Patents by Inventor Mark B. Dowty
Mark B. Dowty 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: 12290480Abstract: A layout for a tapering rear section of an aircraft passenger cabin. The layout includes a seat row positioned between an aisle and an exterior wall, and a closet positioned behind the seat row. A first portion of the closet extends behind the seat row and a second portion of the closet extends into gap space formed between an outboard side of the seat row and the exterior wall. The closet forms interior space dimensioned, for example, to accommodate a folded wheelchair positioned along the exterior wall, as well as interior space behind the seat row. The second portion further forms an exterior surface for use by a passenger in the seat row, for instance a horizontal surface including a provision for mounting a bassinet. The interior space is accessible from the rear facing side of the closet to facilitate stowing and retrieving items from the interior space.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2023Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventor: Mark B. Dowty
-
Patent number: 12269595Abstract: An aircraft lavatory is disclosed herein. The aircraft lavatory includes a standard access door providing access to the aircraft lavatory from at least one of an aisle, a cross aisle, or a passageway of an aircraft, a first moveable wall adjacent the standard access door, the first moveable wall having a first end and a second end and configured to move between a closed position and an open position, the first end of the first moveable wall configured to rotate about a first pivot point, and a second moveable wall adjacent the first moveable wall, the second movable wall having a first end and a second end and configured to move between a closed position and an open position, the first end of the second moveable wall configured to rotate about a second pivot point.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.Inventors: Daniel N. Moe, Mark B. Dowty, Glenn A. Johnson, Shawn William Raybell
-
Publication number: 20250108925Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an atmosphere within an aircraft. The method includes sensing, by at least one cabin occupancy sensor, a number of empty seats within a cabin of the aircraft. Data representative of the number of empty seats from the at least one cabin occupancy sensor is communicated by the at least one cabin occupancy sensor to an electronic controller. The electronic controller is in communication with a cabin air circulation system and an environmental control system. The electronic controller sends a flow command to the environmental control system and the cabin air circulation system to adjust a rate of an air inflow into the cabin based on the number of empty seats sensed by the at least one cabin occupancy sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2023Publication date: April 3, 2025Inventors: Lance R. Bartosz, Matthew L. Pess, Mark B. Dowty
-
Publication number: 20250100687Abstract: An aircraft lavatory is provided that includes a standard access door providing standard access to the aircraft lavatory from an aisle, cross aisle, or passageway of an aircraft and a persons with reduced mobility (PRM) access door providing PRM access to the aircraft lavatory from a space adjacent to the aisle, cross aisle, or passageway, where, responsive to the PRM access door being opened, the PRM access door is configured to provide a first opening for a person with reduced mobility to move from a PRM mobility device located in the space adjacent to the aisle, cross aisle, or passageway into the lavatory, and where, responsive to the PRM access door being opened, the standard access door is configured to provide a second opening for assistance to be provided to the person with reduced mobility.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2024Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Dylan Shoemaker
-
Patent number: 12252255Abstract: A triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) is described. The TPMS is adjustable and tunable depending on desired breathability, vibration performance, weight reduction, pressure distribution, and the like. The TPMS may be used in a cushion of a passenger seat. The cushion may be used for one or more locations of the passenger seat, including a head rest cushion, a back rest cushion, a seat pan cushion, and the like. the TPMS may include a cylindrical gyroid. Each of the cushions may include multiple of the cylindrical gyroids.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2023Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Nicole Sluder Whyte, Nikhil Anthony Saldanha, Chirag Krishnamurthy, Travis K. Finlay, Gururaja Nekkar, Maxime Dempah, Glenn A. Johnson, Mark B. Dowty, Samikshya Parida
-
Publication number: 20250066022Abstract: A seat pan includes a break over function. The break over enables downward motion of a portion of the seat pan. The downward motion of the portion of the seat pan allows a distance between passenger seats to be reduced while maintaining a minimum required egress distance between the passenger seats. The breakover seat pan assists in egress. The portion of the seat pan may be actuated upwards to increase the length of the seat pan while a passenger is seated. The seat pan thus creates a supported seat surface when an occupant sits on the seat while presenting with a reduced surface when not occupied.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2023Publication date: February 27, 2025Inventors: Sreekanth Rao, Pradeep Acharya, Mark B. Dowty
-
Patent number: 12187435Abstract: A door assembly for use in an aircraft providing standard and accessible operating modes. The assembly includes a partition wall movable between a first position and a second position, a sliding door including a first door portion and a second door portion, and a latch mechanism operable to couple the first and second door portions. In a first operating mode of the door assembly, the partition wall is maintained in the first position and the sliding door moves to an open state to form a first opening. In a second operating mode of the door assembly, the partition wall is moved from the first position to the second position and the sliding door moves to an open state to form a second opening different from the first opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2022Date of Patent: January 7, 2025Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventor: Mark B. Dowty
