US20220289382A1 - Systems and methods for loading and unloading a cargo aircraft utilizing a curved path - Google Patents
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- US20220289382A1 US20220289382A1 US17/465,782 US202117465782A US2022289382A1 US 20220289382 A1 US20220289382 A1 US 20220289382A1 US 202117465782 A US202117465782 A US 202117465782A US 2022289382 A1 US2022289382 A1 US 2022289382A1
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D9/00—Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENTS OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D9/00—Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like
- B64D9/003—Devices for retaining pallets or freight containers
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/70—Wind energy
- Y02E10/727—Offshore wind turbines
Abstract
Systems, methods, and vehicles for loading and unloading cargo into or out of a large transport vehicle, such as an aircraft, utilizing a curved path are described. The systems and methods include one or more support structures disposed, either permanently or removably, within a cargo bay of the transport vehicle to form a curved path extending into an aft portion of the cargo bay. During loading, the payload can move in the aft direction while concurrently rotating about a center point of an arc. In some embodiments, the cargo bay can include a kinked portion disposed between a proximal and aft portions of the cargo bay, with the curved path extending at least through the kinked portion and into the aft portion. Methods, systems, and components thereof for assembling a cargo, unloading cargo from a large transport vehicle, and disassembling a cargo are also provided.
Description
- The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for loading and unloading large cargo onto or off of a cargo aircraft, and more particularly provides for methods, systems, and related components thereof that can be used to easily stow or retrieve large cargo onto or off of the aircraft in a fast and efficient manner, including moving the large cargo along a curved path during loading or unloading, and placing the cargo in a location where it can be safely secured and transported by way of flying the aircraft. One non-limiting use discussed herein is transporting components of wind turbines, such as one or more wind turbine blades.
- Renewable energy remains an increasingly important resource year-over-year. While there are many forms of renewable energy, wind energy has increased an average of about 19 percent annually since 2007. The increase in global demand in recent years for more wind energy has catalyzed drastic advances in wind turbine technology, including the development of larger, better-performing wind turbines. Better-performing wind turbines can at least sometimes mean larger turbines, as generally turbines with larger rotor diameters can capture more wind energy. As turbines continue to improve in performance and efficiency, more and more wind farm sites become viable both onshore and offshore. These sites may be existing sites, where older turbines need replacement by better-performing, more efficient turbines, and new sites.
- A limiting factor to allow for the revitalization of old sites and development of new sites is transporting the wind turbines, and related equipment, to the sites. Wind turbine blades are difficult to transport long distances due to the terrestrial limitations of existing air vehicles and roadway infrastructures. Onshore transportation has traditionally required truck or rail transportation on existing infrastructure. Both are limited by height and width of tunnels and bridges. Road transport has additional complications of lane width, road curvature, and the need to pass through urban areas that may require additional permitting and logistics, among other complications. Offshore transportation by ship is equally, if not more so, limiting. For example, delivery of parts can be limited to how accessible the offshore location is by ship due to various barriers (e.g., sand bars, coral reefs) and the like in the water and surrounding areas, as well as the availability of ships capable of handling such large structures.
- Whether onshore or offshore, the road vehicle or ship options for transporting such equipment has become more limited, particularly as the size of wind turbines increase. Delivery is thus limited by the availability of vehicles and ships capable of handling such large structures. The very long lengths of wind turbine blades (some are presently 90 meters long, 100 meters long, or even longer) make conventional transportation by train, truck, or ship very difficult and complicated. Unfortunately, the solution is not as simple as making transportation vehicles longer and/or larger. There are a variety of complications that present themselves as vehicles are made longer and/or larger, including but not limited to complications of: load balancing of the vehicle; load balancing the equipment being transported; load balancing the two with respect to each other; handling, maneuverability, and control of the vehicle; and other complications that would be apparent to those skilled in the art.
- Further, whether onshore or offshore, delivery of parts can be slow and severely limited by the accessibility of the site. Whether the site being developed is old or new, the sites can often be remote, and thus not near suitable transportation infrastructure. The sites may be far away from suitable roads and rails (or other means by which cargo may be transported) to allow for easy delivery of cargo for use in building the turbines at the site and/or other equipment used in developing the site. New sites are often in areas without any existing transportation infrastructure at all, thus requiring new construction and special equipment. Ultimately, transportation logistics become cost prohibitive, resulting in a literal and figurative roadblock to further advancing the use of wind energy on a global scale.
- Another challenge presented by transporting large cargo, such as wind turbine blades, or other sizes and types of cargos as well, is the often unique tooling that is required to load and unload the cargo. Neither the aircraft itself, nor the tooling associated with any of packaging the large cargo, moving the large cargo onto the aircraft, and/or securing the large cargo within the plane provides a ready-made, consistent solution so that the large cargo, sometimes referred to as a large payload, can be easily placed on and taken off the plane in an “assembly line-like” manner. Instead, large cargo is typically weighed and measured each time it is placed on a cargo aircraft, making sure the right requirements are met in terms of placing a center of gravity of the payload at a safe location with respect to a center of gravity of the aircraft. This becomes a time-intensive and labor-intensive process that severely limits how quickly large cargo can be transported. This can make air transport of large cargo undesirable, with others opting to move the large cargo by rail or truck. Even to the extent there may be some tooling for individual types of large cargo, there is not currently any such tooling for transporting wind turbine blades and other components of a wind turbine.
- Recent developments have been made related to a kinked fuselage in a cargo aircraft, e.g., for transporting large cargo. As a result of the unique nature of this configuration, new challenges arise when trying to load or unload large cargo into or out of the non-linear cargo bay. For example, a large payload, such as a wind turbine blade, rises vertically towards an upper surface or “roof” of the cargo bay as the payload moves aft through a kinked portion of the cargo bay. Such displacement of the cargo can create complications in providing adequate support to the payload in the final loaded position. One solution can be to utilize powered fixtures in which a height of the fixture can be adjusted to accommodate the shifting vertical position of the payload. Such actuators, however, can be large in size, thus requiring a larger fuselage cross-section, and have high force requirements. They also create another possible degree of failure as compared to a fixture that does not have to be adjusted when passing the large payload into the cargo bay.
- Accordingly, there is a need for tooling systems, related components, and methods that can be implemented to allow for the consistent loading and unloading of cargo (also referred to herein as payload) onto or off of a large aircraft, including aircrafts that included kinked fuselages, forming an “assembly line-like” process whereby cargo can be continuously loaded and unloaded in an efficient manner.
- The present application is directed to systems and methods for loading or unloading large cargo in an efficient manner, e.g., by moving the cargo along a curved path during loading or unloading thereof. The system includes various tooling and fixtures that are specifically designed to enable easy loading of large cargo items into or out of a large cargo aircraft, including moving the large cargo in a forward or aft direction while concurrently rotating the large cargo about a center point of an arc such that the large cargo moves along a curved or arc path in a forward or aft direction within the aircraft. To this end, a curved path can extend through at least a portion of the cargo bay along which the large cargo can travel. For example, one or more support structures can be disposed in the cargo bay of the aircraft and can form a curved path along which the large cargo can travel. In this manner, an attitude of the cargo can beneficially change as the cargo moves in the forward-aft direction, in many instances without further external manipulation beyond movement of the cargo along the path, thereby eliminating the need for powered fixtures to support the cargo.
- In one aspect, a method of loading or unloading a payload into or out of a cargo aircraft is performed in conjunction with a cargo aircraft that includes an interior cargo bay having a forward bay portion located in a forward end of the cargo aircraft, an aft bay portion located in an aft end of the cargo aircraft, and a kinked bay portion disposed between the forward bay portion and the aft bay portion. The kinked bay portion defines a location at which the aft end of the cargo aircraft begins to raise at an angle relative to a longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft. When loading a payload into the interior cargo bay, the method includes advancing the payload towards and aft end of the cargo aircraft. When unloading a payload out of the interior cargo bay of the aircraft, the method includes advancing the payload towards the forward end of the cargo aircraft. Whether loading or unloading, advancing the payload includes moving the payload along a curved path formed by at least one support structure disposed in the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft. The at least one support structure extends a varying vertical distance above a corresponding portion of a bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay over a length of the at least one support structure.
- The systems and methods described herein can have a number of additional features and/or variations, all of which are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, moving the payload along the curved path can further include moving the payload such that a portion of the payload that extends beyond the kinked portion of the cargo bay and into the aft portion of the cargo bay remains a fixed radial height above the curved path. Moving the payload along the curved path can include moving the payload such that the payload rotates about a center point of an arc while concurrently moving the forward or aft direction. In some embodiments, the curved path can be formed by at least one rail of the at least one support structure. The at least one rail can include a plurality of linear rail segments extending at an angle relative to one another to approximate a curve. In some embodiments, when loading the payload into the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, advancing the payload towards the aft end of the cargo aircraft can include passing the payload through an opening formed by opening a nose cargo floor in the forward end of the cargo aircraft. When unloading the payload out of the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, the method can include passing the payload to an environment outside the cargo aircraft through an opening formed by opening a nose cargo door located in the forward end of the cargo aircraft.
- In some embodiments, the payload can include at least one payload-receiving fixtures, and moving the payload along the curved path can further include coupling the at least one payload-receiving fixture of the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures to the at least one support structure and advancing the at least one payload-receiving fixture along the curved path. The curved path can extend from the forward bay portion through the kinked bay portion and into the aft bay portion. In some embodiments, a terminal end of one of the at least one support structures can be disposed in the aft bay portion.
- The at least one support structure can include a first support structure and a second support structure, with the curved path formed by the first support structure fixed in the aft bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay and the second support structure fixed in the forward bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay. In some embodiments, the at least one support structure can include a first support structure fixed in the aft bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay and a second support structure. The curved path can be formed by at least one rail of the first support structure aligned with at least one rail of the second support structure. The method can further include, when loading the payload into the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, moving the second support structure from a position external of the cargo aircraft into the forward bay portion of the cargo bay and securing the second support structure in the forward bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay. When unloading the payload from the interior cargo bay, the method can further include unlocking the second support structure from the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay in the forward bay portion and moving the second support structure out of the forward may portion to a position external of the cargo aircraft. In some embodiments, moving the second support structure form the position external of the cargo aircraft into the forward bay portion of the cargo bay can further include translating the second support structure from the position external of the cargo aircraft along a linear path into the forward bay portion of the cargo bay.
- Moving the payload along the curved path can include moving the payload through the kinked bay portion towards the aft end of the cargo aircraft such that a distal end of the payload raises relative to the longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft. In some such embodiments, the method can include moving the payload along the curved path until the distal end of the payload is received within a portion of the aft bay portion located within a fuselage tailcone of the cargo aircraft. In some embodiments, moving the payload along the curved path can include moving the payload through the kinked bay portion towards the forward end of the cargo aircraft such that a distal end of the payload lowers relative to the longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft.
- In some embodiments the payload can have a length of at least about 65 meters, at least about 75 meters, at least about 85 meters, at least about 100 meters, or at least about 120 meters. The payload can include one or more components of a wind turbine such that the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures receives the one or more components of the wind turbine.
- In another aspect, a method of loading a cargo aircraft includes translating a payload and a support structure to which the payload is removably coupled into an interior cargo bay of a cargo aircraft along a linear path, de-coupling the payload from the support structure, and moving the payload into an aft portion of the interior cargo bay along a curved path at least partially formed by the support structure such that, as the payload proceeds in the aft direction, an aft portion of the payload approaches a bottom contact surface of the aft portion of the interior cargo bay.
- As noted above, the systems and methods described herein can have a number of additional features and/or variations, all of which are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the method can further include securing the support structure to a bottom contact surface of a forward portion of the interior cargo bay such that the support structure is stationary within the forward portion of the cargo bay. A first portion of the curved path can be formed by the support structure and a second portion of the curved path can be formed by a second support structure disposed in the aft portion of the cargo bay. Securing the support structure to the bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay can include securing the support structure to at least one base rail coupled to the bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay. In some embodiments, the payload can include a plurality of payload-receiving fixtures, and moving the payload into the aft portion of the cargo bay along the curved path can include advancing at least one payload-receiving fixture along one or more rails of at least one of the support structure or the second support structure.
- The interior cargo bay can include a kinked bay portion disposed between the forward bay portion and the aft bay portion. The kinked bay portion can define a location at which the aft end of the cargo aircraft begins to raise relative to a longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft. Moving the payload into the aft portion of the cargo bay can include moving the payload such that a portion of the payload that extends beyond the kinked portion of the cargo bay and into the aft portion of the cargo bay remains a fixed radial height above the curved path. In some embodiments the payload can have a length of at least about 65 meters, at least about 75 meters, at least about 85 meters, at least about 100 meters, or at least about 120 meters. The payload can include one or more components of a wind turbine such that the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures receives the one or more components of the wind turbine. Translating the payload and support structure into the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft can include passing the payload and support structure through an opening formed by opening a nose cargo door located in a forward end of the cargo aircraft.
- In another aspect, a system for at least one of loading a payload onto a cargo aircraft or unloading a payload from a cargo aircraft includes at least one rail disposed in an interior cargo bay of a cargo aircraft. The interior cargo bay has a forward bay portion located in a forward end of the cargo aircraft, an aft bay portion located in an aft end of the cargo aircraft, and a kinked bay portion disposed between the forward bay portion and the aft bay portion. The kinked bay portion defines a location at which the aft end of the cargo aircraft beings to raise relative to a longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft such that an aft-most terminal end of the aft bay portion is disposed above the longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft. The at least one rail extends from the forward bay portion, through the kinked bay portion, and into the aft bay portion, with a vertical distance above which the at least one rail extends from a bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay that varies along a length of the at least one rail.
- As noted above, the systems and methods described herein can have a number of additional features and/or variations, all of which are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the vertical distance above which the at least one rail extends from the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay can decrease in the aft direction from the kinked bay portion to the aft bay portion. The system can further include a first support structure coupled to the bottom contact surface of the cargo bay in the forward bay portion and a second support structure coupled to the bottom contact surface of the cargo bay in the aft bay portion. The first support structure can include a first portion of the at least one rail and the second support structure can include a second portion of the at least one rail. The first support structure can be removably coupled to the bottom contact surface of the cargo plane. In some embodiments, the system can further include one or more transport vehicles that can move along a ground surface. The first support structure can removably couple to the one or more transport vehicles. The system can include a cargo nose door that is configured to open to a portion of the forward end of the cargo aircraft such that the forward bay portion is accessible from an outside environment when the cargo nose door is open.
