Stretched-Quadrant Aircraft Fuselage for LD-3 Cargo and Seating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current short-haul aircraft designs cannot efficiently accommodate LD-3 containers and support 3-across seating due to fuselage length and structural constraints, leading to unused space and increased transport costs, while modifications for longer fuselage lengths result in heavier, less-aerodynamic structures and costly certification.

Innovation Solution

The aircraft fuselage is configured with a stretched-quadrant design that includes protrusions around the fuselage wall, allowing for three-across seating and LD-3 container placement without substantial structural modifications, maintaining strength and aerodynamics, and enabling cost-effective operation from 19 to 58 seats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the fuselage is elongated to accommodate more passengers or freight, then the passenger capacity or cargo capacity increases, but the aircraft weight increases and aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger capacityVSAvoidaircraft weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fuselage is divided into a forward section and an aft section that can be manufactured separately and assembled together. This segmentation allows the aircraft to achieve extended length and increased passenger capacity while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and controlling overall weight through modular construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The forward fuselage section is positioned within or integrated with the aft fuselage section during assembly, creating a nested manufacturing approach. This allows the extended fuselage to be constructed from smaller, manageable components that can be optimized individually for weight and strength while achieving the overall length needed for increased capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If the fuselage is elongated to accommodate more passengers, then the passenger capacity increases, but the aerodynamic efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger capacityVSAvoidaerodynamic efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-sectional geometry of the fuselage is optimized through specific dimensional parameters (width of 96-104 inches, height of 92-104 inches) to maintain aerodynamic efficiency despite the extended length. The stretched-quadrant configuration with controlled protrusions minimizes drag while maximizing internal volume for passenger accommodation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the fuselage is modified to carry LD-3 containers, then the cargo capacity increases, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo capacityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fuselage cross-section is designed with universal dimensions (96-104 inches width, 92-104 inches height) that can accommodate both LD-3 cargo containers and three-across passenger seating configurations. The stretched-quadrant protrusions provide the necessary internal volume for cargo while maintaining a standardized structure that reduces complexity compared to custom designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuselage cross-sectional parameters are specifically optimized to fit LD-3 containers while maintaining structural efficiency. The width of 96-104 inches and height of 92-104 inches provide the precise clearance needed for container placement without requiring excessive structural reinforcement, thus balancing cargo capacity with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Quantity of substance

If the fuselage is stretched to accommodate three-across seating, then the passenger capacity increases, but the flight stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger capacityVSAvoidflight stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fuselage cross-sectional parameters (width of 96-104 inches, height of 92-104 inches) are specifically optimized to maintain the correct longitudinal position of the center of gravity. This parameter optimization ensures that even with the extended fuselage length needed for three-across seating, the aircraft maintains proper balance and flight stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The stretched-quadrant protrusions are positioned asymmetrically around the fuselage perimeter to balance the weight distribution along the longitudinal axis. This asymmetric configuration compensates for the extended length and ensures the center of gravity remains in the optimal position for stable flight, despite the increased passenger capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS11453473B2Aircraft fuselage

Publication Date: 2022.09.27 VAN BAVEL LUC

AI summary

An aircraft fuselage includes a stretched-quadrant fuselage segment having from to four stretched-quadrant fuselage projections spaced at intervals around the fuselage. The stretched-quadrant fuselage segment enables an aircraft to be configured for three-across seating rows and for carrying an LD-3 unit load device inside the fuselage with the seats removed.