Abstract:
A vacuum powered system (20) for moving a movable component, such as for raising and lowering a stowage container (22a, 22b, 22c), includes a vacuum actuator (34) connected between a fixed structure and a movable component. The vacuum actuator (34) includes one or more intake ports that are configured to connect with a source of vacuum for moving the movable component in a first direction to a first position, and one or more bleed valve ports for venting the vacuum actuator to move the movable component in a second direction to a second position. The vacuum actuator (34) may be an air bellows, a single acting linear vacuum actuator, or a dual acting linear vacuum actuator. A guiding system is further provided that includes elongated tracks in a stationary stowage container housing that houses the movable component, and corresponding guide elements on the movable component that slidably engage with the elongated tracks for moving the movable component.
Abstract:
A retractable flight attendant chair (161) includes an anchor box (180), a sled (200) coupled to the anchor box (180) for horizontal translation of the retractable chair (161) into and out of the stowage compartment (160), and a chair (161) mounted on the sled (200). The chair (161) includes an expanding/folding backrest (190) and seat portion (195) that allows the chair (180) to be stowed in a small envelope compartment (160) when not in use.
Abstract:
A combination lavatory and galley arrangement (120) for aircraft includes a lavatory portion (128) having adjacent inboard and outboard lavatories, and a galley portion (124), and can be located aft of aft aircraft aft doors (26, 28), and can at least partially rearwardly extend into the aircraft's aft pressure dome (38). The inboard and outboard lavatories can be separated by a movable wall or partition (176) to provide access for persons with restricted mobility, and can be provided in a modular housing to facilitate retrofit assembly within an aircraft. The movable wall (176) can be an articulating movable lavatory partition movable between a first, linearly extended configuration and a second, folded configuration in a stowed position to provide entry for persons with restricted mobility.
Abstract:
An aircraft overhead stowage system for a cross-aisle galley complex. The aircraft overhead stowage system includes a stowage compartment housing disposed above a ceiling of the galley complex that is supported above the ceiling by a stowage support structure. A first stowage compartment and a second stowage compartment are each movably engaged with and disposed inside the stowage compartment housing, and each stowage compartment is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position relative to the stowage compartment housing using a vacuum system. A vacuum generator that creates a vacuum force is mounted on the stowage compartment housing, and a plurality of vacuum bellows connected to each stowage compartment are in fluid communication with the vacuum generator. The vacuum system causes the stowage compartments to move between the stowed position and the deployed position. Vacuum-driven and manually-driven latching assemblies and removable extensions for each stowage compartment are also provided.