Patents by Inventor Alan A. Smith

Alan A. Smith 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).

  • Paint circulating system and method
    Patent number: 7828527
    Abstract: A paint circulating system is suitable for providing paint to applicators in a product finishing facility. The system includes a pump for pumping paint around the system and a back-pressure regulator (BPR), which substantially eliminates pressure fluctuations of paint in the system upstream of the BPR. A controller is provided for controlling the pump and the BPR to operate in one of a flow mode, wherein a required flow rate of paint around the system is maintained, and a pressure mode, wherein a pressure of paint between the pump and the BPR is maintained. The paint circulating method includes switching operation of the pump and the BPR between the flow mode and the pressure mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Smith, Nigel C. Wood, Michael A. Thomas
  • Gas turbine engine sensor probe
    Patent number: 5185996
    Abstract: A high temperature thermocouple sensing apparatus is readily removable from a gas turbine engine. The thermocouple extends through aligned openings in inner and outer housings and seals both openings through use of a pair of spherical sealing elements and a spring seal bellows urging a seat into sealing engagement with one sealing element and urging the other sealing element into engagement with the inner housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Alan A. Smith, Paul B. Catmull, Lonnie J. Lucas, Karl P. Johnson