- The at least one rail of the system can include a plurality of linear rail segments that can extend at an angle relative to one another to approximate a curve. In some embodiments, the at least one rail can include at least two rails disposed approximately parallel to each other. A terminal end of the at least one rail can be disposed in the aft portion of the cargo bay. The aft portion of the cargo bay can extend at an angle relative to a forward portion of the cargo bay. The payload can move along the curved path formed by the at least one rail such that an aft end of the payload is held within the aft bay portion. The payload can move along the curved path formed by the at least one rail such that the aft end of the payload can approach the bottom contact surface in the aft bay portion
- In some embodiments, the payload can include a plurality of payload-receiving fixtures that can couple to the at least one rail such that the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures can translate along a length of the at least one rail. The payload can include one or more components of a wind turbine, and the payload-receiving fixtures can be configured to receive the one or more components of the wind turbine. In some embodiments the payload can have a length of at least about 65 meters, at least about 75 meters, at least about 85 meters, at least about 100 meters, or at least about 120 meters.
- This disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1A is an isometric view of one embodiment of an aircraft; -
FIG. 1B is a side view of the aircraft ofFIG. 1A ; -
FIG. 1C is an isometric view of the aircraft ofFIG. 1A with a nose cone door in an open position to provide access to an interior cargo bay of the aircraft; -
FIG. 2A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of an aircraft; -
FIG. 2B is a side transparent view of the aircraft ofFIG. 2A ; -
FIG. 2C is a side view of the aircraft ofFIG. 2B in a take-off position; -
FIG. 3 is the side view of the aircraft ofFIG. 1A with some additional details removed for clarity; -
FIG. 4A is a side cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 3 , including an interior cargo bay of the aircraft; -
FIG. 4B is the side cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 4A with an exemplary payload disposed in the interior cargo bay; -
FIG. 4C is the side cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 4A with a schematic of an exemplary maximum-length payload disposed in the interior cargo bay; -
FIG. 4D is the side cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 4A with a schematic of an exemplary maximum-weight payload disposed in the interior cargo bay of the aircraft; -
FIG. 5 is a side partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 1C , the fuselage of the aircraft being illustrated in cross-sectional view, with an aft support structure and a forward support structured disposed within the interior cargo bay and with half of the fuselage being removed for illustrative purposes; -
FIG. 6A is a side view of one embodiment of a transportation vehicle having a ground support structure, a forward support structure, and a payload disposed thereon; -
FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the transportation vehicle ofFIG. 6A ; -
FIG. 7A is a schematic side view of the aircraft ofFIG. 1A with an aft support structure disposed therein with a payload, forward support structure, and ground support structure disposed on the transport vehicle ofFIG. 6A , the transport vehicle being proximal to the aircraft; -
FIG. 7B is a schematic side view of the aircraft ofFIG. 7A illustrating a snapshot of translating the forward support structure into the interior cargo bay, with the payload removed for clarity; -
FIG. 7C is a schematic side view of the aircraft ofFIG. 7A with the forward support structure disposed within the forward bay of the interior cargo bay and the payload partially disposed within the interior cargo bay following an initial translation into the forward bay; -
FIG. 7D is a front isometric view of the aircraft ofFIG. 7C with the payload and forward support structure fully disposed within the interior cargo bay; -
FIG. 7E is a rear isometric view of the aircraft ofFIG. 7C with the payload and forward support structure fully disposed within the interior cargo bay; -
FIG. 8 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a payload-receiving fixture; -
FIG. 9A is a schematic illustration of one step in one embodiment of assembling a payload package onto the transport vehicle ofFIG. 6A for loading onto an aircraft; -
FIG. 9B is a schematic illustration of two cranes lowering a turbine blade for assembly of a payload package onto the transport vehicle ofFIG. 9A ; -
FIG. 9C is an enlarged and detailed isometric view of a payload-receiving fixture and a first turbine blade received therein as shown in Box I ofFIG. 9B ; -
FIG. 9D is a schematic illustration of one of the cranes ofFIG. 9B lowering a middle-component of a mid-span payload receiving fixture to become part of the payload package ofFIG. 9B ; -
FIG. 9E is an enlarged and detailed isometric view of the crane lowering the middle-component of the mid-span payload receiving fixture as shown in Box II ofFIG. 9D ; -
FIG. 9F is a schematic illustration of the two cranes ofFIG. 9B lowering a second turbine blade for assembly of a payload package; -
FIG. 9G is an enlarged and detailed isometric view of the mid-span payload-receiving fixture ofFIG. 9C with the second turbine blade received therein as shown in Box III ofFIG. 9F ; -
FIG. 9H is a schematic illustration of the two cranes ofFIG. 9F lowering upper components of two mid-span payload receiving fixtures; -
FIG. 9I is an enlarged and detailed isometric view of one of the two cranes lowering one of the two upper components of the mid-span payload receiving feature ofFIG. 9D , as shown in Box IV ofFIG. 9H ; -
FIG. 10A is a side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 1C , the fuselage of the aircraft being illustrated in cross-sectional view, with an aft support structure disposed within an aft portion of the interior cargo bay; -
FIG. 10B is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 10A with the ground support structure, the forward support structure, and the payload coupled to the transport vehicle ofFIG. 6A disposed proximal to the aircraft; - FIG. 10C1 is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft, the ground support structure, the forward support structure, and the payload of
FIG. 10B illustrating a first snapshot of a schematic illustration of one embodiment of using a cargo-loading system in conjunction with a cargo loading process in accordance with the present disclosure; - FIG. 10C2 is a schematic top-down view of the cargo-loading system of FIG. 10C1 used in conjunction with the embodiment of the cargo loading process illustrated with respect to
FIGS. 10A-10L ; -
FIG. 10D is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft of FIG. 10C1 showing an action of unlocking the ground support structure and forward support structure from the transport vehicle; -
FIG. 10E is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 10D showing a snapshot of translating the payload and the forward support structure into the forward bay of the interior cargo bay; -
FIG. 10F is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 10E showing the payload partially disposed within the interior cargo bay, locking the forward support structure into the forward bay of the interior cargo bay, and locking the ground support structure to the transport vehicle; -
FIG. 10G is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 10F showing an action of unlocking the payload from the ground support structure and the forward support structure; -
FIG. 10H is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 10G showing a snapshot of the payload disposed fully within the interior cargo bay; -
FIG. 10I is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 10H showing an action of locking the payload relative to the aft support structure and the forward support structure within the interior cargo bay; -
FIG. 10J is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 10I with a fly-away cable of the cargo-loading system disconnected from a winch cable of the cargo-loading system; -
FIG. 10K is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 10J with the transport vehicle de-docking from the aircraft; -
FIG. 10L is the side, partial cross-sectional view of the aircraft ofFIG. 10K with the payload fully loaded and ready for transport; -
FIG. 11 is a schematic side view related to preparing the payload-receiving fixtures, ground support structure, and forward support structure ofFIG. 6A for a backhaul flight; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic side view illustration of one embodiment of an aircraft having one or more curved base rails; and -
FIG. 13 is a schematic side view illustration of a partial fuselage of another embodiment of an aircraft having one or more curved base rails. - Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices, systems, aircraft, and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices, systems, aircraft, components related to or otherwise part of such devices, systems, and aircraft, and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments and that the scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Some of the embodiments provided for herein may be schematic drawings, including possibly some that are not labeled as such but will be understood by a person skilled in the art to be schematic in nature. They may not be to scale or may be somewhat crude renderings of the disclosed components. A person skilled in the art will understand how to implement these teachings and incorporate them into work systems, methods, aircraft, and components related to each of the same, as provided for herein. Certain markings found in the drawings are for illustrative purposes and do not constitute what an actual component looks like. For example, in some instances an “X” or a circle can indicate a point of disconnection, connection, locking, or unlocking, as will be understood in view of the accompanying disclosure.
- To the extent the present disclosure includes various terms for components and/or processes of the disclosed devices, systems, aircraft, methods, and the like, one skilled in the art, in view of the claims, present disclosure, and knowledge of the skilled person, will understand such terms are merely examples of such components and/or processes, and other components, designs, processes, and/or actions are possible. By way of non-limiting example, while the present application describes loading an airplane through a front end of the aircraft, alternatively, or additionally, loading can occur through an aft end of the aircraft and/or from above and/or below the aircraft. In the present disclosure, like-numbered and like-lettered components of various embodiments generally have similar features when those components are of a similar nature and/or serve a similar purpose. To the extent terms such as front, back, top, bottom, forward, aft, proximal, distal, etc. are used to describe a location of various components of the various disclosures, such usage is by no means limiting, and is often used for convenience when describing various possible configurations. The foregoing notwithstanding, a person skilled in the art will recognize the common vernacular used with respect to aircraft, such as the terms “forward’ and “aft,” and will give terms of those nature their commonly understood meaning. Further in some instances, terms like forward and proximal or aft and distal may be used in a similar fashion.
- The present application is directed to systems and methods for loading and unloading an aircraft in a quick, efficient, safe, and damage-free manner. While the illustrations and descriptions herein are with particular reference to an aircraft, the principles of the present disclosure are not limited to aircrafts and can be applied to other methods of loading large payloads onto other modes of transportation (e.g., ships) and the like. Loading and/or unloading cargo in accordance with the present disclosure includes moving the cargo along a curved path as the cargo moves in a forward or aft direction within a cargo bay of the aircraft. Moving the cargo along the curved path can result in an attitude adjustment of the cargo, i.e., as a result of the cargo rotating about a center point of an arc from movement of the cargo in conjunction with a forward or aft movement along the curved path, with respect to the aircraft. In one interpretation, this movement along the curved path, i.e., rotation of the payload about an arc concurrently with forward or aft movement of the payload, can be referred to as translation along the curved path, in the sense that the payload can translate along one or more support structure that can form the curved path, as discussed in detail below. Before describing these methods and system components associated with the same, the configuration of the aircraft itself is discussed.
- Aircraft
- The focus of the present disclosures is described with respect to a
large aircraft 100, such as an airplane, illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1C , along with the loading of a large payload into the aircraft, illustrated at least inFIGS. 7A-7E and unloading of the same. Additional details about the aircraft and payload may be described with respect to the other figures of the present disclosure as well. In the illustrated embodiment, apayload 10 is a combination of twowind turbine blades aircraft 100 can be used with most any size and shape payload, but has particular utility when it comes to large, often heavy, payloads. - As shown, the
aircraft 100, and thus itsfuselage 101, includes aforward end 120 and anaft end 140, with akinked portion 130 connecting theforward end 120 to theaft end 140. Theforward end 120 is generally considered any portion of theaircraft 100, and related components, that are forward of thekinked portion 130 and theaft end 140 is considered any portion of theaircraft 100, and related components, that are aft of thekinked portion 130. Thekinked portion 130, as described in greater detail below, is a section of theaircraft 100 in which both a top-mostouter surface 102 and a bottom-mostouter surface 103 of thefuselage 101 become angled (notably, the placement ofreference numerals aft end 140 of thefuselage 101 with respect to a forward centerline CF of theforward end 120 of thefuselage 101. - The
forward end 120 can include a cockpit orflight deck 122, and landing gears, as shown a forward ornose landing gear 123 and a rear ormain landing gear 124. The illustrated embodiment does not show various components used to couple the landing gears 123, 124 to thefuselage 101, or operate the landing gears (e.g., actuators, braces, shafts, pins, trunnions, pistons, cylinders, braking assemblies, etc.), but a person skilled in the art will appreciate how the landing gears 123, 124 are so connected and operable in conjunction with theaircraft 100. The forward-most end of theforward end 120 includes anose cone 126. As illustrated more clearly inFIG. 1C , thenose cone 126 is functional as a door, optionally being referred to as the nose cone door, thus allowing access to aninterior cargo bay 170 defined by thefuselage 101 via acargo opening 171 exposed by moving thenose cone door 126 into an open or loading position (the position illustrated inFIG. 1C ;FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate thenose cone door 126 in a closed or transport position). The door may operate by rotating vertically tip-upwards about a lateral axis, or by rotating horizontally tip-outboards about a vertical axis, or by other means as well such as translation forwards then in other directions, or by paired rotation and translation, or other means. - As described in greater detail below, the
interior cargo bay 170 is continuous throughout the length of theaircraft 101, i.e., it spans a majority of the length of the fuselage. The continuous length of theinterior cargo bay 170 includes the space defined by thefuselage 101 in theforward end 120, theaft end 140, and thekinked portion 130 disposed therebetween, such spaces being considered corresponding to the forward bay, aft bay, and kinked bay portions of theinterior cargo bay 170. Theinterior cargo bay 170 can thus include the volume defined bynose cone 126 when it is closed, as well as the volume defined proximate to afuselage tail cone 142 located at theaft end 140. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1C , thenose cone door 126 is hinged at a top such that it swings clockwise towards thefuselage cockpit 122 and a fixed portion ormain section 128 of thefuselage 101. In other embodiments, a nose cone door can swing in other manners, such as being hinged on a left or right side to swing clockwise or counter-clockwise towards the fixedportion 128 of the fuselage. The fixedportion 128 of theforward fuselage 101 is the portion that is not thenose cone 126, and thus theforward fuselage 101 is a combination of the fixedportion 128 and thenose cone 126. Alternatively, or additionally, theinterior cargo bay 170 can be accessed through other means of access known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to a hatch, door, and/or ramp located in theaft end 140 of thefuselage 101, hoisting cargo into theinterior cargo bay 170 from below, and/or lowering cargo into theinterior cargo bay 170 from above. One advantage provided by the illustrated configuration, at least as it relates to some aspects of loading large payloads, is that by not including an aft door, theinterior cargo bay 170 can be continuous, making it significantly easier to stow cargo in theaft end 140 all the way into thefuselage tail cone 142. While loading through an aft door is possible with the present disclosures, doing so would make loading into and use of theinterior cargo bay 170 space in theaft end 140 all the way into thefuselage tail cone 142 much more challenging and difficult to accomplish—a limitation faced in existing cargo aircraft configurations. Existing large cargo aircraft are typically unable to add cargo in this way (e.g., upwards and aftwards) because any kink present in their aft fuselage is specifically to create more vertical space for an aft door to allow large cargo into the forwards portion of the aircraft. - With reference to
