Flying Wing Lateral Cargo Hold Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial flying wings designed for short-haul and medium-haul routes face performance issues due to a large transverse section when attempting to accommodate fewer than 200 passengers, as existing designs often result in suboptimal use of internal volume and aerodynamic inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A flying wing design with a passenger cabin and lateral holds positioned above the fuel tanks, featuring access doors in the leading edge for efficient boarding and unloading, allowing for a slender profile and optimized performance, along with a unified airport access structure for concurrent passenger and cargo handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the hold is positioned beneath the passenger cabin, then the internal volume can be utilized, but the transverse section becomes large which impinges aerodynamic performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the hold from the vertical dimension (beneath the passenger cabin) to the lateral dimension (along the wings). This dimensional shift allows the hold to be accessed through the leading edge rather than the bottom, creating a slender transverse profile while maintaining adequate internal volume for cargo storage.
2Shape
If the hold is positioned laterally with access door in the leading edge, then the transverse section is reduced for better aerodynamics, but the access configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The leading edge structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the access door for the hold, accommodates the passenger door, and maintains the aerodynamic profile. This multi-functionality reduces overall structural complexity despite the unconventional access configuration.
3Volume of moving object
If the hold floor extends to cabin floor height, then the internal volume is maximized, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hold floor is merged with the cabin floor structure, extending to the same height to maximize the usable internal volume. This integration creates a unified structural platform that reduces the need for separate structural elements, thereby managing complexity while expanding volume.
4Reliability
If the hold is interposed between the passenger cabin and fuel tank, then fire protection is improved, but the structural arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hold structure serves as an intermediary buffer zone between the passenger cabin and the fuel tank. This intermediate structure provides fire protection by creating a physical separation and potential fire containment barrier, while the lateral positioning integrates this protective function into the existing wing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Optimization of the use of the available volume in a flying wing for commercial passenger transport, in particular for short- or medium-haul routes. A flying wing is provided including a passenger cabin together with at least one hold for the transport of luggage and/or goods, in which the hold is positioned laterally relative to said passenger cabin.