Patents by Inventor Patrick R. Crane

Patrick R. Crane 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: 7342504
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes one or more monitoring devices, positioned in sewer manholes, storm drains, etc., and a remote monitoring station that communicates wirelessly therewith. The monitoring device may be an integrated unit, including sensors, a two-way telemetry unit, a power supply, a processor, and supporting hardware, all located in an enclosed, waterproof housing. The monitoring device is placed within a manhole cavity to obtain depth (e.g., water level) measurements and report the measurements back to the remote monitoring station, which analyzes the data and responds to alert messages when a dangerous water level is detected. The sample and reporting rates of the device, as well as the water level threshold values, may be remotely programmable via commands transmitted from the remote monitoring station. An additional sensor may monitor the manhole cover for security purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignees: Aeromesh Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick R. Crane, Alan K. Pittman
  • Patent number: 7002481
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes one or more monitoring devices, positioned in sewer manholes, storm drains, etc., and a remote monitoring station that communicates wirelessly therewith. The monitoring device may be an integrated unit, including sensors, a two-way telemetry unit, a power supply, a processor, and supporting hardware, all located in an enclosed, waterproof housing. The monitoring device is placed within a manhole cavity to obtain depth (e.g., water level) measurements and report the measurements back to the remote monitoring station, which analyzes the data and responds to alert messages when a dangerous water level is detected. The sample and reporting rates of the device, as well as the water level threshold values, may be remotely programmable via commands transmitted from the remote monitoring station. An additional sensor may monitor the manhole cover for security purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignees: Aeromesh Corporation, Timothy Crane
    Inventors: Patrick R. Crane, Alan K. Pittman
  • Patent number: 4766631
    Abstract: A sewer pipeline root cutting apparatus having entirely internal fluid passageways and interchangeable skids. A hydraulically driven motor drives a shaft for attachment of a cutting tool at one end, and has a thrusting nozzle connecting a high pressure hose at the other end. The system is arranged so that the high pressure thrusting nozzle connector holds the interchangeable skid assemblies on the hydraulic motor housing in use. The interchangeable skid assemblies are easily exchanged by simply removing the thruster nozzle and replacing the skid assembly, allowing the pipeline cleaner to be adapted to pipelines only slightly larger than the apparatus up to some of the largest sewer lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Sewer Rodding Equipment Company
    Inventors: Patrick R. Crane, Donald J. Bell