Patents by Inventor Thomas Scherer

Thomas Scherer 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: 7128470
    Abstract: A bipolar optical plug-and-socket connector for connecting two optical fibers with other optical fibers and electro-optical transmission and receiving devices includes an optical housing for holding two fiber end sleeves in which each sleeve terminates a fiber. The optical housing includes first and second housing portions which have different external forms from one another. The housing portions hold respective ones of the sleeves when the sleeves are inserted into the housing portions along a plugging direction. The housing portions join to one another in a direction running perpendicular to the plugging direction to place the optical housing in a fully assembled position while the housing portions hold the sleeves. Each housing portion includes an end lock for locking the sleeves in the housing portions. The end locks of the housing portions lock the sleeve held in the other of the housing portions when the housing portions are joined together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Wolfgang Mohs, Wilfried Heringhaus
  • Publication number: 20060138280
    Abstract: The present application describes an arrangement and a method for utilizing the heat of waste air for heating the bilge area of aircraft, wherein the bilge area is connected to a heat transfer unit via a first air supply pipe, through which a bilge air flow drawn in from the bilge area flows into the heat transfer unit, wherein the heat transfer unit comprises a second air supply pipe, through which a waste air heat flow to be cooled that is created at another location in the aircraft flows into the heat transfer unit in order to heat the drawn-in bilge air flow, wherein the heat transfer unit comprises a first air discharge pipe, through which the cooled waste air heat flow is discharged, and a second air discharge pipe with a bilge inlet section, and wherein at least a portion of the heated bilge flow is returned to the bilge area via the air discharge pipe and the bilge inlet section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Markwart, Thomas Scherer, Oliver Schaumann
  • Publication number: 20060000790
    Abstract: An improved organizer is provided that may be hung on a CPU, cubicle partition, file cabinet or other structure commonly found in an office or work place. The organizer may include a single backing member connected to a variety of organizing elements or may be of a saddle-type where two backing members are connected together by one or more overhang straps thereby providing organizing elements on either side of the structure, such as a CPU. The organizing elements include pockets, trays, baskets, bulletin boards, dry erase boards and other types of display surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Harrison Smiddy, Thomas Scherer
  • Publication number: 20050284175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an evaporator arrangement for an air conditioning system of an aircraft, wherein a bypass conduit is provided which can be connected such that if required at least part of the airflow bypasses an evaporator. Advantageously this makes it possible in the case of malfunction of the evaporator to maintain the functionality of the air conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Walter Kulcke, Thomas Scherer
  • Publication number: 20050230488
    Abstract: An air dispersion system has a main supply line, a plurality of air outlets, which are connected via respective air exhaust routes to the main supply line, and at least one heating element, which is associated with at least one of the air outlets and can temper the air in the exhaust route of this air outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Markwart, Klaus Arnold, Frank Bracker, Jens Lohmar, Thomas Scherer, Torsten Schwan
  • Publication number: 20050190760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bus system for transmitting a data packet between multiple devices in an aircraft, which is based on the CAN data bus system, but has an expanded identification field, in which a fixed region is designed for identification of the manifold aircraft systems, through which each aircraft system may be addressed uniquely. According to an exemplary embodiment, the data packet may be sent with different priorities, through which “important” data packets have priority on the transmission medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Volker Von Doehlen
  • Publication number: 20050189360
    Abstract: A laundry basket has a bottom panel with a perimeter. A contiguous side wall extends generally upward from the perimeter of the bottom panel and terminates at an upper end. A basket interior is defined above the bottom panel and bounded by the side wall. A curved wall section of the side wall is curved concavely inward toward the basket interior. The bottom panel and the contiguous side wall, including the curved wall section, are formed of a primary material. A cushion pad is positioned generally at the upper end of the curved wall section and is formed from a secondary material that is softer than the primary material of the curved wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: RUBBERMAID INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brandi Loucks, Thomas Scherer, Fred Reber
  • Publication number: 20050117852
