Patents by Inventor Peter J. Tolan

Peter J. Tolan 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: 6036860
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the continuous remediation of a site contaminated with a hazardous substance. The remediation apparatus includes a material selectively permeable to the hazardous substance located at the site. Once isolated, the hazardous substance is removed to a remote vessel by utilization of an automated gas-injection system. The remediation apparatus also incorporates a valve configured to protect the system from detrimental, and potentially dangerous, overloadings of hazardous substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Peter J. Tolan
  • Patent number: 5868557
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the continuous remediation of a site contaminated with a hazardous substance. The remediation apparatus includes a material selectively permeable to the hazardous substance located at the site. Once isolated, the hazardous substance is removed to a remote vessel by mechanical means or by utilization of an gas-injection system. The invention also contemplates a valve configured to protect remediation apparatuses from detrimental overloadings of hazardous substances during a remediation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Peter J. Tolan
  • Patent number: 5795474
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the continuous remediation of a site contaminated with a hazardous substance. The remediation apparatus includes a material selectively permeable to the hazardous substance located at the site. Once isolated, the hazardous substance is removed to a remote vessel by mechanical means or by utilization of an gas-injection system. The invention also contemplates a valve configured to protect remediation apparatuses from detrimental overloadings of hazardous substances during a remediation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Peter J. Tolan
  • Patent number: 5207897
    Abstract: An automatic pumping system for removal of floating contaminants and oil and gasoline seepage from water wells. A vertically reciprocating cone-shaped member, like an inverted funnel, is moved between positions above and below the water surface. As it submerges, the inverted funnel collects the floating product within its circumference and transfers it to a collection space surrounding the cone. In the upper position, this collection space is sealed so that air may be blown into it while the collected product is driven out through a pickup tube to a collection sump for ultimate disposal. A second embodiment incorporates a hydraulic pumping system which operates in synchronism with the contamination collection and disposal system to create a cone of depression which draws the floating product into the space covered by the circumference of the reciprocating cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventors: William E. Baird, Peter J. Tolan
  • Patent number: 5035141
    Abstract: A liquid level sensing apparatus for detecting leaks in storage tanks. A buoyancy member is at least partially immersed in the liquid, suspended from a pivoted, counterbalanced, parallelogram support arrangement with a radio frequency target sensing element for electrical readout of displacement. Two such apparatus are incorporated in a system with a provision for measuring a portion of the liquid of the tank in isolation from the remainder, in order to provide for temperature compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventors: William E. Baird, Peter J. Tolan
  • Patent number: 4880147
    Abstract: An air blast generator is provided in the form of a pressure accumulator with a spring-loaded bellows. Air pressure expands the bellows, compressing the spring to store energy. When a valve is opened the spring aids in expulsion of the air such that a high pressure discharge of air is provided for a larger duration than would be possible without the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Inventor: Peter J. Tolan
  • Patent number: 4848150
    Abstract: A liquid level sensing apparatus for detecting leaks in storage tanks. A buoyancy member is at least partially immersed in the liquid, suspended from a pivoted, counterbalanced, parallelogram support arrangement with a radio frequency target sensing element for electrical readout of displacement. Two such apparatus are incorporated in a system with a provision for measuring a portion of the liquid of the tank in isolation from the remainder, in order to provide for temperature compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Inventors: William E. Baird, Peter J. Tolan
  • Patent number: 4811601
    Abstract: The rate of leaking from a liquid storage tank may be accurately determined by measuring the change in volume of the tank over a period of time, and during said same period (or during a period immediately before or after said measuring period, or both,) measuring the change in length of a probe which extends from the bottom of the tank to the top, and calculating, from the change in length of said probe, the change in volume of the liquid in the tank due to changes in temperature throughout the entire height of the tank. In one embodiment of the invention, the probe is a rod of material which has a high coefficient of thermal expansion and which is inert to the liquid being tested. Since each segment of the rod assume a length which is a function of the temperature at the level of that segment, the rod assumes a length which is a function of the integrated temperatures from the top of the bottom of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Peter J. Tolan