US 12,066,456 B2
System for ensuring failsafe operation of pitot tube covers for multiple types of pitot tubes
Steven A. DeGroff, Decatur, IN (US); Phillip R. Russell, Fort Wayne, IN (US); and David J. Hockemeyer, Hoagland, IN (US)
Assigned to DeGroff Aviation Technologies, Berne, IN (US)
Filed by DeGroff Aviation Technologies, Berne, IN (US)
Filed on Mar. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/704,312.
Application 17/704,312 is a division of application No. 16/851,348, filed on Apr. 17, 2020, granted, now 11,480,586.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/884,799, filed on Aug. 9, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/862,873, filed on Jun. 18, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/836,331, filed on Apr. 19, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0252634 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. G01P 5/165 (2006.01); B64F 1/00 (2024.01); G01F 1/46 (2006.01)
CPC G01P 5/165 (2013.01) [B64F 1/005 (2013.01); G01F 1/46 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A self-disengaging pitot tube cover having a hardened shell surrounding a hollow inner bore defined by an interior wall and a rear aperture configured to receive a pitot tube, said pitot tube cover comprising:
a) a split cylinder configuration of said shell, said split cylinder configured in two halves to constitute said hollow inner bore, each half interfacing along two outer edge surfaces; and,
b) a release mechanism formed as part of said shell, and configured to facilitate automatic separation of said split cylinder halves from each other, thereby separating said pitot tube cover from said pitot tube;
c) a removable locking rod configured to be inserted into said self-disengaging pitot tube cover to lock said release mechanism in a closed position, and to unlock said release mechanism when withdrawn.