IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,874,734
Granted Patent B2
US 6,874,734 · App. 10/705,747 · Granted Apr 5, 2005

Fluid loading system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,874,734
App. No.
10/705,747
Granted
Apr 5, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pump system for loading fluid into a tank onboard a translating aircraft includes a substantially rigid tube member having a diving device on the distal end of the tube member. A strut structure may also be provided on a front face of the tube member. In use, the tube member is directed rearward relative to the translating aircraft so that splashing of fluid onto the underside of the aircraft is substantially avoided.

Claims (12)

1. A pump system comprising

an aircraft having an underside,

a tank onboard the aircraft for containing fluid,

a substantially rigid tube member, connected to the aircraft in communication with the tank, wherein the tube member is movable to a downward orientation for accessing a fluid source below the aircraft, and

wherein the tube member is directed rearward relative to the aircraft when the tube member is in the downward orientation.

2. A method of loading water onto an aircraft comprising

pumping fluid from a source through a substantially rigid tube member onto a tank on an aircraft, while the aircraft moves over the source, and

directing the tube member rearward relative to the aircraft's direction of travel.

3. A method of loading water onto an aircraft comprising

pumping fluid from a source through a substantially rigid tube member onto a tank on an aircraft, while the aircraft moves over the source,

directing the tube member rearward relative to the aircraft's direction of travel, and

further comprising the step of directing the tube member rearward relative to the aircraft's direction of travel.

Assignments (14)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 17, 2023
From: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST SUCCESSOR BY ASSIGNMENT FROM MIDCAP FUNDING X TRUST
To: ERICKSON INCORPORTED
Reel/Frame 062389/0395 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 23, 2022
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS AGENT
To: ERICKSON INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 059991/0969 →
ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME 042180/0459 Recorded Mar 8, 2019
From: MIDCAP FUNDING X TRUST, AS ASSIGNING AGENT
To: MIDCAP FUNDING IV TRUST, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 048544/0233 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2017
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: ERICKSON INCORPORATED; ERICKSON HELICOPTERS, INC.; EAC ACQUISITION CORPORATION; ERICKSON TRANSPORT, INC.; EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; EVERGREEN EQUITY, INC.; EVERGREEN UNMANNED SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 042201/0198 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2017
From: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: ERICKSON INCORPORATED, FKA ERICKSON AIR-CRANE INCORPORATED; EAC ACQUISITION CORPORATION; ERICKSON HELICOPTERS, INC., FKA EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS, INC.; ERICKSON TRANSPORT, INC., FKA EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS OF ALASKA, INC.; EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; EVERGREEN EQUITY, INC.
Reel/Frame 042201/0322 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2017
From: ERICKSON INCORPORATED
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB
Reel/Frame 042193/0878 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2017
From: ERICKSON INCORPORATED
To: MIDCAP FINANCIAL TRUST
Reel/Frame 042180/0459 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 9, 2016
From: EAC ACQUISITION CORPORATION; ERICKSON TRANSPORT, INC.; EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; EVERGREEN EQUITY, INC.; EVERGREEN UNMANNED SYSTEMS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 040701/0830 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 8, 2016
From: ERICKSON INCORPORATED; ERICKSON HELICOPTERS, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 040606/0072 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 8, 2016
From: ERICKSON AIR-CRANE INCORPORATED
To: ERICKSON INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 039628/0463 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 7, 2013
From: ERICKSON AIR-CRANE INCORPORATED; EAC ACQUISITION CORPORATION; EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS, INC.; EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS OF ALASKA, INC.; EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; EVERGREEN EQUITY, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 030363/0474 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL Recorded May 2, 2013
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: ERICKSON AIR-CRANE INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 030336/0577 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 2, 2013
From: ERICKSON AIR-CRANE INCORPORATED; EAC ACQUISITION CORPORATION; EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS, INC.; EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS OF ALASKA, INC.; EVERGREEN HELICOPTERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; EVERGREEN EQUITY, INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 030336/0609 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 8, 2010
From: ERICKSON AIR-CRANE INCORPORATED
To: WELLS FARGO NATIONAL BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 024651/0351 →