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:
May. 15, 2001
Filed:
Jan. 23, 1998
Arnold M. Heitmann, Swampscott, MA (US);
Robert G. Littlefield, Vienna, VA (US);
Tanner Systems, Inc., Saint Cloud, MN (US);
Abstract
A method of dispersing de-iceant into a stream of air flowing through an air supply line comprises the steps of placing a turbine in the air supply line; forcing at least a portion of the stream of compressed air to pass through the turbine, thus causing the turbine to spin; and using the spinning turbine to atomize the de-iceant. A preferred turbine both generates an electrical current and disperses a liquid de-iceant and comprises a rotatable shaft; a rotor connected to the shaft; a stator surrounding the rotor and being prevented from turning; electrical conductors connected to the stator; one or more blades connected to the rotating shaft at an angle to the direction of flow of air past the shaft so as to cause the shaft to rotate as air flows past the blades; a centrifuging surface connected to the shaft; and a conduit for supplying de-iceant to the centrifuging surface.