FIG. 1C , a bottom contact surface 172 (also referred to herein as a floor) can be located in theinterior cargo bay 170, and can also extend in a continuous manner, much like thebay 170 itself, from theforward end 120, through thekinked portion 130, and into theaft end 140. Thefloor 172 can thus be configured to have a forward end 172 f, a kinked portion 172 k, and an aft end 172 a. Thebottom contact surface 172 can define a lower-most or bottom-most surface of theinterior cargo bay 170. Thebottom contact surface 172 can be formed by a permanent floor or structure of thecargo aircraft 100, one or more removable panels or pieces, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, thefloor 172 can be configured in a manner akin to most floors of cargo bays known in the art. In some other embodiments, one or more base rails can be disposed in theinterior cargo bay 170 and can be used to assist in loading a payload, such as thepayload 10, and/or support structures, such as theforward support structure 23A (illustrated, for example, inFIG. 5 , and described in detail below) into theinterior cargo bay 170. The base rail(s) can extend from theforward end 120, through thekinked portion 130, and into and up to almost an entirety of theaft end 140, and thus can have the same pitch relative to ground as thefloor 172 itself. Additional structures, fixtures, and tooling designed to be used in conjunction with such base rails, e.g., that can roll or otherwise move along the base rails, for loading and/or unloading a payload along a curved path within thecargo bay 170, are discussed in detail. - Opening the
nose cone 126 not only exposes thecargo opening 171 and thefloor 172, but it also provides access from an outside environment to a cantileveredtongue 160 that extends from or otherwise defines a forward-most portion of the fixedportion 128 of thefuselage 101. The cantilevered tongue can be an extension of thefloor 172, or it can be its own feature that extends from below or above thefloor 172 and associated bottom portion of thefuselage 101. The cantileveredtongue 160 can be used to support a payload, thus allowing the payload to extend into the volume of theinterior cargo bay 170 defined by thenose cone 126. - A
wingspan 180 can extend substantially laterally in both directions from the fuselage. Thewingspan 180 includes both a firstfixed wing 182 and a secondfixed wing 184, thewings fuselage 101 in respective first and second directions which are approximately symmetric about a longitudinal-vertical plane away from thefuselage 101, and more particularly extending substantially perpendicular to the centerline CF. Wings 182, 184 being indicated as extending from thefuselage 101 do not necessarily extend directly away from thefuselage 101, i.e., they do not have to be in direct contact with thefuselage 101. Further, the opposite directions thewings second wing 184 extending approximately symmetrically away from thefirst wing 182. As shown, thewings aircraft 100 more generally, not specifically mentioned in this detailed description are also illustrated and recognizable by those skilled in the art). Engines, engine nacelles, andengine pylons 186 can also be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, twoengines 186, one mounted to eachwing fuselage 101 rather than thewings - The
kinked portion 130 provides for an upward transition between theforward end 120 and theaft end 140. Thekinked portion 130 includes a kink, i.e., a bend, in the fixedportion 128 of thefuselage 101 such that both the top-mostouter surface 102 and the bottom-mostouter surface 103 of thefuselage 101 become angled with respect to the centerline CF of theforward end 120 of theaircraft 100, i.e., bothsurfaces kinked portion 130. As shown at least inFIG. 1B , the aft-most end of theaft end 140 can raise entirely above the centerline CF. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle defined by the bottom-mostouter surface 103 and the centerline CF is larger than an angle defined by the top-mostouter surface 102 and the centerline CF, although other configurations may be possible. Notably, although the present disclosure generally describes the portions associated with theaft end 140 as being “aft,” in some instances they may be referred to as part of a “kinked portion” or the like because the entirety of theaft end 140 is angled as a result of thekinked portion 130. Thus, references herein, including in the claims, to a kinked portion, a kinked cargo bay or cargo bay portion, a kinked cargo centerline, etc. will be understood by a person skilled in the art, in view of the present disclosures, to be referring to theaft end 140 of the aircraft 100 (or the aft end in other aircraft embodiments) in some instances. - Despite the angled nature of the
aft end 140, theaft end 140 is well-suited to receive cargo therein. In fact, theaircraft 100 is specifically designed in a manner that allows for the volume defined by theaft end 140, up to almost the very aft-most tip of theaft end 140, i.e., thefuselage tail cone 142, can be used to receive cargo as part of the continuousinterior cargo bay 170. Proximate to thefuselage tail cone 142 can be anempennage 150, which can include horizontal stabilizers for providing longitudinal stability, elevators for controlling pitch, vertical stabilizers for providing lateral-directional stability, and rudders for controlling yaw, among other typical empennage components that may or may not be illustrated but would be recognized by a person skilled in the art. - The
aircraft 100 is particularly well-suited for large payloads because of a variety of features, including its size. A length from the forward-most tip of thenose cone 126 to the aft-most tip of thefuselage tail cone 142 can be approximately in the range of about 60 meters to about 150 meters. Some non-limiting lengths of theaircraft 100 can include about 80 meters, about 84 meters, about 90 meters, about 95 meters, about 100 meters, about 105 meters, about 107 meters, about 110 meters, about 115 meters, or about 120 meters. Shorter and longer lengths are possible. A volume of theinterior cargo bay 170, inclusive of the volume defined by thenose cone 126 and the volume defined in thefuselage tail cone 142, both of which can be used to stow cargo, can be approximately in the range of about 1200 cubic meters to about 12,000 cubic meters, the volume being dependent at least on the length of theaircraft 100 and an approximate diameter of the fuselage (which can change across the length). One non-limiting volume of theinterior cargo bay 170 can be about 6850 cubic meters. Not accounting for the very terminal ends of theinterior cargo bay 170 where diameters get smaller at the terminal ends of thefuselage 101, diameters across the length of the fuselage, as measured from an interior thereof (thus defining the volume of the cargo bay) can be approximately in the range of about 4.3 meters to about 13 meters, or about 8 meters to 11 meters. One non-limiting diameter of thefuselage 101 proximate to its midpoint can be about 9 meters. The wingspan, from tip of the wing 132 to the tip of the wing 134, can be approximately in the range of about 60 meters to 110 meters, or about 70 meters to about 100 meters. One non-limiting length of thewingspan 180 can be about 80 meters. A person skilled in the art will recognize these sizes and dimensions are based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the size and mass of the cargo to be transported, the various sizes and shapes of the components of theaircraft 100, and the intended use of the aircraft, and thus they are by no means limiting. Nevertheless, the large sizes that the present disclosure both provides the benefit of being able to transport large payloads, but faces challenges due, at least in part, to its size that make creating such a large aircraft challenging. The engineering involved is not merely making a plane larger. As a result, many innovations tied to theaircraft 100 provided for herein, and in other commonly-owned patent applications, are the result of very specific design solutions arrived at by way of engineering. - Materials typically used for making fuselages can be suitable for use in the
present aircraft 100. These materials include, but are not limited to, metals and metal alloys (e.g., aluminum alloys), composites (e.g., carbon fiber-epoxy composites), and laminates (e.g., fiber-metallic laminates), among other materials, including combinations thereof. - Kinked Fuselage
-
FIG. 2A is a side view illustration of anexemplary cargo aircraft 400 of the present disclosure. Theaircraft 400, which is shown to be over 84 meters long, includes afuselage 401 having aforward end 420 defining a forward centerline CF400 and anaft end 440 defining an aft centerline CA400, with the aft centerline CA400 being angled up with respect to the forward centerline CF400. The forward and aft centerlines CF400, CA400 define a junction or kink 431 therebetween, where the forward centerline CF400 angles upward as the overall aft fuselage, which is in theaft end 440, changes in direction to be angled with respect to the forward fuselage, which is in theforward end 420. This defines a kink angle α400k of theaft fuselage 440. Thekink location 431 is contained in thekinked portion 430 disposed between and connecting the forward and aft ends 420, 440.FIG. 2B shows the forward centerline CF400 as being an approximate midpoint between a top-most outer orupper surface 402 f and a bottom-most outer orlower surface 403 f of thefuselage 401 forward of a lateral axis of rotation A′, with the aft centerline CA400 being an approximate midpoint between anupper surface 402 a and alower surface 403 a of thefuselage 401 aft of the lateral axis of rotation.FIG. 2B shows thekink 431 between the forward centerline CF400 and the aft centerline CA400 as being an approximate change in the angle of aplane 410′ substantially perpendicular to the centerline CF400 and most of the upper andlower surfaces kink 431, such that thefuselage 401 aft of thekink 431 has a substantial portion of an approximately constant height or cross-sectional area. This represents only one example, and in other instances theupper surface 402 a does not necessarily extend approximately parallel to the lower surface 402 b at all even if the aft fuselage still defines akink 431 in the centerline. - In
FIG. 2B , the angle of the aft centerline CA400 with respect to the forward centerline CF400 defines a kink or bend angle (illustrated as π400K inFIG. 2A ), which can be approximately equal to average of an angle αupper of the afterupper surface 402 a and an angle αlower of thelower surface 403 a with respect to the forward centerline CF400 and forward upper andlower surfaces forward fuselage 401, as shown inFIG. 2B (hence,FIG. 2B indicating the upper andlower surfaces lower surfaces aft end 440 with respect to the forward end 420). For example, for theaircraft 100 ofFIG. 1B , the lower surface defines a lower angle αlower, which is approximately equal to the tailstrike angle of approximately 12 degrees, and the upper surface angle αupper in the aft fuselage is approximately between 6 and 7 degrees. In some exemplary embodiments, the result kink angle of the aft centerline CA400 can be approximately in the range of about 0.5 degrees to about 25 degrees, and in some instance it is about 10 degrees with respect to a longitudinal-lateral plane of thecargo aircraft 100, i.e., a plane in which the forward centerline CF400 is disposed, the plane extends substantially parallel to the ground or a ground plane P400G. Further, the kink angle α400K can be approximately equal to a degree of maximal rotation of the aircraft during the takeoff operation. Still further, a length of theaft end 140, i.e., the portion that is angled with respect to the forward centerline CF400, can be approximately in the range of about 15% to 65%, and in some instances about 35% to about 50% of a length of theentire fuselage 101, and in some embodiments it can be about 49% the length of thefuselage 101. - In
FIG. 2C , thecargo aircraft 400 is shown on theground 50 and rotated about the lateral axis of rotation to illustrate, for example, a takeoff pitch-up maneuver. InFIG. 2C , a resting plane P400R of theforward end 420 angled with respect to the ground or ground plane P400G at a degree just before θtailstrike, as no part of theaft end 440,empennage 450, ortail 442 is contacting the ground. In this position, thelower surface 403 a (and, approximately, the aft centerline CA400) is substantially parallel with the ground or ground plane P400G, and it can be seen that because the location of thecenterline kink 431 of thekinked portion 430 is approximately with, or very close to, the lateral axis of rotation A′, the angle α400K of thekink 431 is approximately the maximum safe angle of rotation of theaircraft 400 about the lateral axis of rotation A′.FIG. 2C shows avertical axis 409 a aligned with the location of the lateral axis of rotation A′ and anothervertical axis 409 b aligned with thekink 431 in the fuselage centerline CF400, with a distance d′ therebetween. With d′ being small, and thelower surface 403 a of theaft end 440 extending aft with approximately the kink angle α400K of thekink 431 or a slightly larger angle, as shown, theaft end 440 is highly elongated without risking a tail strike. Accordingly, minimizing d′ approximately sets the lower angle αlower as an upper limit to the safe angle of rotation about the lateral pitch axis. Moreover, the upward sweep of theupper surface 402 a can be arranged to maintain a relatively large cross-sectional area along most of theaft end 440, thereby enabling a substantial increase in the overall length of thecargo aircraft 400, and thus usable interior cargo bay within theaft end 440, without increasing θtailstrike.FIG. 3 shows this in further detail for thecargo aircraft 100 ofFIG. 1A . - In
FIG. 3 , the aft centerline CA and forward centerline CF of thefuselage 101 are shown intersecting at akink location 131 just aft of the vertical plane P500V of the lateral axis of rotation A′, which occurs within thekinked portion 130 connecting the forward end orfuselage 120 to the aft end orfuselage 140. Thelower surface 103 of theaft fuselage 140 approximately defines θtailstrike of thecargo aircraft 100, which is slightly larger than a kink angle α100K defined by the upslope of the aft centerline CA with respect to the forward centerline CF. Additionally, in some examples, the aft fuselage can include asensor 549 configured to measure the distance dG of thelower surface 103 of theaft fuselage 140 to theground 50 to assist the pilot and/or computer in control of theaircraft 100 in maximally rotating theaircraft 100 about the lateral pitch axis without tailstrike. -
FIG. 4A is side cross-section view of thecargo aircraft 100, the cross-section being taken along an approximate midline T-T of the top-most outer surface, as shown inFIG. 1A . Thecargo bay 170 defines a centerline that extends along the overall length of thecargo bay 170. Thecargo bay 170 extends from aforward end 171 of a forward end orregion 170 f of thecargo bay 170, as shown located in thenose cone 126, to anaft end 173 of an aft end orregion 170 a of thecargo bay 170, as shown located in thefuselage tail cone 142. The forward and aftregions cargo bay 170 sit within the forward and aft ends 120, 140, respectively, of theaircraft 100. More particularly, theforward region 170 f can generally define a forward cargo centerline CFCB that can be substantially colinear or parallel to the forward fuselage centerline CF (shown inFIG. 3 ) and theaft region 170 a can generally define an aft cargo centerline CACB that can be substantially colinear or parallel to the aft fuselage centerline CA (shown inFIG. 3 ). Accordingly, in thekinked portion 130 of thefuselage 101, which itself can include a comparablekinked portion 170 k of thecargo bay 170, where the aft fuselage centerline CA bends with respect to the forward fuselage centerline CF, the aft cargo centerline CACB also bends at akink location 631 with respect to the forward cargo centerline CFCB. The bend can be at approximately the same angle, as shown an angle α100KP, as the kink angle α100K of thefuselage 101. The aft cargo centerline CACB can extend at least approximately 25% of a length of a centerline of the continuousinterior cargo bay 170, i.e., the length of the centerline throughout theentire cargo bay 170. This amount more generally can be approximately in the range of about 25% to about 50%. There are other ways to describe these dimensional relationships as well, including, by way of non-limiting example, a length of the aft cargo centerline CACB being at least approximately 45% of the length of thefuselage 101 and/or at least approximately 80% of a length of thefuselage 101 aft of the lateral pitch axis, among other relationships provided for herein or otherwise derivable from the present disclosures. -
