Mcdonnell Douglas Corporation

The Boeing Company

Mcdonnall Douglas

Robert Henry Wille

Cynthia Ann Gruensfelder

Jack Howard Jacobs

Paul Francis Geders

John David Groeneveld

Michael Watson Geiger

Lawrence Otto Brase, Jr

Dean Emory Cameron

John Harold Caton

Michael James Hobey

Dennis Allan Roberts

John M Haake

Joseph B Diller

Harvey John Tomko

James Richard Ellis

Thomas Edward Burbridge

Theodor Harry Beier

Micael Watson Geiger

William Arthur Sommer

A reinforced elastomer panel ( ) has a first rigid member ( ) with an edge ( ) attached to a first end of an elastomer panel ( ). The first rigid member ( ) has a removable plate ( ) that provides access to a cavity ( ). Attached to the first rigid member ( ) is a reinforcing member ( ) that extends through the elastomer panel ( ). A second ridge member ( ) has an edge attached to a second end of the elastomer panel ( ).

Reinforced elastomer panel

A control surface ( ) for an aircraft has a reinforced elastomer surface ( ) on a surface of the aircraft and has a perimeter ( ) attached to the aircraft. An actuation mechanism ( ) moves the reinforced elastomer surface ( ) from a first position, substantially conforming to a moldline of the aircraft, to a second position, protruding from the moldline of the aircraft.

Control surface for an aircraft

A hinge (,) an an aircraft (,) has a first plurality of rigid tangs (,) attached to the aircraft (,). A second plurality of rigid tangs (,) are attached to a door (,) and a flexible cover (,) has a cover tang (,). A hinge pin (,) runs inside the first plurality of rigid tangs (,), the second plurality of rigid tangs (,) and the cover tang (,).

Aircraft hinge

A mission adaptive inlet (,) for an aircraft (,) has a rigid lip panel (,) pivotally attached to an inlet (,) of the aircraft (,). An actuation mechanism is coupled to the rigid lip panel (,) and causes the rigid lip panel (,) to pivot from a first position to a second position. A reinforced elastomer system (,) is connected the rigid lip panel and the inlet (,).

Mission adaptive inlet

A control surface (,) for an aircraft has a reinforced elastomer surface (,) on a surface of the aircraft and has a perimeter (,) attached to the aircraft. An actuation mechanism (,) moves the reinforced elastomer surface (,) from a first position, substantially conforming to a moldline of the aircraft, to a second position, protruding from the moldline of the aircraft.

An interface seal (52) for an aircraft (50) has a first rigid structural beam (60) attached to a first portion of the aircraft (50). A second rigid structural beam (64) is attached to a second portion of the aircraft (50). An elastomer skin (62) is connected to the first rigid structural beam (60) and attached to the second rigid structural beam (64).

Interface seal for an aircraft

A mission adaptive inlet (42) for an aircraft (40) has a rigid lip panel (56) pivotally attached to an inlet (42) of the aircraft (40). An actuation mechanism is coupled to the rigid lip panel (56) and causes the rigid lip panel (56) to pivot from a first position to a second position. A reinforced elastomer system (48) is connected the rigid lip panel and the inlet (42).

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

A reinforced elastomer panel (100) has a first rigid member (104) with an edge (116) attached to a first end of an elastomer panel (114). The first rigid member (104) has a removable plate (106) that provides access to a cavity (108). Attached to the first rigid member (104) is a reinforcing member (102) that extends through the elastomer panel (114). A second rigid member (118) has an edge attached to a second end of the elastomer panel (114).

A conformable weapons platform (52) has a cavity (60) in a skin of an aircraft. A weapon launching system (62) is contained in the cavity (60). A pair of elastomer doors (56, 58) are attached to a perimeter of the cavity.

Conformable weapons platform

An apparatus (30) for eliminating gaps (20) in a door of an airplane has an elastaueric bladder (32) bonding along an edge (24) of a door gap (20). The elastomeric bladder (32) includes a port providing for access to an interior cavity (34). A pneumatic actuator is coupled to the port.

Apparatus for eliminating gaps in an aircraft

An aircraft (50) with a variable cargo bay (52) includes a frame (60). A pair of fairing assemblies (54, 56) is coupled to the frame (60). Each of the pair of fairing assemblies (54, 56) has a ramp (100) connected to the frame (60) by a front sliding pivoting mechanism (106). A door assembly (58) is between the pair of fairing assemblies (54, 56) and is coupled to the frame (60).

Expandable aircraft bay and method

A tail (14) for an aircraft (10) has a center member (20) pivotally attached to the aircraft (10). A leading edge flap (22) extends along a length of the center member (20). An elastomeric skin (30) is connected between an exterior surface (26) of the center member (20) and an adjacent exterior surface (28) of the leading edge flap (22).

Tail for an aircraft

A hinge line system (52) for an aircraft has a structural block (22) attached to a first edge of a hinge line. The structural block (22) has a flange (28) attached to a first end of an elastic sheet (32). A second structural block (24) is attached to a second edge of the hinge line. The second structural block (24) has a second flange (30) attached to a second end of the elastic sheet (32).

Growing community of inventors

St. Charles, MO, United States of America

Robert Henry Wille