Patrick George O'Brien

US Patent:

7171994, Feb 6, 2007

Filed:

Sep 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/237290

Inventors:

Patrick E. O'Brien - Caledonia IL, US

International Classification:

B65B 1/04

US Classification:

141311A, 141 86, 405 52, 404 25, 52 20

Abstract:

A matter-isolating system for use in combination with an underground storage tank assembly comprises primary and secondary spillage containment assemblies and a double-walled manhole assembly. The manhole assembly comprises a manhole lid, an outer skirt wall, and an inner skirt wall. The inner skirt wall defines an inner manhole cavity and an outer manhole channel. The outer manhole channel directs moisture from the lid to certain backfill material thus isolating the inner manhole cavity from channel-directed moisture. The spillage containment assemblies form concentric primary and secondary spillage-containing chambers in radial adjacency to a tank access conduit of the underground tank assembly. The inner manhole cavity functions to isolate the secondary spillage containment chamber from the outer manhole channel and the primary spillage containment chamber isolates the secondary spillage containment chamber from the tank access conduit. A chamber-monitoring system may be incorporated into the system for monitoring the isolated chambers.

US Patent:

7390142, Jun 24, 2008

Filed:

Aug 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/210057

Inventors:

Patrick E. O'Brien - Caledonia IL, US

International Classification:

B65G 5/00

US Classification:

405 53, 2205671, 2205672

Abstract:

An underground storage tank riser assembly comprises a riser member and at least one riser alignment spacer assembly. The riser member comprises an inferior riser end and an outer riser surface. The outer riser surface at the inferior riser end comprises a plurality of paired, optionally color-coded, curvilinear score indicia. The curvilinear score indicia enable a user to remove paired inferior end portions from the inferior riser end for forming a tank-engaging, saddle-shaped mouth at the inferior riser end. The saddle-shaped mouth comprises a vertical riser radius of curvature substantially equal in magnitude to a determinable tank radius of curvature. The saddle-shaped mouth is engageable with an outer tank surface in radial adjacency to a conduit extending therefrom. The riser alignment spacer assembly functions to center the riser member relative to the conduit.

US Patent:

20070144606, Jun 28, 2007

Filed:

Feb 1, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/701256

Inventors:

Patrick O'Brien - Caledonia IL, US

International Classification:

B65B 1/04

US Classification:

141086000

Abstract:

A manhole assembly is usable in combination with an underground tank assembly, and essentially comprises a double-walled, lid-supporting skirt assembly. The skirt assembly comprises inner and outer isolation walls. The inner isolation wall defines an inner manhole cavity and a moisture-directing, outer manhole channel. The outer manhole channel extends intermediate the inner isolation wall and the outer isolation wall. The outer manhole channel directs moisture from the superior skirt end adjacent a manhole lid supported by skirt assembly to the inferior skirt end thus isolating the inner manhole cavity from channel-directed moisture. The manhole assembly may further comprise a spring-actuable, lid-compressible collar assembly. It is contemplated that the collar assembly may be cooperable with the lid for selectively allowing matter to pass through the outer manhole channel depending on whether the lid is seated upon the collar assembly or removed therefrom.

US Patent:

59644109, Oct 12, 1999

Filed:

Jan 5, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/002968

Inventors:

Thomas R. Brown - Oregon IL
James K. Bertsch - Oregon IL
Patrick C. O'Brien - Oregon IL

Assignee:

E.D. Etnyre & Co. - Oregon IL

International Classification:

B05B 120

US Classification:

239159

Abstract:

In a vehicle for spreading liquid material, disclosed is a spray manifold based on an inventive variable orifice nozzle, spraying beyond the vehicle span while not extending beyond the vehicle span. Because of the inventive nozzle the vehicle is able to spray beyond the span of the vehicle with a uniform application to a swath of land over varying vehicle speeds and flow rates. The disclosed nozzle achieves a constant velocity and exit flow trajectory for a wide variety of flow rates, including low flow rates. The nozzle is particularly beneficial for vertical manifold arms with horizontally mounted nozzles because the trajectory distance is constant for a wide range of flow rates. The nozzle achieves these benefits by providing a fixed flow path and a variable flow path. The nozzle includes a substantially spherical poppet having a fixed hole orifice, variably retained by a spring adjacent to the orifice of the discharge port.

