Patents by Inventor Gregory L. Defrancesco

Gregory L. Defrancesco 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).

  • Publication number: 20130036730
    Abstract: A hybrid power distribution system for an aircraft generates hydraulic power from one of a plurality of power sources based on which power source provides energy most efficiently. Power sources includes an electric power distribution bus that distributes electrical energy onboard the aircraft, a pneumatic distribution channel that distributes pneumatic energy onboard the aircraft, and mechanical power provided by one or more engines associated with the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Louis J. Bruno, Anthony C. Jones, Todd A. Spierling, Gregory L. DeFrancesco
  • Publication number: 20120180886
    Abstract: A bleed valve control system for mounting to a support structure adjacent to a fan air plenum within an aircraft includes a bleed valve module, a pneumatic valve controller, and a fan air duct. The bleed valve module includes a pipe, a plurality of bleed valves connected to the pipe, and a plurality of pneumatic actuators connected to the bleed valves. The pneumatic valve controller includes a plurality of electrical control elements and a cooling shroud. The cooling shroud is attached to the pipe and at least partially surrounds the plurality of electrical control elements. The fan air duct connects the cooling shroud to the fan air plenum such that fan air flows through the cooling shroud to cool the plurality of electrical control elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald E. Army, Gregory L. DeFrancesco, John M. Maljanian
  • Publication number: 20120185116
    Abstract: An integrated electronic engine control and environmental control system bleed control apparatus for use with an aircraft engine. The apparatus comprises an electronic engine controller, an environmental control system bleed controller for controlling a flow of bleed air from the aircraft engine to an environmental control system located in an aircraft fuselage, and a housing for mounting on or near the aircraft engine. The housing contains both the electronic engine controller and the environmental control system bleed controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory L. DeFrancesco
  • Publication number: 20120180509
    Abstract: A bleed air conditioning system within an aircraft including a low-pressure bleed air line and a high-pressure bleed air line. The system includes an air-to-air heat exchanger and an un-cooled bleed air line to connect the air-to-air heat exchanger to the low-pressure bleed air line and the high-pressure bleed air line. The un-cooled bleed air line carries a flow of un-cooled bleed air from at least one of the low-pressure bleed air line and the high-pressure bleed air line to the air-to-air heat exchanger. The system also includes a cooled bleed air line connected to the air-to-air heat exchanger for carrying cooled bleed air from the air-to-air heat exchanger and a low-pressure bypass line connecting the low-pressure bleed air line to the cooled bleed air line, bypassing un-cooled bleed air from the low-pressure line around the air-to-air heat exchanger to the cooled bleed air line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory L. DeFrancesco
  • Patent number: 8147579
    Abstract: An air inerting system for supplying nitrogen-enriched air to a fuel tank on a vehicle includes an air separation module. The air separation module has an inlet for receiving air to separate oxygen, and an outlet for delivering nitrogen-enriched air to a downstream fuel tank on a vehicle. Downstream parallel flow lines of the outlet are each provided with a flow control valve. The downstream parallel flow lines reconnect downstream of the flow control valves to provide a source of nitrogen-enriched air to the fuel tank. An air supply line upstream of the air separation module supplies air to at least a pair of upstream parallel lines. Each of the upstream parallel lines are provided with a shut-off valve. The upstream parallel lines reconnect downstream of the shut-off valves to supply air to a heat exchanger. Air downstream of the heat exchanger passes to the air separation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. DeFrancesco, Renaud Rebours
  • Publication number: 20110259546
    Abstract: A ram air system for an aircraft fluid system includes a ram duct, a diffuser, a fan and a modulating valve. The ram duct has an inlet for receiving ambient air and an outlet for discharging ambient air overboard. The diffuser is positioned within the ram duct to define a fan duct and a bypass duct. The fan is positioned within the fan duct. The modulating valve is positioned in the bypass duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. DeFrancesco, Donald E. Army, JR., Erin G. Kline
  • Patent number: 7975499
    Abstract: A cooling system for an aircraft has a refrigerant system to cool a second fluid for a use associated with an aircraft. A valve is operable to route the second fluid to be cooled by the refrigerant under a first set of conditions, and to route the second fluid to be cooled by ambient air from outside of the aircraft under a second set of conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory L. DeFrancesco
  • Publication number: 20100175900
    Abstract: An air inerting system for supplying nitrogen-enriched air to a fuel tank on a vehicle includes an air separation module. The air separation module has an inlet for receiving air to separate oxygen, and an outlet for delivering nitrogen-enriched air to a downstream fuel tank on a vehicle. Downstream parallel flow lines of the outlet are each provided with a flow control valve. The downstream parallel flow lines reconnect downstream of the flow control valves to provide a source of nitrogen-enriched air to the fuel tank. An air supply line upstream of the air separation module supplies air to at least a pair of upstream parallel lines. Each of the upstream parallel lines are provided with a shut-off valve. The upstream parallel lines reconnect downstream of the shut-off valves to supply air to a heat exchanger. Air downstream of the heat exchanger passes to the air separation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory L. DeFrancesco, Renaud Rebours
  • Publication number: 20090260387
    Abstract: A cooling system for an aircraft has a refrigerant system to cool a second fluid for a use associated with an aircraft. A valve is operable to route the second fluid to be cooled by the refrigerant under a first set of conditions, and to route the second fluid to be cooled by ambient air from outside of the aircraft under a second set of conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Gregory L. DeFrancesco
  • Patent number: 4829775
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system being powered by a supply of compressed air, has an air cycle machine which incorporates a filter. The filter receives pressurized air for filtration after said air has passed through a heater which optimizes the temperature and humidity of the air and passes through a second reheater downstream of the filter and upstream of the turbine to maximize the efficiency of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory L. Defrancesco
  • Patent number: 4769051
    Abstract: An air conditioning system, being powered by a supply of compressed air, has an air cycle machine which incorporates a regenerable filter. The filter receives pressurized air for filtration from the air cycle machine compressor, and receives purge air from the air cycle machine turbine downstream of a load heat exchanger. The air cools the load before purging the filter thereby minimizing system power requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1988
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory L. Defrancesco