Patents by Inventor Michael James Tonks

Michael James Tonks 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: 10330334
    Abstract: A pressure equalization vent for use in an aircraft assembly is provided. The pressure equalization vent includes an opening having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The vent further includes a plurality of louvers positioned within the opening. Each louver is positioned a predetermined distance from an adjacent louver to form a gap therebetween. Each louver includes an airfoil-shaped cross-section configured to increase airflow efficiency across the vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Marcus K. Richardson, Clyde Robert Tuohimaa, Michael James Tonks
  • Patent number: 9708069
    Abstract: A ram air system includes a bay comprising an exterior wall defining an interior volume that at least partially encloses a ram air duct. The ram air duct includes an outlet configured to discharge an exhaust airflow at a first temperature. At least one of the exterior wall and the ram air duct defines an aperture therein providing for flow communication between the bay interior volume and the exhaust airflow such that cooling air flows from the interior volume to form a boundary layer between the exhaust airflow and the exterior wall downstream of the outlet. The boundary layer is at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Marcus K. Richardson, Michael James Tonks, Colin W. Hart
  • Publication number: 20160288912
    Abstract: A ram air system includes a bay comprising an exterior wall defining an interior volume that at least partially encloses a ram air duct. The ram air duct includes an outlet configured to discharge an exhaust airflow at a first temperature. At least one of the exterior wall and the ram air duct defines an aperture therein providing for flow communication between the bay interior volume and the exhaust airflow such that cooling air flows from the interior volume to form a boundary layer between the exhaust airflow and the exterior wall downstream of the outlet. The boundary layer is at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Marcus K. Richardson, Michael James Tonks, Colin W. Hart
  • Publication number: 20150211755
    Abstract: A pressure equalization vent for use in an aircraft assembly is provided. The pressure equalization vent includes an opening having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The vent further includes a plurality of louvers positioned within the opening. Each louver is positioned a predetermined distance from an adjacent louver to form a gap therebetween. Each louver includes an airfoil-shaped cross-section configured to increase airflow efficiency across the vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Marcus K. Richardson, Clyde Robert Tuohimaa, Michael James Tonks