Patents by Inventor Andrew C. Smith

Andrew C. 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).

  • Patent number: 12263430
    Abstract: Filter assemblies are described. In particular, a filter securement assembly for receiving and retaining a filter media in an exhaust hood includes a main panel defining a first end and an opposed second end, a first retainment surface adjacent the first end of the main panel, a first retainment lip adjacent the first retainment surface, a second retainment surface adjacent the second end of the main panel and a second retainment lip adjacent the second retainment surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew W. Gorrell, John B. Stender, Tommie W. Kelley, Andrew C. Smith, Windy A. Santa Cruz, John F. Reed, Jacob D. Carlson, Marcus W. Rein, Jessalyn A. Cox, Zachary W. Boughton, Michael J. Stern
  • Publication number: 20220339571
    Abstract: Filter assemblies are described. In particular, a filter securement assembly for receiving and retaining a filter media in an exhaust hood includes a main panel defining a first end and an opposed second end, a first retainment surface adjacent the first end of the main panel, a first retainment lip adjacent the first retainment surface, a second retainment surface adjacent the second end of the main panel and a second retainment lip adjacent the second retainment surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew W. Gorrell, John B. Stender, Tommie W. Kelley, Andrew C. Smith, Windy A. Santa Cruz, John F. Reed, Jacob D. Carlson, Marcus W. Rein, Jessalyn A. Cox, Zachary W. Boughton, Michael J. Stern
  • Patent number: 10299796
    Abstract: Described herein are endoscopic plicators passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed plicators allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver sutures, staples or other means for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention. After one or more plications is formed, medical devices may be coupled to the plication(s) for retention within the stomach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Balbierz, David H. Cole, Samuel T. Crews, Bretton Swope, Andrew C. Smith, John P. Lunsford, Fiona Sander
  • Patent number: 9978467
    Abstract: The invention is an innovative design/repair methodology for PWR piping nozzles and vessel nozzles that are attached to the piping/vessel base material with a full penetration weld joint geometry. The development of a robust repair methodology for nozzles of this configuration is necessary due to plant aging, potential material degradation in the original materials of construction, potential increased nondestructive examination requirements, and PWSCC phenomena in the susceptible original materials of construction. The purpose/objective of the repair methodology is to provide a means of partially replacing the existing pressure boundary susceptible materials with PWSCC-resistant materials to facilitate the long-term repair life of the plant. The invention may be applied to a plurality of nozzle, piping, and vessel sizes with a full penetration weld joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Framatome Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Graves, David E. Waskey, Andrew C. Smith, Kenneth B. Stuckey
  • Publication number: 20160141057
    Abstract: The invention is an innovative design/repair methodology for PWR piping nozzles and vessel nozzles that are attached to the piping/vessel base material with a full penetration weld joint geometry. The development of a robust repair methodology for nozzles of this configuration is necessary due to plant aging, potential material degradation in the original materials of construction, potential increased nondestructive examination requirements, and PWSCC phenomena in the susceptible original materials of construction. The purpose/objective of the repair methodology is to provide a means of partially replacing the existing pressure boundary susceptible materials with PWSCC-resistant materials to facilitate the long-term repair life of the plant. The invention may be applied to a plurality of nozzle, piping, and vessel sizes with a full penetration weld joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Charles A. Graves, David E. Waskey, Andrew C. Smith, Kenneth B. Stuckey
  • Publication number: 20150238193
    Abstract: Described herein are endoscopic plicators passed transorally into the stomach and used to plicate stomach tissue by engaging tissue from inside of the stomach and drawing it inwardly. In the disclosed embodiments, the tissue is drawn inwardly into a vacuum chamber, causing sections of serosal tissue on the exterior of the stomach to be positioned facing one another. The disclosed plicators allow the opposed sections of tissue to be moved into contact with one another, and preferably deliver sutures, staples or other means for maintaining contact between the tissue sections at least until serosal bonds form between them. Each of these steps may be performed wholly from the inside of the stomach and thus can eliminate the need for any surgical or laparoscopic intervention. After one or more plications is formed, medical devices may be coupled to the plication(s) for retention within the stomach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel J. Balbierz, David H. Cole, Samuel T. Crews, Bretton Swope, Andrew C. Smith, John P. Lunsford, Fiona Sander
  • Publication number: 20150178742
    Abstract: Systems and methods which facilitate real-time customer, employee and other stakeholder engagement with a business or other organization through managed devices are disclosed. In an aspect, systems and methods are disclosed which enable customers or employees to provide input to a business by responding to content displayed on an electronic device, where the content is controlled by the business or a third party service provider. In an aspect, methods and systems are provided to facilitate localized connectivity channels between a business and its customers for issue resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Strum, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Andrew C. Smith, Kevin Kowalewski
  • Publication number: 20140222703
    Abstract: Systems and methods which facilitate efficient messaging and populating an activity stream are disclosed. In an aspect, a communication and feedback platform is disclosed which enables customers to provide public or private feedback messages to a business. Feedback messages may be tagged with employee information (further facilitated with appropriate privacy controls), thereby enabling the business to receive information about the performance of a specific employee via the platform. The platform further comprises a points allocation module, the points being redeemable via a reward engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Strum, Inc.
