Patents by Inventor Thomas Frank Fric

Thomas Frank Fric 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).

  • Aircraft anti-insect system
    Patent number: 5683062
    Abstract: Insect debris is removed from or prevented from adhering to insect impingement areas of an aircraft, particularly on an inlet cowl of an engine, by heating the area to 180.degree.-500.degree. C. An apparatus comprising a means to bring hot air from the aircraft engine to a plenum contiguous to the insect impingement area provides for the heating of the insect impingement areas to the required temperatures. The plenum can include at least one tube with a plurality of holes contained in a cavity within the inlet cowl. It can also include an envelope with a plurality of holes on its surface contained in a cavity within the inlet cowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clifford Lawrence Spiro, Thomas Frank Fric, Ross Michael Leon