FIG. 4A shows theaft region 170 a of thecargo bay 170 extending through almost all of theaft fuselage 140, which is a distinct advantage of the configurations discussed herein. An aft-most terminal end of the aft bay portion can be disposed above the longitudinal-lateral plane of thecargo aircraft 100. Moreover, due to the length of theaft fuselage 140, apitch 674 ofstructural frames 104 a of theaft fuselage 140 can be angled with respect to apitch 672 ofstructural frames 104 f of theforward fuselage 120 approximately equal to the kink angle α100K of thefuselage 101. In some examples, thekinked region 130 represents an upward transition between thepitch 672 of thestructural frames 104 f of theforward fuselage 120 and thepitch 674 of thestructural frames 104 a of theaft fuselage 140. A person skilled in the art will recognize thatstructural frames fuselage 101 to provide support. Such elements can be more generally described as circumferentially-disposed structural elements that are oriented orthogonally along the aft centerline CACB and the forward centerline CFCB. In some examples, the location of the cargo bay kink 631 (FIG. 4A ) is forward or aft of the fuselage kink 131 (FIG. 3 ) such that either theforward cargo region 170 f partially extends into theaft fuselage 140 or theaft cargo region 170 a partially extends into theforward fuselage 120, however, this generally depends, at least in part, on the distance between the interior of thecargo bay 170 and the exterior of the fuselage, which is typically a small distance for cargo aircraft having a maximally sized cargo bay. Regardless, to fully utilize examples of the present disclosure, theaft region 170 a of thecargo bay 170 can be both (1) able to be substantially extended due to the ability of theaft fuselage 140 length to be extended and (2) able to extend along substantially all of the length of theaft fuselage 140 because examples of the present disclosure enable aircraft to have elongated aft fuselages for a fixed tailstrike angle and/or minimized kink angle. Additionally, minimizing the fuselage kink angle for elongated aft fuselages allows the aft region of the cargo bay to extend further along the fuse fuselage while increasing the maximum straight-line payload length for a given overall aircraft length and tailstrike angle, as shown at least inFIGS. 4B and 4C -
FIG. 4B shows a side cross-sectional view of thefuselage 101 of thecargo aircraft 100 ofFIG. 4A with a highlyelongated payload 10 of twowind turbine blades interior cargo bay 170 and extending from theforward end 171 of theforward region 170 f to theaft end 173 of theaft region 170 a. Having at least a portion of theaft region 170 a being linearly connected to (e.g., within line of sight) of at least a portion of theforward region 170 f enables the extension of theaft region 170 a to result in an extension in the maximum overall length of a rigid payload capable of being carried inside theinterior cargo bay 170. Wind turbine blades, however, are often able to be deflected slightly during transport and so examples of the present disclosure are especially suited to their transport as the ability to slightly deflect thepayload 10 during transport enables even long maximum payload lengths to be achieved by further extending theaft end 173 of theaft region 170 a beyond the line of sight of theforward-most end 171 of theforward region 170 f. -
FIG. 4C is the same cross-sectional view of thefuselage 101 of thecargo aircraft 100 ofFIG. 4B with a maximum lengthrigid payload 90 secured in thecargo bay 170. Aforward end 90 f of the maximum lengthrigid payload 90 can be secured to the cantileveredtongue 160 in theforward end 171 of theforward region 170 f with a first portion of the weight of the payload 90 (shown asvector 91A) being carried by the cantileveredtongue 160 and anaft end 90 a of the maximum lengthrigid payload 90 can be secured to theaft end 173 of theaft region 170 a with a second portion of the weight of the payload 90 (shown asvector 91B) being carried by theaft end 173 of theaft region 170 a. -
FIG. 4D is the same cross-sectional view of thefuselage 101 of thecargo aircraft 100 ofFIG. 4A with amaximum weight payload 92 secured in thecargo bay 170. Aforward end 92 f of themaximum weight payload 92 can be secured in theforward region 170 f of theinterior cargo bay 170 with a first portion of the weight of the payload 92 (shown asvector 93A) being carried by theforward fuselage 120 and anaft end 92 a of themaximum weight payload 92 can be secured in theaft region 170 a of theinterior cargo bay 170 with a second portion of the weight of the payload 92 (shown asvector 93B) being carried by theaft fuselage 140. Advantageously, the substantial length of thecargo bay 170 forward and aft of the a center-of-gravity of the aircraft 100 (e.g., approximately aligned with the kinked region 130) enables positioning of themaximum weight payload 92 such that the payload center-of-gravity (shown as vector 94) substantially close (i.e., within about 30% of wing Mean Aerodynamic Cord (MAC) or about 4% of total aircraft length) to or aligned with the center-of-gravity of theaircraft 100. In some examples, at least about 10% of the weight ofmaximum weight payload 92 is carried in theaft region 170 a. In some examples of carrying a maximum weight payload, especially payloads approaching a maximum length, about 40% to about 50% could be carried in theaft region 170 a in order to center the payload's center of gravity at a nominal location in thecargo bay 170. - Additional details about a kinked fuselage configuration are provided in commonly-owned International Patent Application No. PCT/US20/49787, filed on Sep. 8, 2020, entitled “AIRCRAFT FUSELAGE CONFIGURATIONS FOR AVOIDING TAIL STRIKE WHILE ALLOWING LONG PAYLOADS,” the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- Transport Vehicle, Support Structures, Fixtures, and Aspects Related to the Same
- The present disclosure provides for, among other things, loading and/or unloading of large cargo in an efficient manner without the need for manual or powered adjustment of the payload during fore-aft movement of the payload within the cargo bay. As described in detail below, this can be accomplished by moving the payload along a curved path concurrently with a fore-aft motion within the cargo bay during at least a portion of the loading or unloading process, for example, following a “slide aboard” or linear translation of the payload into the cargo bay (or out of the cargo bay during an unloading procedure). One or more support structures can be disposed, either removably or permanently, within the cargo bay that can form the curved path for the payload to travel along. As used herein, “curved path” refers to a path defined by a circular arc, such that as the payload moves along the path the payload rotates about an arc center point, resulting in the payload moving along the arc. In other words, as the payload moves along the curved path, the payload remains a fixed radial height (as measured along a radius from the center point of the arc to the curved path) about the curved path, i.e., a portion or portions of the one or more support structures that form the curved path.
- By way of high-level introduction,
FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of theaircraft 100 with a curved path extending through at least a portion of theinterior cargo bay 170 in accordance with the present disclosure. More particularly, aforward support structure 23A and anaft support structure 27 can form thecurved path 29, with motion therealong indicated by arrow Mc, which can extend at least partially through thekinked bay portion 170 k into theaft bay 170 a. In some embodiments, the curved path can extend from the forward bay, through the kinked bay, and into the aft bay. The forward andaft support structures bottom contact surface 172 of theinterior cargo bay 170. In some embodiments, one or both of the forward andaft support structures bottom contact surface 172 of theinterior cargo bay 170. In other embodiments one or both of the forward andaft support structures bottom contact surface 172. The forward andaft support structures bottom contact surface 172 to which the structures are secured over a length of eachstructure rail 29, 31 (FIG. 7D ) can form or extend along the upper end of each of the forward andaft support structures aft support structures cargo bay 170 such that the at least onerail support structures - The payload can move along the support structures, e.g., by rolling or sliding along the support structures, such that the payload travels along the curved path concurrently with forward-aft motion of the payload. The
curved path forward support structure 23A andaft support structure 27 can be defined by a circular arc, with the path extending along a radial section of the arc relative to an arc center point. To accommodate the large size of thepayload 10 and appropriate dimensions of theaircraft 100, the arc center point C can be located well above theaircraft 100. In other words, a radius r of the arc along which thecurved path curved path curved path support structures support structures -
FIGS. 6A-8 illustrate in greater detail components of systems that can be used to load and/or unload a payload in accordance with the present disclosure, i.e., moving the payload along a curved path as the payload travels in the forward-aft direction with respect to a cargo aircraft during at least a portion of the loading or unloading process.FIG. 6A illustrates one embodiment of a transport vehicle ortransport vehicle system 20 that can include a plurality oftransports 22 and vehicle support spans orlower trusses 24 and can be utilized to move apayload 10 to a cargo aircraft for loading (or away from the cargo aircraft for unloading). Thetransport vehicle 20 is shown in greater detail inFIG. 6B . Returning toFIG. 6A , aforward support structure 23A and aground support structure 23B can be disposed on and selectively coupled to thetransport vehicle 20 such that thesupport structures transport vehicle 20. In some embodiments, thesupport structures FIGS. 7D and 7E . - The forward and
ground support structures support structures - The
payload 10 can be selectively coupled to the forward andground support structures ground support structures payload 10 can include a plurality of payload-receivingfixtures 12 that can receive a large cargo, such asturbine blades fixtures 12 can move as a unit relative to the forward andground support structures fixtures 12 are described below in connection withFIGS. 8 and 91 . Each payload-receiving fixture can be locked or otherwise secured to forward andground support structures fixtures 12 relative to or along the support structures. The payload-receiving fixtures can be locked or unlocked using any of the methods or mechanisms described above in connection with thesupport structures - As shown, the
payload 10 includes twowind turbine blades fixtures 12. The payload-receivingfixtures 12 are generally considered part of the payload, although in an alternative interpretation, thepayload 10 can just be configured to be theblades payload 10 can be considered irregular in that the shape, size, and weight distribution across the length of the payload is complex, causing a center of gravity of the payload to be at a separate location than a geometric centroid of the payload. One dimension (length) greatly exceeds the others (width and height), the shape varies with complex curvature nearly everywhere, and the relative fragility of the payload requires a minimum clearance be maintained at all times as well as fixturing support the length of the cargo at several locations even under the payload's own weight under gravity. Additional irregular payload criteria can include objects with profiles normal to a lengthwise axis rotate at different stations along that axis, resulting in a lengthwise twist (e.g., wind turbine blade spanwise twist) or profiles are located along a curved (rather than linear) path (e.g., wind turbine blade in-plane sweep). Additionally, irregular payloads include objects where a width, depth, or height vary non-monotonically along the length of the payload (e.g., wind turbine blade thickness can be maximal at the max chord station, potentially tapering to a smaller cylinder at the hub and to a thin tip). The term irregular package will be similarly understood. - The
payload 10, which can also be referred to as a package, particularly when multiple objects (e.g., more than one blade, a blade(s) and ballast(s)) are involved, possibly secured together and manipulated as a single unit, can be delivered to theaircraft 100 using most any suitable devices, systems, vehicles, or methods for transporting a large payload on the ground. A package can involve a single object though. In the illustrated embodiment, atransport vehicle 20 includes a plurality of wheeledmobile transporters 22 linked together by a plurality of spans, as shown trusses 24. In some instances, one or more of the wheeledmobile transporters 22 can be self-propelled, or thetransport vehicle 20 more generally can be powered by itself in some fashion. Alternatively, or additionally, an outside mechanism can be used to move thevehicle 20, such as a large vehicle to push or pull thevehicle 20, or various mechanical systems that can be used to move large payloads, such as various combinations of winches, pulleys, cables, cranes, and/or power drive units. As will be described in detail below, a first orforward support structure 23A and a back orground support structure 23B can be removably coupled to thevehicle 20. Thefixtures 12 can be removably coupled to thesupport structures 23 such that thefixtures 12 can move both with thesupport structure 23 and relative thereto. It will be appreciated that while twosupport structures vehicle 20, so long as the support structures can safely and securely support thepayload 10 and accompanyingfixtures 12. -
FIG. 6B illustrates one embodiment of thetransport vehicle 20 in greater detail. Thevehicle system 20 can include a plurality oftransporters 22 and a support span, as shown trusses 24, extending between each of thetransporters 22. Thetransporters 22 can be wheeled vehicles configured to move along a surface, such as ground, up or down a ramp, and/or in an interior cargo bay of an aircraft, among other surfaces. Thetransporters 22 can be operated independent of one another, or they can be operable collectively as a single unit. Thetransporters 22 can be self-propelled and/or self-powered such that an outside mechanism, such as pushing or towing vehicle, does not need to contact thetransporters 22, or any part of thesystem 20, to advance, drive, or otherwise move thetransporters 22 andsystem 20. As shown, thetransporters 22 include wheels 22 w. Alternatively, or additionally, with respect to any of the transporters provided for herein or otherwise derivable from the present disclosures, other transportation means can be used that allow for movement across a ground, including, for example skis, skids, linked tracks (e.g., tractor tracks, military tank tracks), articulated legs, or air cushions in the manner of a hovercraft. Control of thetransporters 22 and/or thesystem 20 can be performed using any known techniques for controlling a vehicle remotely, including but not limited to one or more controllers or control pads in communication with systems and/or other components provided for on the transporters (e.g., power system, electrical controls, motor, etc.). - Disposed between each
transporter 22 can be one or more support spans. In the illustrated embodiment, the support spans are trusses, although a person skilled in the art will recognize a variety of structures that can be used to coupletransporters 22 together and provide adequate support for a payload. Thetrusses 24 can include a plurality ofrails truss 24. In embodiments in which base rails are disposed in the aircraft, the rails of the truss can be complementary in size to the base rails on the aircraft to allow for easy transition from one to the other. The length and number of trusses can depend, at least in part, on the number oftransporters 22 being used and the size and weight of thepayload 10. More generally, fewer ormore transporters 22 and trusses 24 can be used as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, thetrusses 24 extend across an entire top surface of eachtransporter 22, although in other embodiments the trusses can extend along only a portion of the top surface of one or more of thetransporters 22. Generally the support spans are configured in a manner such that the do not interfere with the operation of thesystem 20, and thus, for example, a height of thetrusses 24 in the illustrated embodiment is such that they do not contact the ground. However, the trusses may optionally be permitted to sag and intentionally contact the ground under some loading situations to alleviate stresses within the trusses and thereby reduce the amount of material required to construct them. -
FIGS. 7A-7E provide for a schematic illustration of one exemplary embodiment of loading alarge payload 10 into theaircraft 100. For illustrative purposes, the left half of the fuselage 101 (with respect to the aircraft's direction of flight), i.e., the right half of thefuselage 101 when viewed from the front of the aircraft, has been removed from these figures. Further details of moving thepayload 10 along the curved path will be described in connection with the same. As shown, thecargo nose door 126 is swung upwards into its open position, exposing the portion of theinterior cargo bay 170 associated with the fixedportion 128 of thefuselage 101, which can extend through thekinked portion 130 and through essentially the entirety of theaft end 140. Thecargo opening 171 provides access to theinterior cargo bay 170, and the cantilevered tongue 160 (seeFIG. 1C ) can be used to help initially receive the payload. - As shown in
