Patent ID: 11926431
Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 16:
17. An aircraft, comprising:
a fuselage;
an auxiliary fuel tank;
two or more first coupler assemblies that removably secures a first side of the auxiliary fuel tank to the fuselage in a manner that allows for a single degree of movement between the auxiliary fuel tank and the fuselage; and
two or more second coupler assemblies that removably secures a second side of the auxiliary fuel tank to the fuselage in a manner that allows for two degrees of movement between the auxiliary fuel tank and the fuselage,
wherein each of the first coupler assemblies and the second coupler assemblies comprises:
a first coupler that includes a first attachment member that supports a body with a hollow channel having a centerline disposed longitudinally in the fuselage between a first end and a second end, and a slot between an outer surface of the body and the hollow channel; and
a second coupler that includes an engagement member, a second attachment member, and an arm extending between the engagement member and the second attachment member,
wherein the engagement member is slidably received within the hollow channel from the first end,
wherein a position of the engagement member is modifiable relative to the arm, and
wherein the engagement member fits slidably within the hollow channel to engage with the body of the first coupler, and the arm extends through the slot.