Patents by Inventor Thomas V. Harkins, Jr.

Thomas V. Harkins, Jr. 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).

  • Patent number: 5028017
    Abstract: A deicing system for applying a deicing mixture to an aircraft is provided. Water is enclosed in a first tank, and deicing fluid in a second tank. A first pump transfers water through a heater, to a heat exchanger located in the second tank. The deicing fluid is thereby heated to a desired operating temperature by the hot water flowing through the heat exchanger, with the flow of hot water controlled by a heater control device. The first pump and second pump transfer heated water and heated deicing fluid, respectively, to a mixing chamber. A mixing control means controls the respective flows to provide the desired mixture. The mixture of water and deicing fluid is then applied to the aircraft via a nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Federal Express Corporation
    Inventors: Charles M. Simmons, James R. Thompson, Thomas V. Harkins, Jr., Charles W. Talleg