    Abstract: A bipolar optical plug-and-socket connector for connecting two optical fibers with other optical fibers and electro-optical transmission and receiving devices includes an optical housing for holding two fiber end sleeves in which each sleeve terminates a fiber. The optical housing includes first and second housing portions which have different external forms from one another. The housing portions hold respective ones of the sleeves when the sleeves are inserted into the housing portions along a plugging direction. The housing portions join to one another in a direction running perpendicular to the plugging direction to place the optical housing in a fully assembled position while the housing portions hold the sleeves. Each housing portion includes an end lock for locking the sleeves in the housing portions. The end locks of the housing portions lock the sleeve held in the other of the housing portions when the housing portions are joined together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Wolfgang Mohs, Wilfried Heringhaus
  • Publication number: 20050035120
    Abstract: A freezable container includes a base portion and may include a lid. The base portion may include a cold-retaining medium layer and be configured to be freezable to maintain a chilled environment for stored content. The freezable container may be configured to fit inside an insulated container such as a cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth Hull, Sean O'Brien, Fred Reber, David Sander, Thomas Scherer, Stephanie Schneider
  • Publication number: 20050035119
    Abstract: A removable container liner for a rigid insulating container includes a bottom portion and a wall portion formed as a single unitary body. The body may be composed of a stain resistant and odor resistant plastic. The liner may be configured to be used within an insulated container such as a cooler or water jug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth Hull, Sean O'Brien, Fred Reber, David Sander, Thomas Scherer, Stephanie Schneider
  • Patent number: 6415621
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for an aircraft includes a first rotatable shaft with a first compressor, a first turbine, a cooling air fan, and an auxiliary compressor connected for rotation therewith, and preferably further includes a second rotatable shaft with a second compressor and a second turbine connected for rotation therewith. A compression, cooling, and expansion cycle driven by at least the first compressor and the first turbine provides a principle flow of air conditioning air. The auxiliary compressor draws in outside air and provides a redundant auxiliary ventilation air flow, which is supplied into the installation space in which the air conditioning unit is installed, or another space in the aircraft that requires a reliable constant ventilation and cooling whenever the air conditioning unit is operational. The auxiliary ventilation air may be connected to a common air distribution network with other air conditioning units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Buchholz, Juergen Kelnhofer, Thomas Scherer
  • Patent number: 6389826
    Abstract: In an air conditioning system for an aircraft, two pre-mixing units respectively mix cold air from two air conditioning units with recirculated fuselage interior air from two recirculation units, to prepare two pre-mixed air flows that are both directed into and mixed together in a common air distribution mixing chamber, from which mixed air distribution lines branch off to respectively associated separate air conditioning zones within the fuselage. Post-mixing units are respectively interposed in the mixed air distribution lines and respectively mix additional quantities of recirculated fuselage interior air into the mixed air distribution lines. Thereby, the admixture of recirculated air is divided into at least two stages, the system provides redundant failure tolerant operation, and the danger of ice formation in the air lines is reliably prevented even while the air conditioning units provide cold air at a temperature below the water freezing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Albert Buchholz, Thomas Scherer
  • Publication number: 20010032472
    Abstract: In an air conditioning system for an aircraft, two pre-mixing units respectively mix cold air from two air conditioning units with recirculated fuselage interior air from two recirculation units, to prepare two pre-mixed air flows that are both directed into and mixed together in a common air distribution mixing chamber from which mixed air distribution lines branch off to respectively associated separate air conditioning zones within the fuselage. Post-mixing units are respectively interposed in the mixed air distribution lines and respectively mix additional quantities of recirculated fuselage interior air into the mixed air distribution lines. Thereby, the admixture of recirculated air is divided into at least two stages, the system provides redundant failure tolerant operation, and the danger of ice formation in the air lines is reliably prevented even while the air conditioning units provide cold air at a temperature below the water freezing point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Uwe Albert Buchholz, Thomas Scherer
  • Publication number: 20010025507
    Abstract: An air conditioning system for an aircraft includes a first rotatable shaft with a first compressor, a first turbine, a cooling air fan, and an auxiliary compressor connected for rotation therewith, and preferably further includes a second rotatable shaft with a second compressor and a second turbine connected for rotation therewith. A compression, cooling, and expansion cycle driven by at least the first compressor and the first turbine provides a principle flow of air conditioning air. The auxiliary compressor draws in outside air and provides a redundant auxiliary ventilation air flow, which is supplied into the installation space in which the air conditioning unit is installed, or another space in the aircraft that requires a reliable constant ventilation and cooling whenever the air conditioning unit is operational. The auxiliary ventilation air may be connected to a common air distribution network with other air conditioning units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Uwe Buchholz, Juergen Kelnhofer, Thomas Scherer
