Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Pank
Thomas E. Pank 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: 20230286828Abstract: A fluid management system including an inlet configured to receive pre-processed fluid is provided. The system includes a filtering apparatus configured to remove contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The filtering apparatus includes a plate having a first opening. A first manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations and a second opening at least partially aligned with the first opening. A second manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations. Filter media is disposed between the first manifold pipe and the second manifold pipe and is configured to separate the contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The system also includes an outlet coupled to the second manifold pipe to receive processed fluid from the filtering apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. FIGOLA, Bo LIU, Thomas E. PANK, Ronald R. VITARELLI, Erik K. HARTWELL
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Patent number: 11691894Abstract: A fluid management system including an inlet configured to receive pre-processed fluid is provided. The system includes a filtering apparatus configured to remove contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The filtering apparatus includes a plate having a first opening. A first manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations and a second opening at least partially aligned with the first opening. A second manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations. Filter media is disposed between the first manifold pipe and the second manifold pipe and is configured to separate the contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The system also includes an outlet coupled to the second manifold pipe to receive processed fluid from the filtering apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Figola, Bo Liu, Thomas E. Pank, Ronald R. Vitarelli, Erik K. Hartwell
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Publication number: 20220281756Abstract: A fluid management system including an inlet configured to receive pre-processed fluid is provided. The system includes a filtering apparatus configured to remove contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The filtering apparatus includes a plate having a first opening. A first manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations and a second opening at least partially aligned with the first opening. A second manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations. Filter media is disposed between the first manifold pipe and the second manifold pipe and is configured to separate the contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The system also includes an outlet coupled to the second manifold pipe to receive processed fluid from the filtering apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Applicant: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. FIGOLA, Bo LIU, Thomas E. PANK, Ronald R. VITARELLI, Erik K. HARTWELL
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Patent number: 11365131Abstract: A fluid management system including an inlet configured to receive pre-processed fluid is provided. The system includes a filtering apparatus configured to remove contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The filtering apparatus includes a plate having a first opening. A first manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations and a second opening at least partially aligned with the first opening. A second manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations. Filter media is disposed between the first manifold pipe and the second manifold pipe and is configured to separate the contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The system also includes an outlet coupled to the second manifold pipe to receive processed fluid from the filtering apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Daniel J. Figola, Bo Liu, Thomas E. Pank, Ronald R. Vitarelli, Erik K. Hartwell
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Publication number: 20210147254Abstract: A fluid management system including an inlet configured to receive pre-processed fluid is provided. The system includes a filtering apparatus configured to remove contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The filtering apparatus includes a plate having a first opening. A first manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations and a second opening at least partially aligned with the first opening. A second manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations. Filter media is disposed between the first manifold pipe and the second manifold pipe and is configured to separate the contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The system also includes an outlet coupled to the second manifold pipe to receive processed fluid from the filtering apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2020Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. FIGOLA, Bo LIU, Thomas E. PANK, Ronald R. VITARELLI, Erik K. HARTWELL
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Patent number: 10882759Abstract: A fluid management system including an inlet configured to receive pre-processed fluid is provided. The system includes a filtering apparatus configured to remove contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The filtering apparatus includes a plate having a first opening. A first manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations and a second opening at least partially aligned with the first opening. A second manifold pipe is disposed on the plate and includes one or more perforations. Filter media is disposed between the first manifold pipe and the second manifold pipe and is configured to separate the contaminants from the pre-processed fluid. The system also includes an outlet coupled to the second manifold pipe to receive processed fluid from the filtering apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2020Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. Figola, Bo Liu, Thomas E. Pank, Ronald R. Vitarelli, Erik K. Hartwell
