Patents by Inventor C. Michael Sharp

C. Michael Sharp 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 for gas assisted energy beam engraving of a target object
    Patent number: 6660962
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for gas assisted energy beam engraving of a target object. This invention employs and energy beam, such as a laser beam or an electron beam, to irradiate a target object in the presence of a selected gaseous environment in order to engrave a mark in the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mary Helen McCay, C. Michael Sharp, John Brice Bible, John A. Hopkins, T. Dwayne McCay, Narendra Dahotre, Frederick A. Schwartz
  • Method for marking steel and aluminum alloys
    Patent number: 6497985
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for marking metallic alloys using laser alloying. Specifically, the present invention is directed toward the use of laser alloying steel or aluminum alloys with a mark that provides protection against wear and corrosion and greater permanency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mary Helen McCay, T. Dwayne McCay, John A. Hopkins, Narendra B. Dahotre, C. Michael Sharp, John Brice Bible, Frederick A. Schwartz
  • Method for gas assisted energy beam engraving of a target object
    Publication number: 20020190036
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for gas assisted energy beam engraving of a target object. This invention employs and energy beam, such as a laser beam or an electron beam, to irradiate a target object in the presence of a selected gaseous environment in order to engrave a mark in the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Mary Helen McCay, C. Michael Sharp, John Brice Bible, John A. Hopkins, T. Dwayne McCay, Narendra Dahotre, Frederick A. Schwartz
  • METHOD FOR MARKING STEEL AND ALUMINUM ALLOYS
    Publication number: 20010036587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for marking metallic alloys using laser alloying. Specifically, the present invention is directed toward the use of laser alloying steel or aluminum alloys with a mark that provides protection against wear and corrosion and greater permanency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: MARY HELEN MCCAY, T. DWAYNE MCCAY, JOHN A. HOPKINS, NARENDRA B. DAHOTRE, C. MICHAEL SHARP, JOHN BRICE BIBLE, FREDERICK A. SCHWARTZ
  • Method for gas assisted energy beam engraving of a target object
    Publication number: 20010027965
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for gas assisted energy beam engraving of a target object. This invention employs and energy beam, such as a laser beam or an electron beam, to irradiate a target object in the presence of a selected gaseous environment in order to engrave a mark in the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Mary Helen McCay, C. Michael Sharp, John Brice Bible, John A. Hopkins, T. Dwayne McCay, Narendra Dahotre, Frederick A. Schwartz
  • Method for laser/plasma surface alloying
    Patent number: 6229111
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method for plasma assisted laser surface alloying. Specifically, the present invention is directed toward a method for surface alloying using a laser beam having a rectangular cross sectional area and a plasma arc, in order to produce an alloyed substrate on the surface of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mary Helen McCay, T. Dwayne McCay, John A. Hopkins, Narendra B. Dahotre, C. Michael Sharp, Frederick A. Schwartz, John Brice Bible
  • Method for marking, tracking, and managing hospital instruments
    Patent number: 6223137
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for marking, tracking, and managing hospital instruments. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method for marking instruments with information indicative of the manufacturer, part number, and serial number of each instrument, inputting such information into a database, inputting information into the database regarding the desired maintenance schedule for each instrument, inputting information into the database regarding the usage of each instrument, and tracking the usage and/or maintenance of each instrument by using the information in the database. The method also includes asset management, instrumentation identification and counting, and assembly of surgical trays and kits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: The University of Tennessee Research Corporation
    Inventors: Mary Helen McCay, T. Dwayne McCay, John A. Hopkins, John Brice Bible, Frederick A. Schwartz, Narendra B. Dahotre, C. Michael Sharp