Patents by Inventor Clive French
Clive French has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9272791Abstract: The invention provides a pipe 100 for an aircraft refuel system, the pipe comprising an outer section 200 making up a pipe wall, the pipe wall having an outer and inner 230 surface, a surface texture 310 on the inner pipe wall surface, the surface texture comprising projections 311 projecting inwards from the inner pipe wall surface towards the centre of the pipe. The surface texture may be riblets 311 and may be coated with an anti-bacterial coating 340. The surface texture may be formed from a layer of conductive material, in the form of a foil 300. The outer section 200 may be made from a non-conductive, preferably composite material. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing piping for an aircraft refuel system using a mandrel 400.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventors: Susan Elizabeth Brennan, Clive French, James Dudley Clark
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Patent number: 9162775Abstract: The present invention provides a tank vent device for venting gas from a tank 10 comprising a gas inlet 107 for receiving gas from a vent outlet of the tank, a gas outlet 109 for discharging the gas received, and a pressure valve 70 connecting the gas inlet and gas outlet, wherein the pressure valve is connected to a control pressure input 108 and is controllable by control pressure supplied at the control pressure input, whereby, in use, the pressure valve is controlled by the control pressure to open and close so as to regulate the flow of gas between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The present invention also provides a vent tank 10, methods of venting gas and refueling an aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Clive French
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Patent number: 8844583Abstract: The invention provides a refuel valve assembly 240 for refuelling a first and a second fuel tank on an aircraft, wherein the refuel valve assembly 240 comprises an inlet for receiving fuel from an orifice 215 in a structure 213 of the aircraft, a first 251a and a second outlet 251b for delivering fuel from behind the structure to the first 211a and second 211b fuel tanks, and a refuel control apparatus for controlling fuel flow to the first and second outlets; wherein the refuel control apparatus includes a controllable valve assembly, so that delivery of fuel through the first outlet to a first fuel tank can be controlled independently of delivery through the second outlet of fuel to a second fuel tank. The invention also provides a method of refuelling a first and a second fuel tank on an aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventor: Clive French
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Publication number: 20120025026Abstract: The present invention provides a tank vent device for venting gas from a tank 10 comprising a gas inlet 107 for receiving gas from a vent outlet of the tank, a gas outlet 109 for discharging the gas received, and a pressure valve 70 connecting the gas inlet and gas outlet, wherein the pressure valve is connected to a control pressure input 108 and is controllable by control pressure supplied at the control pressure input, whereby, in use, the pressure valve is controlled by the control pressure to open and close so as to regulate the flow of gas between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The present invention also provides a vent tank 10, methods of venting gas from a tank including a method including the steps of connecting a tank vent device to a tank and supplying gas at a lower pressure than the pressure of the tank to the tank vent device and a method of refuelling an aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventor: Clive French
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Publication number: 20120024418Abstract: The invention provides a refuel valve assembly 240 for refuelling a first and a second fuel tank on an aircraft, wherein the refuel valve assembly 240 comprises an inlet for receiving fuel from an orifice 215 in a structure 213 of the aircraft, a first 251a and a second outlet 251b for delivering fuel from behind the structure to the first 211a and second 211b fuel tanks, and a refuel control apparatus for controlling fuel flow to the first and second outlets; wherein the refuel control apparatus comprises a controllable valve assembly, so that delivery of fuel through the first outlet to a first fuel tank can be controlled independently of delivery through the second outlet of fuel to a second fuel tank. The invention also provides a method of refuelling a first and a second fuel tank on an aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventor: Clive French
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Publication number: 20120025025Abstract: The invention provides a pipe 100 for an aircraft refuel system, the pipe comprising an outer section 200 making up a pipe wall, the pipe wall having an outer and inner 230 surface, a surface texture 310 on the inner pipe wall surface, the surface texture comprising projections 311 projecting inwards from the inner pipe wall surface towards the centre of the pipe. The surface texture may be riblets 311 and may be coated with an anti-bacterial coating 340. The surface texture may be formed from a layer of conductive material, in the form of a foil 300. The outer section 200 may be made from a non-conductive, preferably composite material. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing piping for an aircraft refuel system using a mandrel 400.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITEDInventors: Susan Elizabeth Brennan, Clive French, James Dudley Clark
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Patent number: 7823834Abstract: This door includes a device that permits air to flow through the door in one direction but prevents this flow of air in the opposite direction. On the attached illustration, the door includes at least a window (74), that less air pass through as well as an elastic membrane (76) covering window (74). Elastic membrane (76) includes on the one hand an area that is airtight facing window (74) and capable of fully covering it and on the other hand, an area that is pervious to air near the impervious area.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2005Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignees: Airbus, Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Clive French, Smail Maksen
