Bombardier Breakthroughs - Gradyn Ladd
There’s so much innovation happening across Bombardier all the time. We wanted to shine a light on the people who are making that happen. Welcome to Bombardier Breakthroughs, a monthly series where you’ll be introduced to the outstanding inventors, and their cutting-edge inventions, that contribute to the advancement of Bombardier Transportation and Aviation
Introducing Gradyn Ladd
In this month’s edition, meet Senior Technologist Engineer for Completion Technology, Gradyn Ladd, a 30-year veteran at Bombardier. In 2015, Gradyn and former Bombardier engineer Michel Tremblay embarked on designing hidden storage space for the Global 7500. The resulting invention has been filed for patent protection and incorporated in Bombardier’s strategic patent portfolio.
From issue to inspiration
Even in the largest business aircraft, the Global 7500, not only does the transportation industry demand it, but “clients demand more storage space for their large objects,” explained Gradyn. But with limited space, Gradyn and Michel had to get creative to increase safety-tested storage space where there seemed to be none!
The unique challenge with additional storage on an aircraft is accounting for strong forces in flight that could lead to inadvertent opening or closing of the storage space and moving objects that could harm the passengers.
From idea to invention
Gradyn and Michel designed a hidden storage space, located under the bed in the sleeping compartment, adding 130-square feet of additional storage in the Global 7500. Over packing for a trip isn’t a problem now! But as we know, aircraft storage has unique requirements, which also led to the invention of a dual locking mechanism to keep the storage space closed and safe for clients in all types of flight conditions and facilitate its opening when access is required.
How does it work? Keeping it user-friendly was important. With a gentle press on the base of the bed, a handle is released, unlocking the mattress. A second mechanism in the handle lifts the mattress when the operator squeezes it, and now the storage is accessible! These two locking mechanisms keep the mattress stowed when it should be and provides access when wanted.
As Gradyn explains, “storage space has always been made available on our business jets, but not to this scale.” This invention is a phenomenal differentiator for Bombardier in the competitive business jet industry.