Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Mcdonnall Douglas

James Richard Ellis

Joseph B Diller

Robert Henry Wille

Cynthia Ann Gruensfelder

An aircraft (50) with a variable cargo bay (52) includes a frame (60) having an inner surface and an outer skin (64) covering the frame (60). The frame (60) has a pair of faceted fairings (54, 56) coupled to the frame (60) and a door assembly (58) between the pair of faceted fairings (54, 56). The door assembly (58) has an inner surface connected to a linkage mechanism (66). The linkage mechanism (66) couples the inner surface of the frame (60) and the inner surface of the door assembly (58). A conformable surface (70) is connected between the skin (64) of the frame (60) and the door assembly (58).

Expandable aircraft cargo bay and method

An expandable section (12) is provided for an aircraft (10) which includes a movable rigid aircraft section (18) which is attached to the fixed aircraft structure (16) by an elastomeric transition section (14) which permits the movable aircraft section (18) to move between a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration to increase the volume of a cavity within the aircraft. The elastomeric transition section includes elastomeric material (20) having a plurality of holes (22) therethrough. Flexible rods (28, 32) are secured either to the aircraft structure (38) or the movable aircraft section (18) and extend through the holes to permit the elastomeric transition section to expand, contract and bend as necessary to accommodate the movement of the movable aircraft section (18). In one application, the movable aircraft section (18) can form the doors (40, 42) of a weapons bay. A number of hinge mechanisms are disclosed for opening and closing the weapons bay doors independent of movement of the doors between the retracted and expanded positions.

Growing community of inventors

Carrollton, TX, United States of America

James Richard Ellis