City of Dubuque PatentCopyrighted
September 15, 2025
City of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 10.
ITEM TITLE: City of Dubuque Patent
SUMMARY: City Manager providing information on the patent that has
been granted to the City as the applicant/assignee and Water
Resources Project Supervisor Todd Irwin is listed as the
inventor.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. MVM Irwin Patent Draft-9-1 0-25
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THE CITY OF
DUBE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: City of Dubuque Patent
DATE: September 10, 2025
Dubuque
AI WIN av
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
City Attorney Crenna Brumwell is providing information on the patent that has been
granted to the City as the applicant/assignee and Water Resources Project Supervisor
Todd Irwin is listed as the inventor.
Beginning in 2020, Todd Irwin worked with Giese Manufacturing, Alliant Energy, and
Van Meter to develop a prototype cabinet for City use which would combine the
functionality of multiple cabinets into a single, more cost effective, and efficient cabinet.
The design is also more aesthetically pleasing and improves visibility. The product
description, a product rendering, and a photograph of a completed cabinet produced for
use in the field is included.
If approved by Alliant Energy, the cabinet could be marketed and mass distributed. As
the patent holder the City could receive an income stream related to the licensing and
sale of the cabinet.
Congratulations to Todd Irwin and the City of Dubuque!
v
Mich el C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Todd Irwin, Water Resources Project Supervisor
Page 345 of 1171
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
CRENNA M. BRUMWELL, EsQ.
CITY ATTORNEY
TO: MICHAEL C. VAN MILLIGEN, CITY MANAGER
DATE: SEPTEMBER 10, 2025
RE: CITY OF DUBUQUE PATENT
Dubuque
AII•Amerin Cily
I I
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Beginning in 2020, Todd Irwin worked with Giese Manufacturing, Alliant Energy, and Van
Meter to develop a prototype cabinet for City use which would combine the functionality
of multiple cabinets into a single, more cost effective, and efficient cabinet. The design
is also more aesthetically pleasing and improves visibility.
The City as an organization, along with employees, are eligible to file and hold patents.
A patent was pursued by the City.
If approved by Alliant Energy, the cabinet could be marketed and mass distributed. As
the patent holder the City could receive an income stream related to the licensing and
sale of the cabinet.
There are 3 requirements for a patent.
1) Novelty
2) Patent eligible subject matter
3) Obviousness
In order to determine novelty, a patent examiner reviews the application, researches
previously filed patents, literature, and common sources (Google search) to determine
whether the proposed patent subject is novel.
Patent eligible subject matter isn't a hurdle when talking about a physical item. There are
regulations when mathematic formulas or computer programming is proposed for patent.
Obviousness can be tricky and a challenge to prove something isn't obvious. Arguments
on obviousness can be time consuming, but the more information on uniqueness
available helps.
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY DUBUQUE, IOWA
SUITE 330, HARBOR VIEW PLACE, 300 MAIN STREET DUBUQUE, IA 52001-6944
TELEPHONE (563) 589-4381 / FAx (563) 583-1040 / EMAIL cbrumwel@cityofdubuque.org
Page 346 of 1171
Ultimately, the City was notified the patent was granted. The City was the
applicant/assignee and Todd Irwin is listed as the inventor.
The patent information is available at:
https://ppubs.uspto.gov/api/pdf/downloadPdf/l 1641093?requestToken=eyJzdWliOiJmY
zYzZDdoYi04MDUxLTQOMWMtOGZOMS0l ZmZiZW15NTVkNDciLCJ2ZXIiOiJIMiQyZiA1
OS1 hNiawLTRiNDAtYTRiZC1 iOTUzNiY5MWFIZmYiLCJIeHAiOiB9
Attached hereto is a product description, a product rendering, and a photograph of a
completed cabinet produced for use in the field.
I will bring the original patent to the council meeting on September 15, 2025 for
presentation to the Mayor. Todd has received a "presentation patent" for his records
and recognition. He preferred not to be recognized in person at a meeting.
Congratulations to Todd Irwin and the City of Dubuque!
cc: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Todd Irwin, Water Resources Project Supervisor
2
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Dubuque Model DBQ2832-66 Multi -Function Cabinet
The DBQ2832-66 Multi -Function Cabinet combines the functionality of multiple cabinets
and pedestals into one cabinet, reducing the area needed for installation while also
reducing the visual impact of multiple cabinets at one location. The DBQ2832-66 Multi -
Function Cabinet reduces costs and provides the flexibility to expand or reduce the
functionality needed for a particular installation. The DBQ2832-66 Multi -Function
Cabinet can handle all your communications, surveillance requirements along with
metered underground service distribution, lighting controls, and a self-contained battery
backup system. The robust design of the DBQ2832-66 Multi -Function Cabinet provides
separate compartments for each of the functions, keeping high voltage separate from
low voltage components. Multiple lockable doors provide convenient access to each of
the compartments, including a utility provider access door for the electric service meter
area. The DBQ2832-66 Multi -Function Cabinet is populated with industry standard
components making replacement components and upgrades easy to source and install.
Louvers in the removable panels covering the conduit entrance area and air exhaust on
the roof provide filtered ventilation for the electronics in this rugged, pad mount
enclosure.
The DBQ2832-66 Multi -Function Cabinet is designed to provide uninterrupted power
through power outages and other disturbances, keeping communications and
surveillance systems running under hazardous conditions.
The DBQ2832-66 Multi -Function Cabinet provides power distribution and metering rated
for 120 to 480 volts; single phase or three phase applications; 1, 2 or 3 pole main
breakers; and may be rated at 100 amp or 200 amp.
The DBQ2832-66 Multi -Function Cabinets robust design meet the NEMA standards, UL
508A industrial design, all -welded construction with stainless steel hardware, and wired
conforming to NEC and UL standards. The DBQ2832-66 Multi -Function Cabinet is ideal
for retrofit projects or new installations, installed free-standing on a concrete base.
The DBQ2832-66 Multi -Function Cabinet measures 32" wide x 28" deep and 66" tall.
Applications
Surveillance, Fiber Optic communications, Street and Parking lot lighting, Traffic signals
Battery backup, Event power supply (50 Amp), Landscape irrigation
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