Patents by Inventor Kevin Shurtleff
Kevin Shurtleff 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).
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Publication number: 20240081802Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Mark S. Ortiz, David T. Martin, Matthew C. Miller, Mark J. Reese, Wells D. Haberstich, Carl Shurtleff, Charles J. Scheib, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jerome R. Morgan, Daniel H. Duke, Daniel J. Mumaw, Gregory W. Johnson, Kevin L. Houser
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Patent number: 10851511Abstract: A mobile microalgae harvesting apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment the mobile microalgae harvesting apparatus includes a harvesting boom coupled to a harvesting vessel, where the harvesting boom skims a microalgae mixture of microalgae and water from a surface of a body of water down to a predetermined depth below the surface. In the embodiment, the mobile microalgae harvesting apparatus also includes a separator aboard the harvesting vessel that separates water from the microalgae mixture and a microalgae collector that collects microalgae from the separator, wherein the microalgae collector deposits the collected microalgae on a transfer vessel coupled to the harvesting vessel. A mobile microalgae harvester and a system for harvesting microalgae are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Utah Valley UniversityInventor: Kevin Shurtleff
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Publication number: 20190063027Abstract: A mobile microalgae harvesting apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment the mobile microalgae harvesting apparatus includes a harvesting boom coupled to a harvesting vessel, where the harvesting boom skims a microalgae mixture of microalgae and water from a surface of a body of water down to a predetermined depth below the surface. In the embodiment, the mobile microalgae harvesting apparatus also includes a separator aboard the harvesting vessel that separates water from the microalgae mixture and a microalgae collector that collects microalgae from the separator, wherein the microalgae collector deposits the collected microalgae on a transfer vessel coupled to the harvesting vessel. A mobile microalgae harvester and a system for harvesting microalgae are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventor: KEVIN SHURTLEFF
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Publication number: 20170067446Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for power generation using compressed air. One apparatus includes a wind turbine and an air compressor coupled to the wind turbine. The air compressor compresses air in response to rotation of blades of the wind turbine. The apparatus also includes a balloon that lifts the wind turbine and the air compressor off the ground. The apparatus includes a tube that directs the air compressed by the air compressor from the balloon to a receiving unit on the ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventor: Kevin Shurtleff
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Publication number: 20160151275Abstract: An aerosolized formulation for use in a metered dose inhaler is disclosed which includes at least one active ingredient, at least one solvent, and at least one propellant. None of the at least one active ingredient, the at least one solvent and the at least one propellant include water.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2015Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: James Kevin Shurtleff, Jane M. Shurtleff
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Patent number: 9067152Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the rate of evaporation for a liquid. Systems and methods include use of evaporation membranes having large surface areas exposed to the ambient environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Inventor: Kevin Shurtleff
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Publication number: 20130068397Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the rate of evaporation for a liquid. Systems and methods include use of evaporation membranes having large surface areas exposed to the ambient environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventor: Kevin Shurtleff
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Patent number: 8357213Abstract: The apparatus includes a liquid permeable pouch that defines a cavity for maintaining an anhydrous hydride reactant, wherein the cavity comprises a cross-section such that a point within the cross-section is separated from a perimeter of the liquid permeable pouch by no more than double the permeation distance, and a cartridge configured to receive the liquid permeable pouch and a liquid reactant such that at least a portion of the liquid permeable pouch is submerged in the liquid reactant. The system includes a plurality of pouches formed from two rectangular sheets of liquid permeable material, and each pouch has a width selected such that each point within a cross-section is separated from the sheets by no more than double the permeation distance. The method includes joining the sheets, forming one or more seals to define a cavity, disposing anhydrous hydride within the cavity, and sealing the opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Trulite, Inc.Inventors: John M. Patton, J. Kevin Shurtleff, Eric J. Ladd
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Patent number: 8205674Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for in-situ extraction of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The system includes a well drilled through a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, and a completion unit that places an injection tube near a fluid injection point near the bottom of a target zone and a production tube near a fluid production point near the top of the target zone. An isolation unit isolates the fluid injection point from the fluid production point such that injected fluid flows through the target zone. The system further includes a heat source, and a fluid that delivers thermal energy from the heat source to the hydrocarbons in the target zone to entrain the hydrocarbons in the fluid. The resulting production fluid is heated, free hydrogen is added, and the production fluid is treated on a catalytic reactor to reduce the size of the hydrocarbon chains.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Mountain West Energy Inc.Inventor: J. Kevin Shurtleff
