Patents by Inventor Brent M. Howe

Brent M. Howe has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11440812
    Abstract: A cover for a wastewater treatment unit is disclosed. The cover may include a retractable awning, a frame, and at least one rotating shaft. The retractable awning may be configured to cover the wastewater treatment unit when extended and allow access to the wastewater treatment unit when retracted. The retractable awning may be configured to protect the wastewater treatment unit from ultraviolet light. The frame may be provided to support the retractable awning above the wastewater treatment unit at an incline angle. The angle may allow visibility into the wastewater treatment unit when the retractable awning is extended. The frame may further include a handrail. A system including the wastewater treatment unit positioned within a basin and the cover is also disclosed. Methods of retrofitting a wastewater treatment system and methods of facilitating protection of a wastewater treatment unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Evoqua Water Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Brent M. Howe
  • Publication number: 20200339436
    Abstract: A cover for a wastewater treatment unit is disclosed. The cover may include a retractable awning, a frame, and at least one rotating shaft. The retractable awning may be configured to cover the wastewater treatment unit when extended and allow access to the wastewater treatment unit when retracted. The retractable awning may be configured to protect the wastewater treatment unit from ultraviolet light. The frame may be provided to support the retractable awning above the wastewater treatment unit at an incline angle. The angle may allow visibility into the wastewater treatment unit when the retractable awning is extended. The frame may further include a handrail. A system including the wastewater treatment unit positioned within a basin and the cover is also disclosed. Methods of retrofitting a wastewater treatment system and methods of facilitating protection of a wastewater treatment unit are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Evoqua Water Technologies Canada Ltd
    Inventor: Brent M. Howe
  • Patent number: 6865754
    Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided a removable cover for retaining off-gases inside a clarifier. The cover comprises trusses extending across the clarifier and a flexible sheet laid across the trusses. Structural angles enclose the clarifier and constitute a kick plate on the walkways around the clarifier for improving the safety of workers. One side of the flexible sheet is permanently affixed to a first wall of the clarifier. A series of pullers are mounted inside the structural angles for pulling and releasably sealing the three other sides of the flexible sheet against the outmost trusses and against a second wall of the clarifier opposite the first wall. Each puller has a cable-deflector bar extending substantially at a same level as a mounting surface of the puller for increasing an angle of downward pull on the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is rolled-up along the trusses to expose machinery inside the clarifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Inventors: Brian MacLean, Brent M. Howe
  • Publication number: 20040006925
    Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided a removable cover for retaining off-gases inside a clarifier. The cover comprises trusses extending across the clarifier and a flexible sheet laid across the trusses. Structural angles enclose the clarifier and constitute a kick plate on the walkways around the clarifier for improving the safety of workers. One side of the flexible sheet is permanently affixed to a first wall of the clarifier. A series of pullers are mounted inside the structural angles for pulling and releasably sealing the three other sides of the flexible sheet against the outmost trusses and against a second wall of the clarifier opposite the first wall. Each puller has a cable-deflector bar extending substantially at a same level as a mounting surface of the puller for increasing an angle of downward pull on the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is rolled-up along the trusses to expose. machinery inside the clarifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Brian R. MacLean, Brent M. Howe
  • Patent number: 6612079
    Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided a removable cover for retaining off-gases inside a clarifier. The cover comprises trusses extending across the clarifier and a flexible sheet laid across the trusses. Structural angles enclose the clarifier and constitute a kick plate on the walkways around the clarifier for improving the safety of workers. One side of the flexible sheet is permanently affixed to a first wall of the clarifier. A series of pullers are mounted inside the structural angles for pulling and releasably sealing the three other sides of the flexible sheet against the outmost trusses and against a second wall of the clarifier opposite the first wall. Each puller has a cable-deflector bar extending substantially at a same level as a mounting surface of the puller for increasing an angle of downward pull on the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is rolled-up along the trusses to expose machinery inside the clarifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventors: Claude J. DeGarie, Brent M. Howe, Brian R. MacLean
  • Publication number: 20020108317
    Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided a removable cover for retaining off-gases inside a clarifier. The cover comprises trusses extending across the clarifier and a flexible sheet laid across the trusses. Structural angles enclose the clarifier and constitute a kick plate on the walkways around the clarifier for improving the safety of workers. One side of the flexible sheet is permanently affixed to a first wall of the clarifier. A series of pullers are mounted inside the structural angles for pulling and releasably sealing the three other sides of the flexible sheet against the outmost trusses and against a second wall of the clarifier opposite the first wall. Each puller has a cable-deflector bar extending substantially at a same level as a mounting surface of the puller for increasing an angle of downward pull on the flexible sheet. The flexible sheet is rolled-up along the trusses to expose machinery inside the clarifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Claude J. DeGarie, Brent M. Howe, Brian R. MacLean