Pallet Adapter for Air Cargo Restraint and Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard restraint nets and straps allow excessive movement of shipping containers during flight, which can lead to contact with the aircraft interior, violating regulations and potentially causing shifting issues.
Innovation Solution
A pallet adapter system that extends beyond the cargo pallet to provide additional clearance and incorporates rigid restraints to securely attach shipping containers to the pallet or pallet adapter, preventing movement towards the aircraft interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard restraint nets and straps are used to secure containers on pallets, then the restraint system is simple and flexible, but the container experiences excessive movement during flight which may contact the aircraft interior structure
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is segmented into multiple independent rigid restraints distributed around the container perimeter, each providing localized stabilization. This segmentation allows the system to prevent excessive container movement while maintaining manageable complexity through modular deployment
Solution Approach 2:
A pallet adapter serves as an intermediary component between the pallet and the container, providing additional attachment points and structural support. This intermediary enables more effective rigid restraint attachment and distributes forces more evenly, improving restraint stability without requiring direct modification of the container or pallet
2Length of stationary object
If the container is shifted towards the centerline to increase clearance from the aircraft structure, then the clearance requirement is met, but additional rigid restraints are necessary to prevent container movement back towards the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The container is shifted towards the centerline in advance during loading to establish the required clearance distance before flight. This preliminary positioning action prevents potential contact with the aircraft structure and allows the use of standard pallet configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint system transitions from static elastic nets to dynamic rigid restraints that can accommodate the shifted container position. The rigid restraints are configured to prevent movement in the critical direction toward the aircraft structure while allowing for loading and unloading operations
3Volume of moving object
If taller containers (ISO 1CC) are used to increase cargo capacity, then the cargo volume is improved, but the container may contact the aircraft interior structure when placed on standard pallets
Solution Approach 1:
The solution addresses the height dimension problem by utilizing horizontal positioning (shifting toward centerline) and adding vertical support through the pallet adapter structure. This dimensional approach allows taller ISO 1CC containers to be accommodated without modifying the aircraft airframe, as the adapter provides the necessary clearance management
Data Source
AI summary
A pallet adapter, system and method for restraining air cargo during flight are disclosed. A pallet adapter shifts a shipping container in an inboard direction of an aircraft so that the container does not contact an interior structure of the aircraft. Rigid restraints restrain the container from moving in the vertical direction during flight. Corner fittings restrain the container from moving in the fore-and-aft direction and the side-to-side direction during flight.