Patents by Inventor Chris James Ludtke

Chris James Ludtke 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: 11865382
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a rotorcraft comprising an airframe having an engine compartment, an engine disposed within the engine compartment, at least one fire bottle configured to hold a fire extinguishing agent, at least one agent tube coupled to the fire bottle and configured to carry the fire extinguishing agent to the engine compartment, and a nozzle on the at least one agent tube, the nozzle positioned above the engine and oriented in a downward-facing direction. The nozzle has at least one opening and is configured to allow liquid to drain out of the at least one opening instead of allowing the liquid to flow into the at least one agent tube. The nozzle may have a chamfer opening that faces downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Keith David Weaver, Chris James Ludtke, Paul Madej, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer
  • Publication number: 20220233898
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a rotorcraft comprising an airframe having an engine compartment, an engine disposed within the engine compartment, at least one fire bottle configured to hold a fire extinguishing agent, at least one agent tube coupled to the fire bottle and configured to carry the fire extinguishing agent to the engine compartment, and a nozzle on the at least one agent tube, the nozzle positioned above the engine and oriented in a downward-facing direction. The nozzle has at least one opening and is configured to allow liquid to drain out of the at least one opening instead of allowing the liquid to flow into the at least one agent tube. The nozzle may have a chamfer opening that faces downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Bell Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Keith David Weaver, Chris James Ludtke, Paul Madej, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer
  • Patent number: 10731553
    Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as an engine compartment drainage system that allows fluid on an engine deck to exit an engine compartment, while shielding fluid from airflow. A fluid drainage apparatus utilizes a funnel member to direct fluid to an external drain line. A drain shield circumscribes the top end of the funnel member and upwardly extending therefrom and directs airflow away from the funnel member. A plurality of deck holes are disposed in the drain shield, such that fluid on the deck can enter the funnel member and exit the engine compartment. A fluid drainage system, disposes the fluid drainage apparatus in an engine deck to allow fluid on the deck to enter a funnel member of the apparatus and direct it toward the external drain line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Chris James Ludtke, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Eric Christopher Terry
  • Publication number: 20190048795
    Abstract: The present invention achieves technical advantages as an engine compartment drainage system that allows fluid on an engine deck to exit an engine compartment, while shielding fluid from airflow. A fluid drainage apparatus utilizes a funnel member to direct fluid to an external drain line. A drain shield circumscribes the top end of the funnel member and upwardly extending therefrom and directs airflow away from the funnel member. A plurality of deck holes are disposed in the drain shield, such that fluid on the deck can enter the funnel member and exit the engine compartment. A fluid drainage system, disposes the fluid drainage apparatus in an engine deck to allow fluid on the deck to enter a funnel member of the apparatus and direct it toward the external drain line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Dewey Parsons, Chris James Ludtke, Andrew Jordan Birkenheuer, Eric Christopher Terry