Patents by Inventor Michael Howe

Michael Howe 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: 12286047
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a front, a rear, lateral sides extending between the front and the rear. The vehicle further includes a fluid delivery system supported by the body. The fluid delivery system includes an intake manifold disposed at the rear, the intake manifold being constructed and arranged to receive fluid from at least one external fluid source, an outlet disposed at the front, the outlet being constructed and arranged to distribute fluid from the at least one fluid source to an external target, and a fluid conduit coupled with the intake manifold and the outlet to convey the fluid from the intake manifold to the outlet through the body. The vehicle further includes track assemblies coupled with the body, the body being disposed between the track assemblies to enable the track assemblies to provide stability to the vehicle during high speed fluid discharge from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Howe & Howe Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Howe, Zachary Edward Sawyer, Forrest Joel Tripp
  • Patent number: 12240541
    Abstract: A technique for a modular tracked vehicle that can be reconfigured as needed to address different requirements and use cases. The modular tracked vehicle includes a chassis hull that allows interchangeable components to be connected thereto. The interchangeable components include interchangeable final drives which drive the vehicle's tracks. The chassis hull stores an energy reservoir, such as a battery or fuel tank, and the final drives include at least a gear box and drive axle. Different final drives may be provided for different torque levels, speed levels, energy sources, and or other specifications, and the final drives may be swapped based on mission requirements. Other components of the modular tracked vehicle may be interchangeable, as well. The technique may be provided, for example, as a modular tracked vehicle, a platform for a modular tracked vehicle, and/or as a method for use with a modular tracked vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Howe & Howe Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Howe, Forrest Joel Tripp, Zachary Edward Sawyer, Anthony Victor Castro
  • Patent number: 12120956
    Abstract: A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: HOWE INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventors: Troy Michael Howe, Steven Daniel Howe
  • Patent number: 11988644
    Abstract: An in-situ bollard tester. The in-situ bollard tester may comprise: a frame, cable, and tensioner. The frame may mount onto a pier and around a bollard to provide structural support for the cable and tensioner. The frame may comprise a pair of base assemblies and a spreader bar. Each of the base assemblies may comprise a support frame and a cantilever arm, and the spreader bar may be coupled to the pair of base assemblies. A pair of jacks are coupled near proximal corners of the base assemblies. The tensioner may comprise a pair of hydraulic arms having first ends coupled near a proximal end of the base assemblies and a linear crossmember coupled to the second ends of the hydraulic arms. The cable may fasten to the bollard, and the tensioner may apply tension to the cable at various load angles in order to test the integrity of the bollard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gerritt E. Lang, Elaina Ryan, Juan Carrillo, Ricardo Contreras, Zachary Harwood, Benjamin Hulbert, Dennis Michael How, Timothy Paul Kurtin, II
  • Patent number: 11971391
    Abstract: An in-situ bollard tester. The in-situ bollard tester may comprise: a frame, cable, and tensioner. The frame is preferably adapted to mount onto a pier or wharf and around a bollard to provide structural support for the cable and tensioner. The frame may comprise a rectangular frame, pair of hanging columns, pair of jacks and pair of legs. The pair of jacks are coupled near proximal corners of the rectangular frame and are vertically disposed. The hanging columns are coupled near distal corners of the rectangular frame. The pair of legs are coupled at the lower ends of the hanging columns and are disposed in a horizontal manner. The tensioner may be coupled above the rectangular frame. The cable may fasten to the bollard, and the tensioner may apply tension to the cable at various load angles in order to test the integrity of the bollard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gerritt E. Lang, Elaina Ryan, Juan Carrillo, Ricardo Contreras, Zachary Harwood, Benjamin Hulbert, Dennis Michael How, Timothy Paul Kurtin, II
  • Publication number: 20240102260
    Abstract: A universal mounting structure for changing attachments on a construction machine includes first and second ear plates mounted disposed in spaced relation. The ear plates include a first and second pair portions of elongated cutout patterns. First and second collar/pin assembly each includes a pin and a pair of collars. Each collar has an eccentric bore configured to removably receive each end of a pin and each collar has surfaces engaging complementary surfaces of one of the first or second pair portions of the elongated cutout patterns. The first and second collar/pin assemblies are configured such that a center distance between the pins can be adjusted 1) in large increments by moving either one or both of the first and second collar/pin assemblies within the respective pair portion of the elongated cutout patterns, and 2) in small increments by axial rotation of a pair of collars about a respective pin of one or both of the collar/pin assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Bruter Mrozek, Michael Howe
  • Publication number: 20240100895
    Abstract: A technique provides an amphibious, submersible vehicle, which includes an electric drive and is capable of operating both on land and in water. The vehicle includes a water-tight compartment that houses batteries and a set of electric motors for propelling the vehicle using tracks on land and on a subsea floor. The vehicle is further capable of propelling itself through water, using the tracks and/or a set of thrusters powered by the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Anthony Victor Castro, Michael Howe, Todd Joey Michaud, William Edward McMaster, Zachary Edward Sawyer
  • Publication number: 20240082612
    Abstract: A firefighting vehicle includes a chassis that houses an electric drivetrain for driving wheels of the vehicle. A conduit extends within the chassis from back to front for conveying firefighting fluid. Within the chassis, a first motor and a first battery pack are disposed on a first side of the conduit and a second motor and a second battery pack are disposed on a second side of the conduit. The first motor is configured to drive a first wheel on a first side of the vehicle, and the second motor is configured to drive a second wheel on a second side of the vehicle. The conduit is configured to provide firefighting fluid to a monitor mounted at the front of the chassis, where the fluid can be discharged toward a target, such as a fire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Forrest Joel Tripp, Anthony Victor Castro, Michael Howe
