The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 04, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 21, 1996
Thomas F Johnson, Foothill Ranch, CA (US);
TA Mfg. Co., Glendale, CA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for coupling to an aircraft a high pressure air flow from ground equipment to start engines includes a hollow housing attachable to the ground equipment. A pair of members defining a first valve form a clamshell within the housing. Such members are biased to a closed relationship and are rotatable to an open relationship. A hollow coupling member includes a ring for rotating such valve members equally to the open relationship in response to incremental linear movements of the ring member. The coupling member receives a hollow start nipple in the aircraft. A pair of members defining a second valve form a clamshell rotatable within the housing in a direction opposite to the direction of the first clamshell rotation. The second valve members are biased to close such valve and are rotatable to an open relationship. The coupling member includes prongs which act linearly on the second valve members, in a manner similar to the ring action on the first valve members, to open such valve. Detents on the coupling member and on the start nipple maintain the valves open until the housing and the coupling member are removed from the start nipple. The start nipple configuration facilitates the removal of the coupling member and the housing from the start nipple. When the valves are opened, high pressure air flows from the ground equipment into the aircraft to start the engines. The synchronous operation of both valves provides additional assurance as to the proper operation of the apparatus.