CPC B64D 9/003 (2013.01) [B64C 1/0683 (2020.01); B64C 1/1415 (2013.01); B64C 1/20 (2013.01); B64C 1/22 (2013.01); B64C 3/32 (2013.01); B64C 3/34 (2013.01); B64C 17/08 (2013.01); B64D 9/00 (2013.01); B64D 37/04 (2013.01); B64F 1/32 (2013.01); F03D 13/40 (2016.05); B64D 2009/006 (2013.01); F05B 2260/02 (2013.01)] | 19 Claims |
1. A cargo aircraft, comprising:
a fuselage defining a forward end, an aft end, and a continuous interior cargo bay that spans a majority of a length of the fuselage from the forward end to the aft end, the fuselage including:
a forward portion extending from the forward end and containing a forward region of the continuous interior cargo bay, the forward portion defining a forward centerline;
an aft portion extending to the aft end and containing an aft region of the continuous interior cargo bay, the aft portion defining an aft centerline; and
a kinked portion forming a junction between the forward portion and the aft portion of the fuselage and between the forward and aft regions of the continuous interior cargo bay, the kinked portion containing a transition region of the continuous interior cargo bay and defining a bend angle between the forward centerline and the aft centerline such that the aft centerline extends above a longitudinal-lateral plane of the forward centerline, and the kinked portion comprising a plurality of structural frame elements oriented in parallel with structural frame elements of the forward portion adjacent to the kinked portion;
a first fixed wing extending from the fuselage in a first direction away from the fuselage; and
a second fixed wing extending from the fuselage in a second direction away from the fuselage, the second direction being symmetric with the first direction about a longitudinal-vertical center plane of the cargo aircraft,
wherein a lower exterior surface of the kinked portion slopes vertically upward from a forward end of the kinked portion to an aft end of the kinked portion.
|