    Inventor: D. Andrew C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8640596
    Abstract: A retrofit kit for exhausting gases is provided for removing combustion products from a gun turret. In some embodiments, the combustion products are toxic gases that include ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and carbon monoxide. The retrofit kit includes a fan and an EMI filter. The fan and the EMI filter are attached to the gun turret with one or more seals that provide both environmental and EMI/RFI protection. In operation, the fan is activated in response to the firing of the gun, and is powered using the power supply provided to the gun turret. In some embodiments, the fan operates for a predetermined time interval after the last operation of the gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael M. Canaday, Jeffrey M. Pardee, Andrew C. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140001931
    Abstract: A modular frame is provided for containing electronic components within a replaceable mission module for installation aboard ship. The frame includes a plurality of metal tubes having rectangular cross-section, a plurality of sheet-metal panels, and a plurality of fasteners for connecting together the tubes and panels. The frame assembles as a rectangular base platform, a lower portion, a mezzanine level, and an interface level. The base platform includes horizontally arranged tubes. The lower portion has vertical tubes attaching to the horizontal tubes on the base platform. The mezzanine level has a horizontal panel and horizontal tubes connecting together atop the lower portion. The upper portion has vertical tubes attaching to the horizontal tubes of the mezzanine level. The interface level has horizontal tubes connecting together atop the vertical tubes of the upper portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: United States Government, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Justin R. Helton, Andrew C. Smith
  • Patent number: 8296401
    Abstract: For use in a communication system, a method of testing communications between at least one enterprise server and at least one handheld mobile communication device, the method comprising automatically sending a plurality of test messages from the enterprise server to the handheld mobile communication device. Also set forth is a method for verifying correct receipt of the test messages and reporting the verification results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Baljeet S. Bilkhu, Andrew C. Smith, Tsz-Kin Gary Wong
  • Patent number: 7302727
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cleaning residual powder and other contaminants from external surfaces of pressed powder cosmetic pans before the pans are adhered into the compact. A feed chute feeds pans into a feed path in the apparatus one after another in an upright orientation. The feed path includes two cleaning stations, each provided with brushes for scrubbing the pan. One cleaning station has cylindrical or drum brushes to scrub the bottom of each pan. The other cleaning station has a belt-type brush to scrub the sides of each pan. Dust collection systems are suspended above and below the apparatus at appropriate locations along the feed path to collect the residual powder and contaminants removed from the pans. Belts may be provided within the feed path to move the pans through the cleaning stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: E-L Management Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Azmoun, Andrew C. Smith
  • Patent number: 6015028
    Abstract: A pump jack hoisting apparatus includes a safety railing for protecting workers from accidental falling. The apparatus includes a pair of laterally spaced pump jack poles each of which is associated with a respective pump jack. Each pump jack includes inner and outer support extensions for supporting thereon inner and outer walking platforms. A pair of generally L-shaped support frames is removably secured to the outer support extension of the respective pump jack. Each support frame includes a vertically extending arm and a horizontally extending brace. The brace includes a mounting member for engaging the outer arm of the respective pump jack. A plurality of generally L-shaped rail brackets are vertically spaced on the arms and include a top-open recess. A safety rail is removably positioned in the recess and extends between the pair of support frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Inventor: Andrew C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5864987
    Abstract: A cable-drum window regulator for controlling the motion of a windowpane, such as a window in a door, has an improved glider assembly. The glider assembly is attached to the windowpane, and comprises a glider slidably secured by snap fit to an elongate guide rail, and a glider plate which snap fits to the glider. The glider assembly travels along the guide rail from a full-up to a full-down position. The glider preferably has a cushioning unitary downstop to absorb the loading of the glider assembly at the full-down position. The glider has at least a pair of rail tabs which snap fit to longitudinally extending receiving flanges of the rail; preferably at least one of the rail tabs has a beveled surface for ease in assembly. The glider has at least one flexible finger with a digit which snaps into a corresponding receiving opening in the glider plate. In those embodiments with more than one flexible finger, one finger is preferably longer than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Excel Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Mariel, Michael D. Kobrehel, James F. Trevarrow, M. Darren Grumm, Robert K. Roth, Andrew C. Smith
  • Patent number: 4830898
    Abstract: A composite channel-shaped trim strip for application to a flange such as around the doors and windows of automotive vehicles, and a method for fabricating the trim strip. A perforated stiffener is incorporated in the trim strip to impart shape retention while facilitating bending and distortion thereof to the desired configuration. A rigid barrier member is interposed between the perforated stiffener and the corresponding external surface of the trim strip as the trim strip is fabricated to prevent carryover of the perforated pattern of the stiffener to the external surface. An aesthetically pleasing pattern may then be embossed upon the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Sterling Engineered Products Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew C. Smith