Patents by Inventor Robert M. Rice

Robert M. Rice 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).

  • Publication number: 20180195406
    Abstract: A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation is provided. The system has at least one spray device for introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into the engine while the engine is being operated, and an effluent trough for collecting the cleaning liquid from an exit end or underneath side of the engine. In a preferred embodiment, a source of the cleaning liquid and the effluent trough are located on a mobile unit. Further, a treatment system for treating the collected cleaning liquid is also located on a mobile unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Robert M. Rice, Robert J. Tierney
  • Patent number: 9932895
    Abstract: An engine wash manifold assembly for delivering wash liquid to an engine with a radial air passage includes a feeder body, an inlet on the feeder body to receive wash fluid, a first nozzle in fluid communication with the feeder body and configured to direct wash fluid into the radial passage, and a securing device configured to support the feeder body relative to a mounting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Rice, Wayne J. Zadrick, Sebastian Nordlund, Kurt D. Dorshimer
  • Publication number: 20170362956
    Abstract: A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation is provided. The system has at least one spray device for introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into the engine while the engine is being operated, and an effluent trough for collecting the cleaning liquid from an exit end or underneath side of the engine. In a preferred embodiment, a source of the cleaning liquid and the effluent trough are located on a mobile unit. Further, a treatment system for treating the collected cleaning liquid is also located on a mobile unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Robert M. Rice, Robert J. Tierney
  • Patent number: 9821352
    Abstract: An engine wash system with a collector includes a collection pan with a base angled toward a centerline and first and second panels rotatably connecting to first and second sides of the collection pan; a plurality of wheels connecting to the base; a first support connecting on a lower end to the collection pan and extending vertically upward from the collection pan; a first funnel connecting to the first support; and a first hose connecting the first funnel to the collection pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Rice, Kurt Dorshimer, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Patent number: 9790808
    Abstract: A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation is provided. The system has at least one spray device for introducing a cleaning liquid containing at least water into the engine while the engine is being operated, and an effluent trough for collecting the cleaning liquid from an exit end or underneath side of the engine. In a preferred embodiment, a source of the cleaning liquid and the effluent trough are located on a mobile unit. Further, a treatment system for treating the collected cleaning liquid is also located on a mobile unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Rice, Robert J. Tierney
  • Patent number: 9757773
    Abstract: A collector for collecting wash liquid from an engine washing operation include a frame; a height adjustable and expandable droplet separator package connected to the frame, the droplet separator package to receive a flow of wash liquid entrained in an airstream emanating from an engine; a height adjustable and extendable chute with side walls and a scissor lift, the chute connected to the droplet separator package and extending at least partially under an engine to collect liquid exiting the engine; a collector tank connected to the frame to collect liquid from the droplet separator package and the chute; and a drainage pipe connecting at least one of the chute and the droplet separator to the collector tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Sebastian Nordlund, Robert M. Rice, Niklas Linderholm
  • Patent number: 9631511
    Abstract: An engine wash system includes a manifold for delivering wash liquid to an engine. The manifold includes an internal engine contour segment shaped to correspond with at least a portion of the engine case at the inlet; a wash delivery segment connected to the internal engine contour segment which follows the engine case curvature in an axial direction and hooks around an outside of the engine case at the inlet; an inlet on the wash delivery segment to receive wash fluid; a nozzle on the wash delivery portion directed to spray into the compressor inlet of the engine; and a guide extending from the pipe and shaped to align the manifold with respect to the engine so that the nozzle sprays into the engine aft of the inlet particle separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Rice, Kurt Dorshimer, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Patent number: 9500098
    Abstract: An engine wash manifold delivers wash liquid to an engine that includes an inlet, a fan, a case with an exhaust duct and a core inlet splitter. The manifold includes a wash delivery segment comprising a pipe shaped to follow at least in part engine case curvature with a first end to interface with the core inlet splitter and a second end with an inlet to receive wash fluid. The manifold further includes a retention system to secure the wash delivery segment to the engine and one or more nozzles on the first end of the wash delivery segment to spray wash fluid. The wash fluid may be atomized. The manifold further may include nozzles that deliver atomized wash liquid to the aft side of fan blades and may be used in conjunction with an inlet mounted manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Dorshimer, William J. Welch, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Publication number: 20160030983
    Abstract: A collector for collecting wash liquid from an engine washing operation include a frame; a height adjustable and expandable droplet separator package connected to the frame, the droplet separator package to receive a flow of wash liquid entrained in an airstream emanating from an engine; a height adjustable and extendable chute with side walls and a scissor lift, the chute connected to the droplet separator package and extending at least partially under an engine to collect liquid exiting the engine; a collector tank connected to the frame to collect liquid from the droplet separator package and the chute; and a drainage pipe connecting at least one of the chute and the droplet separator to the collector tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Sebastian Nordlund, Robert M. Rice, Niklas Linderholm
  • Patent number: 9212565
