Patents by Inventor Norman James O'Brien

Norman James O'Brien 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: 11674279
    Abstract: A water supply control system is disclosed that comprises a computer-implemented control system coupled to a plurality of gates, one or more pumps, and a plurality of sensors. The computer-implemented control system is configured to receive a request to transfer excess water from a non-water supply lake to a water supply lake and determine, based at least in part on data from the plurality of sensors and geographic locations of the non-water supply lake and the water supply lake, whether transferring water as requested will cause or worsen a flood event. In response to a determination that transferring water as requested will not cause or worsen a flood event, the computer-implemented control system is further configured to issue a command to cause a gate associated with a dam at the non-water supply lake to open such that water is transferred from the non-water supply lake to the water supply lake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: O'Brien Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman James O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6202636
    Abstract: The present invention is a pitching machine for use in batting and fielding practice for baseball and softball. The pitching machine of the present invention uses an expanding gas to propel a ball down a barrel toward the intended target. While the expanding gas could be created by a variety of means without departing from the scope of the present invention, including a piston, ignition of a combustible fuel, or a chemical reaction, the preferred embodiment of the present invention uses compressed air in a reservoir. The compressed air is held in a reservoir and released into the barrel behind the ball using a quick release valve. Spin is imparted on the ball by means of an engageable friction surface which forms a portion of the barrel, thereby allowing the pitching machine of the present invention to simulate any type of pitch. The barrel is able to rotate relative to the pitching machine to allow the engageable friction surface to contact the ball at any angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Lobit Partnership
    Inventor: Norman James O'Brien