US4073437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conversion package for aircraft de-icing machines
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1976-06-11
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Granted: 1978-02-14
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Expires: 1996-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A conversion unit for an aircraft de-icing machine which permits the machine to be easily converted to a much improved device without the necessity of completely remanufacturing the machine. The conversion unit comprises a frame which is secured to the rearward end of the de-icing machine frame. A housing is secured to the conversion unit frame and encloses the conversion unit components. A water heater is provided in the housing for heating the water being supplied thereto. A "glycol" pump is also provided on the conversion unit frame and is in fluid communication with the detergent tank on the de-icing machine which is used to contain "glycol" rather than detergent. The water heater is fluidly connected to the water pump on the de-icing machine and is fluidly connected to the spray nozzle on the aerial platform provided on the de-icing machine. A "glycol" proportioning valve is also provided adjacent the spray nozzle and is in fluid communication therewith. The "glycol" pump is operatively connected to the proportioning valve so that the "glycol" may be selectively proportioned into the heated water being sprayed on the aircraft.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter E. Thorton-Trump
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S3/00; B64; B64F; B64F5/00; B64F5/20; B64F5/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A conversion unit for an aircraft deicing apparatus of the type having a wheeled frame means with forward and rearward ends, an aerial platform means on said frame means, a first tank on said frame means, a second tank on said frame means, first pump means fluidly connected to said first tank and a nozzle on said aerial platform means, whereby fluid under pressure can be sprayed onto the aircraft, said conversion unit comprising: conversion unit frame means for attachment to the rearward end of the wheeled frame means; heater means on said conversion frame means, said heater means being in fluid communication with said first tank and first pump means; first conduit means communicating said first tank with said heater means, said first pump means and said nozzle; second pump means for pumping fluid from said second tank; proportioning valve means communicating said second pump means with said nozzle, said proportioning valve means being adapted to vary the amount of fluid from said second tank that is sprayed from said nozzle with the fluid from said first tank; second conduit means communicating said second tank with said second pump means, said proportioning valve and said nozzle; and, purging means associated with said second conduit means and said first conduit means for selectively circulating fluid from said second tank throughout said first conduit means, said purging means introducing said fluid into said first conduit means at a location intermediate said first pump means and said first tank.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A conversion unit for an aircraft deicing apparatus of the type having a wheeled frame means with forward and rearward ends, an aerial platform means on said frame means, a first tank on said frame means, a second tank on said frame means, first pump means fluidly connected to said first tank and a nozzle on said aerial platform means, whereby fluid under pressure can be sprayed onto the aircraft, said conversion unit comprising: conversion unit frame means for attachment to the rearward end of the wheeled frame means; heater means on said conversion frame means, said heater means being in fluid communication with said first tank and first pump means; first conduit means communicating said first tank with said heater means, said first pump means and said nozzle; second pump means for pumping fluid from said second tank; proportioning valve means communicating said second pump means with said nozzle, said proportioning valve means being adapted to vary the amount of fluid from said second tank that is sprayed from said nozzle with the fluid from said first tank; second conduit means communicating said second tank with said second pump means, said proportioning valve and said nozzle; and, purging means associated with said second conduit means and said first conduit means for selectively circulating fluid from said second tank throughout said first conduit means, said purging means introducing said fluid into said first conduit means at a location intermediate said first pump means and said first tank.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The conversion unit of claim 1 wherein said conversion unit frame means has a rearward end and a bumper means provided on the rearward end of said conversion unit frame means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The conversion unit of claim 2 wherein clearance and signal lights are provided on said bumper means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The conversion unit of claim 1 wherein a conversion unit housing is mounted on the conversion unit frame means for containing the components of the conversion unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The conversion unit of claim 4 wherein a power means and a blower means are provided in said housing for supplying air to said heater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The conversion unit of claim 5 wherein said housing means has a connector bulkhead at its forward end for operatively connecting the water heater to said water tank and for operatively connecting the de-icing fluid pump to said second tank.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
242 words
A conversion unit for an aircraft deicing apparatus of the type for a wheeled frame means with forward and rearward ends, an aerial platform means on said frame means, a first tank on said frame means, a deicing fluid tank on said frame means, a first pump fluidly connected to said first tank and a nozzle on said aerial platform means whereby fluid under pressure can be sprayed onto the aircraft to be deiced, said conversion unit comprising: first conduit means communicating said first tank, said first pump, a heater means and said nozzle; second conduit means communicating said deicing fluid tank, a deicing fluid pump and a proportioning valve, said second conduit merging with said first conduit means upstream of said nozzle; a heater located in said first conduit means for heating the fluid passing therethrough; a proportioning valve in said second conduit means for varying the amount of deicing fluid that passes therethrough to said first conduit means for spraying from said nozzle; a deicing fluid pump located in said second conduit means for pumping deicing fluid from said deicing fluid tank through said proportioning valve to said nozzle; and, purging means associated with said second conduit means for selectively introducing deicing fluid into said first conduit means upstream of said first pump, said purging means preferably being operated subsequently of aircraft deicing to maintain deicing fluid in said first conduit means and first pump during nonuse of said apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
242 words
A conversion unit for an aircraft deicing apparatus of the type for a wheeled frame means with forward and rearward ends, an aerial platform means on said frame means, a first tank on said frame means, a deicing fluid tank on said frame means, a first pump fluidly connected to said first tank and a nozzle on said aerial platform means whereby fluid under pressure can be sprayed onto the aircraft to be deiced, said conversion unit comprising: first conduit means communicating said first tank, said first pump, a heater means and said nozzle; second conduit means communicating said deicing fluid tank, a deicing fluid pump and a proportioning valve, said second conduit merging with said first conduit means upstream of said nozzle; a heater located in said first conduit means for heating the fluid passing therethrough; a proportioning valve in said second conduit means for varying the amount of deicing fluid that passes therethrough to said first conduit means for spraying from said nozzle; a deicing fluid pump located in said second conduit means for pumping deicing fluid from said deicing fluid tank through said proportioning valve to said nozzle; and, purging means associated with said second conduit means for selectively introducing deicing fluid into said first conduit means upstream of said first pump, said purging means preferably being operated subsequently of aircraft deicing to maintain deicing fluid in said first conduit means and first pump during nonuse of said apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A conversion unit as defined in claim 7 wherein said purging means includes one directional valve means on said first conduit means for introducing said deicing fluid therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A conversion unit as defined in claim 8 wherein said purging means further includes third conduit means interconnected said second conduit means with said one directional valve means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
A conversion unit as defined in claim 9 wherein said purging means further includes a purging pump in said third conduit means for pumping said deicing fluids onto said first conduit means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-13 | 1981-08-15 | 1982-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-13 | 1985-08-15 | 1986-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-13 | 1989-08-15 | 1990-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |