US 12,168,521 B2
Systems and methods for a blended wing body aircraft with permanent tanks
Blaine Knight Rawdon, San Pedro, CA (US); Ronald Tatsuji Kawai, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US); Thomas James O'Leary, Orange, CA (US); and Terrence Kevin O'Leary, Jr., Dripping Springs, TX (US)
Assigned to JetZero, Inc., Long Beach, CA (US)
Filed by JetZero, Inc., Long Beach, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/731,655.
Prior Publication US 2023/0348089 A1, Nov. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B64D 37/04 (2006.01); B64C 39/10 (2006.01); B64D 37/08 (2006.01); B64D 37/30 (2006.01)
CPC B64D 37/04 (2013.01) [B64C 39/10 (2013.01); B64D 37/08 (2013.01); B64D 37/30 (2013.01); B64C 2039/105 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for a blended wing body aircraft with built-in, non-removable tanks, the aircraft comprising:
a blended wing body having a main body, wings, and transitions attaching the wings to the main body, wherein the blended wing body comprises an airframe and a skin structure, wherein the skin structure comprises an upper skin and a lower skin; and
at least a tank extending laterally across a full width of the main body and located entirely aft of the transitions, permanently attached to the blended wing body, and configured to store liquified gas fuel, wherein the at least a tank further comprises:
at least a cylindrical wall arranged with at least an axis of the at least a cylindrical wall running vertically;
a first end cap attached to and capping the at least a cylindrical wall at a top of the at least a tank, wherein the first end cap is inset from an upper mold line of the blended wing body;
a second end cap attached to and capping the at least a cylindrical wall at a bottom of the at least a tank, wherein the second end cap is inset from a lower mold line of the blended wing body; and
at least a septum connecting lines of intersection between a first cylindrical wall and a second cylindrical wall, wherein the at least a septum comprises at least a wall configured to carry structural loads to the skin structure of the blended wing body by at least being connected to the upper skin and the lower skin, wherein ends of the at least a wall extend from the upper skin to the lower skin.