Patents by Inventor Thomas Gregory Tillman

Thomas Gregory Tillman 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: 7435283
    Abstract: A fuel stabilization system includes a first deoxygenator and a second deoxygenator both for removing dissolved oxygen from a hydrocarbon fuel. The first and second deoxygenators are arranged in parallel or series to sequentially remove a portion of dissolved oxygen from the hydrocarbon fuel. The arrangement of several deoxygenators for a single fuel stream improves removal of dissolved oxygen and provides for scalability of the fuel system to meet application specific demands. The arrangement also provides for the preservation of partial system functionality in the event of the failure of one of the deoxygenator modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Gregory Tillman, Alexander G. Chen, Catalin G. Fotache, Louis J. Spadaccini, Foster Lamm, Zidu Ma, Lou Chiappetta, Charles C. Coffin, James A. Wilkinson, Brian Welch
  • Patent number: 7393388
    Abstract: A deoxygenator includes a plurality of permeable membranes spirally wound about an exhaust tube for removing dissolved oxygen from a hydrocarbon fuel. The permeable membrane is spirally wrapped about the exhaust tube and defines fuel passages and exhaust passages. The fuel passages and exhaust passages alternate such that each fuel passage is bounded on each adjacent side by an exhaust passage. An oxygen partial pressure differential is generated across the permeable membrane to draw dissolved oxygen from fuel in the fuel passage. The dissolved oxygen is then communicated through openings about the circumference of the exhaust tube and out the deoxygenator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Louis J. Spadaccini, Harry Cordatos, Thomas Gregory Tillman, Alexander G. Chen, Louis Chiappetta, James R. Irish, Foster Phillip Lamm, Stephen R. Jones