FIG. 7A , thetransport vehicle 20 can be driven or otherwise moved to theforward end 120 of theaircraft 100, proximate to thecargo opening 171. When driving or moving thetransport vehicle 20 to theforward end 120 of theaircraft 100, thepayload 10 can be locked or otherwise secured to thesupport structures transport vehicle 20, such that the payload, support structures, and transport vehicle can move as one unit. Anaft support structure 27 can be disposed within theaft portion 170 a of thecargo bay 170 such that theaft support structure 27 is secured in a fixed position relative to thecargo bay 170. Theaft support structure 27 can be either permanently or removably disposed in theaft cargo bay 170. For example, in some embodiments theaft support structure 27 can be formed integrally with thebottom contact surface 172 of theaft cargo bay 170 a. In other embodiments, theaft support structure 27 can be either permanently or removably coupled to thebottom contact surface 172 of theaft cargo bay 170 a, e.g., by locking a lower end of theaft support structure 27 to one or more base rails extending along the bottom contact surface of the aft cargo bay, and/or to thebottom contact surface 172 itself. Notably, theaft support structure 27 can remain stationary and securely disposed within theaft cargo bay 170 a as thepayload 10 is loaded into and/or unloaded from thecargo bay 170, regardless of the permanence and/or mechanism of coupling theaft support structure 27 within theaft cargo bay 170 a. - The
payload 10 can be moved from thetransport vehicle 20 and into theinterior cargo bay 170. From the orientation illustrated inFIG. 7A , i.e., with thetransport vehicle 20,support structures payload 10 proximate to thecargo opening 171, thesupport structures transport vehicle 20. As a result, thestructures payload 10 can remain coupled, but they can be movable relative to thetransport vehicle 20. For example, thesupport structures transport vehicle 20 at a plurality oflocations 30 along a length of the transport vehicle. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustratedlocations 30 can be other locations along the length of thetransport vehicle 20, and fewer or more locations can be used as desired.FIGS. 7B and 7C illustrate snapshots of an initial “slide aboard” phase in which thepayload 10 andforward support structure 23A can be moved through thecargo opening 171 and into theforward portion 170 f of thecargo bay 170. More particularly,FIG. 7B (which, for illustrative purposes, does not show the payload 10) shows one embodiment of a start position of the initial “slide aboard” phase just prior to movement of thesupport structures payload 10 relative to thetransport vehicle 20. With thesupport structures support structures payload 10, can move towards theaircraft 100 in the direction of arrow F, as shown inFIGS. 7B and 7C , relative to thetransport vehicle 20. Thepayload 10, i.e., thefixtures 12, and theblades support structures support structures payload 10 can be pure linear translation such that theforward support structure 23A and thepayload 10 can linearly translate through thecargo opening 171 and into theforward bay 170 f. - Movement of the
support structures payload 10 can be accomplished using various combinations of one or more winches, pulleys, cables, cranes, and/or power drive units, as described herein and derivable therefrom. For example, a combination of cables, pulleys, and spools can be utilized in the loading and/or unloading the cargo as illustrated inFIGS. 10A-10L . A more detailed description of such components and related methods is set forth below in connection with those figures.FIGS. 7A-7E are illustrated without any such cables, pulleys, and spools, etc. for illustrative purposes only. -
FIG. 7C illustrates one embodiment of a final position of the “slide aboard” phase, in which thesupport structures transport vehicle 20 such that theforward support structure 23A is disposed within theforward bay portion 170 f of thecargo bay 170, along with at least a portion of thepayload 10 coupled to the forward support structure. More particularly, and as described in detail below, theforward support structure 23A can align with theaft support structure 27 that is disposed in theaft cargo bay 170 a to form a path that extends from the forward bay, through the kinked bay, and into the aft bay. As used herein, theforward support structure 23A can be considered to be “aligned” with theaft support structure 27 when adistal end 23AD of theforward support structure 23A contacts, abuts, or is otherwise placed in close proximity to aproximal end 27 P of theaft support structure 27 to provide a continuous or substantially continuous path along which the payload can travel without disruption. - The path formed by the
forward support structure 23A and theaft support structure 27 can enable thepayload 10 to move along a curved path in the aft direction from the forward bay, through the kinked bay, and into theaft bay 170 a (or in a forward direction from the aft bay, e.g., for unloading thepayload 10 from the cargo aircraft 100). As noted above, moving the payload along a curved path can refer to moving the payload along a path defined by a circular arc such that, as the payload moves along the path in the fore-aft direction, the payload concurrently rotates about a center point of the arc thereby resulting in the payload moving along the arc. For example, theforward support structure 23A and theaft support structure 27 can include at least onerail FIG. 7D ) such that, when theforward support structure 23A is in the position illustrated inFIG. 7C , i.e., aligned with theaft support structure 27 in the final position of the slide-aboard phase, eachrail forward support structure 23A can align with a correspondingrail aft support structure 27 to form acurved path payload 10 can move in the forward-aft direction. - In some embodiments, and as can be seen in
FIGS. 7D and 7E , theforward support structure 23A andaft support structure 27 can include a first frame ortruss truss frames support structure frames lower end upper end frame beams 34 can vary longitudinally along each frame to accommodate a varying vertical height of the upper end of the frame. - The at least one
rail frame support structures ground support structure 23B can include afirst frame 33 GS and asecond frame 35 GS, with arail upper end lower end frame forward support structure 23A and theground support structure 23B can be configured to removably couple to thetransport vehicle 20 and, in the case of theforward support structure 23A, to theinterior cargo bay 170, such that the forward and ground support structures can translate relative thereto. For example, the lower end of each frame can include one or more wheels that can roll along thetransport vehicle 20 andbottom contact surface 172 of thecargo bay 170, e.g., along therails transport vehicle 20 and/or base rail(s) of thecargo bay 170. In some embodiments, the lower end of eachframe aft support structure 27 can likewise be configured to removably couple to theinterior cargo bay 170. In other embodiments, the lower end of eachframe aft support structure 27 can be permanently fixed with respect to theinterior cargo bay 170. For sake of brevity, in embodiments in which a plurality of frames form a support structure, the terms forwardsupport structure 23A,ground support structure 23B, andaft support structure 27 can be used to collectively and generally refer to the plurality of frames, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the present disclosure where such an interpretation is appropriate. - As shown in
FIG. 7C , thepayload 10 is partially disposed in theinterior cargo bay 170 and remains coupled to theforward support structure 23A andground support structure 23B, and thus is partially still supported by thetransport vehicle 20. Adistal end 10 d of thepayload 10 is disposed in theforward bay 170 f, as it has not yet reached thekinked portion 130 of theaircraft 100. Theforward support structure 23A can be secured within theforward bay portion 170 f of thecargo bay 170, e.g., by locking the forward support structure to thebottom contact surface 172 of thebay 170. Theground support structure 23B can be similarly secured to thetransport vehicle 20. In this manner, theforward support structure 23A and theground support structure 23B can remain stationary relative to thecargo bay 170 andvehicle transport 20 until further action is taken to unlock the forward andground support structures payload 10 can be unlocked from the ground andforward support structures payload 10 can move relative to the support structures and into theaft portion 170 a of thecargo bay 170. - The system and/or methods used to move the
support structures payload 10 into the partially loaded position illustrated inFIG. 7C , as discussed in detail below, can continue to be employed to move thepayload 10 into the fully loaded position illustrated inFIGS. 7D and 7E , while thesupport structures payload 10 can be moved in the aft direction along the curved path formed by theforward support structure 23A and theaft support structure 27 into theaft portion 170 a of the cargo bay.FIGS. 7D and 7E illustrate a snapshot from a forward perspective and rear perspective, respectively, of the loading process in which thepayload 10 is fully received within theinterior cargo bay 170. As shown, thedistal end 10 d of thepayload 10 is disposed in theinterior cargo bay 170 at theaft end 140, aproximal end 10 p of thepayload 10 is disposed in theinterior cargo bay 170 at the forward end 120 (for example, on the cantileveredtongue 160, although the tongue is not easily visible inFIG. 7D , and the payload does not necessarily have to be disposed on the tongue 160), and the intermediate portion of thepayload 10 disposed between the proximal anddistal ends forward end 120, through thekinked portion 130, and into theaft end 140. As shown, thepayload 10 is coupled to the forward andaft support structures fixtures 12 thereto. The forward andaft support structures bottom contact surface 172 of theinterior cargo bay 170 and secured relative thereto. Thepayload 10 can be loaded into theinterior cargo bay 170 such that thedistal end 10 d of thepayload 10 is received within the aft bay portion, as shown inFIGS. 7D and 7E , without adjustment by way of manual or powered adjustment of thefixtures 12, which, in other loading processes may be necessary to accommodate and/or counter upwards motion of theblades payload 10. Adjustable fixtures can be used in context with thepresent support structures payload 10 is fully disposed in theinterior cargo bay 170, it can be secured within thecargo bay 170 using techniques provided for herein, in commonly-owned applications, or otherwise known to those skilled in the art. - Payload Receiving Fixtures
-
FIG. 8 illustrates one non-limiting embodiment of a payload-receivingfixture 112 that can be used in accordance with the present disclosure to couple and secure a large cargo, e.g.,turbine blades interior cargo bay 170. While the present disclosure permits the transportation of a wide variety of large (and small for that matter) cargos, in the illustrated embodiment thepayload 10 includes twowind turbine blades payload 10 can be referred to as a package, particularly when multiple objects (e.g., more than one blade, a blade(s) and ballast(s)) are involved, possibly secured together and manipulated together as single unit. A package can involve a single object though. Theblades fixtures FIG. 8 can be configured to receive, support, and restrain a mid-section of one ormore turbine blades fixture 112 ofFIG. 7 can be referred to as a mid-span payload-receivingfeature 112. Themid-payload receiving feature 112 can have a plurality of fixture components, including a lower component 112L, a mid-component 112M, and an upper component 112U (seeFIG. 9I ) that can be removably secured to one another, as described in detail below. A first payload-receivingrecess 113A can be formed between the lower component 112L and the mid-component 112M of the payload-receivingfixture 112 and can receive a portion of one of the twoturbine blades recess 113B (seeFIG. 9I ) can be formed between the mid-component 112M and the upper-component 112U of the payload-receivingfixture 112 and can receive a portion of the other one of the twoturbine blades fixture 12 is a root payload-receivingfixture 212A, as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9C . The root payload-receivingfixture 212A can be configured to receive, support, and restrain a root or hub, e.g., a terminal end, of one ormore turbine blades - Other payload-receiving fixtures, either provided for herein or otherwise derivable in view of the present disclosures, can also be used in conjunction with packaging the
blades fixture 112, 212 can be removably and slidably coupled to one or more of thesupport structures fixtures 112, 212 can selectively move relative to and along thesupport structures carriages 114, 214 (FIG. 9A ), respectively, using techniques known to those skilled in the art for securing a large and/or heavy payload (or any payload for that matter, regardless of size or weight) to a truss, rail, or other structure. In other words, eachfixture 112, 212 can be removably coupled to the one ormore support structures carriages support structures fixture 112, 212. The wheels 114 w can be locked relative to thesupport structures fixture 112, 212 and theblades - Additional details about payload-receiving fixtures are provided in commonly-owned International Patent Application No. PCT/US20/49782, filed on Sep. 8, 2020, entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND VEHICLES FOR TRANSPORTING LARGE CARGO ONTO AND OFF A TRANSPORT VEHICLE,” the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- Loading and Unloading Large Cargo Utilizing a Curved Path
- An irregular payload can present unique challenges when loading or unloading the payload into or out of a cargo bay of an aircraft. For example, as an irregular payload is moved from the forward end of the cargo bay into the aft end of the cargo bay the payload can tend to ride up or rise vertically as the payload is moved through the kinked portion of the cargo bay. One way to accommodate such motion can be use one or more payload-receiving fixtures that can be powered or actuated to raise with the natural rise of the cargo. Such powered payload-receiving fixtures, however, can require a great amount of energy and an increase in size and weight of the payload-receiving fixture itself. Systems and methods of the present disclosure provide for loading and unloading the payload along a curved path such that the payload can move through the cargo bay without requiring adjustment of the payload-receiving fixtures. Accordingly, the size and weight of the payload-receiving fixtures can be minimized, and energy expenditure lowered during the loading and unloading process. One non-limiting embodiment of preparing and loading a cargo package onto a cargo aircraft utilizing a curved path in accordance with the present disclosure is described with respect to
FIGS. 9A-10L . - Assembling a Cargo Payload Package
-
FIGS. 9A-9I illustrate one embodiment of a method of assembling a cargo package orpayload 10 in accordance with the present disclosure, e.g., in preparation for loading onto a cargo aircraft. In the illustrated embodiment, thepayload 10 includes twoturbine blades FIG. 9A shows atransport vehicle 20 prepared to receive a payload 10 (seeFIG. 9B ) for loading into a cargo aircraft, as described above. Thetransport vehicle 20 can includetransporters 22 and trusses 24 extending between the transporters. Aforward support structure 23A and aground support structure 23B can be locked or otherwise secured to thetransport vehicle 20, for example, by locking alower end FIG. 6B ) of thetransport vehicle 20. - A plurality of payload-receiving
fixtures support structures fixtures fixtures payload receiving fixtures lower components forward support structure 23A andground support structure 23B, respectively, as shown in the configuration ofFIG. 9I , i.e., prior to placement of theturbine blades mid-fixture component fixture components - With the payload-receiving
fixtures support structures support structures transport vehicle 20, aturbine blade 11A can be placed within the payload-receiving fixtures as shown inFIG. 9B . It will be appreciated that the discussion pertaining to assembly of the cargo package set forth herein can be applied to instances in which the payload-receiving fixtures and support structures are located remotely from the transport vehicle. In such cases, the support structures, with the payload assembled and coupled thereto, can be moved as a single unit and loaded onto the transport vehicle. Theturbine blade 11A can be lowered into one or more of the payload-receivingfixtures more cranes blade 11A can be secured to the root payload-receivingfixture 212A that is coupled and secured to theforward support structure 23A, as shown inFIGS. 9B and 9C . The root of theblade 11A can be secured with respect to the root payload-receivingfixture 212A using any techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as passing fasteners (e.g., screws) into and through pre-formed holes disposed around an opening of thefixture 212A that receives the root of theblade 11A. Theturbine blade 11A can extend through and be secured to at least one of mid-span payload-receivingfixtures turbine blade 11A can extend through and be secured to at least the mid-span payload-receivingfixture 112B that is coupled and secured to theground support structure 23B. The embodiment of the cargo package assembly process illustrated inFIGS. 9A-9I can utilize twocranes - As shown in
FIGS. 9D and 9E , themid-fixture component 112BM of the mid-span payload-receivingfixture 112B can be connected to the lower-fixture component 112BL to secure theturbine blade 11A received within the lower-fixture component. For example, themid-fixture component 112BM can be lowered towards theblade 11A and lower-fixture component 112BL and secured thereto.FIG. 9E shows in greater detail themid-fixture component 112BM lowered in by thecrane 300B such that the mid-fixture component is located above theturbine blade 11A in alignment with the lower-fixture component 112BL. Themid-fixture component 112BM can couple to the lower-fixture component 112BL, for example atcoupling locations 113 located on either side of theturbine blade 11A, such that theturbine blade 11A is held securely within the mid-span payload-receivingfixture 112B between the lower-fixture component 112BL and themid-fixture component 112BM. - A similar series of steps can be performed to assemble the
