Patents by Inventor Stephen T. Johnson

Stephen T. Johnson 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).

  • Aircraft mission equipment having an integrated air caster handling system
    Patent number: 9156553
    Abstract: Aircraft mission equipment (e.g., an electrical equipment cabinet) comprising a base plate equipped on a bottom with a plurality of air casters that provide flotation mobility. When the equipment is being loaded in or unloaded from an aircraft, the actuated air casters provide a plurality of air cushions. The total lift force produced by the air cushions is sufficient to float the equipment above and out of contact with the floor, thereby improving ease of handling and reducing point loads on the floor structure. Portions of the air distribution system that provides pressurized air to the air casters on the bottom of the base plate are structurally integrated into the base plate of the mission equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Stephen T. Johnson, Brad Lee Kirkwood, Andrea C. Saunders, Kim Marie Larson, John Michael Costello, Scott W. Lea