Patents by Inventor James W. Mann, III

James W. Mann, III 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: 8152201
    Abstract: A ground support system configured to support servicing of aircraft may include a main body housing one or both of an engine and/or a blower, a control panel that is used to control operation of one or both of the engine and/or blower, and at least one acoustic wave engagement member positioned on the control panel. The acoustic wave member(s) is configured to selectively activate and deactivate an engine or blower function when touched by an operator. The acoustic wave engagement member(s) operates in the presence of moisture and debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Mann, III, Richard L. Hansen, David Wayne Leadingham
  • Patent number: 8117864
    Abstract: A modular and compact air conditioning system is designed to be conveyed by a ground support equipment cart and to occupy minimal space within the cart. The system is constructed within a rectangular frame supporting top, bottom, left side, right side, front side, and back side panels. The top and back side panels contain thin air conditioner condensers. One of the left and right side panels contain an air outlet, and the other contains an air inlet and a duct that may be connected to an airplane to provide cooling air to the airplane. A condenser fan is mounted within the rectangular frame and is arranged to draw outside air in through the condensers and to blow the air out through the air outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Montminy, Kyta Insixiengmay, James W. Mann, III, Benjamin E. Newell, Ty A. Newell
  • Patent number: 8055388
    Abstract: Ground support equipment for servicing an airplane includes a ground support equipment cart upon which are mounted at least two equipment modules and a control module. A first equipment module mounted upon the cart contains ground support equipment for servicing an airplane and also has a network connection, and at least one additional equipment module mounted upon the cart contains additional ground support equipment and also has a network connection. The control module has a user display and user controls that are connected to a control processor which has a network connection. The user display and the user controls serve as a shared control panel for the ground support equipment contained in the modules mounted upon the cart. In response the control processor sends over the network to one or more of the other modules information defining what particular services the selected type or class of airplane requires of the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Mann, III, Jeffrey E. Montminy, Steven E. Bivens, David Wayne Leadingham
  • Patent number: 8047555
    Abstract: A ground support equipment cart contains one or more removable equipment modules. The cart contains a rectangular module containing airplane air conditioning components mounted upon the cart and extending the width of the cart but occupying substantially less than half of the cart's length. The cart also contains one or more rectangular equipment modules removably mounted upon the cart, one or two of the removable modules containing electrical power converting components. And the cart contains a rectangular module containing power generating components mounted upon the cart and occupying substantially the remainder of the cart. The cart separates into two parts, one part containing the module containing power generating components. The cart also contains a control module having a display and controls for, and that is networked to, the other modules. One or more of the removable modules slide out on a tray and may be locked in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Mann, III, Jeffrey E. Montminy
  • Patent number: 8037714
    Abstract: A ground support equipment air conditioning system detachably connects to a port on an airplane. An air conduit connects an air intake and filter to a coupling that is adapted to be connected to one end of an air duct or hose the other end of which is adapted to be connected to an airplane's port. A variable speed blower in the air conduit has its speed varied by a controller to regulate the pressure supplied to an airplane. This controller receives as inputs the pressure sensed by a pressure sensor connected to the air conduit adjacent the coupling to sense the pressure of air passing into the airplane and also a setpoint pressure which can be varied to match the requirements of different types or classes of airplane. First and second air conditioners each include a circular refrigerant conduit channeling refrigerant through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Mann, III, Jeffrey E. Montminy, Benjamin E. Newell, Ty A. Newell
  • Patent number: 8030801
    Abstract: An airplane ground support system includes a multi-voltage power supply. This system includes an air conditioning module and a control module having a display and a processor, the display and processor presenting an airplane type or class selection menu to airplane support technicians and responding to the selection of a type or class of airplane by generating a power output selection signal designating the type of power needed by the selected type or class of airplane. The system also includes a power supply module which has an A.C. power input, at least one power output, and which receives the power output selection signal as an incoming signal. A power conversion system within the power supply module connects to the A.C. power input and supplies converted and voltage regulated power to the at least one power output. This power conversion system also receives the power conversion control signal as an input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Mann, III, David Wayne Leadingham
  • Publication number: 20090121552