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Patent number: 7712705Abstract: A deceleration device adapted for gradual dissipation of kinetic energy comprises a spool reel carrying a belt being wound up on the spool reel; an elevating spindle being driven by the spool reel when the belt is being retracted from the spool reel; at least one collet screwed to the elevating spindle; and at least one spring assembly being installed between the collet and a fixed bearing portion of the deceleration device. The at least one collet is screwed towards the fixed bearing portion by retraction of the belt from the spool reel thereby compressing the spring assembly, whereby a reaction load is generated by the spring assembly counteracting the retraction of the belt.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventor: Clive French
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Patent number: 7600716Abstract: A reinforced door for an aircraft includes a frame and a network of harnesses. The frame includes components. The network of harnesses links a majority of the components and reinforces the frame. The harnesses are laid out onto the frame and linked to one another to form a webbing.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignees: Airbus, Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Clive French, Smail Maksen
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Patent number: 7578477Abstract: This door consists of: an internal structure (16) in which at least two compartments are executed; a panel (18) mounted in each of the compartments, and holding means of each panel (18) in the corresponding compartment. These means permit the release of the panel when a predetermined load, in a given direction, is applied to this panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignees: Airbus, Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Clive French, Smail Maksen
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Patent number: 7571877Abstract: An operation mechanism adapted for activating a deceleration device for decelerating an opening movement of a door. The operation mechanism features a first mode of operation and an second operation mode. In the first mode of operation the operation mechanism allows free rotation of the door, when the operation mechanism is loaded by an impulse of the door below a predetermined threshold value. In the second mode of operation when the operation mechanism is loaded by an impulse of the door above the predetermined threshold value the operation mechanism decelerates free rotation of the door by connecting the door to the deceleration device which will then decelerate the acceleration of the door.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Clive French, Nick Chignell-Stapleton
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Publication number: 20080054123Abstract: An operation mechanism adapted for activating a deceleration device for decelerating an opening movement of a door. The operation mechanism features a first mode of operation and an second operation mode. In the first mode of operation the operation mechanism allows free rotation of the door, when the operation mechanism is loaded by an impulse of the door below a predetermined threshold value. In the second mode of operation when the operation mechanism is loaded by an impulse of the door above the predetermined threshold value the operation mechanism decelerates free rotation of the door by connecting the door to the deceleration device which will then decelerate the acceleration of the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventors: Clive French, Nick Chignell-Stapleton
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Publication number: 20070235588Abstract: A deceleration device adapted for gradual dissipation of kinetic energy comprises a spool reel carrying a belt being wound up on the spool reel; an elevating spindle being driven by the spool reel when the belt is being retracted from the spool reel; at least one collet screwed to the elevating spindle; and at least one spring assembly being installed between the collet and a fixed bearing portion of the deceleration device. The at least one collet is screwed towards the fixed bearing portion by retraction of the belt from the spool reel thereby compressing the spring assembly, whereby a reaction load is generated by the spring assembly counteracting the retraction of the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2007Publication date: October 11, 2007Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbHInventor: Clive French
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Publication number: 20060169840Abstract: This door includes a device that permits air to flow through the door in one direction but prevents this flow of air in the opposite direction. On the attached illustration, the door includes at least a window (74), that less air pass through as well as an elastic membrane (76) covering window (74). Elastic membrane (76) includes on the one hand an area that is airtight facing window (74) and capable of fully covering it and on the other hand, an area that is pervious to air near the impervious area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Applicant: AIRBUSInventors: Clive French, Smail Maksen
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Publication number: 20060169839Abstract: This door consists of: an internal structure (16) in which at least two compartments are executed; a panel (18) mounted in each of the compartments, and holding means of each panel (18) in the corresponding compartment. These means permit the release of the panel when a predetermined load, in a given direction, is applied to this panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Applicant: AIRBUSInventors: Clive French, Smail Maksen
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Publication number: 20060065782Abstract: This door includes components (20, 21, 22, 24) that form an internal structure (16). This internal structure (16) is reinforced by a network (82) of harnesses that link the majority of the components forming the internal structure. These harnesses are for instance carbon fiber strips glued onto the internal structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2005Publication date: March 30, 2006Applicant: AIRBUSInventors: Clive French, Smail Maksen
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Patent number: 6695058Abstract: A method of cleaning a casing-lined borehole comprises the steps of: circulating fluid in the borehole to entrain material in the circulating fluid; separating the entrained material from the fluid within the borehole; and then removing the separated material from the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Quartech Engineering LimitedInventor: Clive French