Patents by Inventor Russell S. Smith

Russell S. 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: 9651400
    Abstract: Examples of generating power through the flow of water are disclosed. In one example, remote water meter monitoring system includes an energy converter and a sensor. The energy converter is in fluid connectivity with water flowing through a pipe, the energy convertor being driven by a mechanical energy of water flowing through the pipe to convert the mechanical energy into an electrical energy for charging a battery connected to the energy converter. The sensor detects a level of a property of the water, the sensor being powered by the battery connected to the energy converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Robert P. Simon, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160025514
    Abstract: Examples of generating power through the flow of water are disclosed. In one example, remote water meter monitoring system includes an energy converter and a sensor. The energy converter is in fluid connectivity with water flowing through a pipe, the energy convertor being driven by a mechanical energy of water flowing through the pipe to convert the mechanical energy into an electrical energy for charging a battery connected to the energy converter. The sensor detects a level of a property of the water, the sensor being powered by the battery connected to the energy converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Robert P. Simon, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith
  • Patent number: 9105181
    Abstract: A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Robert P. Simon, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith
  • Patent number: 9057453
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. An RFID transceiver may be included to enable low-power operation and communications using RFID technologies as well as an automatic antenna tuning capability to maximize radio range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: GAS SENTINEL, LLC
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Patent number: 8807523
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Gas Sentinel, LLC
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Publication number: 20140110613
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price. An RFID transceiver may be included to enable low-power operation and communications using RFID technologies as well as an automatic antenna tuning capability to maximize radio range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Gas Sentinel LLC
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Jim Witte, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Publication number: 20140061519
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Patent number: 8567757
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Barth R. Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Publication number: 20130113631
    Abstract: A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Barth R. PITCHFORD, William D. Pitchford, Robert P. Simon, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110284777
    Abstract: A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: Fluid Power Controls, Inc., Vectare LLC
    Inventors: Barth Pitchford, John H. Pitchford, William D. Pitchford, Donald S. Pitchford, Steven Nagel, Benedict J. Nardi, Russell S. Smith, Robert Simon
  • Publication number: 20040209074
    Abstract: A moisture-tolerant structural panel comprising a gypsum board which comprises a set gypsum core sandwiched between and faced with fibrous mats, wherein a free surface of one of said mats is pre-coated with a combination of a mineral pigment, optionally an inorganic adhesive binder and a hydrophobic, UV resistant polymer latex adhesive binder applied to said surface as an aqueous coating composition, said aqueous coating composition upon drying and setting, covering said mat to the extent that substantially none of the fibers of said mat can be seen protruding from said coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Georgia-Pacific Gypsum Corporation
    Inventors: Brian G. Randall, Russell S. Smith
  • Patent number: D862641
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventor: Russell S. Smith, Sr.
  • Patent number: D984229
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventor: Russell S. Smith, Sr.