Patents by Inventor John L. Donovan
John L. Donovan 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).
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Publication number: 20240141905Abstract: A sump pump system may detect and utilize motion or acceleration of water in sump basins when implementing control of sump pumps. To detect the motion or acceleration, the sump pump system may utilize a sensor that is configured to detect motion or acceleration, such as an accelerometer or gyroscope. The sump pump system may identify a water level in a sump basin based on the detected motion or acceleration, which may be compared to a reading or expected signal from the sump pump system's “typical” sensor (e.g., float switch) that is used to detect one or more water levels. In this manner, the sump pump system may detect a malfunctioning level sensor that is used by the pump to detect high-water and low-water marks at which the sump pump activates and deactivates, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Nathan L. Tofte, Jonathan Christopher Hull, John R. Donovan, Richard Jan Tjaden
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Patent number: 9851192Abstract: A transportable explosion chamber and method of operation for containing, controlling and suppressing explosive detonations, including the explosion surface hardening of impact-hardenable rail components. The apparatus comprises an elongate cylindrical steel containment vessel having an access door for introducing workpieces and a vent door for discharging explosion products. Both doors extend convexly into the vessel to facilitate the dissipation of explosion shock waves. Orificed vent pipes penetrate the vessel walls to controllably release explosion products into one or more exhaust manifolds. The vessel is surrounded and enclosed by steel skins supported by spaced octagonal steel support ribs fabricated by welding from interlocking elements. The hollows formed between the containment vessel and steel skins are filled with granular shock-damping silica sand which is introduced through filler openings at the top of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Inventor: John L. Donovan
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Publication number: 20150266667Abstract: A transportable explosion chamber and method of operation for containing, controlling and suppressing explosive detonations, including the explosion surface hardening of impact-hardenable rail components. The apparatus comprises an elongate cylindrical steel containment vessel having an access door for introducing workpieces and a vent door for discharging explosion products. Both doors extend convexly into the vessel to facilitate the dissipation of explosion shock waves. Orificed vent pipes penetrate the vessel walls to controllably release explosion products into one or more exhaust manifolds. The vessel is surrounded and enclosed by steel skins supported by spaced octagonal steel support ribs fabricated by welding from interlocking elements. The hollows formed between the containment vessel and steel skins are filled with granular shock-damping silica sand which is introduced through filler openings at the top of the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventor: John L. Donovan
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Patent number: 8621973Abstract: A portable containment chamber for disposing of explosive threat devices comprises a cylindrical chamber body with a hinged interiorly convex outward-opening access door. The door closes against a tapered seat whereby explosion pressure enhances a gas-tight seal. In closed position the door is locked by interconnected expandable locking shoes which engage an annular locking channel in the mouth of the chamber with a simultaneous crank-and-piston linkage. The door is actuated by a pneumatic mechanism which first traverses laterally it into alignment with the chamber, then traverses it axially into sealing engagement with the chamber mouth, and then moves the expandable locking shoes into locked position. A first interlock prevents axial door movement when in standby position, and a second interlock inhibits detonation of a donor explosive charge within the chamber if the door locking shoes are not fully locked.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: American Innovations, Inc.Inventors: David C. Abbe, John L. Donovan
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Publication number: 20120312147Abstract: A portable containment chamber for safely disposing of suspected explosive threat devices comprises a cylindrical chamber body and hinged outward-opening access door. The door seals against a tapered seat and extends convexly into the interior of the chamber, whereby blast pressure tends to expand the door into enhanced gas-tight sealing engagement. The mouth of the chamber has an annular locking channel with which the door is locked in closed position by an expandable interconnected locking shoes driven by a crank-and-piston linkage such that all shoes are simultaneously locked and unlocked by movement of a common crank. A two-stage door operating mechanism first moves the unlocked door axially out of sealed position, and then rotates it to one side to provide access to the interior of the chamber. For closing, the sequence of movements is reversed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: AMERICAN INNOVATIONS, INC.Inventors: David C. Abbe, John L. Donovan
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Publication number: 20120198987Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for purging an airlock cavity created between the airlock access door and the primary explosion chamber opening sealing mechanism. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an airlock device is used to ensure that, in the event toxins are released from the primary explosion chamber opening sealing means, the toxins are properly handled and are not inadvertently released into the atmosphere. In one embodiment, negative pressure is used to vacuum the entrained air within the airlock cavity subsequent to an explosion. To facilitate the sweeping and exhausting of the cavity, an orifice in the access door may be operable to allow the flow of ambient air through the airlock access door.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2008Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventors: John L. Donovan, Jay M. Quimby, McRea B. Willmert
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Patent number: 7700047Abstract: Systems and methods for treating hazardous materials are disclosed. One exemplary implementation provides a system for rendering chemical weapons materiel less hazardous. This system includes a detonation chamber, an expansion chamber, and an emission treater adapted to treat gas from detonation of the chemical weapons materiel. The emission treater yields a substantially dry residual waste stream and a treated gas suitable for venting to atmosphere. The emission treater may treat the gas with an alkaline powder that interacts with the gas, producing the residual waste stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignees: CH2M Hill Constructors, Inc., CH2M Demilitarization, Inc., CH2M Hill Engineers, Inc.Inventors: Jay M. Quimby, Richard A. Johnson, Alan T. Edwards, John L. Donovan, McRea B. Willmert