  • Publication number: 20240049599
    Abstract: A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Applicant: HOWE INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventors: Troy Michael Howe, Steven Daniel Howe
  • Publication number: 20230397498
    Abstract: A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: HOWE INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventors: Troy Michael Howe, Steven Daniel Howe
  • Patent number: 11827295
    Abstract: Techniques are directed to utilizing a suspension protector to deflect debris away from a set of suspension components of a tracked vehicle. The tracked vehicle includes a vehicle body, a suspension, and a set of suspension protectors. The suspension couples with the vehicle body and is constructed and arranged to control movement of the vehicle body using tracks. Each suspension protector couples with the vehicle body and is disposed a predefined distance from a respective wheel of the suspension to deflect debris thrown from the respective wheel and a respective track away from a respective set of suspension components of the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Howe & Howe Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest Joel Tripp, Michael Howe
  • Patent number: 11793076
    Abstract: A thermoelectric converter including a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material. The radiation source emits ionizing radiation that increases electrical conductivity. Also detailed is a method of using radiation to reach high efficiency with a thermoelectric converter that includes providing a thermoelectric generator and a radiation source, with the thermoelectric generator including a hot source, a cold source, n-type material, and p-type material, and emitting ionizing radiation with the radiation source to increase the electrical conductivity which strips electrons in the n-type material, the p-type material, or both the n-type material and p-type material from their nuclei with the electrons then free to move within the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: HOWE INDUSTRIES LLC
    Inventors: Troy Michael Howe, Steven Daniel Howe
  • Patent number: 11731697
    Abstract: A technique for steering a tracked vehicle includes controllably deforming at least a portion of a vehicle's track into a curved shape, causing the vehicle to follow a curve-shaped path as it drives. As the vehicle naturally tends to follow a curved path defined by the track's curvature, steering is accomplished with greatly reduced skidding against the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Howe & Howe Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Howe, Geoffrey Howe
  • Patent number: 11691681
    Abstract: Example apparatuses and techniques are disclosed for towing tracked vehicles at high speeds without various deficiencies and for allowing a vehicle to be configured to extend supplemental wheels from a storage configuration into a ground support configuration in which the vehicle is able to make use of the supplemental wheels for additional ground support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Howe & Howe Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary E. Sawyer, Michael Howe, Cote Taylor
  • Publication number: 20220409938
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining a front, a rear, lateral sides extending between the front and the rear. The vehicle further includes a fluid delivery system supported by the body. The fluid delivery system includes an intake manifold disposed at the rear, the intake manifold being constructed and arranged to receive fluid from at least one external fluid source, an outlet disposed at the front, the outlet being constructed and arranged to distribute fluid from the at least one fluid source to an external target, and a fluid conduit coupled with the intake manifold and the outlet to convey the fluid from the intake manifold to the outlet through the body. The vehicle further includes track assemblies coupled with the body, the body being disposed between the track assemblies to enable the track assemblies to provide stability to the vehicle during high speed fluid discharge from the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Howe, Zachary Edward Sawyer, Forrest Joel Tripp
  • Publication number: 20220340216
    Abstract: Example apparatuses and techniques are disclosed for towing tracked vehicles at high speeds without various deficiencies and for allowing a vehicle to be configured to extend supplemental wheels from a storage configuration into a ground support configuration in which the vehicle is able to make use of the supplemental wheels for additional ground support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Zachary E. Sawyer, Michael Howe, Cote Taylor
  • Patent number: 11427270
    Abstract: Example techniques have been presented for providing tracked vehicles with deployable towing wheels. Such techniques involve a track vehicle having a vehicle body, a track coupled to the vehicle body, and a wheel assembly coupled to the vehicle body. The wheel assembly includes a wheel and is operable to assume a towing position in which at least a portion of the wheel extends below the track and enables the tracked vehicle to be towed on the wheel without the track making ground contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Howe & Howe Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Howe, Zachary Edward Sawyer, Jason Wan Xu, Cote Taylor
  • Patent number: 11407458
    Abstract: Example apparatuses and techniques have been presented for towing tracked vehicles at high speeds without various deficiencies and for allowing a vehicle to be configured to extend supplemental wheels from a storage configuration into a ground support configuration in which the vehicle is able to make use of the supplemental wheels for additional ground support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Howe & Howe Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary E. Sawyer, Michael Howe, Cote Taylor
  • Publication number: 20220194494
    Abstract: Techniques are directed to utilizing a suspension protector to deflect debris away from a set of suspension components of a tracked vehicle. The tracked vehicle includes a vehicle body, a suspension, and a set of suspension protectors. The suspension couples with the vehicle body and is constructed and arranged to control movement of the vehicle body using tracks. Each suspension protector couples with the vehicle body and is disposed a predefined distance from a respective wheel of the suspension to deflect debris thrown from the respective wheel and a respective track away from a respective set of suspension components of the suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Forrest Joel Tripp, Michael Howe
  • Patent number: D1045666
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Howe & Howe Inc.
    Inventors: Forrest Joel Tripp, Anthony Victor Castro, Todd Joey Michaud, Michael Howe