US Patent:
20080138182, Jun 12, 2008
Inventors:
Richard J. Johnson - Freeland WA, US
Victor I. Byrnes - Mukilteo WA, US
Michael D. Spry - Seattle WA, US
Assignee:
THE BOEING COMPANY - Chicago IL
International Classification:
B60P 1/00
E04H 15/06
B65G 67/00
Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling the environment of an internal airplane space during loading and unloading of cargo, a cargo tent for use in such transfers and a method of transfer. A collapsible cargo tent is located on a cargo transfer platform at one end of a mobile cargo lift. The collapsible cargo tent may include a collapsible frame and a cargo loader thermal curtain with a vertical strip curtain in an opening at either end. Also, the cargo tent may include a conformable flexible shield at strip curtain opening. The conformable flexible shield engages the fuselage at the door of an aircraft to form an environmental seal and the cargo loader thermal curtain forms a thermal air lock at the door such that cargo may pass through the airlock with the door open and without exposing the cargo bay to external environment.
