Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Leathers

Thomas M. Leathers 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: 7412840
    Abstract: A ground-based system and method of supplying electrical power and temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations uses a throttle valve to control the flow of compressed air flowing through a heat exchanger. An air conditioner module mounted on a wheeled cart removes heat from the compressed air that is supplied to it from an auxiliary power unit (APU), and supplies cooled compressed air at a desired temperature. The temperature of the cooled compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning a throttle valve, which regulates compressed air flow from the compressed air source. The throttle valve position is controlled in response to one or more ambient meteorological conditions and/or the amount of electrical power being supplied from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Patent number: 7044214
    Abstract: A system and method of supplying conditioned air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses at least one flow control door to control the flow of cooling air through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger removes heat from a flow of compressed air supplied to the system. The temperature of the conditioned compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the flow control door, which regulates cooling air flow through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Patent number: 6972089
    Abstract: A system and method for storing and purifying used hydraulic fluid removed from an aircraft hydraulic fluid system includes a purification system that mounted on transportable cart. Used hydraulic fluid is transferred from an aircraft to a salvage tank that is mounted on the transportable cart. A hydraulic fluid purification module is also mounted on the transportable cart and is part of the purification system. The purification system may be fluidly coupled to an external system that supplies a motive source of flow energy, and may be selectively configured so that the used hydraulic fluid in the salvage tank passes through the purification module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Publication number: 20040149427
    Abstract: A system and method of supplying conditioned air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses at least one flow control door to control the flow of cooling air through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger removes heat from a flow of compressed air supplied to the system. The temperature of the conditioned compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the flow control door, which regulates cooling air flow through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Patent number: 6751979
    Abstract: A ground-based system and method of supplying temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses a throttle valve to control the flow of compressed air flowing through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger, which may be mounted in a wheeled cart, removes heat from the compressed air supplied to the air conditioning unit and supplies cooled compressed air at a desired temperature. The temperature of the cooled compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the throttle valve, which regulates compressed air flow from the compressed air source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Publication number: 20040074253
    Abstract: A ground-based system and method of supplying temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses a throttle valve to control the flow of compressed air flowing through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger, which may be mounted in a wheeled cart, removes heat from the compressed air supplied to the air conditioning unit and supplies cooled compressed air at a desired temperature. The temperature of the cooled compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the throttle valve, which regulates compressed air flow from the compressed air source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Patent number: 6637215
    Abstract: A system and method of supplying temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses a bypass valve in a bypass line to control the amount of cooling air flowing through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger removes heat from a flow of compressed air supplied to the air conditioning unit and supplies cooled compressed air at a desired temperature. The temperature of the cooled compressed air is controlled by selectively positioning the bypass valve, which regulates cooling air flow through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Publication number: 20030196956
    Abstract: A system and method for storing and purifying used hydraulic fluid removed from an aircraft hydraulic fluid system includes a purification system that mounted on transportable cart. Used hydraulic fluid is transferred from an aircraft to a salvage tank that is mounted on the transportable cart. A hydraulic fluid purification module is also mounted on the transportable cart and is part of the purification system. The purification system may be fluidly coupled to an external system that supplies a motive source of flow energy, and may be selectively configured so that the used hydraulic fluid in the salvage tank passes through the purification module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Patent number: 6568203
    Abstract: A system and method of supplying temperature-controlled air to an aircraft environmental control system during ground support operations that uses an air amplifier to control the flow rate of cooling air through a heat exchanger. A heat exchanger removes heat from a flow of compressed air supplied to the air conditioning unit and supplies cooled compressed air at a predetermined temperature. The flow of the cooled compressed air is controlled by using the air amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Leathers
  • Patent number: 4691730
    Abstract: A flow control device (12) for supplying first and second fluid distribution systems (16 and 18) with a constant percentage of fluid flowing from a single source of fluid (14). A housing (20) has a first bore (28) and a second bore (52) with a semi-cylindrical shaft (38) located in the first bore (28) to establish the relationship between fluid flow from an inlet orifice (32) and first and second outlet orifices (34 and 36). A shuttle valve (58-60) in the second bore (52) responds to the fluid flow from the first and second outlet orifices (34 and 36) and the respective back pressure to maintain the fluid flow through the first and second fluid distribution systems (16 and 18) in the same volume percentage as set by position of shaft (30) in the first bore (28). The shuttle valve (58-60) also provides a pressurizing function such that a minimum system pressure is required before any fluid flows to the first and second fluid distribution systems (16 and 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventors: Larry A. Portolese, Thomas M. Leathers