US 12,103,673 B2
Payload saddle assemblies for use on aircraft
Levi Charles Hefner, Dallas, TX (US); Kevin Fisher, Fort Worth, TX (US); and Manuel Adrian Gonzalez, Plano, TX (US)
Assigned to Textron Innovations Inc., Providence, RI (US)
Filed by Textron Innovations Inc., Providence, RI (US)
Filed on Jan. 10, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/572,529.
Prior Publication US 2023/0219685 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. B64C 29/00 (2006.01); B64C 39/02 (2023.01); B64D 1/12 (2006.01); B64D 27/40 (2024.01); F16B 2/06 (2006.01); B64U 101/60 (2023.01)
CPC B64C 29/0016 (2013.01) [B64C 29/00 (2013.01); B64C 39/02 (2013.01); B64C 39/024 (2013.01); B64D 1/12 (2013.01); B64D 27/40 (2024.01); F16B 2/06 (2013.01); B64U 2101/60 (2023.01); B64U 2201/20 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tailsitter aircraft comprising:
an airframe including first and second wings with first and second pylons extending therebetween;
a thrust array attached to the airframe, the thrust array including a plurality of propulsion assemblies configured to transition the airframe between a forward flight orientation for wing-borne lift and a VTOL orientation for thrust-borne lift;
a plurality of payloads; and
a plurality of payload saddle assemblies coupled to the first and second pylons each configured to secure a respective payload, each payload saddle assembly comprising:
a latch assembly movable between a plurality of positions including an open position and a closed position, the latch assembly configured to secure the respective payload in the closed position and release the respective payload in the open position; and
a retainer configured to secure the respective payload against a respective pylon;
wherein, each latch assembly is configured to move from the closed position to the open position to release the respective payload in the VTOL orientation.