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Publication number: 20200009474Abstract: A system useful for cleaning solid and liquid contaminants from fluid run-off under varying flow rate conditions has an inlet enclosure; a main separation enclosure comprising an intake, an outlet, and an interior wall; and a foil attached to the interior wall of the main separation enclosure, the foil configured to smooth laminar flow of fluid in the main separation enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2018Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventor: Thomas E. PANK
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Patent number: 8591732Abstract: Three flow paths within a single container are provided for the separation of contaminates, such as floating debris, heavy trash, lighter fluids and heavier fluids, from an effluent stream. A first flow path is provided for low flow conditions wherein the effluent stream pools in a first chamber within the container and the surface of the pooled fluid is drawn off, leaving heavy contaminates within the first chamber. The drawn fluid, with lighter and/or floating contaminates, enters a second chamber. The fluid is drawn from the second chamber below the surface level of the fluid, leaving the lighter and floating contaminates within the second chamber. In moderate flow conditions, a second flow path is established from the first chamber and out the container, bypassing the second chamber. Fluid for the second flow path is drawn from below the surface of the fluid in the first chamber to exclude light and floating contaminates.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2010Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: Baysaver Technologies, LLCInventor: Thomas E. Pank
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Publication number: 20110049029Abstract: Three flow paths within a single container are provided for the separation of contaminates, such as floating debris, heavy trash, lighter fluids and heavier fluids, from an effluent stream. A first flow path is provided for low flow conditions wherein the effluent stream pools in a first chamber within the container and the surface of the pooled fluid is drawn off, leaving heavy contaminates within the first chamber. The drawn fluid, with lighter and/or floating contaminates, enters a second chamber. The fluid is drawn from the second chamber below the surface level of the fluid, leaving the lighter and floating contaminates within the second chamber. In moderate flow conditions, a second flow path is established from the first chamber and out the container, bypassing the second chamber. Fluid for the second flow path is drawn from below the surface of the fluid in the first chamber to exclude light and floating contaminates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventor: Thomas E. Pank
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Apparatus for separating a light fluid from a heavy one and/or removing sediment from a fluid stream
Patent number: 7875174Abstract: An input chamber receives runoff water to be cleaned. Part of the way up the chamber wall is a restricted outlet which feeds a system for cleaning the water. At a still higher elevation another opening allows runoff water to flow to another cleaning system. Near the top of the chamber is an outlet pipe. A vertical baffle in front of the outlet cleans water that flows under the baffle on its way to the outlet. When the incoming flow rate is very high, water passes over the baffle to the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Inventor: Thomas E. Pank -
Patent number: 7875190Abstract: An input chamber receives runoff water to be cleaned. Part of the way up the chamber wall is a restricted outlet which feeds a system for cleaning the water. At a still higher elevation another opening allows runoff water to flow to an extended detention chamber. Near the top of the chamber is an outlet pipe. A vertical baffle in front of the outlet cleans water that flows under the baffle on its way to the outlet. When the incoming flow rate is very high, water passes over the baffle to the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Inventor: Thomas E. Pank
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Publication number: 20100294729Abstract: A large vault or tank receives the runoff water to be cleaned. There are one or more small tanks in the large tank (vault). Each small tank is inverted and receives water at its open lower end, from the large tank. The water entering the small tank rises, as the water level in the large tank rises, and flows upward through a filter. When the water level rises above the top of the filter it enters an outlet tube or pipe and then flows downwardly along the center-line of the filter. A float, a valve and a check valve may cause the system to function as a siphon and feed the filtered clean water to an outlet. Alternatively the siphoning effect will occur if the inside diameter of said outlet tube is small enough to form a partial vacuum.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: Thomas E. Pank, Austin Travis Meyermann