second turbine blade 11B to be part of thepayload 10 and load thepayload 10 onto thetransport vehicle 20. As shown inFIG. 9F , thesecond turbine blade 11B can be lowered by thecranes turbine blade 11B can be placed within the root payload-receivingfixture 212B secured to theground support structure 23B. The root of theturbine blade 11B can be secured therein. A portion of theturbine blade 11B can also be received within the mid-spanpayload receiving fixtures turbine blade 11B can be lowered or otherwise placed on the lower-fixture component 112AL of the mid-spanpayload receiving fixture 112A secured to theforward support structure 23A (seeFIG. 9G ), and can be lowered or otherwise placed on themid-fixture component 112BM of the payload-receivingfixture 112B secured to theground support structure 23B (seeFIG. 9I ). As described above with respect toFIGS. 9D and 9E , themid-fixture component 112AM of the payload-receivingfixture 112 can be lowered and secured to the lower-fixture component 112AL such that theturbine blade 11B is received therebetween. The upper-fixture components payload receiving fixtures mid-fixture components cranes FIG. 9H .FIG. 9I illustrates in greater detail the mid-span payload-receivingfixture 112B that is secured to theground support structure 23B (not shown inFIG. 9I for illustrative purposes). More particularly, thecrane 300B can lower the upper-fixture component 112BU such that theturbine blade 11B is located between the upper-fixture component 112BU and themid-fixture components 112BM of the payload-receivingfixture 112B. The upper-fixture component 112BU can be coupled to themid-fixture component 112BM at one ormore coupling locations 115 such that theturbine blade 11B is securely received therebetween. While not shown, a similar process can be applied to the mid-span payload-receivingfixture 112A that is secured to theforward support structure 23A. In this manner, theturbine blades fixtures support structures transport vehicle 20. Thecranes payload package 10, which in this illustrated embodiment includes theturbine blades fixtures support structures transport vehicle 10 such that the assembled payload package is ready for transport to an aircraft for loading (seeFIG. 6A ). - Loading a Payload into a Cargo Bay Utilizing a Curved Path
- In general terms, loading a
payload 10 onto acargo aircraft 100 in accordance with the present disclosure can include an initial “slide-aboard” or translation phase of thepayload 10 into theforward end 120 of theaircraft 100, and subsequent aft movement of thepayload 10 along a curved path into theaft portion 170 a of the cargo bay. The slide-aboard phase can include translating theforward support structure 23A into theforward portion 170 f of the cargo bay, either prior to or concurrent with translation of thepayload 10, and into alignment with theaft support structure 27 disposed within theaft portion 170 a of the cargo bay. As discussed above, the forward andaft support structures cargo bay 170. With the curved path formed, e.g., byrails aft support structures forward portion 170 f, through thekinked portion 170 k, and into theaft portion 170 a of the cargo bay to a final fully-loaded position. Notably, movement of thepayload 10 along the curved path into theaft bay 170 a can change an attitude of the payload relative to thebottom contact surface 172 of the cargo bay, such that adistal end 10 d of thepayload 10 approaches the bottom contact surface of theaft bay 170 a of the cargo bay as thepayload 10 moves in the aft direction beyond thekinked bay 170 k. In this manner, a vertical distance, or height, that thepayload 10 extends above thebottom contact surface 172 in theaft portion 170 a of the cargo bay can be reduced as compared to a purely linear movement of the payload into the aft bay. -
FIGS. 10A-10L illustrate one embodiment of loading a large cargo, e.g., thepayload package 10 assembled as described above, onto thecargo aircraft 100. Components ofFIGS. 10A-10L can have the same or similar features of the like-numbered components described in detail above. Accordingly, description of the structure, operation, and use of such features and/or components are omitted herein for the sake of brevity. It will be appreciated thatFIGS. 10A-10L illustrate but one possible method of loading the large cargo in accordance with the present disclosure and variations thereon are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while certain cable and pulley configurations and steps are described below in connection with loading thepayload 10, alternative mechanisms, components, and steps may be used to move a payload through a curved path (e.g., a curved path formed byrails support structures 23A, 27) in accordance with the present disclosure. -
FIG. 10A illustrates thecargo aircraft 100, in a simplified manner for purposes of clarity, in a cargo-loading ready position. More particularly, thecargo aircraft 100 can be opened, such as by swinging thecargo nose door 126 upwards into its open position, exposing the portion of theinterior cargo bay 170 associated with the fixedportion 128 of thefuselage 101, which can extend from theforward end 120, through thekinked portion 130, and through essentially the entirety of theaft end 140 of the aircraft. Thecargo opening 171 provides access to theinterior cargo bay 170. It will be appreciated that various components of theaircraft 100, such as wheels, landing gear, etc. are not shown inFIG. 10A , orFIGS. 10B-10L , for purposes of clarity of the illustration. Such components can be seen elsewhere in the figure set, for example, inFIGS. 1A-1C , and/or are understood to exist in their typical locations on aircrafts by those skilled in the art. Theaft support structure 27 can be disposed within theaft portion 170 a of the cargo bay and secured therein such that theaft support structure 27 is stationary relative to thebottom contact surface 172 of thecargo bay 170. - As shown in
FIG. 10B , thetransport vehicle 20, and thus thepayload 10 andsupport structures forward end 120 of theaircraft 100 such that theforward support structure 23A and thepayload 10 secured thereto can be moved into theforward portion 170 f of thecargo bay 10. For example,transport vehicle 20 can be docked to theaircraft 100, such as by locking or otherwise securing the transport vehicle at thecargo opening 171, as generally illustrated inFIG. 10B within thecircle 37, such that theforward support structure 23A and thepayload 10 can pass through thecargo opening 171 and into theforward portion 170 f of the cargo bay, e.g., by aligning thelower end 23 L of theforward support structure 23A with thebottom contact surface 172 of the cargo bay and/or one or more base rails associated with the bottom contact surface. - FIG. 10C1 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a set-up that can be utilized with the present disclosure to load the
payload 10 into thecargo aircraft 100. More particularly, the set-up of FIG. 10C1 can be used to accomplish the initial linear translation (as shown, left-to-right) of theforward support structure 23A andpayload 10 into theforward bay portion 170 f of thecargo bay 170 and subsequent movement of thepayload 10 aft-ward along the curved path, as described below. The system illustrated in FIGS. 10C1 and FIG. 10C2 includes aflyaway cable 39, awinch cable 41, aturnaround pulley 43, and awinch spool 45. Theflyaway cable 39 can be connected to one of the plurality of payload-receivingfixtures terminal end 39A of theflyaway cable 39 can be connected to the payload-receiving fixture coupled to theforward support structure 23A located closest to thecargo opening 171, in this case the root payload-receivingfixture 212A. Theflyaway cable 39 can maintain this connection point throughout the entirety of the loading process, i.e., during both translation of thepayload 10 andsupport structures payload 10 along the curved path. In other embodiments, the firstterminal end 39A of the flyaway cable can be connected directly to theforward support structure 23A, however such a configuration may require disconnecting the first terminal end of the cable once theforward support structure 23A is secured within theforward portion 170 f of the cargo bay and re-connecting the cable to thepayload 10. - The
flyaway cable 39 can extend from the firstterminal end 39A, through substantially the entirety of thecargo bay 170, through theturnaround pulley 43 located in theaft portion 170 a of the cargo bay, and to a secondterminal end 39B. In some embodiments, theturnaround pulley 43 can be coupled to a structural component of theaircraft 100, for example one or more base rails that can extend along at least a portion of thebottom contact surface 172 of thecargo bay 170, such that a reaction force from theturnaround pulley 43 can be distributed by the structural component. A portion of theflyaway cable 39 that extends between the firstterminal end 39A and theturnaround pulley 43 can be referred to as an “upper portion” while a portion of theflyaway cable 39 that extends between theturnaround pulley 43 and the secondterminal end 39B can be referred to as a “lower portion.” Theflyaway cable 39 can be connected to thewinch cable 41 at aconnection point 42. In the illustrated embodiment the connection point of theflyaway cable 39 to thewinch cable 41 occurs within theinterior cargo bay 170 and, more particularly, in theforward portion 170 f of the cargo bay. In other embodiments, the connection location of theflyaway cable 39 to thewinch cable 41 and the lengths of the cables themselves can vary based, at least in part, on dimensions of thepayload 10,aircraft 100, and operational handling requirements. Thewinch cable 41 can extend from the connection point with theflyaway cable 39 to thespool 45. Thespool 45 can be located towards the terminal end of thetransport vehicle 20 that is furthest away from theaircraft 100. With the cables attached, thespool 45 can be rotated to take up excess slack from the flyaway andwinch cables spool 45 to take up excess slack, e.g., in the clockwise direction, can draw thewinch cable 41 away from theaircraft 100 and into thespool 45 such that theflyaway cable 39 is drawn taut with the upper portion of the flyaway cable moving aft towards theturnaround pulley 43 and the lower portion of the flyaway cable moving forwards towards thespool 45. - While only a single
flyaway cable 39,turnaround pulley 43, andwinch cable 41 are visible in the illustration of FIG. 10C1, some embodiments can include additional redundancy, i.e., support to provide additional force to move thepayload 10. For example, FIG. 10C2 illustrates a schematic top-view of a cable set-up that can be used in connection with the present disclosure that includes a secondflyaway cable 39′,winch cable 41′, andturnaround pulley 43′, which can be connected in the manner described above in parallel with the firstflyaway cable 39,winch cable 41, andturnaround pulley 43. Asingle winch spool 45 can be used to simultaneous take up or release slack across all of the cables. By way of non-limiting example, eachcable - With the set-up of FIG. 10C1 complete, the
forward support structure 23A andground support structure 23B can be placed in a configuration to allow relative movement between thesupport structures transport vehicle 20, e.g., by unlocking thesupport structures transport vehicle 20 at a plurality of connection points 47 as shown inFIG. 10D . It will be appreciated that whileFIG. 10D does not show the cables, pulley(s), or spool described above in connection with FIGS. 10C1 and 10C2 (collectively referred to as a “winching system”) for sake of simplicity of illustration, these components remain present. The distal end of thepayload 10 d and adistal end 23AD of theforward support structure 23A can remain exterior to thecargo bay 170.FIG. 10E illustrates a snapshot of the “slide-aboard” or translation phase of loading, which can be accomplished by winching or spooling thecables spool 45 can be driven or otherwise rotated to pull thewinch cable 41 in the forward direction F, i.e., towards thespool 45 and away from theaircraft 100. This, in turn, pulls the lower portion of theflyaway cable 39 in the forward direction, drawing the upper portion of the flyaway cable in the aft direction A towards theturnaround pulley 43. - As the upper portion of the
flyaway cable 39 is connected to thepayload 10, which is secured to the forward andground support structures flyaway cable 39 causes thepayload 10, and thus thefirst support structure 23A andground support structure 23B, to move in the aft direction. More particularly, thefirst support structure 23A andground support structure 23B can translate in the aft-direction, with thepayload 10 coupled thereto, such that thefirst support structure 23A and thepayload 10 pass through thecargo opening 171 and into theforward portion 170 f of the cargo bay. The portion of thefirst support structure 23A that extends beyond thecargo opening 171 and into thecargo bay 170 can translate linearly along thebottom contact surface 172 of the cargo bay, e.g., by rolling, sliding, or otherwise moving along one or more base rails that can extend along the bottom contact surface. The portion of thefirst support structure 23A that remains external to thecargo bay 170 and theground support structure 23B can translate linearly along thetransport vehicle 20, e.g., by rolling, sliding, or otherwise moving along the one ormore rails forward support structure 23A, and at least a portion of thepayload 10, can move into theforward portion 170 f of thecargo bay 170 by linearly translating through thecargo opening 171 of theaircraft 100. Thepayload 10 andforward support structure 23A can continue to be winched aboard theaircraft 100 by driving thespool 45 until theforward support structure 23A is aligned with theaft support structure 27 disposed within theaft portion 170 a of the cargo bay. As noted above, such alignment can occur when thedistal end 23AD (seeFIG. 10D ) of the first support structure abuts, contacts, or is brought into close proximity to the proximal end 2′7 p (seeFIG. 10D ) of theaft support structure 27 to form a continuous, or substantially continuous, path along which thepayload 10 can move without disruption. One ormore rail segment forward support structure 23A can align with a counterpart one ormore rail segment aft support structure 27 to form thecontinuous path 29, 31 (seeFIG. 7E andFIG. 10F ). In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 10E , the connection point between the lower portion of theflyaway cable 39 and thewinch cable 41 can be located exterior to thecargo bay 170, while in other embodiments the connection point may remain within the cargo bay. -
FIG. 10F illustrates the action of immobilizing theforward support structure 23A and theground support structure 23B. With theforward support structure 23A in alignment with theaft support structure 27, the forward support structure can be locked or otherwise secured within theforward portion 170 f of thecargo bay 170. For example, thelower end 23AL of theforward support structure 23A can be locked to thebottom contact surface 172 in the forward portion of thecargo bay 170 at a plurality oflocations 49. Thelower end 23BL of theground support structure 23B can be locked or otherwise secured to thetransport vehicle 20 at a plurality oflocations 51 if desired. Accordingly, theforward support structure 23A andground support structure 23B can remain stationary relative to thecargo bay 170 andtransport vehicle 20.FIG. 10G illustrates the action of mobilizing thepayload 10 relative to the forward andground support structures payload 10 can translate or move relative to the support structures. For example, thecarriage 114 of each payload-receivingfixture ground support structures FIGS. 10F and 10G do not show components of the winching system, however such components remain present during the illustrated steps of these figures. - The
payload 10 can be further advanced into thecargo bay 170 by moving the payload aft-wards along the curved path formed by the forward andaft support structures spool 45 can be driven to pull thewinch cable 41 and lower portion of theflyaway cable 39 into the spool, i.e., in the forward direction F, until thepayload 10 is fully disposed in thecargo bay 170, as shown inFIG. 10H . As thewinch cable 41 is pulled forward into thespool 45, the lower portion of theflyaway cable 39 and theconnection point 42 between the winch cable and flyaway cable are pulled forward. This, in turn, pulls thepayload 10 aft-ward as the upper portion of the flyaway cable moves through theturnaround pulley 43 such that the payload moves aft-ward along thecurved path 29. As shown, thedistal end 10 d of thepayload 10, along with two payload-receivingfixtures aft portion 170 a of thecargo bay 170. The two payload-receivingfixtures aft portion 170 a of the cargo bay can be coupled to theaft support structure 27, e.g., thecarriages 114 of these payload-receiving fixtures can be in contact with one ormore rails proximal end 10 p of thepayload 10, along with two payload-receivingfixtures forward portion 170 f of thecargo bay 170. The two payload-receivingfixtures forward portion 170 f of the cargo bay can be coupled to theforward support structure 23A, e.g., thecarriages 114 of these payload-receiving fixtures can be in contact with one ormore rails payload 10 fully disposed within thecargo bay 170, the payload can be locked into or otherwise secured in place, as shown inFIG. 10I . For example, thecarriages 114 of the each of the payload-receivingfixtures aft support structures payload 10 is held stationary with respect to the support structures and thus thecargo bay 170. Any number of locking mechanisms for securing the payload-receivingfixtures support structures - With the