US Patent:

54781477, Dec 26, 1995

Filed:

Apr 13, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/421193

Inventors:

Patrick C. O'Brien - Oregon IL
Thomas R. Brown - Oregon IL

Assignee:

E. D. Etnyre & Co. - Oregon IL

International Classification:

B28C 516
B01F 720

US Classification:

366066

Abstract:

The mixer includes a cylindrical mixing tube substantially submerged in the liquid asphalt and a paddle assembly extending axially through the mixing tube. An auger drives the ground rubber into an upstream end portion of the mixing tube and into the liquid asphalt therein. The paddle assembly draws the ground rubber and the liquid asphalt from the upstream end portion of the mixing tube and through the mixing tube. In addition, the paddle assembly accelerates the rubber-asphalt mixture as it proceeds through the mixing tube whereupon the mixture is discharged through a downstream end of the mixing tube. The mixing tube is formed with longitudinally spaced openings to allow additional asphalt to enter the mixing tube as the velocity of the mixture increases. Curved plates which are secured to the tips of paddles aligned with the longitudinally spaced openings cover and uncover the openings to prevent the paddles from driving ground rubber and liquid asphalt outwardly through the openings as those paddles rotate past the openings. Shelves located directly upstream of the longitudinally spaced openings direct the flow of the mixture generally away from the openings to further prevent the mixture from flowing outwardly through the openings.

US Patent:

58951733, Apr 20, 1999

Filed:

Jul 28, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/901586

Inventors:

Patrick O'Brien - Oregon IL
Thomas Brown - Oregon IL

Assignee:

E. D. Etnyre & Co. - Oregon IL

International Classification:

E01C 1912

US Classification:

404108

Abstract:

A roadway paving apparatus applies successive layers of paving material to a roadway surface so as to form a desired thickness of pavement thereon. Preferably, the apparatus comprises a hopper for hauling aggregate material (e. g. , gravel, sand, and/or crushed stone) and for dispensing a curtain of falling aggregate material therefrom. An initial group of spray nozzles aimed generally at the surface of the roadway applies a base layer of adhesive material (e. g. , liquid asphalt) to the surface of the roadway. One or more groups of subsequent spray nozzles aimed generally at the curtain of falling aggregate material coats the curtain of falling aggregate material with adhesive material such that an intermediate layer of adhesive coated aggregate material is deposited on top of the underlying base layer of adhesive material. A final group of spray nozzles aimed at the surface of the roadway applies an overspray layer of adhesive material on top of the intermediate layer of adhesive coated aggregate material. A corresponding method of paving a roadway surface by applying successive layers of paving material the surface is also provided.

US Patent:

61199613, Sep 19, 2000

Filed:

Feb 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/255672

Inventors:

Thomas R. Brown - Oregon IL
Jeremey Heller - Dixon IL
Patrick O'Brien - Oregon IL

Assignee:

E. D. Etnyre & Co. - Oregon IL

International Classification:

B05B 1502
B05B 900

US Classification:

239106

Abstract:

In an asphalt distributor having a tank for holding asphalt and a pump for pumping asphalt from the tank to a spraybar, a self draining asphalt strainer is provided. The asphalt strainer includes a body having an inlet and outlet with a filtering chamber disposed between the inlet and the outlet. A filter or straining element is disposed in the filtering chamber for filtering asphalt flowing between the inlet and the outlet. A conduit extends the inlet into the filtering chamber. A pair of valves are disposed on each end of the conduit forming a suckback chamber therebetween. A suckback tube is connected to the conduit intermediate the valves and extends into the filtering chamber. The pump is bidirectional and has a reverse mode which forces asphalt back through the outlet and inlet into the tank. The strainer has a first flow passage from the outlet to the inlet through both of the valves when open.

US Patent:

6161775, Dec 19, 2000

Filed:

Feb 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/256482

Inventors:

Thomas R. Brown - Oregon IL
Jeremey Heller - Dixon IL
Patrick O'Brien - Oregon IL

Assignee:

E. D. Etnyre & Co. - Oregon IL

International Classification:

B05B 124

US Classification:

2391321

Abstract:

A feed line assembly includes adjacent running or coaxial delivery and return conduits for transferring asphalt between a spray bar and a pump and tank of an asphalt distributor. The coaxial feed line assembly provides for one directional flow in each of the feed lines between the spray bar and the asphalt tank/pump. The circulating system can be operated in spraying and circulating modes. Asphalt flows through the delivery conduit to the spray bar and out through nozzles in the spraying mode and asphalt flows from the delivery conduit through the spray bar and is returned through the return conduit in the circulation mode. Asphalt is substantially static in the return conduit during the circulation mode. The coaxial feed line assembly serves as a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the delivery conduit to the return conduit and thereby prevent freezing of substantially static asphalt in the return conduit during spraying mode. A pressure differential between spraying and circulation modes control the position of a pressure relief valve connected to the return conduit to thereby control the flow through the circulating system.