Patents by Inventor Gregory J. Engel

Gregory J. Engel 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: 7520017
    Abstract: A street sweeper system is used typically in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about an axis generally perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A recirculation flap is mounted contacting a lower rear portion of the brush. The recirculation flap deflects debris that has traveled over the top of the brush back into the brush to be recollected at the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Tennant
    Inventors: Michael S. Wilmo, Gregory J. Engel
  • Patent number: 7124463
    Abstract: A street sweeper system is used typically in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about an axis that is typically perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A conveyor lip is mounted on a lower edge of the conveyor to improve sweeping performance. The conveyor lip covers a space between the lower edge of the conveyor and the ground. The lip's lower edge is angled towards the brush to deflect debris back towards the brush to recirculate the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Mathews, Michael H. Lenzmeier, Archie A. Weidner, Gregory J. Engel
  • Patent number: 7086118
    Abstract: A street sweeper with vacuumized dust control where a rotary broom chamber surrounds a rotary broom. The rotary broom chamber connects by a conveyor housing containing a conveyor mechanism to a hopper having a powered fan and a filter. A vacuum or low pressure is created within the hopper which communicates through the conveyor housing to the rotary broom chamber which creates an airflow therebetween which carries dust or other light debris to a filter which filters out the dust particles or other light debris. The conveyor housing and other components are positionable to accommodate various modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Gregory J. Engel, Steven L. Boomgaarden
  • Patent number: 6966097
    Abstract: Street sweeper having dust control from two or more cleaning heads with one air source where one fan provides vacuum for a centrally located rotating broom which is surrounded by a vacuumized chamber and for a gutter broom which is surrounded by a vacuumized chamber. A plenum having a unique valving system and a filter shaker mechanism provides for filter cleaning and for a dirt and debris path from the plenum to a hopper bottom during filter cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Gregory J. Engel, Theodore J. Olsonoski
  • Publication number: 20040143928
    Abstract: A street sweeper with vacuumized dust control where a rotary broom chamber surrounds a rotary broom. The rotary broom chamber connects by a conveyor housing containing a conveyor mechanism to a hopper having a powered fan and a filter. A vacuum or low pressure is created within the hopper which communicates through the conveyor housing to the rotary broom chamber which creates an airflow therebetween which carries dust or other light debris to a filter which filters out the dust particles or other light debris. The conveyor housing and other components are positionable to accommodate various modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Gregory J. Engel, Steven L. Boomgaarden
  • Publication number: 20040045583
    Abstract: A street sweeper system is used typically in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about an axis that is typically perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A conveyor lip is mounted on a lower edge of the conveyor to improve sweeping performance. The conveyor lip covers a space between the lower edge of the conveyor and the ground. The lip's lower edge is angled towards the brush to deflect debris back towards the brush to recirculate the debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Tennant
    Inventors: Thomas P. Mathews, Michael H. Lenzmeier, Archie A. Weidner, Gregory J. Engel
  • Publication number: 20040045584
    Abstract: A street sweeper system is used in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about a horizontal axis that is typically perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A conveyor flap is mounted on a lower edge of the conveyor to improve sweeping performance. The conveyor lip covers a space between the lower edge of the conveyor and the ground. A cutoff flap is located on a forward portion of the brush to deflect debris that is passing over the brush. A recirculation flap is located at a rear portion of the brush to recirculate debris that has passed over the top of the brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Tennant
    Inventors: Thomas P. Mathews, Michael H. Lenzmeier, Archie A. Weidner, Michael S. Wilmo, Gregory J. Engel
  • Publication number: 20040045123
    Abstract: Street sweeper having dust control from two or more cleaning heads with one air source where one fan provides vacuum for a centrally located rotating broom which is surrounded by a vacuumized chamber and for a gutter broom which is surrounded by a vacuumized chamber. A plenum having a unique valving system and a filter shaker mechanism provides for filter cleaning and for a dirt and debris path from the plenum to a hopper bottom during filter cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory J. Engel, Theodore J. Olsonoski
  • Publication number: 20040045582
    Abstract: A street sweeper system is used typically in a motorized vehicle. The sweeper utilizes a cylindrical brush rotating about an axis generally perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of motion. A conveyor belt catches debris thrown forwards and upward by the brush and moves the debris to a hopper. A recirculation flap is mounted contacting a lower rear portion of the brush. The recirculation flap deflects debris that has traveled over the top of the brush back into the brush to be recollected at the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Tennant
    Inventors: Michael S. Wilmo, Gregory J. Engel
  • Publication number: 20040045111
