Patents by Inventor Robert F. Butler

Robert F. Butler 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: 4647980
    Abstract: A versatile television system is provided for individualized program selection and viewing by aircraft passengers. The system comprises a plurality of compact television receivers mounted respectively in front of each airline passenger, such as in a rearwardly facing position within the passenger seat immediately in front of each passenger. Each television receiver is provided as a lightweight module adapted for rapid, removable installation into a mounting bracket opening rearwardly on the rear side of a passenger seat, with a viewing screen set at a tilt angle accommodating an average reclined position of the seat. Exposed controls permit channel and volume selection by the individual passenger, and an audio headset is provided for plug-in connection to the module. A broadcast station on the aircraft provides prerecorded and/or locally received programs on different channels to each television module for individual passenger selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Aviation Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold R. Steventon, Robert F. Butler
  • Patent number: 4524759
    Abstract: A process for reversibly transferring heat between a plurality of zones maintained at different temperature levels, and a heat transfer system useful therein. The technique involves maintaining a solution of a volatile material, e.g., a solution of a non-volatile inorganic salt in ammonia, in a solution tank, feeding the solution into an evaporator to evaporate the ammonia (or other volatile material), and feeding the ammonia vapor thus formed into a separate receiver which is in heat exchange relationship with a low temperature thermal sink, while recycling the solution having a decreased ammonia content to the solution tank. Heat is thus transferred to a low temperature thermal sink, and the procedure is continued to store any desired quantity of thermal energy therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Inventor: Robert F. Butler
  • Patent number: 4513734
    Abstract: A concentrating flat plate collector for the high efficiency collection of solar energy. Through an arrangement of reflector elements, incoming solar radiation, either directly or after reflection from the reflector elements, impinges upon both surfaces of a collector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Inventor: Robert F. Butler
  • Patent number: D281940
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Inventors: Arnold R. Steventon, Robert F. Butler
  • Patent number: D295042
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Aviation Entertainment Corporation
    Inventors: Arnold R. Steventon, Robert F. Butler