Patents by Inventor Alan Owen

Alan Owen 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: 8769769
    Abstract: A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing that has a top wall and a perimeter wall attached to and extending downwardly from the top wall. The perimeter wall includes a front wall, a rear wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. A plurality of wheels is rotatably coupled to the housing. Each of the first and second lateral walls has two of the wheels positioned thereon. A brush is mounted to the housing beneath the top wall. A debris catch is mounted in the first lateral wall and catches debris moved by the brush. The brush directs debris toward the debris catch. A handle is attached to and extending upwardly from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Alan Owen
  • Patent number: 7611307
    Abstract: The apparatus may include a space frame on which is mounted at least one hydrofoil for generating positive or negative lift. The frame is attachable to underwater equipment such as a turbine. The hydrofoils are adapted to produce negative lift when a flow of liquid passes over them and so in use cause the apparatus and attached equipment to sink to the seabed. The flow of water over the hydrofoils continue to produce negative life and so maintain the apparatus on the seabed. In certain embodiments, the hydrofoils can typically be set to a passive configuration in which they flip over when the current flow changes direction. Furthermore, the hydrofoils are selectively rotatable to provide an angle of attack such that they may be adapted to provide positive lift when it is necessary to remove the apparatus from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Gordon University
    Inventors: Alan Owen, Ian Gordon Bryden
  • Publication number: 20080053358
    Abstract: The apparatus may include a space frame on which is mounted at least one hydrofoil for generating positive or negative lift. The frame is attachable to underwater equipment such as a turbine. The hydrofoils are adapted to produce negative lift when a flow of liquid passes over them and so in use cause the apparatus and attached equipment to sink to the seabed. The flow of water over the hydrofoils continue to produce negative life and so maintain the apparatus on the seabed. In certain embodiments, the hydrofoils can typically be set to a passive configuration in which they flip over when the current flow changes direction. Furthermore, the hydrofoils are selectively rotatable to provide an angle of attack such that they may be adapted to provide positive lift when it is necessary to remove the apparatus from the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Alan Owen, Ian Bryden
  • Patent number: 7275891
    Abstract: The apparatus may include a space frame on which is mounted at least one hydrofoil for generating positive or negative lift. The frame is attachable to underwater equipment such as a turbine. The hydrofoils are adapted to produce negative lift when a flow of liquid passes over them and so in use cause the apparatus and attached equipment to sink to the seabed. The flow of water over the hydrofoils continue to produce negative life and so maintain the apparatus on the seabed. In certain embodiments, the hydrofoils can typically be set to a passive configuration in which they flip over when the current flow changes direction. Furthermore, the hydrofoils are selectively rotatable to provide an angle of attack such that they may be adapted to provide positive lift when it is necessary to remove the apparatus from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Gordon University
    Inventors: Alan Owen, Ian Gordon Bryden
  • Publication number: 20060140724
    Abstract: The apparatus may include a space frame on which is mounted at least one hydrofoil for generating positive or negative lift. The frame is attachable to underwater equipment such as a turbine. The hydrofoils are adapted to produce negative lift when a flow of liquid passes over them and so in use cause the apparatus and attached equipment to sink to the seabed. The flow of water over the hydrofoils continue to produce negative life and so maintain the apparatus on the seabed. In certain embodiments, the hydrofoils can typically be set to a passive configuration in which they flip over when the current flow changes direction. Furthermore, the hydrofoils are selectively rotatable to provide an angle of attack such that they may be adapted to provide positive lift when it is necessary to remove the apparatus from the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Alan Owen, Ian Bryden