Space Frame Fuselage Pressure Membrane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Space frame aircraft fuselages, designed to carry ISO containers, face inefficiencies in pressurization, as rectangular profiles are weight-inefficient compared to circular pressure vessels, and existing solutions like pressurizing entire aircraft or using heavy, individually pressurized containers increase operational costs and weight.

Innovation Solution

A space frame fuselage with a pressure membrane that encloses rectangular bays, connecting at nodes and forming an enclosed chamber, allowing selective pressurization of cargo holds, using materials like monocoque or corrugated panels, and incorporating tension wires to minimize bending moments and weight impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rectangular space frame fuselage is pressurized using traditional methods, then the cargo hold can be pressurized, but the weight increases significantly and cargo rates increase by approximately six percent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressurization capabilityVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fuselage is divided into multiple rectangular bays that can be independently pressurized using separate pressure membranes. This segmentation allows only the necessary cargo holds to be pressurized rather than the entire aircraft, reducing overall weight while maintaining pressurization capability where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Thin pressure membranes are used to enclose the rectangular bays instead of traditional rigid pressurized structures. These flexible membranes apply tension to the space frame nodes, efficiently containing pressure with minimal weight addition compared to conventional pressurization systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If individually pressurized containers are used, then cargo can be pressurized, but the containers become heavy and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo pressurizationVSAvoidcontainer weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individually pressurizable cargo spaces are merged into a unified space frame structure with shared nodes and common pressure membrane technology. This allows selective pressurization of different bays without requiring each container to have its own heavy pressurization system, reducing overall weight while maintaining the ability to pressurize individual cargo areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the entire aircraft is pressurized, then all cargo can be pressurized, but operational costs and weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressurization coverageVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressurization system is made dynamic and selective, allowing operators to pressurize only the specific rectangular bays needed for particular cargo loads. The space frame structure with its nodes and pressure membranes can be selectively activated, enabling versatile pressurization coverage while maintaining operational efficiency by avoiding unnecessary pressurization of empty or non-pressurizable cargo spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3272642B1Space frame fuselage with pressure membrane

Publication Date: 2023.09.06 THE BOEING CO

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AI summary

Disclosed are structures and features of a space frame aircraft. In particular, this disclosure relates to a space frame aircraft with a pressure membrane.