Patents by Inventor Blake E. Smith

Blake E. 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).

  • Method and device for threaded closure of pipelines or vessels
    Patent number: 6742957
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vessel or pipeline closure. A closure 10 includes a hub 12 fixedly and sealingly secured to the vessel, and a cap 30 for threaded engagement with the hub 12. An anchor 22 may be fixedly secured to the hub and a tightening pulling stop 32 and a loosening pulling stop 132 each may be fixedly secured to the cap 30. A connector body 26 may be engaged with the anchor 22, and has a through bore 27 to accommodate a threaded rod 44. A flexible, elongate member 46 may be engaged at one end to the threaded rod 44, and selectively engaged with one of the pulling stops 32 or 132. A threaded collar 28 advances the threaded rod 44 axially, thereby rotating the cap 30 relative to the hub 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Robbins & Myers Energy Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Billy W. White, Blake E. Smith
  • Threaded closure with chain binder
    Patent number: 6685380
    Abstract: Closure 10 includes a closure hub 12 for receiving a closure cap 30. A vessel end of the hub may be welded to a pressurized vessel or pipeline. A pulling device 20 may include a pivot member 26, a pulling lever 27, a pulling connector 28, and a flexible member 46. A pulling lever is connected by a connector pivot 23 to the pivot member, and the pulling connector is connected at a lever pivot 29 to the pulling lever. In the method of the invention, the pulling lever is pulled toward an anchor to thread or unthread the cap from the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Robbins & Myers Energy Systems, L.P.
    Inventors: Billy W. White, Blake E. Smith
  • Threaded closure
    Publication number: 20030081991
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a vessel or pipeline closure. A closure 10 includes a hub 12 fixedly and searingly secured to the vessel, and a cap 30 for threaded engagement with the hub 12. An anchor 22 may be fixedly secured to the hub and a tightening pulling stop 32 and a loosening pulling stop 132 each may be fixedly secured to the cap 30. A connector body 26 may be engaged with the anchor 22, and has a through bore 27 to accommodate a threaded rod 44. A flexible, elongate member 46 may be engaged at one end to the threaded rod 44, and selectively engaged with one of the pulling stops 32 or 132. A threaded collar 28 advances the threaded rod 44 axially, thereby rotating the cap 30 relative to the hub 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Michael Smith, Billy W. White, Blake E. Smith
  • Threaded closure with chain binder
    Publication number: 20030081992
    Abstract: Closure 10 includes a closure hub 12 for receiving a closure cap 30. A vessel end of the hub may be welded to a pressurized vessel or pipeline. A pulling device 20 may include a pivot member 26, a pulling lever 27, a pulling connector 28, and a flexible member 46. A pulling lever is connected by a connector pivot 23 to the pivot member, and the pulling connector is connected at a lever pivot 29 to the pulling lever. In the method of the invention, the pulling lever is pulled toward an anchor to thread or unthread the cap from the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Billy W. White, Blake E. Smith