-
Patent number: 12151816Abstract: A tray table assembly and a passenger seat arrangement including a tray table assembly. The tray table assembly includes a tray table coupled to a motion path element determining a motion path of the tray table between stowed and deployed positions. In embodiments, the motion path element may be implemented as at least one of a helical shaft, helical slot, and helical ramp. The motion path combines rotational and vertical motion such that an angular change of the table caused by rotational movement simultaneously causes an elevation change of the tray table. In some embodiments, the tray table may lower when rotated toward the deployed position and raise when rotated toward the stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2022Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy F. Malecha, Travis K. Finlay, Tracy N. Pence, Mark B. Dowty
-
Publication number: 20240375775Abstract: An aircraft lavatory is disclosed herein. The aircraft lavatory includes a standard access door providing access to the aircraft lavatory from at least one of an aisle, a cross aisle, or a passageway of an aircraft, a first moveable wall adjacent the standard access door, the first moveable wall having a first end and a second end and configured to move between a closed position and an open position, the first end of the first moveable wall configured to rotate about a first pivot point, and a second moveable wall adjacent the first moveable wall, the second movable wall having a first end and a second end and configured to move between a closed position and an open position, the first end of the second moveable wall configured to rotate about a second pivot point.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2023Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.Inventors: Daniel N. Moe, Mark B. Dowty, Glenn A. Johnson, Shawn William Raybell
-
Patent number: 12139096Abstract: A rotary lap belt energy attenuator for reducing inertial loads on seat components. In embodiments, a shackle assembly includes a seat frame component, a shackle pivotally attached to the seat component and attachable to a lap belt component, a deformable link attached to the shackle and the seat component, an attachment guide configured to travel along the guideway, and an energy attenuator positioned in the guideway. In use, each of the deformable link and the energy attenuator undergo plastic deformation during rotary motion of the shackle to attenuate impact energy.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2023Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Sreekanth Rao, Pradeep Acharya, Mark B. Dowty, Maxime Dempah
-
Publication number: 20240343396Abstract: A seat system for an aircraft including a pilot seat configured to operate in a piloting mode and in a rest mode. The pilot seat includes a dual function component configured to function as a flight controller when the pilot seat is operating in the piloting mode and a rest surface when the pilot seat is operating in the rest mode. The piloting mode and the rest mode are mutually exclusive operating modes. The seat system further includes a control system in electronic communication with the pilot seat and configured to activate the flight controller when the pilot seat is operating in the piloting mode, deactivate the flight controller when the pilot seat is operating in the rest mode. The pilots seats may be utilized in a two-pilot aircraft to provide provisions for pilot rest in an aircraft cockpit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2023Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventor: Mark B. Dowty
-
Patent number: 12103686Abstract: A movable area partition is disclosed herein. The movable area partition includes a bottom pivot point, a top pivot point, a first panel having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the first panel pivotably coupled to the bottom pivot point, and a second panel having a first end an opposing second end, the first end of the second panel rotatably coupled to the second end of the first panel and the second end of the second panel pivotably coupled to the top pivot point.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Troy G. Perry
-
Publication number: 20240308667Abstract: A leg restraint system for a side facing seat provided in an aircraft or other conveyance. The system includes a leg restraining device including a panel configured to deploy along a deployment path when a sensed condition is met, a sensor configured to monitor the deployment path, and an indicator configured to indicate information regarding the monitored deployment path. A controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and indicator receives information and instructs the indicator to indicate a compliance status of the leg restraining device. In embodiments, an object positioned in the deployment path of the leg restraining device causes a noncompliant status to be indicated to a seated occupant thereby causing corrective action to be taken such that the leg restraining device can be operated as intended.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2023Publication date: September 19, 2024Applicant: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Rahul Merh, Lakshmana Kumar Marineni, Tippanna Channabasappa Shetgar, Mark B. Dowty
-
