Patents by Inventor Robert Ashurst
Robert Ashurst 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: 9890259Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of microdevices and methods of manufacturing such microdevices are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, one or more microdevices may be formed on a substrate, with each of the one or more microdevices comprising a body micromachined from a continuous film formed on the substrate, the continuous film having a controlled microstructure of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC).Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignees: Auburn University, Clemson UniversityInventors: William Robert Ashurst, Virginia A. Davis, Christopher L. Kitchens
-
Publication number: 20160244579Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of microdevices and methods of manufacturing such microdevices are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, one or more microdevices may be formed on a substrate, with each of the one or more microdevices comprising a body micromachined from a continuous film formed on the substrate, the continuous film having a controlled microstructure of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: William Robert Ashurst, Virginia A. Davis, Christopher L. Kitchens
-
Patent number: 9353313Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of microdevices and methods of manufacturing such microdevices are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a method of manufacturing one or more microdevices may include forming a liquid dispersion containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), depositing the liquid dispersion containing the CNC on a substrate, drying the liquid dispersion containing the CNC to form a solid film on the substrate, where the liquid dispersion contains a sufficient concentration of CNC to form a continuous solid film having a controlled microstructure, and processing the solid film to form the one or more microdevices on the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignees: Auburn University, Clemson UniversityInventors: William Robert Ashurst, Virginia A. Davis, Christopher L. Kitchens
-
Publication number: 20140044937Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of microdevices and methods of manufacturing such microdevices are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a method of manufacturing one or more microdevices may include forming a liquid dispersion containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), depositing the liquid dispersion containing the CNC on a substrate, drying the liquid dispersion containing the CNC to form a solid film on the substrate, where the liquid dispersion contains a sufficient concentration of CNC to form a continuous solid film having a controlled microstructure, and processing the solid film to form the one or more microdevices on the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Inventors: William Robert Ashurst, Virginia A. Davis, Christopher L. Kitchens
-
Patent number: 8221828Abstract: A method of forming a film is provided. Nanoparticles are deposited on a surface of a substrate using a liquid deposition process. The nanoparticles are linked to each other and to the surface using linker molecules. A coating having a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm is deposited over the film to form a coated film. The coated film has an RMS surface roughness of 25 nm to 500 nm, a film coverage of 25% to 60%, a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm; and a durability of 10 to 5000 microNewtons. Depending on the particular environment in which the film is to be used, a durability of 10 to 500 microNewtons may be preferred. A film thickness 3 to 100 times the RMS surface roughness of the film is preferred.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Inventors: Jeff Chinn, W. Robert Ashurst, Adam Anderson
-
Patent number: 7968187Abstract: A composite is provided, comprising a substrate and a film on the substrate. The film has an RMS surface roughness of 25 nm to 500 nm, a film coverage of 25% to 60%, a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm; and a durability of 10 to 5000 microNewtons. Depending on the particular environment in which the film is to be used, a durability of 10 to 500 microNewtons may be preferred. A film thickness 3 to 100 times the RMS surface roughness of the film is preferred.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Integrated Surface TechnologiesInventors: Jeff Chinn, W. Robert Ashurst, Adam Anderson
-
Publication number: 20100080957Abstract: A corrosion barrier is provided, disposed on a substrate. The corrosion barrier includes a vapor corrosion inhibitor (VCI) material and an anti-wetting barrier having a nano-particle composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: Integrated Surface TechnologiesInventors: Jeffrey D. CHINN, Rolf GUENTHER, Mark WILTSE, William Robert ASHURST, Adam ANDERSON
-
Publication number: 20090110821Abstract: A method of forming a film is provided. Nanoparticles are deposited on a surface of a substrate using a liquid deposition process. The nanoparticles are linked to each other and to the surface using linker molecules. A coating having a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm is deposited over the film to form a coated film. The coated film has an RMS surface roughness of 25 nm to 500 nm, a film coverage of 25% to 60%, a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm; and a durability of 10 to 5000 microNewtons. Depending on the particular environment in which the film is to be used, a durability of 10 to 500 microNewtons may be preferred. A film thickness 3 to 100 times the RMS surface roughness of the film is preferred.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Integrated Surface TechnologiesInventors: Jeff Chinn, W. Robert Ashurst, Adam Anderson
-
Publication number: 20090110819Abstract: A method of forming a film is provided. Nanoparticles are deposited on a surface of a substrate using a liquid deposition process. The nanoparticles are linked to each other and to the surface using linker molecules. A coating having a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm is deposited over the film to form a coated film. The coated film has an RMS surface roughness of 25 nm to 500 nm, a film coverage of 25% to 60%, a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm; and a durability of 10 to 5000 microNewtons. Depending on the particular environment in which the film is to be used, a durability of 10 to 500 microNewtons may be preferred. A film thickness 3 to 100 times the RMS surface roughness of the film is preferred.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Integrated Surface TechnologiesInventors: Jeffrey M. CHINN, Robert Ashurst, Adam Anderson
-
Publication number: 20090110884Abstract: A composite is provided, comprising a substrate and a film on the substrate. The film has an RMS surface roughness of 25 nm to 500 nm, a film coverage of 25% to 60%, a surface energy of less than 70 dyne/cm; and a durability of 10 to 5000 microNewtons. Depending on the particular environment in which the film is to be used, a durability of 10 to 500 microNewtons may be preferred. A film thickness 3 to 100 times the RMS surface roughness of the film is preferred.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Integrated Surface TechnologiesInventors: Jeff Chinn, W. Robert Ashurst, Adam Anderson
-
Publication number: 20090107713Abstract: A composite is provided, comprising a substrate and a film on the substrate. The film has an RMS surface roughness of 25 nm to 500 nm, a film coverage of 25% to 60%, a surface energy of less than70 dyne/cm; and a durability of 10 to 5000 microNewtons. Depending on the particular environment in which the film is to be used, a durability of 10 to 500 microNewtons may be preferred. A film thickness 3 to 100 times the RMS surface roughness of the film is preferred.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Integrated Surface TechnologiesInventors: Jeff CHINN, W. Robert Ashurst, Adam Anderson
-
Patent number: 6427712Abstract: A novel shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator which responds to changes in ambient temperature. The actuator is capable of operating bidirectionally over a smaller temperature range than conventional SMA actuators by taking advantage of the R-phase characteristics of the SMA material. A coiled SMA spring 14 is provided with an enabled R-phase by limiting recoverable strain in the SMA material to less than about 1 percent. The force of the SMA spring 14 is counteracted by a non-SMA spring 15. The stronger of the two springs 14, 15 controls the position of an actuating element 13, with SMA spring 14 being the stronger spring while in its austenitic phase and being the weaker spring while in its R-phase. Triggering the actuator with entry into the R-phase rather than the martensitic phase during cooling reduces the hysteresis normally associated with an SMA actuator, allowing the actuator to react bidirectionally to smaller changes in ambient temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1999Date of Patent: August 6, 2002Assignee: Robertshaw Controls CompanyInventor: Gary Robert Ashurst