payload 10 disposed and locked within thecargo bay 170, as shown inFIG. 10I , theflyaway cable 39 can be disconnected from thewinch cable 41. For example, the cable joint 42 can be disconnected to release theflyaway cable 39 as shown inFIG. 10J . Thewinch cable 41 can remain wound around thespool 41. Theflyaway cable 39 can then be secured and stored for flight. For example, the lower portion of theflyaway cable 39 can be secured to one or more structures disposed within the cargo bay using tiedowns or other similar locking devices, spooled or otherwise gathered for storage within thecargo bay 170, etc. Thetransport vehicle 20, with theground support structure 23B coupled thereto, can be undocked from theaircraft 100 or otherwise placed in a mobile state (seeFIG. 10K ) and moved away from the aircraft 100 (seeFIG. 10L ). Thepayload 10 is now loaded into thecargo bay 170 of thecargo aircraft 100 for transport. - Once the
payload 10 has been transported to its desired destination, it can be unloaded from thecargo bay 170. Unloading can be similar in many respects to loading, generally reversing the progression illustrated with respect to the loading process inFIGS. 10A-10L , and thus the details, and an illustrated step-through of the same, is unnecessary. Upon arrival thetransport vehicle 20 can be docked to theaircraft 100, theflyaway cable 39 can be released and/or unspooled and the lower portion of the flyaway cable can be connected to thewinch cable 41. Thepayload 10 can be unlocked from the forward andaft support structures cargo bay 170 and thepayload 10 can be belayed out of thecargo bay 170 through thecargo opening 171 at theforward end 120 of theaircraft 100. Thepayload 10 can move forward along the curved path formed by the forward andaft trusses ground support structure 23B that is secured to thetransport vehicle 20 just exterior to thecargo opening 171 can form a curved path withforward support structure 23A such that thepayload 10 reaches a minimum energy state and comes to a stop with theproximal end 10 p of thepayload 10 located over theground support structure 23B exterior to thecargo bay 170 while thedistal end 10 d of the payload is located over theforward support structure 23A in theforward portion 170 f of the cargo bay. Thepayload 10 can be locked in place such that the payload is held stationary relative to the ground andforward support structures winch cable 41 is disconnected from the lower portion of theflyaway cable 39. Thewinch cable 41, or a separate unloading winch cable, among other ways translation movement can be imparted on thepayload 10, can then be connected to the forward-most payload-receiving fixture, in this case the root payload-receivingfixture 212B located over theground support structure 23B, and thespool 45 can be driven to take up slack in the winch cable. Thepayload 10 can be unlocked from the ground andforward support structures payload 10 can be winched forward to center or align thepayload 10 between theground support structure 23B and theforward support structure 23A. Thepayload 10 can then be locked to the ground andforward support structures forward support structures transport vehicle 20 andforward cargo bay 170 f, respectively. Thespool 45 can be driven to pull the winch cable or the unloading winch cable forward thereby causing the ground andforward support structures support structures transport vehicle 20. The ground andforward support structures transport vehicle 20, theflyaway cable 39 and winch cable can be disconnected and secured, and thetransport vehicle 20 can move away from theaircraft 100 with thepayload 10 secured thereto. - After the
transport vehicle 20 with thepayload 10 is removed from theaircraft 100, thepayload 10 can be disassembled. Disassembling the payload can be similar in many respects to assembling the payload, and thus the details and an illustrated step-through of the same is unnecessary. With the payload-receiving fixtures locked to the ground andforward support structures transport vehicle 20, the upper-fixture components of the mid-span payload-receivingfixtures turbine blades upper turbine blade 11B can be craned off using, for example, the mid-component of one of the mid-span payload-receivingfixtures lower turbine blade 11A can be craned off the payload-receiving fixtures, leaving the empty payload-receivingfixtures forward support structures transport vehicle 20. The disassembly process can generally be accomplished by reversing the progression illustrated with respect to the payload package assembly inFIGS. 9A-9I . - Following disassembly of the
payload package 10, theaircraft 100 can be prepared for a backhaul or return flight in which components of the above-described systems can be transported to a different location for future use and/or storage.FIG. 11 illustrates a backhaul preparation step following removal of theturbine blades fixtures fixtures ground support structures distal end 23AD of theforward support structure 23A such that each of the payload-receiving fixtures are coupled to the forward support structure. In some instances, one or more of the payload-receiving fixtures already coupled to the forward support structure as a result of the unloading process may not need to be adjusted or moved relative to the forward support structure to accommodate the remaining payload-receiving fixtures on the forward support structure, for example the root payload-receivingfixture 212A. The payload-receivingfixtures forward support structure 23A. Theforward support structure 23A, along with the payload-receivingfixtures forward cargo bay 170 f of theaircraft 100 and secured thereto for transport by theaircraft 100. In some embodiments, theforward support structure 23A can be loaded into theforward cargo bay 170 f in a manner similar to that described above in connection with the loading of thepayload 10. For example, thetransport vehicle 20 can be docked to theforward end 120 of theaircraft 100 with thecargo door 126 in the open position providing access to theinterior cargo bay 170 via thecargo opening 171. Theforward support structure 23A can be then be translated into theforward cargo bay 170 f, e.g., by winching the forward support structure into the cargo bay. To this end, the fly-awaycable 39 can be connected at a first end to a payload-receiving fixture coupled to theforward support structure 23A or to the forward support structure itself. The fly-away cable can extend through theinterior cargo bay 170, through thepulley 43 to connect to thewinch cable 41. The forward andground support structures transport vehicle 20 and thewinch spool 45 can be wound to pull thewinch cable 41 and lower portion of the fly-awaycable 39 away from theaircraft 100 into the spool, thereby winching or translating theforward support structure 23A into theforward cargo bay 170 f. Once theforward support structure 23A is located fully within theforward cargo bay 170 f, theforward support structure 23A can be secured to thebottom contact surface 172 of thecargo bay 170, thewinch 41 and fly-awaycables 39 disconnected and secured for flight. Thetransport vehicle 20, with theground support structure 23B coupled thereto, can be disconnected or undocked from theaircraft 100 and moved away from thecargo opening 171. -
FIG. 12 shows a side view of anaircraft 1000 that, in many respects, can be similar or identical to theaircraft 100 described above with respect toFIGS. 1A-1C , with like-numbered components having generally the same features. It will be appreciated that various components of theaircraft 1000, such as wings, wheels, landing gear, etc. are not shown inFIG. 12 . Such components can be seen elsewhere in the figure set, for example, inFIGS. 1A-1C , and/or are understood to exist in their typical locations on aircrafts by those skilled in the art. Theaircraft 1000, and thus itsfuselage 1101, includes aforward end 1120 and anaft end 1140, with akinked portion 1130 connecting the forward end to the aft end. Accordingly, an interior cargo bay 1170 of theaircraft 1000 has a forward bay 1170 f, a kinked bay 1170 k, and an aft bay 1170 a. In contrast to the above-described embodiments, however, theaircraft 1000 can include at least onecurved base rail 1174 that can extend through substantially the entire length of the cargo bay 1170. Thecurved base rail 1174 can be defined by a first point of horizontal tangency 1174F in theforward bay 170 f and a second point of horizontal tangency 1174A in theaft bay 170 a. At these twopoints curved base rail 1174 can be tangent, or at least substantially tangent, to thebottom contact surface 1172 of the cargo bay 1170. In some embodiments, a radius r′ can be approximately between about 800 feet to about 6000 feet, or more approximately between about 1200 feet to about 3000 feet, between about 1500 feet to about 2000 feet, between about 1600 feet to about 1700 feet, or between about 1630 feet to about 1680 feet, such as about 1678 feet. Apayload 10, including, for example,turbine blades fixtures 12, can slide along thecurved base rail 1174 in an aft direction for loading and/or a forward direction for unloading. For example, the payload-receivingcarriages 12 can include one or more wheels 114 w that can align with and slide along thecurved base rail 1174 such that thepayload 10 moves along the curved path formed by thecurved base rail 1174 during loading or unloading. The curved path can extend forward or proximal of theaircraft 1000, for example along one or more transport vehicles, support structures, or other ground handling equipment that can be used to place thepayload 10 at a cargo opening (not shown inFIG. 12 as a nose cone 1126 of theaircraft 1000 is in the closed position) during loading or receive the payload at the cargo opening during unloading. As a result of the large radius of the curved path, the curved path can extend high above aground surface 1150 forward of theaircraft 1000, as illustrated byarrow 1151 inFIG. 12 . Accordingly, tall ground handling equipment may be required. -
FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of anaircraft 2000 that can be used in connection with at least onecurved base rail 2174 in a manner similar to that described above in connection withFIG. 12 . Theaircraft 2000 can be the nearly the same or identical to theaircraft 1000, with like-numbered components having generally similar features, except that the aircraft ofFIG. 13 can have an inclined barrel, i.e., aninclined forward fuselage 2101.FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of only a portion of thefuselage 2101 for illustrative purposes. It will be appreciated that various components of theaircraft 2000, such as wings, nose cone, wheels, landing gear, etc. are not shown inFIG. 12 . Such components can be seen elsewhere in the figure set, for example, inFIGS. 1A-1C , and/or are understood to exist in their typical locations on aircrafts by those skilled in the art. Theforward fuselage 2101 can have a constant, or substantially constant, cross-section that extends at a downward incline in the direction of the nose (not shown), i.e., towards theforward end 2120 of theaircraft 2000. In some embodiments the angle of inclination can be up to about six (6) degrees, up to about four (4) degrees, or up to about two (2) degrees, the latter of which is illustrated inFIG. 13 . Angling theforward fuselage 2101 in this manner can shift a forward horizontal point oftangency 1174 f of the curved path defined by thecurved base rail 2174 forward of the nose of theaircraft 2000, i.e., at a point forward of and exterior to the aircraft. Nose-down inclination of the barrel can increase a radius of curvature of the curved path such that the amount that the curved path extends high above aground surface 2150 forward of theaircraft 2000 can be reduced as compared to the embodiment described in connection withFIG. 12 (and as illustrated by thearrow 2151 inFIG. 13 ). For example, in some embodiments, the equivalent of the radius r′ fromFIG. 12 for the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 13 can be approximately between about 800 feet to about 6000 feet, or more approximately between about 1200 feet to about 3000 feet, between about 2000 feet to about 3000 feet, between about 2200 feet to about 2800 feet, or between about 2600 feet to about 2700 feet, such as about 2610 feet. In some embodiments, thecurved base rail 2174 can have a minor deviation 2174D from a pure curved profile towards theaft end 2140 of theaircraft 2000, for example to aid in flattening curve. This may result in some cargo bending and/or utilizing a powered and/or adjustable payload-receiving fixture to account for the same (e.g., a fixture having a vertical stroke of approximately 2 feet). - Examples of the above-described embodiments can include the following:
- 1. A method of loading or unloading a payload into or out of a cargo aircraft, comprising:
- when loading a payload into 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, an aft bay portion located in an aft end of the cargo aircraft, and a kinked bay portion disposed between the forward bay portion and the aft bay portion, the kinked bay portion defining a location at which the aft end of the cargo aircraft begins to raise at an angle relative to a longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft, advancing the payload towards the aft end of the cargo aircraft; and
- when unloading a payload out of the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, advancing the payload towards the forward end of the cargo aircraft,
- wherein, whether loading or unloading, advancing the payload further comprises moving the payload along a curved path formed by at least one support structure disposed in the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, the at least one support structure extending a varying vertical distance above a corresponding portion of a bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay over a length of the at least one support structure.
- 2. The method of
claim 1, wherein moving the payload along the curved path further comprises moving the payload such that a portion of the payload that extends beyond the kinked portion of the cargo bay and into the aft portion of the cargo bay remains a fixed radial height above the curved path.
3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein moving the payload along the curved path further comprises moving the payload such that the payload rotates about a center point of an arc while concurrently moving in the forward or aft direction - 4. The method of
claim 1 or 2, wherein the curved path is formed by at least one rail of the at least one support structure. - 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one rail comprises a plurality of linear rail segments extending at an angle relative to one another to approximate a curve.
6. The method of any ofclaims 1 to 5, wherein the payload comprises at least one payload-receiving fixture, and wherein moving the payload along the curved path further comprises coupling at least one payload-receiving fixture of the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures to the at least one support structure and advancing the at least one payload-receiving fixture along the curved path.
7. The method of any ofclaims 1 to 6, wherein the curved path extends from the forward bay portion through the kinked bay portion and into the aft bay portion.
8. The method of any ofclaims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one support structure comprises a first support structure and a second support structure, and wherein the curved path is formed by the first support structure fixed in the aft bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay and the second support structure fixed in the forward bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay.
9. The method of any ofclaims 1 to 8, - wherein the at least one support structure comprises a first support structure fixed in the aft bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay and a second support structure, and
- wherein the method further comprises:
-
- when loading the payload into the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, moving the second support structure from a position external of the cargo aircraft into the forward bay portion of the cargo bay and securing the second support structure in the forward bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay; and
- when unloading the payload from the interior cargo bay, unlocking the second support structure from the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay in the forward bay portion and moving the second support structure out of the forward bay portion to a position external of the cargo aircraft.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein moving the second support structure from the position external of the cargo aircraft into the forward bay portion of the cargo bay further comprises translating the second support structure from the position external of the cargo aircraft along a linear path into the forward bay portion of the cargo bay.
11. The method of any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the curved path is formed by at least one rail of the first support structure aligned with at least one rail of the second support structure.
12. The method of any ofclaims 1 to 11, wherein moving the payload along the curved path further comprises moving the payload through the kinked bay portion towards the aft end of the cargo aircraft such that a distal end of the payload raises relative to the longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft.
