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:
Jan. 31, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 20, 2006
Sean R. Wakayama, Stanton, CA (US);
Richard C. Odle, Long Beach, CA (US);
Sean R. Wakayama, Stanton, CA (US);
Richard C. Odle, Long Beach, CA (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
An exemplary embodiment provides an air transport that has a scalloped aerodynamic underside that includes at least one depression. The depression is configured to receive at least an upper portion of a cargo pod to preclude an air passage way between an upper surface of a pod and the scalloped underside of the transport. Certain embodiments provide conformal pods that nest into the depressions so that pod under surfaces blend smoothly with the scalloped underside of the transport to provide a smooth aerodynamic underside. The scalloped underside may be retrofitted to existing aircraft or supplied as original equipment on new transports, and may be of composite, plastic or other light weight materials.