Aircraft structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12473072-B2
Application number	US-202117558050-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2021
Priority date	Dec 23, 2020
Publication date	Nov 18, 2025
Grant date	Nov 18, 2025

Abstract

An aircraft structure which extends along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis, wherein the aircraft structure includes an upper shell and a lower shell that together surround an interior compartment designed for accommodating an aircraft cabin, and a pillar arrangement with at least one support pillar which extends through the interior compartment and connects the upper shell to the lower shell and supports same in relation to each other. An aircraft structure can be provided which is particularly efficient, in particular has a low weight and requires little space and outlay on assembly is achieved in that the interior of the support pillar has at least one flow duct for the conduction of air-conditioned air.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1 . An aircraft structure which extends along a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis and a vertical axis, the aircraft structure comprising:
an upper shell and a lower shell that together surround an interior compartment for accommodating an aircraft cabin; a pillar arrangement having at least one support pillar which extends through the interior compartment and connects the upper shell to the lower shell, wherein the at least one support pillar extends parallel to the vertical axis in a longitudinal central plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the vertical axis and supports the upper shell in relation to the lower shell in a central and symmetrical position; wherein one or more of the at least one support pillar comprises:
a support structure that connects the upper shell to the lower shell for transmitting loads between the upper shell in relation to the lower shell along the longitudinal central plane; and
a pipe structure arranged within an interior of the support pillar which has at least one flow duct for the conduction of air-conditioned air that extends within the interior of the support pillar.

2 . The aircraft structure according to claim 1 , wherein the interior of the support pillar has at least four flow ducts.

3 . The aircraft structure according to claim 2 , wherein the support pillar has a round cross section, and wherein the at least four flow ducts are arranged next to one another in two rows each having two flow ducts.

4 . The aircraft structure according to claim 2 , wherein the support pillar has an elongate cross section, and wherein the at least four flow ducts are in a row next to one another.

5 . The aircraft structure according to claim 1 , wherein the pipe structure is formed integrally with the support structure.

6 . The aircraft structure according to claim 1 , wherein the pipe structure is formed separately from the support structure.

7 . The aircraft structure according to claim 6 , wherein the support structure has at least two separate chambers, and wherein at least one pipe, or at least two pipes, of the pipe structure is or are arranged in each chamber of the at least two separate chambers.

8 . The aircraft structure according to claim 1 , wherein the support pillar is connected to the upper shell via diagonal support struts, and wherein four support struts are provided and are arranged such that in each case two support struts are arranged opposite each other.

9 . The aircraft structure according to claim 1 , wherein the support pillar is formed from fiber composite material.

10 . The aircraft structure according to claim 1 , wherein the interior of the support pillar has at least two flow ducts.

11 . An aircraft comprising an aircraft structure according to claim 1 .

12 . The aircraft according to claim 11 , further comprising:
an aircraft cabin in the interior compartment of the aircraft structure; an air-conditioning system having an air outlet for providing air-conditioned air; and at least one air-distributing duct on or in a ceiling of the aircraft cabin for distributing air-conditioned air in the aircraft cabin; wherein the air outlet of the air-conditioning system is connected to an inlet of the flow duct; and wherein the air-distributing duct is connected to an outlet of the flow duct.

13 . The aircraft according to claim 12 , wherein the air-conditioning system is configured for providing different air-conditioned air of different air-conditioning zones,
wherein the air-conditioning system has a first air outlet for providing first air-conditioned air for a first air-conditioning zone and a second air outlet for providing second air-conditioned air for a second air-conditioning zone, wherein the first air outlet is connected to an inlet of a first flow duct for the first air-conditioning zone, wherein the second air outlet is connected to an inlet of a second flow duct for the second air-conditioning zone, wherein a first air-distributing duct for the first air-conditioning zone is connected to an outlet of the first flow duct, and wherein a second air-distributing duct for the second air-conditioning zone is connected to an outlet of the second flow duct.

Assignees

• Airbus Operations Gmbh
• Airbus Operations Sas

Inventors

• Rosebrock Sven
• Mons Bernward
• Everth Henning
• Schwickert Jörg
• Lieven Patrick

Classifications

• B64C1/06

  Frames; Stringers; Longerons {; Fuselage sections} · CPC title

• B64D2013/0655

  with zone or personal climate controls · CPC title

• B64D13/06 Primary

  the air being conditioned (pressurising B64D13/02) · CPC title

• B64C2001/0072

  from composite materials · CPC title

• B64C1/069 Primary

  Joining arrangements therefor · CPC title