Patents by Inventor Thomas K. Zinn

Thomas K. Zinn 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).

  • Publication number: 20220403633
    Abstract: An accumulator assembly having a wastewater retention tank defining an interior chamber. A fluid level sensor is coupled to the waste retention tank and configured to sense a level of liquid in the chamber. An extraction pipe extends into the chamber and is coupled to an extraction valve. Coupled to the fluid sensor is a controller that is also coupled to the fluid level sensor and to the extraction valve. The controller is configured to open the extraction valve upon receipt of a signal from the sensor. The accumulator assembly also includes an odor mitigation subassembly in fluid communication with the chamber. The odor mitigation subassembly further includes an air displacement port, an odor filter and an overflow prevention device, the overflow prevention device being in fluid communication with the chamber and located downstream of the air displacement port and upstream of the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas K. Zinn, Carlos J. Galeazzi
  • Patent number: 10968614
    Abstract: An accumulator for a vacuum drainage system. The accumulator includes a body having a bottom wall, sidewalls and top wall, the bottom wall, sidewalls and top walls all cooperating to define a reservoir within the body. A first inlet port and a first outlet port are provided toward a first end of the body, and a second inlet port and a second outlet port are provided toward a second end of the body. The first and second inlet ports respectively define first and second inlet openings into the reservoir, and the first and second outlet ports respectively define first and second outlet openings from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Acorn Engineering Company
    Inventors: Thomas K. Zinn, Carlos J. Galeazzi
  • Publication number: 20190071852
    Abstract: An accumulator for a vacuum drainage system. The accumulator includes a body having a bottom wall, sidewalls and top wall, the bottom wall, sidewalls and top walls all cooperating to define a reservoir within the body. A first inlet port and a first outlet port are provided toward a first end of the body, and a second inlet port and a second outlet port are provided toward a second end of the body. The first and second inlet ports respectively define first and second inlet openings into the reservoir, and the first and second outlet ports respectively define first and second outlet openings from the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas K. Zinn, Carlos J. Galeazzi
  • Patent number: 7374669
    Abstract: A vacuum transport system suited to moving FOG-laden water. The system includes a first reservoir and at least one vacuum pump in fluid communication with the first reservoir and operable to produce a vacuum within the first reservoir. A first accumulator is positioned to collect FOG-laden water from a first FOG-laden water source. A first valve is operable to selectively provide fluid communication between the first accumulator and the first reservoir. FOG-laden water can be drained from the first reservoir into a grease interceptor disposed in the building exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Acorn Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Thomas K. Zinn
  • Patent number: 6990993
    Abstract: A vacuum drainage system operable to remove waste from a source. The system includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the source and a substantially vertical riser having a first portion in fluid communication with the accumulator and a second portion downstream of the first portion and in fluid communication with a vacuum source. A first valve is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The first valve is selectively operable to provide fluid communication between the first portion and the vacuum source. An air inlet is disposed a distance downstream of the first valve and is selectively operable to provide fluid communication between the outside atmosphere and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Acorn Engineering Company
    Inventors: Volker W. Hafner, Thomas K. Zinn, Enrique P. Loreto
  • Patent number: 6684902
    Abstract: An accumulator for collecting a volume of a liquid, which includes controls to permit the liquid to rise in a container to a preset upper level, at which level a drain valve is opened causing liquid to flow out of the accumulator. The accumulator utilizes two opened bottom pipes, which are connected through check valves to a controller. The controller is sensitive to the pressure at its inlet port. The pipes are interconnected so that when the liquid reaches an upper level, the pressure at the controller is sufficient to open the drain valve, and once the accumulator is almost empty, the drain valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: AcornVac, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Zinn, Enrique P. Loreto, Ron Hahn
  • Patent number: 4345884
    Abstract: A drive mechanism suitable for vertical pumps driven by hollow shaft motors includes an output shaft, a variable speed transmission unit for mounting above the motor, and means for vertically adjusting the position of the output shaft, the adjusting means being located above the transmission unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Peerless Pump Division, Indian Head Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Longiny, Dimitar Kalchev, Thomas K. Zinn