    Abstract: A retention system includes a structure clamp to connect the retention system to another structure; and a manifold clamp connected to the structure clamp, the manifold clamp including a trough to receive a pipe, a plurality of tube clamps with split cylinders extending through the trough, a collar to clamp around the pipe, and a spring to bias the trough from the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Dorshimer, William J. Welch, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Patent number: 9138782
    Abstract: A collector for collecting wash liquid from an engine washing operation including an inlet duct to receive wash liquid from the wash operation; a plurality of droplet separators to retain the wash liquid within the collector while allowing air to flow out of the collector; a base to receive the wash liquid; an outlet connected to the base to discharge wash liquid from the collector; and a plurality of wheels connected to the base for moving the collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Dorshimer, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Patent number: 9034111
    Abstract: An engine wash system includes a manifold to secure to a nose cone of an engine; a feeder pipe connecting to the manifold to deliver wash liquid to the manifold; a plurality of nozzles connected to the manifold to direct the wash liquid into the engine; a hook connected to the manifold to connect to a slot on the nose cone; and a guide connected to the feeder to align the manifold relative to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt D. Dorshimer, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Patent number: 9023155
    Abstract: An engine wash system for delivering wash liquid to an engine with a lift fan and a main engine, the lift fan including a plurality of inlet guide vanes and a nose cone, and the main engine connected to the lift fan by a shaft, the engine wash system includes a lift fan manifold to deliver wash liquid to the lift fan; and a main engine manifold to deliver wash liquid to the main engine, wherein the lift fan manifold and the main engine manifold can deliver the wash liquid simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Dorshimer, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Publication number: 20150101641
    Abstract: An engine wash manifold assembly for delivering wash liquid to an engine with a radial air passage includes a feeder body, an inlet on the feeder body to receive wash fluid, a first nozzle in fluid communication with the feeder body and configured to direct wash fluid into the radial passage, and a securing device configured to support the feeder body relative to a mounting location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Robert M. Rice, Wayne J. Zadrick, Sebastian Nordlund, Kurt D. Dorshimer
  • Publication number: 20140260308
    Abstract: A retention system includes a structure clamp to connect the retention system to another structure; and a manifold clamp connected to the structure clamp, the manifold clamp including a trough to receive a pipe, a plurality of tube clamps with split cylinders extending through the trough, a collar to clamp around the pipe, and a spring to bias the trough from the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ECOSERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Dorshimer, William J. Welch, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Publication number: 20140260307
    Abstract: An engine wash manifold delivers wash liquid to an engine that includes an inlet, a fan, a case with an exhaust duct and a core inlet splitter. The manifold includes a wash delivery segment comprising a pipe shaped to follow at least in part engine case curvature with a first end to interface with the core inlet splitter and a second end with an inlet to receive wash fluid. The manifold further includes a retention system to secure the wash delivery segment to the engine and one or more nozzles on the first end of the wash delivery segment to spray wash fluid. The wash fluid may be atomized. The manifold further may include nozzles that deliver atomized wash liquid to the aft side of fan blades and may be used in conjunction with an inlet mounted manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ECOSERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Kurt Dorshimer, William J. Welch, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Publication number: 20140216501
    Abstract: A system for on-wing engine washing and water reclamation includes a fluid applicator configured to introduce a cleaning liquid containing at least water into an engine while the engine is being operated, a trough positioned adjacent to the engine, and a collection conduit operatively positioned between an exit end of the engine and the trough to collect an air/liquid effluent mixture leaving the exit end of the engine and deliver at least a portion of the air/liquid effluent mixture to the trough. The collection conduit has an outlet that deposits collected liquid effluent into the trough, and further includes a series of diversion plates positioned within the collection conduit to separate liquid droplets from the air/liquid effluent mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Rice, Robert J. Tierney
  • Patent number: 8747566
    Abstract: A method for collecting effluent from an engine comprising: providing a portable trailer having a plurality of sides in a retracted and non-operational configuration forming an internal compartment and at least one droplet separator panel; and moving at least two of said sides from said retracted and non-operational configuration to an open position and an operational configuration wherein said two sides create a path for channeling an effluent/air mixture containing engine wash water from said engine to said at least one droplet separator panel; and separating said engine wash water from said air with said at least one droplet separator panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: EcoServices, LLC
    Inventors: Robert M. Rice, David G. Diamos, William J. Welch
  • Publication number: 20140034091
    Abstract: An engine wash system includes a manifold to secure to a nose cone of an engine; a feeder pipe connecting to the manifold to deliver wash liquid to the manifold; a plurality of nozzles connected to the manifold to direct the wash liquid into the engine; a hook connected to the manifold to connect to a slot on the nose cone; and a guide connected to the feeder to align the manifold relative to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurt Dorshimer, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick
  • Publication number: 20140034092
    Abstract: An engine wash system for delivering wash liquid to an engine with a lift fan and a main engine, the lift fan including a plurality of inlet guide vanes and a nose cone, and the main engine connected to the lift fan by a shaft, the engine wash system includes a lift fan manifold to deliver wash liquid to the lift fan; and a main engine manifold to deliver wash liquid to the main engine, wherein the lift fan manifold and the main engine manifold can deliver the wash liquid simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurt Dorshimer, Robert M. Rice, Sebastian Nordlund, Wayne Zadrick