The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 09, 2005
James A. Carns, Seattle, WA (US);
Theron L. Cutler, Seattle, WA (US);
Mark A. Shelly, Seattle, WA (US);
Benjamin P. Van Kampen, Seattle, WA (US);
James A. Carns, Seattle, WA (US);
Theron L. Cutler, Seattle, WA (US);
Mark A. Shelly, Seattle, WA (US);
Benjamin P. Van Kampen, Seattle, WA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods for distributing loads from fluid conduits, including aircraft fuel conduits, are disclosed. An aircraft configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a fuselage portion, a wing portion, and a fuel tank carried by least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The aircraft also includes a spar carried by at least one of the fuselage portion and the wing portion. The spar includes a first spar rib and a second spar rib spaced apart from the first spar rib. The aircraft further includes a fluid conduit proximate to the spar and operably coupled to the fuel tank. A support member carrying the fluid conduit is operably coupled to the spar. The support member can be positioned to transfer at least approximately all of the axial loads from the fluid conduit to at least one of the first spar rib and the second spar rib.