Hybrid Pressure Deck Structure for Cargo Load and Wing Flex

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pressure decks in freighter aircrafts face a trade-off between structural rigidity for cargo support and maintaining structural flexibility, which compromises the ability to flex with the wings and react loads with lighter materials.

Innovation Solution

A pressure deck design incorporating a web structure with a combination of flat and curved portions, supported by transverse stiffeners, which provides both lateral stiffness and flexibility, allowing the deck to flex with wing deflections while supporting cargo loads without additional weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If additional structural support is provided for freighter floor, then cargo support capability is improved, but structural flexibility of the pressure deck deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo support capabilityVSAvoidstructural flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure deck is divided into multiple deck segments (first deck segment, second deck segment, third deck segment) that can independently deflect and flex. This segmentation allows each segment to provide structural support for cargo while maintaining overall flexibility of the pressure deck to accommodate wing deflections during flight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure deck is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to flex and deflect in response to wing movements. The deck segments are connected in a manner that permits relative movement, enabling the structure to adapt to changing load conditions and maintain flexibility despite the added structural support for cargo operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If additional structural support is provided for freighter floor, then cargo support capability is improved, but aircraft weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo support capabilityVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure deck serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support for cargo, maintains cabin pressurization, and provides a load path for wing-induced flexing. By making the pressure deck multi-functional, the design eliminates the need for separate structural elements, thereby supporting cargo capability without proportionally increasing aircraft weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The design changes the structural parameters of the pressure deck by introducing deck segments with specific connectivity and support arrangements. These parameter changes enable the structure to carry cargo loads while maintaining optimal weight through efficient load distribution and material utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If pressure deck is made more rigid for cargo support, then deformation mismatch is reduced, but ability to flex with wings deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation consistencyVSAvoidwing flexing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure deck is divided into multiple deck segments (first deck segment, second deck segment, third deck segment) that can independently deflect and flex. This segmentation allows each segment to provide structural support for cargo while maintaining overall flexibility of the pressure deck to accommodate wing deflections during flight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure deck is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to flex and deflect in response to wing movements. The deck segments are connected in a manner that permits relative movement, enabling the structure to adapt to changing load conditions and maintain flexibility despite the added structural support for cargo operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4053013B1Hybrid pressure deck for aircraft

Publication Date: 2026.03.04 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

Embodiments for hybrid pressure deck (200) of an aircraft. One embodiment is a pressure deck disposed over a main gear wheel well of an aircraft. The pressure deck includes longitudinal beams (204) extending in a forward and aft direction between an aft wheel well bulkhead (128) and a rear spar (126) of the aircraft. The pressure deck (200) also includes a web (220) attached to an underside of the longitudinal beams. The web includes a flat web portion (221) supported by transverse stiffeners extending in an inboard and outboard direction, and a curved web portion (222) including arches configured to flex laterally from load in the inboard and outboard direction. A transition between the flat web portion and the curved web portion extends at least partially in the forward and aft direction of the aircraft.