The Boeing Company

Mark Edward Eakins

Paul E Mikulencak

Stephen T Brown

Christopher Andrew Konings

Victor Ken Stuhr

Adam P Malachowski

Chester P Nelson

Christopher A Vegter

R Blake Emery

Bruce R Detert

Michael L Drake

Richard K Wong

Steven B Rogers

Paul M Wojciechowski

Alexey Meerov

Martin Clive Adams

Jay R Huffington

Michael G Friend

A seating arrangement for use in a cabin of a vehicle includes a first column set, a second column set, and an aisle between the first and second column sets. The first column set includes a first column of seats, a second column of seats, and a third column of seats. The first column set additionally includes an egress path of a first seat of the first column defined between a first seat and a second seat of the second column and between a first seat and a second seat of the third column. The egress path allows for direct unimpeded access from the first seat of the first column to the aisle, and the egress path is perpendicular to the aisle.

Seating arrangement

A method of making a light guide for an aircraft passenger cabin is provided. The method includes determining, for each of a plurality of points on an interior surface of the cabin, a corresponding fixture angle from a light fixture receptacle, a distance, and an angle of incidence at the point. The method also includes calculating an incident light intensity for each of the plurality of points, assuming a light source that emits light of uniform intensity at each fixture angle. Additionally, the method includes calculating a relative ray strength from each fixture angle needed to produce a desired incident light intensity at each corresponding point, and disposing a plurality of light extraction features on a unit length of the light guide such that at least one of a number and a size of the light extraction features are determined based on the relative ray strength for that fixture angle.

Methods and assembly for illuminating a surface of an aircraft passenger cabin

A method of determining a seating arrangement for an aircraft cabin includes entering configuration parameters into a processor including a cabin width, a quantity of aisles, a minimum aisle width, and a quantity of columns of seats, wherein each seat is movable between a seated configuration and a bed configuration. The method additionally includes entering seat parameters describing the taper in seat width from a main portion to a footrest, and entering configuration rules wherein in at least one column of an inboard column set and/or an outboard column set, the seats are reversed in direction and/or are staggered. The method further includes determining, using the processor, a seating arrangement including a column quantity in each column set, and a seat direction and/or a stagger for each column in the seating arrangement that results in a maximum seat width at a main portion of the seats.

Method of determining a seating arrangement

A method and device for generating natural motion lighting patterns on the ceiling of an aircraft cabin are disclosed. The device includes at least two lighting elements, each outputting light. The device also includes a fixed common light modulation element positioned above the at least two lighting elements. Finally, the device includes a controller having outputs coupled to the at least two lighting elements and configured to separately vary an intensity of the light produced by each of the at least two lighting elements such that a light pattern produced by the light from each of the at least two lighting elements passing through the fixed common light modulation element simulates natural motion. The at least two lighting elements are preferably light emitting diodes. The fixed common light modulation element is one of a lens, mask or filter. The device may include additional light modulation elements, either common or for each lighting element.

Lighting device to simulate natural motion

A seating arrangement for an aircraft may include a plurality of seats that may be convertible into a flat bed configuration. Each seat may have a seat centerline that may be oriented at a seat angle relative to a longitudinal axis of an aircraft cabin. Each seat may include a footrest that may be offset from the seat centerline of the seat.

Seating arrangement and method

A method and apparatus for providing a closing force. The apparatus comprises a stowage bin, a number of sensors that measure a number of forces on the stowage bin, an assist mechanism that provides a closing force, a controller that compares data from the number of sensors, and an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the closing force based on the data from the number of sensors. The assist mechanism has a mechanical advantage that changes to provide the closing force.

Stowage bin with closing force assistance

A computer aided design (CAD) system ascertains the clear view area of a transparency in light of head orientation and refractive properties of the transparency. Obstructions that limit the clear view are also taken into account. The CAD system is particularly useful in assessing the field of view provided to a pilot by aircraft windshields and the like.

Method and apparatus for obtaining a polar projection for a flight deck window or the like

A computer aided design system accurately determines the location, shape, and dimensions of a transparency that provides a field of view meeting a clear view area specified by a two dimensional polar vision plot. The computer aided design system projects points on the two dimensional polar vision plot onto a three dimensional surface of the transparency taking into account the observer's head position and the refraction of light caused by the transparency.

Method and apparatus for transferring an angle-angle vision graph to a three dimensional surface

A high-speed transport aircraft. In one embodiment, the aircraft includes a fuselage, delta wings, and integrated engine nacelles. The fuselage is configured to carry a payload and has a forward portion and an aft portion. The aft portion defines a generally constant-width planform and includes first, second, third, and fourth passenger seat sections, with each of the seat sections having at least two passenger seats positioned abreast at least generally normal to a longitudinal axis of the fuselage. In one aspect of this embodiment, the wings extend from the fuselage adjacent to the aft portion, and the fuselage further includes first and second rows of windows above the wings. The first row of windows are positioned in the fuselage directly adjacent the first seat section and the second row of windows are positioned in the fuselage directly adjacent the fourth seat section.

High-speed aircraft and methods for their manufacture

Jet airplane

Jet airplane configuration

A common flight deck module for use with a plurality of aircraft platforms. The common flight deck module includes a discrete structure that is independent of the structure of the aircraft fuselage and may includes an avionics system and other hardware, controls and equipment. The common flight deck module is configured to &ldquo;plug into&rdquo; the fuselage from each of the aircraft platforms. The &ldquo;plug in&rdquo; modularity of the common flight deck module permits the standardization of various components and procedures to thereby make possible efficiency-based cost reductions for both aircraft manufacturers and aircraft consumers.

Growing community of inventors

Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Mark Edward Eakins