    Abstract: A street sweeper with vacuumized dust control where a rotary broom chamber surrounds a rotary broom. The rotary broom chamber connects by a conveyor housing containing a conveyor mechanism to a hopper having a powered fan and a filter. A vacuum or low pressure is created within the hopper which communicates through the conveyor housing to the rotary broom chamber which creates an airflow therebetween which carries dust or other light debris to a filter which filters out the dust particles or other light debris. The conveyor housing and other components are positionable to accommodate various modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Gregory J. Engel, Steven L. Boomgaarden
  • Patent number: 6428590
    Abstract: A mobile debris collection machine which has an improved filter system includes a chassis, wheels for supporting the chassis, an operator controlled debris pickup on the chassis and a debris container on the chassis. There is a vacuum system for carrying debris from the pickup to the container, with the vacuum system including a vacuum fan located above the debris container for creating an air stream that moves dust and debris from the pickup toward the container. A filter system for removing dust and debris from the airstream includes a first filter stage formed of a rotating perforated member, a second filter stage that is located downstream of the vacuum fan and includes a mesh filter bag, and a third filter stage, located downstream from the second filter stage and including a pleated panel filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Ronald W. Lehman, Gregory J. Engel
  • Patent number: 6389641
    Abstract: A vacuum trash collection vehicle includes a debris container and a source of vacuum on the vehicle. There is a hose connected at one end to the debris container and has the source of vacuum applied thereto. The hose is open at its other end to form a debris collection nozzle. There is a boom for supporting the hose during use as a debris collection device. A vacuum pickup head is carried by the vehicle and there are operator controls for raising and lowering the pickup head. The pickup head has an opening of a size and shape to be connected to the hose nozzle. There is a driver accessible control for moving the hose and boom to utilize the hose nozzle as a debris collection device. The hose may be connected to the pickup head opening and thereby provide vacuum to the pickup head so that it functions as a debris collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Boomgaarden, Michael L. Blehert, Gregory J. Engel
  • Patent number: 5996173
    Abstract: A vacuum trash collection vehicle includes a frame with facilities for debris collection mounted on the frame which include a debris canister. There is a cover for the canister and there is a vacuum fan in the cover. A debris collection hose is connected to the cover and is in communication with the vacuum fan whereby vacuum is applied to the hose. There is a boom for supporting the hose and a driver control for manipulating the hose for debris collection. The debris canister is pivotally mounted on the frame and there are side-by-side debris collection containers positioned within the canister. A deflector plate is mounted above the debris canister to direct debris passing from the hose and into the cover toward both of the side-by-side debris collection containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Gregory J. Engel, Ronald W. Lehman
  • Patent number: 5996172
    Abstract: A vacuum trash collection vehicle includes a debris container and a source of vacuum on the vehicle. There is a hose connected at one end to the debris container and has the source of vacuum applied thereto. The hose is open at its other end to form a debris collection nozzle. There is a boom for supporting the hose during use as a debris collection device. A vacuum pickup head is carried by the vehicle and there are operator controls for raising and lowering the pickup head. The pickup head has an opening of a size and shape to be connected to the hose nozzle. There is a driver accessible control for moving the hose and boom to utilize the hose nozzle as a debris collection device. The hose may be connected to the pickup head opening and thereby provide vacuum to the pickup head so that it functions as a debris collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Boomgaarden, Michael L. Blehert, Gregory J. Engel
  • Patent number: 5647093
    Abstract: A sweeping machine includes a sweeping brush, a hopper having an inlet for receiving debris from said sweeping brush, an opening in said hopper and a vacuum system for creating an air flow path from the hopper inlet through the opening. There is a filter positioned in the hopper opening and a peripheral flexible seal between the inlet side of the filter and the hopper opening. A vibratory filter cleaner is positioned adjacent the outlet side of the filter to impart vibration thereto. There is a closure which encloses the filter and the filter cleaner and there is a second peripheral flexible seal between the filter outlet side and the closure. The filter is movable between the spaced peripheral seals at its inlet and outlet sides whereby vibratory cleaning force applied by the filter cleaner causes vibration of the filter to provide cleaning thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Gregory J. Engel, Robert D. Hennessey, Timothy G. LaRocque, Terence A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5455985
    Abstract: In a floor scrubbing machine, side squeegees for control of water on the floor are mounted with linkages that include vertical pivots so the squeegees can swing from side to side. They are interconnected with a tie rod so they swing in unison. A rear squeegee swings to one side or the other when the machine turns due to friction with the floor. A push-pull cable is connected between the rear squeegee mounting linkage and the linkage of a side squeegee to cause the side squeegees to swing or steer during turns. This positions them to effectively control water on the floor during a turn, and reduces squeegee wear. An alternative to steering them with the rear squeegee is to steer them with a hydraulic cylinder plumbed into the machine's power steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Anthony J. Hamline, Steven L. Boomgaarden, Gregory J. Engel, Bryan L. Christensen