Patents by Inventor Patrick J. Toomey

Patrick J. Toomey 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: 6841781
    Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
  • Publication number: 20040037734
    Abstract: A system and method for removing mold from a structure in which mold has formed in at least one cavity in the structure. The method comprises the steps of identifying the cavity having at least one area of moisture accumulation, forming a bore through a surface at the structure in communication with the cavity, and evacuating the mold therefrom. The mold is exhausted outside the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
  • Patent number: 6633038
    Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
  • Patent number: 6633037
    Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
  • Patent number: 6610983
    Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
  • Publication number: 20020096638
    Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
  • Publication number: 20020096637
    Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
  • Publication number: 20020092990
    Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
  • Publication number: 20020092989
    Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
  • Publication number: 20020070341
    Abstract: A method of the present invention includes exposing a structure to first electromagnetic radiation including at least one wavelength absorbed by a predetermined substance that is to be detected. Such substance can be water, a water-soluble substance, or fungi, the presence of which can be a significant problem in a structure such as a house or building. The method includes sensing second electromagnetic radiation from the structure, the second radiation based on the first radiation. The method also includes determining whether the substance is present in the structure, based on the sensed second radiation. If the substance to be detected is water and the determining step reveals a water-suspect area in the structure, the method can include testing the water-suspect area of the structure to determine whether water is present therein. If water is confirmed by the determination to be present in the structure, the method can include a step of determining the source of the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Patrick J. Toomey
  • Patent number: 5886636
    Abstract: The invented method can be applied to a house, building or other structure to detect the presence of a water problem, even in areas that are not visible to the naked eye. The method includes a step of changing the temperature of the structure relative to its temperature existing immediately before the start of the method. The method also includes a step of infrared scanning the structure. Because moist structure areas are slow to move to the changed temperature compared to dry areas due to the relatively high thermal capacity of water, the changed temperature enables the infrared scanning step to readily contrast moisture-suspect areas of the structure from dry areas thereof. The method can also include steps of determining whether a moisture-suspect area does in fact contain moisture, or is due to other causes unrelated to moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: A-Acme, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J Toomey