elements from the material selection point of view. The same applies mutatis mutandis to the front

Airfreight carrier wall, if the variant "fixed door" is to be provided.As standard components are preferably integrated as opening and closing mechanisms.In the "flexible door" variant, the door consists of a flexible plastic-coated fabric and preferably has standard components for closing. As reinforcing material, it is preferred to use fabrics of the fiber materials mentioned several times, but if necessary they can be strengthened locally with, for example, unidirectional or multi-dimensional layers.

The matrix materials mentioned substances are added, they in the sense of existing regulations, eg. B. JAR 25, make it flame retardant.

The bottom plate 1 with integrated frame 2 presents itself overall in the basic embodiment of the invention in the manner of a pallet.

The topcoat laminate is formed using fibers or fiber combinations and comprises carbon and / or aramid and / or glass and / or polyester and / or polyethylene.

The fibers or fiber combinations are embedded in a matrix system of epoxy-polyester-vinyl ester, polyurethane or phenol-based or thermoplastic, preferably of polyamide, polypropylene or polyethylene. The core material consists of foams or is honeycomb, z. B. made of paper.

On the frame 2 wall elements 7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11, 11a set, which are covered by a ceiling element 10. The wall elements and the ceiling element are connected together at their edges and form a receiving space 12 for cargo. At least one of the wall elements can be adapted in its outer contour to the inner wall course in the cargo hold of an aircraft. In this case, one of the four wall areas can be closed by a curtain, a blind or a door.

To facilitate loading and unloading, it may be important to make the cargo carrier capable of fork-lift.

The wall elements 7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11, 11a and the ceiling element 10 are fixedly or detachably connected to each other. For a solid, permanent connection is in particular a riveting or gluing. The wall elements 7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11, 11a and the bottom plate 1, which may each also be designed in several parts, and the frame 1 are fixedly or detachably connected to each other. For a solid, permanent connection is here in particular a riveting or gluing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 base plate

2 frames

3 nuclear material

4 cover layer

5 topcoat

6 fuse element

7 wall element

7a wall element

8 wall element

9a wall element

10. Ceiling element

11 .. wall element

11a ... balcony

Claims

claims

1. air cargo carrier, with a bottom plate (1) and thus connectable securing elements for secure placement of the cargo, characterized in that the bottom plate (1) is a one or more parts sandwich construction with a cover layer laminate (4), an integrated frame (2 ) with a covering cover layer (5) of composite material and a supporting core material (3).

2. Air cargo carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover layer laminate (4,5) is formed using fibers or fiber combinations.

3. Air cargo carrier according to claim 2, characterized in that the cover layer laminate (4,5) carbon and / or aramid and / or glass and / or polyester and / or polyethylene fibers.

4. Airfreight carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fibers or fiber combinations in a matrix system on epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, polyurethane or phenolic resin-based or thermoplastics, preferably of polyamide, polypropylene or polyethylene, are embedded.

5. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core material (3) is formed from foams or honeycomb or from tubes.

6. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the frame (2) securing elements (6) are provided for the definition of at least one throw-over net.

7. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the frame (2) wall elements (7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11, 11a) are defined, covered by a ceiling element (10) are and that the wall elements (7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11, 11a) and the ceiling element (10) are interconnected at their edges and form a receiving space (12) for cargo.

8. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the wall elements (7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11, 11a) is freely positionable in the cargo hold of an aircraft.

9. Air cargo carrier according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one of the wall elements (7,8,9, 11, 11 a) formed in its outer contour balcony-like and thus adapted to the inner wall course in the hold of an aircraft.

10. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the four wall regions can be closed by a curtain.

11. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the four wall portions can be closed by a blind.

12. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the four wall portions is formed as a door.

13. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is forklift capable.

14. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall elements (7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11, 11a) and the ceiling element (10) are detachably connected together at their edges.

15. Air cargo carrier according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the wall elements (7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11, 11a) and the ceiling element (10) are riveted or glued together at their edges ,

16. Air cargo carrier according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the wall elements (7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11, 11a) and the ceiling element are formed from a cover layer laminate using fibers or fiber combinations ,

17. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall elements (7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11, 11a) and the frame (2) are detachably connected to each other.

18. Air cargo carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall elements (7,7a, 8,9; 7,8,9,11,11a) and the frame (2) are riveted or glued together.