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Patent number: 7418895Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for purging an airlock cavity created between the airlock access door and the primary explosion chamber opening sealing mechanism. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an airlock device is used to ensure that, in the event toxins are released from the primary explosion chamber opening sealing means, the toxins are properly handled and are not inadvertently released into the atmosphere. In one embodiment, negative pressure is used to vacuum the entrained air within the airlock cavity subsequent to an explosion. To facilitate the sweeping and exhausting of the cavity, an orifice in the access door may be operable to allow the flow of ambient air through the airlock access door.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2003Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: DeMil International, Inc.Inventors: John L. Donovan, Jay M. Quimby, McRea B. Willmert
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Patent number: 6354181Abstract: An apparatus and method for the destruction of terrorist weapons, including explosives chemical and biological agents, by detonation in an enclosed double-walled steel explosion chamber having its walls, access door and floor filled with granular shock damping material. The chamber is vented through orifices into vent pipes which converge in a manifold which exhausts into an expansion tank or scrubber for cooling, testing, and environmental treatment of the explosion products. A weapon to be destroyed is placed into the chamber with a donor explosive charge and held in place by a disintegratable string hammock, along with one or more plastic polymer film bags containing water. After closing the access door, the donor charge is detonated by an electrical detonation means.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1999Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Inventor: John L. Donovan
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Patent number: 6173662Abstract: A mobile apparatus, and method of operation, for controlling and suppressing the explosive destruction of munitions by detonation in an explosion chamber. The apparatus comprises a double-walled steel explosion chamber which is moved by wheeled carriage means to a desired location. Granular shock-damping silica sand is introduced into fillable cavities within the chamber walls, ceiling and floor prior to use. After use, the sand is removed to lighten the chamber prior to transport. The floor of the chamber is covered with granular shock-damping pea gravel which may be added before use and removed before further transport. A munition to be destroyed is placed within an open-topped steel fragmentation containment unit. Vaporizable plastic bags of energy-absorbing water are disposed about the munition in a spaced array. An array of vent pipes vents the chamber into manifolds leading to an expansion tank or scrubber for further cooling and environmental treatment of the explosion products.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1998Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Inventor: John L. Donovan
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Patent number: 5884569Abstract: A method and apparatus for enclosing, controlling and suppressing the explosive destruction of munitions, including cluster-bomb munitions by detonation in an explosion chamber. The apparatus comprises a double-walled steel explosion chamber in which the of the chamber walls and access doors are filled with granular shock damping silica sand. The floor of the chamber is covered with granular shock-damping pea gravel. An array of vent pipes vents the chamber into manifolds leading to a scrubber for further cooling and environmental treatment of the gaseous combustion products. Within the chamber, plastic bags of water are suspended over the detonation. A munition to be destroyed is placed within an open-topped manganese steel fragmentation containment unit, which is then placed within the chamber under a woven steel blast mat secured to the chamber roof.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Inventor: John L. Donovan
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Patent number: 5613453Abstract: A method and apparatus for enclosing, controlling and suppressing the detonation of explosives in an explosion chamber is disclosed. The device comprises an elongate double-walled steel explosion chamber anchored to a concrete foundation, and having a double-walled access door for charging new workpieces, and a double-walled vent door for discharging the products of the explosion. The double walls of the chamber, access door and vent door are filled with granular shock damping material such as silica sand, and the floor of the chamber is covered with granular shock-damping bed such as pea gravel. Along the outside of the chamber are steel manifolds from which a linear array of vent pipes penetrates the double walls of the chamber, with each pipe terminating in a hardened steel orifice through which the explosion combustion products pass. Within the chamber, plastic polymer film bags containing water are suspended from steel wires over the explosive material, and at each end of the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Inventor: John L. Donovan
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Patent number: RE36912Abstract: .[.A method and apparatus for enclosing, controlling and suppressing the detonation of explosives in an explosion chamber is disclosed. The device comprises an elongate double-walled steel explosion chamber anchored to a concrete foundation, and having a double-walled access door for charging new workpieces, and a double-walled vent door for discharging the products of the explosion. The double walls of the chamber, access door and vent door are filled with granular shock damping material such as silica sand, and the floor of the chamber is covered with granular shock-damping bed such as pea gravel. Along the outside of the chamber are steel manifolds from which a linear array of vent pipes penetrates the double walls of the chamber, with each pipe terminating in a hardened steel orifice through which the explosion combustion products pass. Within the chamber, plastic polymer film bags containing water are suspended from steel wires over the explosive material, and at each end of the chamber..]. .Iadd.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1998Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: ABC-Naco Inc.Inventor: John L. Donovan