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US3924826A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Rotatable window means

Assignee: United States Department of the Air Force
•
Filing: 1974-12-20
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-12-20
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Abstract

Abstract A window adapted for use with an aircraft to provide window capability (i.e., visibility) for scanning and for looking out over wide angular regions while the aircraft is in a flight mode. The inventive window includes: a rotatable band positioned to form the external surface of the fuselage immediately aft of the aerodynamically configurated nose section, and with the band completely rotatable about the roll axis of the aircraft; and, a window envelope which includes a transparent windowpane that is flush-mounted in an opening in the rotatable band, that is hingedly connected at its fore end edge to the opening, and that can be moved outwardly into the airstream at its aft end edge. The flush configuration position (i.e., the closed or retracted mode) of the windowpane provides angular coverage of from 30* to 150* off of the nose of the aircraft, and the outward position (i.e., the extended mode) of the windowpane into the airstream provides coverage in the 0* to 30* region off of the nose of the aircraft. Unlike the prior art structures, this inventive window obviates the need for pods, turret structures, and the like which extend beyond the mold line of the aircraft. Thereby, the window eliminates or minimizes drag; and, it also completely eliminates shadowing by the aircraft, an inherent problem for which a solution has been long sought.

Inventors

  • 👤 Milton J Reinert

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 23:12
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C1/00; B64C1/14; B64C1/1476

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 241 words
A window means, adapted for use with an aircraft having a roll axis, a fore end, an aft end, and a fuselage with an aerodynamically configurated nose section having an external surface and an interior, wherein said fuselage has an external surface with an incomplete portion therein immediately aft of the nose section, with said incomplete external surface portion of the fuselage being of a preselected band-like shape having a uniform width completely around the fuselage, comprising: a. rotatable, comPlete band of suitable material encircling the fuselage immediately aft of the nose section, fitted within and conforming with the shape of the incomplete external surface portion of the fuselage, and mounted flush with, and aerodynamically configurated to conform to, the external surface of the nose section, with said rotatable band having an opening therein; b. and, a window envelope that is operatively associated with said rotatable band and which includes a windowpane of transparent material fitted into, disposed in a flush manner within, and occupying the entire said opening in said rotatable band, with said windowpane shaped to conform to the aerodynamic configuration of said rotatable band and having a fore end edge and an aft end edge, and with said windowpane suitably connected at said fore end edge thereof to said rotatable band opening, thereby permitting the selective opening of said windowpane outwardly from said opening of said rotatable band from and at said fore end edge of said windowpane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 241 words
A window means, adapted for use with an aircraft having a roll axis, a fore end, an aft end, and a fuselage with an aerodynamically configurated nose section having an external surface and an interior, wherein said fuselage has an external surface with an incomplete portion therein immediately aft of the nose section, with said incomplete external surface portion of the fuselage being of a preselected band-like shape having a uniform width completely around the fuselage, comprising: a. rotatable, comPlete band of suitable material encircling the fuselage immediately aft of the nose section, fitted within and conforming with the shape of the incomplete external surface portion of the fuselage, and mounted flush with, and aerodynamically configurated to conform to, the external surface of the nose section, with said rotatable band having an opening therein; b. and, a window envelope that is operatively associated with said rotatable band and which includes a windowpane of transparent material fitted into, disposed in a flush manner within, and occupying the entire said opening in said rotatable band, with said windowpane shaped to conform to the aerodynamic configuration of said rotatable band and having a fore end edge and an aft end edge, and with said windowpane suitably connected at said fore end edge thereof to said rotatable band opening, thereby permitting the selective opening of said windowpane outwardly from said opening of said rotatable band from and at said fore end edge of said windowpane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
A window envelope, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said windowpane is connected hingedly at said fore end edge thereof to said opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 56 words
A window means, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said preselected band-like shape of the incomplete external portion of the fuselage is conical, and the shape of said rotatable band is in the form essentially of a hollow frustum of a cone which is complementary to the conically shaped incomplete external portion of the fuselage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 52 words
A window means, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said preselected band-like shape of the incomplete external portion of the fuselage is cylindrical, and the shape of said rotatable band is in the form essentially of a hollow cylinder which is complementary to the cylindrically shaped incomplete portion of the fuselage.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2708136A Cited
US3050790A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1978-12-08 1979-06-09 1979-12-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1982-12-08 1983-06-09 1983-12-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1986-12-08 1987-06-09 1987-12-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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