Quote:
Try bending a U-beam
That's essentially what this design is, with added aerodynamic covers.
Bottom would merely be an aerodynamic cover.
|
A U-channel fails by flexure of the free edges. A truss would help. In this case the inverted U-shaped fuselage might be engineered to take tension cables. With an inflated mattress in compression to inhibit flutter.
Are the containers secured by their top or bottom corners?
Quote:
It's mentioned in the patent
|
Oh sure, make me read the patent.
Edit: We basically cross-posted. If the containers are locked into a rigid array, that I can see.
The 40x144ft 'tarp', not so much. Maybe an inflated skin that is sucked against the bottoms of the containers?
Does FedEx have runways that will accommodate these?