  • Patent number: 6293494
    Abstract: An air inlet provides air to an air consuming system of an aircraft, such as an auxiliary power unit, which consumes ram air during flight and which sucks in ambient outside air during ground operations of the aircraft. The inlet opening is flush with the outer surface of the fuselage skin. An air channel extends from the opening and is recessed into the fuselage. An air inlet lip bounds the downstream edge of the inlet opening. To prevent the formation of an airflow separation bubble in the air channel when air is sucked into the inlet during ground operations of the aircraft, an air guide element is arranged adjacent to the nose of the air inlet lip. In one embodiment the air guide element is an aerodynamically profiled auxiliary slat fixed in front of the nose of the air inlet lip to form an air guide gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Uwe Buchholz
  • Patent number: 6273849
    Abstract: With flow-through centrifuges free of rotating seals, the line leading from the stationary connection to the rotating separation unit for supplying and/or removing the fluid is subjected to relatively great mechanical stresses. The centrifuge according to the present invention has a bearing shell (13) into which is inserted a sliding bushing (9) that is provided on the line to support the line on the rotating frame (1) carrying the separation unit. Bearing shell (13) and sliding bushing (9) have widening sliding surfaces (11, 15) so that the contact surface can be minimized. The line (6) can be produced inexpensively as a disposable article, because it includes only the sliding bushing (9) of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Fresenius AG
    Inventor: Thomas Scherer
  • Patent number: 6168112
    Abstract: A double pane window for an aircraft cabin has a passive air dehumidifying channel (5, 5A) that is in heat exchange contact with a window metal frame (1) which is in turn in heat exchange contact with the atmosphere outside the aircraft. The air dehumidifying channel (5, 5A) communicates through a first air flow port (6) with the cabin space and through a second air flow port (7) with a space enclosed between the double panes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Mueller, Sven Uhlemann, Thomas Scherer, Heiko Luetjens
  • Patent number: 6024639
    Abstract: An injector air outlet includes a temperature sensor and a smoke sensor to simultaneously carry out the functions of air recirculation and temperature and smoke monitoring within a closed interior space, such as a passenger cabin or a freight or cargo hold in an aircraft. The injector air outlet includes a housing wall (2) with an injector mixing chamber (3) therein. A primary supply air inlet (4) receives primary supply air (5) from the aircraft's air distribution duct network, and blows the primary supply air through an injection nozzle (7) into the mixing chamber (3) so as to create a reduced or negative pressure in the mixing chamber. Cabin exhaust air (10) is sucked through a secondary air inlet (9) and a secondary air channel (8) into the mixing chamber (3), due to the reduced pressure or suction effect therein. The primary air and secondary air are mixed together and then ejected forcefully back into the cabin or cargo hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Uwe Buchholz
  • Patent number: 6019315
    Abstract: A door and its frame especially in an aircraft are constructed for circulating air through the structure for preventing cold air from forming near the door in an aircraft cabin. For this purpose at least one air flow channel is provided in the door construction. The air flow channel communicates with at least one inlet port with at least one outlet port so positioned that air circulation is maintained through the door structure. The outlet port passes preferably through a cabin floor for discharging cold air into a space below the cabin floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Michael Dreyhaupt, Heiko Luetjens
  • Patent number: 5934083
    Abstract: The climate in one or more aircraft cabin zones is controlled to achieve a minimal use of fresh air and an optimal use of recirculation air while satisfying official regulation requirements and avoiding freeze-ups in the air duct system of commercial aircraft. For this purpose temperature sensors ascertain a plurality of different actual temperature informations at different locations in the air supply system. Valve position sensors provide actual flow volume information from one or more valve locations. An r.p.m., volumetric flow or differential pressure sensor provides actual blower r.p.m., volumetric flow or differential pressure information. A CPU compares the actual information with rated information stored in a memory or entered through a keyboard to provide control signals, including closed loop control and/or open loop control signals, to a blower or blowers, a valve or valves, and to at least one air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Aerospace Airbus GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Scherer, Uwe Buchholz