Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Whitmire

Thomas W. Whitmire 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: 5454532
    Abstract: In an aircraft deicer comprising a reservoir and a pump connected to the reservoir through a first conduit, the pump operating to circulate a fluid contained within the reservoir throughout at least a portion of the deicer, the improvement comprising: a jet pump located in the first conduit between the reservoir and the pump for increasing the pressure of the fluid within the first conduit between the jet pump and the pump; the jet pump comprising a tubular body portion having an inlet end and a discharge end and a nozzle located within the body portion between the inlet end and the discharge end; and a second conduit extending from a discharge end of the pump to the nozzle; whereby fluid from the discharge end of the pump is injected into the fluid flowing from the reservoir through the jet pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas W. Whitmire
  • Patent number: 5190249
    Abstract: The invention is a system for heating aircraft deicing fluid. The system is an aircraft deicer such as shown in FIG. 2 which includes an engine 210. The deicer systems comprises a tank 270 for holding deicing fluid. First pump means 250,252 and 254 are driven by engine 210 and pump deicing fluid from tank 270 through piping or conduit 266,264,230. Backpressure valve means 251,253,255 is positioned the outlet of the first pump means 250,252,254 respectively, to continuously, substantially and directly heat deicing fluid to a temperature sufficient to deice the aircraft.The system further comprises second pump means 212, 232 for directing deicing fluid through engine 210 to pick up heat rejected by engine 210. Once the deicing fluid has been pumped through engine 210, piping or a conduit means 216,222,228,230,266,264 connects the output of the second pump means 212,232 to the inlet of the first pump means 250,252 and 254.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Zwick Energy Research Organization, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Whitmire, Edwin C. Hightower
  • Patent number: D304024
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Eckstedt, Thomas W. Whitmire