Patents by Inventor Smail Vila

Smail Vila 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: 12158226
    Abstract: A seal for a flexible alignment sealing coupling. The seal includes an annular member being symmetric about a longitudinal axis. The annular member has a radially inward facing surface extending an axial width between a first axial end and a second axial end. In a relaxed state of the seal, the radially inward facing surface has an asymmetric generally concave V-shaped cross section and is defined by a first section and a second section. The first section has a first seal taper angle measured relative to a line parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second section has a second seal taper angle measured relative to another line parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first seal taper angle is less than the second seal taper angle. Each of the first seal taper angle and the second seal taper angle is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Smail Vila
  • Publication number: 20210356062
    Abstract: A seal for a flexible alignment sealing coupling. The seal includes an annular member being symmetric about a longitudinal axis. The annular member has a radially inward facing surface extending an axial width between a first axial end and a second axial end. In a relaxed state of the seal, the radially inward facing surface has an asymmetric generally concave V-shaped cross section and is defined by a first section and a second section. The first section has a first seal taper angle measured relative to a line parallel to the longitudinal axis. The second section has a second seal taper angle measured relative to another line parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first seal taper angle is less than the second seal taper angle. Each of the first seal taper angle and the second seal taper angle is greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Smail Vila
  • Publication number: 20200347970
    Abstract: A low profile flexible coupling for high temperature/high pressure and low temperature/low pressure pneumatic systems and a tool and a method for installing the flexible coupling. The flexible coupling includes an annular inner member having a convex seal receiving surface, an annular outer member that is assembled over the inner member having a first concave sealing surface conforming to the convex seal receiving surface and a locking member assembled over the inner member and having a second concave sealing surface that conforms to the convex seal receiving surface. The outer member is positioned over the locking member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Smail Vila, Kenneth Todd Fee
  • Patent number: 10625871
    Abstract: A tube connection system for an engine or aircraft includes a Coanda ring defining an annular tube segment which has a branch tube segment extending therefrom. A supply tube assembly defines a plurality of tube segments. Adjacent tube segments are moveably coupled to one another by one of a plurality of variable-positionable couplings. Another of the plurality of tube segments is moveably coupled to the branch segment by another of the plurality of variable-positionable couplings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Smail Vila
  • Patent number: 7883094
    Abstract: The invention is a sealing system that employs a unique array of offset components, including multiple seal rings, to provide an improved seal with enhanced functionality. In the preferred embodiment, a groove contains two canted-coil springs that are located in a side-by-side relation beneath a pair of expander rings that are also in a side-by-side relation. Located atop the expander rings are three seal rings that are similarly arrayed in a side-by-side relation. To prevent a leak path through the expander rings, a center one of the seal rings overlies the area between the two expander rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Smail Vila
  • Publication number: 20100044972
    Abstract: The invention is a sealing system that employs a unique array of offset components, including multiple seal rings, to provide an improved seal with enhanced functionality. In the preferred embodiment, a groove contains two canted-coil springs that are located in a side-by-side relation beneath a pair of expander rings that are also in a side-by-side relation. Located atop the expander rings are three seal rings that are similarly arrayed in a side-by-side relation. To prevent a leak path through the expander rings, a center one of the seal rings overlies the area between the two expander rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Smail Vila
  • Patent number: 6905144
    Abstract: A sealing system adapted for placement into an exterior groove of a structure. The sealing system includes a seal ring having a generally ‘L’-shaped cross-section. The sealing system further includes a canted-coil spring. The seal ring includes an inner surface, an outer surface and two side surfaces. The seal ring's inner surface features a groove that increases the ring's flexibility. The seal ring's outer surface protrudes outwardly until it is pushed inwardly through contact with an inner surface of an external structure. As the outer surface moves inwardly, it causes a compression of the spring while a part of the seal ring flexes and bends about the seal ring's groove. At the same time, the outer surface becomes reoriented in a manner that cause its shape to change to a flatter configuration that is more complementary to the inner surface of the internal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation
    Inventor: Smail Vila
  • Patent number: 6880863
    Abstract: A flexible joint for connection between a pair of conduits for transferring a gas, under pressure, between the conduits. The joint includes a hollow, annular inner member for connection to one of the conduits which defines a spherically shaped, convex seal receiving surface and a hollow annular outer member which defines a spherically shaped, concave seal receiving surface for connection to another of the conduits. The outer member is mounted over the inner member such that the convex and concave surfaces are spaced apart and movable relative to one another about a common center point. Both the inner and outer members are open on opposite sides of their respective spherically shaped surfaces. The outer member may include and outer part and an intermediate part which is removably connected to the outer part. One of the members contains a single seal ring assembly retainer groove which opens toward and opposing one of the surfaces and which is centered on the center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventor: Smail Vila
  • Publication number: 20050001423
    Abstract: A sealing system adapted for placement into an exterior groove of a structure. The sealing system includes a seal ring having a generally ‘L’-shaped cross-section. The sealing system further includes a canted-coil spring that is designed to underlie the seal ring and continually apply an outward force on the seal ring. The seal ring includes an inner surface, an outer surface and two side surfaces. The seal ring's inner surface features a groove that increases the ring's flexibility. The seal ring's outer surface protrudes outwardly until it is pushed inwardly through contact with an inner surface of an external structure. As the outer surface moves inwardly, it causes a compression of the spring while a part of the seal ring flexes and bends about the seal ring's groove. At the same time, the outer surface becomes reoriented in a manner that causes its shape to change to a flatter configuration that is more complementary to the inner surface of the external structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventor: Smail Vila
  • Publication number: 20040245777
    Abstract: A flexible joint for connection between a pair of conduits for transferring a gas, under pressure, between the conduits. The joint includes a hollow, annular inner member for connection to one of the conduits which defines a spherically shaped, convex seal receiving surface and a hollow annular outer member which defines a spherically shaped, concave seal receiving surface for connection to another of the conduits. The outer member is mounted over the inner member such that the convex and concave surfaces are spaced apart and movable relative to one another about a common center point. Both the inner and outer members are open on opposite sides of their respective spherically shaped surfaces. The outer member may include and outer part and an intermediate part which is removably connected to the outer part. One of the members contains a single seal ring assembly retainer groove which opens toward and opposing one of the surfaces and which is centered on the center point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Smail Vila
  • Patent number: 6179339
    Abstract: A plastic or polytetrafluoroethylene split seal ring having highly flexible, annularly extending, axially spaced apart side walls is disclosed for sealing opposed, concentrically overlapping open end portions of a pair of gas conduits together or for sealing a sleeve of a flexible coupling to end portions of two opposed, spaced apart gas conduits is disclosed. The ring includes an annularly extending base portion, a pair of axially spaced apart, annularly extending side walls connected to and along opposite sides of the base portion. The side walls project radially beyond a radially inwardly or radially outwardly facing surface of the base portion to form a groove in which an expansion or contraction member can be disposed to effect a gas tight seal of the ring against and around a surface of one of the conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Smail Vila