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Patent number: 7708149Abstract: A large vault or tank receives the runoff water to be cleaned. There are one or more small tanks in the large tank (vault). Each small tank is inverted and receives water at its open lower end, from the large tank. The water entering the small tank rises, as the water level in the large tank rises, and flows upward through a filter. When the water level rises above the top of the filter it enters an outlet tube or pipe and then flows downwardly along the center-line of the filter. A float, a valve and a check valve may cause the system to function as a siphon and feed the filtered clean water to an outlet. Alternatively the siphoning effect will occur if the inside diameter of said outlet tube is small enough to form a partial vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Inventors: Thomas E. Pank, Austin T. Meyermann
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Apparatus for separating a light fluid from a heavy one and/or removing sediment from a fluid stream
Publication number: 20080217227Abstract: An input chamber receives runoff water to be cleaned. Part of the way up the chamber wall is a restricted outlet which feeds a system for cleaning the water. At a still higher elevation another opening allows runoff water to flow to another cleaning system. Near the top of the chamber is an outlet pipe. A vertical baffle in front of the outlet cleans water that flows under the baffle on its way to the outlet. When the incoming flow rate is very high, water passes over the baffle to the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventor: Thomas E. Pank -
Publication number: 20080217257Abstract: An input chamber receives runoff water to be cleaned. Part of the way up the chamber wall is a restricted outlet which feeds a system for cleaning the water. At a still higher elevation another opening allows runoff water to flow to an extended detention chamber. Near the top of the chamber is an outlet pipe. A vertical baffle in front of the outlet cleans water that flows under the baffle on its way to the outlet. When the incoming flow rate is very high, water passes over the baffle to the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventor: Thomas E. Pank
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Publication number: 20080217238Abstract: A spiral filter has four layers wound around a central perforated outlet pipe. An input layer which extends not only around the outer sidewall but also to the top side and the bottom side of the filter receives the water to be filtered from all of said sides and feeds the incoming water through two layers containing a filtering media. The water then passes to an output layer which feeds the perforated outlet pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventor: Thomas E. Pank
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Patent number: 7182856Abstract: A system is provided for treating runoff water in which there is a separator and a filter for cleaning the water. A reservoir is provided to hold large quantities of water during prolonged rainstorms. The output of the reservoir is fed to the filter. The rate of flow from the reservoir to the filter is controlled and limited to flow rates at which the filter can efficiently clean the water.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventor: Thomas E. Pank
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Patent number: 6869528Abstract: The present invention filters runoff water containing oil and an emulsion of oil and water. A tank receives the inlet water and feeds it to a reservoir which in turn feeds the water to the cylindrical filter cells. The water passing through the filter cells is received by a manifold which feeds the clean water to an outlet. However, when the runoff water has a high rate of flow the reservoir soon overflows and the excess water flows directly to an outlet. The reservoir may be either above or below the filter cells. If above, the water entering the inlet flows downward to a reservoir which is perforated to provide water to the filter cells. If, however, the reservoir is below the filter cells it has a perforated top which feeds the filter cells. The water in the reservoir is under pressure. The filter cells may be cylindrical. They have an inner vertical cylindrical passageway surrounded by one or more cylindrical layers. One filtering media is in said inner passageway.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Inventor: Thomas E. Pank
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Publication number: 20030127377Abstract: A system is provided for treating runoff water in which there is a separator and a filter for cleaning the water. A reservoir is provided to hold large quantities of water during prolonged rainstorms. The output of the reservoir is fed to the filter. The rate of flow from the reservoir to the filter is controlled and limited to flow rates at which the filter can efficiently clean the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventor: Thomas E. Pank
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Publication number: 20020117435Abstract: The present invention filters runoff water containing oil and an emulsion of oil and water. A tank receives the inlet water and feeds it to a reservoir which in turn feeds the water to the cylindrical filter cells. The water passing through the filter cells is received by a manifold which feeds the clean water to an outlet. However, when the runoff water has a high rate of flow the reservoir soon overflows and the excess water flows directly to an outlet. The reservoir may be either above or below the filter cells. If above, the water entering the inlet flows downward to a reservoir which is perforated to provide water to the filter cells. If, however, the reservoir is below the filter cells it has a perforated top which feeds the filter cells. The water in the reservoir is under pressure. The filter cells may be cylindrical. They have an inner vertical cylindrical passageway surrounded by one or more cylindrical layers. One filtering media is in said inner passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventor: Thomas E. Pank