Patents Assigned to SME
  • Patent number: 7174680
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brace apparatus having a core member configured to absorb energy generated by seismic or other forces by undergoing plastic deformation. A buckling restraining assembly is included for maintaining the structural integrity of the brace after the core member has undergone plastic deformation. The buckling restraining assembly includes one or more bearings is located proximal the core member. The bearings are adapted to minimize friction between the core member and the buckling restraining apparatus. An air gap is positioned between the core member and the one or more bearings of the buckling restraining apparatus are adapted to prevent bonding of the core member and buckling restraining assembly. Projections are included in the core member of the brace apparatus to minimize movement of the middle portion of the core member relative to the buckling restraining assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: SME Steel Contractors, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Smelser
  • Patent number: 6952925
    Abstract: Air intake temperature in a gas turbine is regulated by a heat exchange fluid having a low viscosity at low temperatures. The circulated heat transfer fluid preferably comprises an alkali metal formate, most preferably potassium formate. The potassium formate may be blended with other alkali metal formate(s), with alcohol, glycols, salt brines, or any combination of glycols, alcohols, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Nitrates, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, water and/or or other salt brines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignees: SME Associates, Inc., Clearwater International, LLC
    Inventors: John Henry Hallman, William J. Hyland, Ray Veldman, Jeff Diaz, William Larry Lewis
  • Publication number: 20040206591
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brace apparatus having a core member configured to absorb energy generated by seismic or other forces by undergoing plastic deformation. A buckling restraining assembly is included for maintaining the structural integrity of the brace after the core member has undergone plastic deformation. The buckling restraining assembly includes one or more bearings is located proximal the core member. The bearings are adapted to minimize friction between the core member and the buckling restraining apparatus. An air gap is positioned between the core member and the one or more bearings of the buckling restraining apparatus are adapted to prevent bonding of the core member and buckling restraining assembly. Projections are included in the core member of the brace apparatus to minimize movement of the middle portion of the core member relative to the buckling restraining assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: SME Steel Contractors, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Smelser
  • Publication number: 20040206042
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brace apparatus having a core member configured to absorb energy generated by seismic or other forces by undergoing plastic deformation. A buckling restraining assembly is included for maintaining the structural integrity of the brace after the core member has undergone plastic deformation. The buckling restraining assembly includes one or more bearings is located proximal the core member. The bearings are adapted to minimize friction between the core member and the buckling restraining apparatus. An air gap is positioned between the core member and the one or more bearings of the buckling restraining apparatus are adapted to prevent bonding of the core member and buckling restraining assembly. Projections are included in the core member of the brace apparatus to minimize movement of the middle portion of the core member relative to the buckling restraining assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: SME Steel Contractors, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Smelser
  • Patent number: 6005360
    Abstract: The invention discloses a power unit (1) which comprises: an accumulator battery (2); an electric converter (3) supplied by said accumulator battery (2); an electric motor (30) supplied by said converter (3); a hydraulic pump (4) mechanically connected to said electric motor (30), suited to put under pressure a liquid (50) which supplies one or more actuators (9) in order to lift a load (11) connected to them. Said pump (4) is of the reversible type and operates as a hydraulic motor suited to drive into rotation said electric motor (30) which operates as a generator supplying said battery (2) by means of said converter (3) whenever the descent by gravity of the load (11) supported by said one or more actuators (9) puts under pressure the oil held therein which passes through said pump (4) entering from the delivery opening (42) and coming out of the inlet opening (41).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: SME Elettronica SPA
    Inventor: Adolfo Pace
  • Patent number: 4874298
    Abstract: The double delivery pump comprises an impeller with double direction of rotation contained in a body connected to an axial intake conduit and defining a cylindrical seat connected to two tangential rectilinear ducts leading into a distribution seat containing a distribution element. The distribution element can slide in the distribution seat and defines shutters which can cutoff one or the other of two delivery conduits connected to the opposite ends of the distribution seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Nuova Sme S.p.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Mainardi, Domenico Vivian