Publication number: 20240299222Abstract: A layout for a tapering rear section of an aircraft passenger cabin. The layout includes a seat row positioned between an aisle and an exterior wall, and a closet positioned behind the seat row. A first portion of the closet extends behind the seat row and a second portion of the closet extends into gap space formed between an outboard side of the seat row and the exterior wall. The closet forms interior space dimensioned, for example, to accommodate a folded wheelchair positioned along the exterior wall, as well as interior space behind the seat row. The second portion further forms an exterior surface for use by a passenger in the seat row, for instance a horizontal surface including a provision for mounting a bassinet. The interior space is accessible from the rear facing side of the closet to facilitate stowing and retrieving items from the interior space.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2023Publication date: September 12, 2024Inventor: Mark B. Dowty
-
Publication number: 20240300651Abstract: The present disclosure provides layouts of columns of lie flat passenger seats for an aircraft cabin. Each column includes a first row, such as a front row, including at least one oblique seat, a second row including at least one forward facing seat, and at least one further row including at least one forward facing seat. None of the seat rows, other than the first rows, include an oblique seat. Each seat is configured to adjust between an upright condition and a lie flat condition, nest with at least one other seat, and utilize a forward footwell formed in a console associated with another seat or a monument. The oblique first row provides a space savings in the cabin layout as compared to conventional layouts wherein all seats are oriented forward facing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2023Publication date: September 12, 2024Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Oscar Ruiz Lara
-
Patent number: 12060034Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of passenger seats equipped with seat belts for mitigating seat damage and spinal tension from free-flail movements. In embodiments, the assembly includes a seat back, a first slip ring positioned proximate a top of the seat back, a second slip ring positioned lower on the seat back, a retractor, and a webbing threaded through each of the first and second slip rings. During normal use of the seat the first slip ring forms a first pivot for the webbing, and during a qualifying deceleration event the second slip ring forms a new pivot for the webbing lower on the seat back. In a further embodiment, first and second webbings form primary and auxiliary restraints guided by respective first and second pivots.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2023Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Huiyu Fang, James R. Penley, Mark B. Dowty
-
Publication number: 20240262313Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of passenger seats equipped with seat belts for mitigating seat damage and spinal tension from free-flail movements. In embodiments, the assembly includes a seat back, a first slip ring positioned proximate a top of the seat back, a second slip ring positioned lower on the seat back, a retractor, and a webbing threaded through each of the first and second slip rings. During normal use of the seat the first slip ring forms a first pivot for the webbing, and during a qualifying deceleration event the second slip ring forms a new pivot for the webbing lower on the seat back. In a further embodiment, first and second webbings form primary and auxiliary restraints guided by respective first and second pivots.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2023Publication date: August 8, 2024Inventors: Huiyu Fang, James R. Penley, Mark B. Dowty
-
Patent number: 12054263Abstract: An aircraft passenger seat installable in an aircraft cabin at an angle relative to an aircraft longitudinal axis. The passenger seat includes movable or shape changing seat elements for temporarily re-indexing the passenger orientation according to at least one predetermined flight condition such that the seat assembly meets predefined regulatory certification criteria in at least one of the predetermined flight conditions. A method for effecting a temporary change in position of a seated passenger relative to the aircraft longitudinal axis (i.e., direction of flight) according to at least one predetermined flight condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2022Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Tracy N. Pence, Alen Wyss
-
Patent number: 12054081Abstract: A system and method for delivering an axial compression load to a passenger during a frontal deceleration event is disclosed. The system includes a seat frame, a seat pan, and an impulse generator coupled to the seat pan configured to provide an axial compression load onto a spine of a sitting passenger during a forward deceleration event. The system further includes a controller configured to receive a forward deceleration signal from the inertial sensor and activate the impulse generator based on the forward deceleration signal. The impulse generator may generate a compressive force via a chemical reaction, via a mechanically stored energy, a solenoid switch, or via a rotating cam assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.Inventor: Mark B. Dowty
-
Publication number: 20240253783Abstract: An aircraft lavatory is provided that includes a standard access door providing standard access to the aircraft lavatory from an aisle, cross aisle, or passageway of an aircraft and a persons with reduced mobility (PRM) access door providing PRM access to the aircraft lavatory from a space adjacent to the aisle, cross aisle, or passageway, where, responsive to the PRM access door being opened, the PRM access door is configured to provide a first opening for a person with reduced mobility to move from a PRM mobility device located in the space adjacent to the aisle, cross aisle, or passageway into the lavatory, and where, responsive to the PRM access door being opened, the standard access door is configured to provide a second opening for assistance to be provided to the person with reduced mobility.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2023Publication date: August 1, 2024Applicant: BE Aerospace, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Dowty, Dylan Shoemaker