    Abstract: An airplane ground support system includes a multi-voltage power supply. This system includes an air conditioning module and a control module having a display and a processor, the display and processor presenting an airplane type or class selection menu to airplane support technicians and responding to the selection of a type or class of airplane by generating a power output selection signal designating the type of power needed by the selected type or class of airplane. The system also includes a power supply module which has an A.C. power input, at least one power output, and which receives the power output selection signal as an incoming signal. A power conversion system within the power supply module connects to the A.C. power input and supplies converted and voltage regulated power to the at least one power output. This power conversion system also receives the power conversion control signal as an input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: James W. Mann, III, David Wayne Leadingham
  • Publication number: 20090112368
    Abstract: Ground support equipment for servicing an airplane includes a ground support equipment cart upon which are mounted at least two equipment modules and a control module. A first equipment module mounted upon the cart contains ground support equipment for servicing an airplane and also has a network connection, and at least one additional equipment module mounted upon the cart contains additional ground support equipment for servicing an airplane and also has a network connection. The control module has a user display and user controls that are connected to a control processor which has a network connection. The user display and the user controls serve as a shared control panel for the ground support equipment contained in the modules mounted upon the cart. A network interconnects the network connections of the modules mounted upon the cart. The control processor can cause the user display to present a menu listing various types or classes of airplanes for selection by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: James W. Mann, III, Jeffrey E. Montminy, Steven E. Bivens, David Wayne Leadingham
  • Publication number: 20090108128
    Abstract: A ground support system configured to support servicing of aircraft may include a main body housing one or both of an engine and/or a blower, a control panel that is used to control operation of one or both of the engine and/or blower, and at least one acoustic wave engagement member positioned on the control panel. The acoustic wave member(s) is configured to selectively activate and deactivate an engine or blower function when touched by an operator. The acoustic wave engagement member(s) operates in the presence of moisture and debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS
    Inventors: James W. Mann, III, Richard L. Hansen, David Wayne Leadingham
  • Publication number: 20090108552
    Abstract: A ground support equipment cart contains one or more removable equipment modules. The cart contains a rectangular module containing airplane air conditioning components mounted upon the cart and extending the width of the cart but occupying substantially less than half of the cart's length. The cart also contains one or more rectangular equipment modules removably mounted upon the cart, one or two of the removable modules containing electrical power converting components. And the cart contains a rectangular module containing power generating components mounted upon the cart and occupying substantially the remainder of the cart. The cart separates into two parts, one part containing the module containing power generating components. The cart also contains a control module having a display and controls for, and that is networked to, the other modules. One or more of the removable modules slide out on a tray and may be locked in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: James W Mann,, III, Jeffrey E. Montminy
  • Publication number: 20090107159
    Abstract: A ground support equipment air conditioning system detachably connects to a port on an airplane. An air conduit connects an air intake and filter to a coupling that is adapted to be connected to one end of an air duct or hose the other end of which is adapted to be connected to an airplane's port. A variable speed blower in the air conduit has its speed varied by a controller to regulate the pressure supplied to an airplane. This controller receives as inputs the pressure sensed by a pressure sensor connected to the air conduit adjacent the coupling to sense the pressure of air passing into the airplane and also a setpoint pressure which can be varied to match the requirements of different types or classes of airplane. First and second air conditioners each include a circular refrigerant conduit channeling refrigerant through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: James W. Mann, III, Jeffrey E. Montminy, Benjamin E. Newell, Ty A. Newell
  • Publication number: 20090107160
    Abstract: A modular and compact air conditioning system is designed to be conveyed by a ground support equipment cart and to occupy minimal space within the cart. The system is constructed within a rectangular frame supporting top, bottom, left side, right side, front side, and back side panels. The top and back side panels contain thin air conditioner condensers. One of the left and right side panels contain an air outlet, and the other contains an air inlet and a duct that may be connected to an airplane to provide cooling air to the airplane. A condenser fan is mounted within the rectangular frame and is arranged to draw outside air in through the condensers and to blow the air out through the air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Montminy, Kyta Insixiengmay, James W. Mann, III, Benjamin E. Newell, Ty A. Newell