13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising moving the payload along the curved path until the distal end of the payload is received with a portion of the aft bay portion located within a fuselage tailcone of the cargo aircraft.
14. The method of any ofclaims 1 to 13, wherein moving the payload along the curved path further comprises moving the payload through the kinked bay portion towards the forward end of the cargo aircraft such that a distal end of the payload lowers relative to the longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft.
15. The method of any ofclaims 1 to 14, wherein a length of the payload is at least about 65 meters.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 75 meters.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 85 meters.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 100 meters.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 120 meters.
20. The method of any ofclaims 1 to 19, wherein the payload comprises one or more components of a wind turbine such that the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures are configured to receive the one or more components of the wind turbine.
21. The method of any ofclaims 1 to 20,
- wherein, when loading the payload into the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, advancing the payload towards the aft end of the cargo aircraft further comprises passing the payload through an opening formed by opening a nose cargo door located in the forward end of the cargo aircraft, and
- wherein, when unloading the payload out of the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, advancing the payload towards the forward end of the cargo aircraft further comprises passing the payload to an environment outside the cargo aircraft through an opening formed by opening a nose cargo door located in the forward end of the cargo aircraft.
- 22. The method of any of
claims 1 to 21, wherein a terminal end of one of the at least one support structure is disposed in the aft bay portion and located above a plane extending through a top surface of a fuselage of the cargo plane in which the interior cargo bay is disposed.
23. A method of loading a cargo aircraft, comprising: - translating a payload and a support structure to which the payload is removably coupled into an interior cargo bay of a cargo aircraft along a linear path;
- de-coupling the payload from the support structure; and
- moving the payload into an aft portion of the interior cargo bay along a curved path at least partially formed by the support structure such that as the payload proceeds in the aft direction, an aft portion of the payload approaches a bottom contact surface of the aft portion of the interior cargo bay.
- 24. The method of
claim 23, further comprising: - securing the support structure to a bottom contact surface of a forward portion of the interior cargo bay such that the support structure is stationary within the forward portion of the cargo bay,
- wherein a first portion of the curved path is formed by the support structure and a second portion of the curved path is formed by a second support structure disposed in the aft portion of the cargo bay.
- 25. The method of
claim 24, wherein the payload comprises a plurality of payload-receiving fixtures, and moving the payload into the aft portion of the cargo bay along the curved path further comprises advancing at least one payload-receiving fixture of the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures along one or more rails of at least one of the support structure or the second support structure.
26. The method ofclaim 24 or 25, wherein securing the support structure to the bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay further comprises securing the support structure to at least one base rail coupled to the bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay.
27. The method of any ofclaims 23 to 26, - wherein the interior cargo bay further comprises a kinked bay portion disposed between the forward bay portion and the aft bay portion, the kinked bay portion defining a location at which the aft end of the cargo aircraft begins to raise relative to a longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft, and
- wherein moving the payload into the aft portion of the cargo bay further comprises moving the payload such that a portion of the payload that extends beyond the kinked portion of the cargo bay and into the aft portion of the cargo bay remains a fixed radial height above the curved path.
- 28. The method of any of
claims 23 to 27, wherein a length of the payload is at least about 65 meters.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 75 meters.
30. The method ofclaim 29, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 85 meters.
31. The method ofclaim 30, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 100 meters.
32. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 120 meters.
33. The method of any ofclaims 23 to 32, wherein the payload comprises one or more components of a wind turbine such that the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures are configured to receive the one or more components of the wind turbine.
34. The method of any ofclaims 23 to 33, wherein translating the payload and support structure into the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft further comprises passing the payload and the support structure through an opening formed by opening a nose cargo door located in the forward end of the cargo aircraft.
35. 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, an aft bay portion located in an aft end of the cargo aircraft, and a kinked bay portion disposed between the forward bay portion and the aft bay portion, the kinked bay portion defining a location at which the aft end of the cargo aircraft beings to raise relative to a longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft such that an aft-most terminal end of the aft bay portion is disposed above the longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft,
- wherein the at least one rail extends from the forward bay portion, through the kinked bay portion, and into the aft bay portion, and
- wherein a vertical distance above which the at least one rail extends from an interior bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay varies along a length of the at least one rail.
- 36. The system of
claim 35, wherein the vertical distance above which the at least one rail extends from the interior bottom contact surface of the interior cargo decreases in the aft direction from the kinked bay portion to the aft bay portion.
37. The system of one ofclaim 35 or 36, further comprising: - a first support structure coupled to the bottom contact surface of the cargo bay in the forward bay portion; and
- a second support structure coupled to the bottom contact surface of the cargo bay in the aft bay portion,
- wherein the first support structure includes a first portion of the at least one rail and the second support structure includes a second portion of the at least one rail.
- 38. The system of
claim 37, wherein the first support structure is removably coupled to the bottom contact surface of the cargo plane.
39. The system ofclaim 37 or 38, further comprising: - one or more transport vehicles configured to move along a ground surface,
- wherein the first support structure is configured to be removably coupled to the one or more transport vehicles.
- 40. The system of any of
claims 35 to 39, wherein the aft portion of the cargo bay extends at an angle relative to a forward portion of the cargo bay.
41. The system of any ofclaims 35 to 40, wherein the at least one rail comprises a plurality of linear rail segments extending at an angle relative to one another to approximate a curve.
42. The system of any ofclaims 35 to 41, wherein the at least one rail comprises at least two rails disposed approximately parallel to each other.
43. The system of any ofclaims 35 to 42, further comprising a payload configured to move along a curved path formed by the at least one rail such that an aft end of the payload is held within the aft bay portion.
44. The system ofclaim 43, wherein the payload is configured to move along the curved path formed by the at least one rail such that the aft end of the payload approaches the bottom contact surface in the aft bay portion.
45. The system ofclaim 43 or 44, wherein the payload comprises 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.
46. The system of anyclaim 43 or 44, wherein the payload further comprises one or more components of a wind turbine such that the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures are configured to receive the one or more components of the wind turbine.
47. The system of any ofclaims 35 to 46 wherein a length of the payload is at least about 65 meters.
48. The system ofclaim 47, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 75 meters.
49. The system of claim 48, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 85 meters.
50. The system ofclaim 49, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 100 meters.
51. The system ofclaim 50, wherein the length of the payload is at least about 120 meters.
52. The system of any ofclaims 35 to 51, wherein a terminal end of the at least one rail is disposed in the aft bay portion and located above a plane extending through a top surface of a fuselage of the cargo plane in which the interior cargo bay is disposed.
53. The system of any ofclaims 35 to 52, further comprising: - a cargo nose door configured to open a portion of the forward end of the cargo aircraft such that the forward bay portion is accessible from an outside environment when the cargo nose door is open.
Claims (39)
1. A method of loading or unloading a payload into or out of a cargo aircraft, comprising:
when loading a payload into 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, an aft bay portion located in an aft end of the cargo aircraft, and a kinked bay portion disposed between the forward bay portion and the aft bay portion, the kinked bay portion defining a location at which the aft end of the cargo aircraft begins to raise at an angle relative to a longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft, advancing the payload towards the aft end of the cargo aircraft; and
when unloading a payload out of the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, advancing the payload towards the forward end of the cargo aircraft,
wherein, whether loading or unloading, advancing the payload further comprises moving the payload along a curved path formed by at least one support structure disposed in the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, the at least one support structure extending a varying vertical distance above a corresponding portion of a bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay over a length of the at least one support structure.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the payload along the curved path further comprises moving the payload such that a portion of the payload that extends beyond the kinked portion of the cargo bay and into the aft portion of the cargo bay remains a fixed radial height above the curved path.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the payload along the curved path further comprises moving the payload such that the payload rotates about a center point of an arc while concurrently moving in the forward or aft direction
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the curved path is formed by at least one rail of the at least one support structure.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one rail comprises a plurality of linear rail segments extending at an angle relative to one another to approximate a curve.
6. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein the payload comprises at least one payload-receiving fixture, and
wherein moving the payload along the curved path further comprises coupling at least one payload-receiving fixture of the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures to the at least one support structure and advancing the at least one payload-receiving fixture along the curved path.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the curved path extends from the forward bay portion through the kinked bay portion and into the aft bay portion.
8. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein the at least one support structure comprises a first support structure and a second support structure, and
wherein the curved path is formed by the first support structure fixed in the aft bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay and the second support structure fixed in the forward bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay.
9. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein the at least one support structure comprises a first support structure fixed in the aft bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay and a second support structure, and
wherein the method further comprises:
when loading the payload into the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, moving the second support structure from a position external of the cargo aircraft into the forward bay portion of the cargo bay and securing the second support structure in the forward bay portion to the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay; and
when unloading the payload from the interior cargo bay, unlocking the second support structure from the bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay in the forward bay portion and moving the second support structure out of the forward bay portion to a position external of the cargo aircraft.
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein moving the payload along the curved path further comprises moving the payload through the kinked bay portion towards the aft end of the cargo aircraft such that a distal end of the payload raises relative to the longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft.
13-19. (canceled)
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the payload comprises one or more components of a wind turbine such that the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures are configured to receive the one or more components of the wind turbine.
21. The method of claim 1 ,
wherein, when loading the payload into the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, advancing the payload towards the aft end of the cargo aircraft further comprises passing the payload through an opening formed by opening a nose cargo door located in the forward end of the cargo aircraft, and
wherein, when unloading the payload out of the interior cargo bay of the cargo aircraft, advancing the payload towards the forward end of the cargo aircraft further comprises passing the payload to an environment outside the cargo aircraft through an opening formed by opening a nose cargo door located in the forward end of the cargo aircraft.
22. (canceled)
23. A method of loading a cargo aircraft, comprising:
translating a payload and a support structure to which the payload is removably coupled into an interior cargo bay of a cargo aircraft along a linear path;
de-coupling the payload from the support structure; and
moving the payload into an aft portion of the interior cargo bay along a curved path at least partially formed by the support structure such that as the payload proceeds in the aft direction, an aft portion of the payload approaches a bottom contact surface of the aft portion of the interior cargo bay.
24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising:
securing the support structure to a bottom contact surface of a forward portion of the interior cargo bay such that the support structure is stationary within the forward portion of the cargo bay,
wherein a first portion of the curved path is formed by the support structure and a second portion of the curved path is formed by a second support structure disposed in the aft portion of the cargo bay.
25. The method of claim 24 , wherein the payload comprises a plurality of payload-receiving fixtures, and moving the payload into the aft portion of the cargo bay along the curved path further comprises advancing at least one payload-receiving fixture of the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures along one or more rails of at least one of the support structure or the second support structure.
26. The method of claim 24 , wherein securing the support structure to the bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay further comprises securing the support structure to at least one base rail coupled to the bottom contact surface of the forward portion of the interior cargo bay.
27. The method of claim 23 ,
wherein the interior cargo bay further comprises a kinked bay portion disposed between the forward bay portion and the aft bay portion, the kinked bay portion defining a location at which the aft end of the cargo aircraft begins to raise relative to a longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft, and
wherein moving the payload into the aft portion of the cargo bay further comprises moving the payload such that a portion of the payload that extends beyond the kinked portion of the cargo bay and into the aft portion of the cargo bay remains a fixed radial height above the curved path.
28-32. (canceled)
33. The method of claim 23 , wherein the payload comprises one or more components of a wind turbine such that the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures are configured to receive the one or more components of the wind turbine.
34. (canceled)
35. 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, an aft bay portion located in an aft end of the cargo aircraft, and a kinked bay portion disposed between the forward bay portion and the aft bay portion, the kinked bay portion defining a location at which the aft end of the cargo aircraft beings to raise relative to a longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft such that an aft-most terminal end of the aft bay portion is disposed above the longitudinal-lateral plane of the cargo aircraft,
wherein the at least one rail extends from the forward bay portion, through the kinked bay portion, and into the aft bay portion, and
wherein a vertical distance above which the at least one rail extends from an interior bottom contact surface of the interior cargo bay varies along a length of the at least one rail.
36. The system of claim 35 , wherein the vertical distance above which the at least one rail extends from the interior bottom contact surface of the interior cargo decreases in the aft direction from the kinked bay portion to the aft bay portion.
37. The system of claim 35 , further comprising:
a first support structure coupled to the bottom contact surface of the cargo bay in the forward bay portion; and
a second support structure coupled to the bottom contact surface of the cargo bay in the aft bay portion,
wherein the first support structure includes a first portion of the at least one rail and the second support structure includes a second portion of the at least one rail.
38. (canceled)
39. (canceled)
40. The system of claim 35 , wherein the aft portion of the cargo bay extends at an angle relative to a forward portion of the cargo bay.
41. The system of claim 35 , wherein the at least one rail comprises a plurality of linear rail segments extending at an angle relative to one another to approximate a curve.
42. The system of claim 35 , wherein the at least one rail comprises at least two rails disposed approximately parallel to each other.
43. The system of claim 35 , further comprising a payload configured to move along a curved path formed by the at least one rail such that an aft end of the payload is held within the aft bay portion.
44. The system of claim 43 , wherein the payload is configured to move along the curved path formed by the at least one rail such that the aft end of the payload approaches the bottom contact surface in the aft bay portion.
45. The system of claim 43 , wherein the payload comprises 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.
46. The system of claim 43 , wherein the payload further comprises one or more components of a wind turbine such that the plurality of payload-receiving fixtures are configured to receive the one or more components of the wind turbine.
47-51. (canceled)
52. The system of claim 35 , wherein a terminal end of the at least one rail is disposed in the aft bay portion.
53. The system of claim 35 , further comprising:
a cargo nose door configured to open a portion of the forward end of the cargo aircraft such that a terminal end of the at least one rail disposed in the forward bay portion is accessible from an outside environment when the cargo nose door is open.
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US17/942,755 US20230202658A1 (en) | 2021-03-10 | 2022-09-12 | Systems and methods for loading and unloading a cargo aircraft utilizing a curved path |
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2021
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- 2021-03-10 CA CA3213162A patent/CA3213162A1/en active Pending
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2022
- 2022-09-12 US US17/942,755 patent/US20230202658A1/en active Pending
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CN117279832A (en) | 2023-12-22 |
WO2022191840A1 (en) | 2022-09-15 |
US11440660B1 (en) | 2022-09-13 |
US20230202658A1 (en) | 2023-06-29 |
EP4304937A1 (en) | 2024-01-17 |
CA3213162A1 (en) | 2022-09-15 |
IL305684A (en) | 2023-11-01 |
BR112023018126A2 (en) | 2023-12-12 |
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