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Patent number: 8152873Abstract: A system is disclosed to generate hydrogen. The system includes a fuel cartridge, a cartridge interface, and a fuel cartridge receiver. The fuel cartridge includes a liquid permeable material with one or more cavities that encloses a solid anhydrous chemical hydride. The fuel cartridge also includes a housing that is heat and pressure resistant that houses the liquid permeable material, and a liquid. The fuel cartridge also includes one or more liquid sources that introduce the liquid into the housing such that the liquid contacts at least a portion of the liquid permeable material.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Trulite, IncInventors: Kevin Shurtleff, Eric Ladd, John Patton, Chris Brydon, Ken Pearson
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Publication number: 20110027670Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to generate electric power from a chemical hydride. A fuel cartridge produces hydrogen by reacting a liquid with a chemical hydride. A fuel cell stack generates electric power using an oxygen source and the produced hydrogen. An electric power storage device is coupled with the fuel cell stack. The electric power storage device stores and supplies electric power. One or more liquid sources inject the liquid into the fuel cartridge at a variable rate. A controller calculates a liquid injection rate for the one or more liquid sources based on power demands of an electric load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: TRULITE INC.Inventors: Kevin Shurtleff, Eric Ladd, John Patton, Chris Brydon, Ken Pearson
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Publication number: 20100129266Abstract: A system is disclosed to generate hydrogen. The system includes a fuel cartridge, a cartridge interface, and a fuel cartridge receiver. The fuel cartridge includes a liquid permeable material with one or more cavities that encloses a solid anhydrous chemical hydride. The fuel cartridge also includes a housing that is heat and pressure resistant that houses the liquid permeable material, and a liquid. The fuel cartridge also includes one or more liquid sources that introduce the liquid into the housing such that the liquid contacts at least a portion of the liquid permeable material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2009Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: Trulite Inc.Inventors: Kevin Shurtleff, Eric Ladd, John Patton, Chris Brydon, Ken Pearson
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Patent number: 7651542Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to generate hydrogen. A liquid permeable material with one or more cavities contains a solid anhydrous chemical hydride and an anhydrous activating agent. A housing that is heat and pressure resistant houses the liquid permeable material, and a liquid. One or more liquid sources inject the liquid into the housing such that the liquid contacts at least a portion of the liquid permeable material. A gas outlet port releases hydrogen gas produced by a reaction comprising the solid anhydrous chemical hydride, the anhydrous activating agent, and the liquid. A hydrogen output regulator controls the amount of hydrogen gas that the gas outlet port releases.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Thulite, IncInventors: Kevin Shurtleff, Eric Ladd, John Patton, Chris Brydon, Ken Pearson
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Patent number: 7648786Abstract: A system is disclosed to generate electric power from a chemical hydride. A fuel cartridge produces hydrogen by reacting a liquid with a chemical hydride. A fuel cell stack generates electric power using an oxygen source and the produced hydrogen. An electric power storage device is coupled with the fuel cell stack. The electric power storage device stores and supplies electric power. One or more liquid sources inject the liquid into the fuel cartridge at a variable rate. A controller calculates a liquid injection rate for the one or more liquid sources based on power demands of an electric load.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2007Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Trulite, IncInventors: Kevin Shurtleff, Eric Ladd, John Patton, Chris Brydon, Ken Pearson
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Publication number: 20090304554Abstract: The apparatus includes a liquid permeable pouch that defines a cavity for maintaining an anhydrous hydride reactant, wherein the cavity comprises a cross-section such that a point within the cross-section is separated from a perimeter of the liquid permeable pouch by no more than double the permeation distance, and a cartridge configured to receive the liquid permeable pouch and a liquid reactant such that at least a portion of the liquid permeable pouch is submerged in the liquid reactant. The system includes a plurality of pouches formed from two rectangular sheets of liquid permeable material, and each pouch has a width selected such that each point within a cross-section is separated from the sheets by no more than double the permeation distance. The method includes joining the sheets, forming one or more seals to define a cavity, disposing anhydrous hydride within the cavity, and sealing the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: James Kevin Shurtleff, John Madison Patton, Eric J. Ladd
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Patent number: 7556660Abstract: The apparatus includes a liquid permeable pouch that defines a cavity for maintaining an anhydrous hydride reactant, wherein the cavity comprises a cross-section such that a point within the cross-section is separated from a perimeter of the liquid permeable pouch by no more than double the permeation distance, and a cartridge configured to receive the liquid permeable pouch and a liquid reactant such that at least a portion of the liquid permeable pouch is submerged in the liquid reactant. The system includes a plurality of pouches formed from two rectangular sheets of liquid permeable material, and each pouch has a width selected such that each point within a cross-section is separated from the sheets by no more than double the permeation distance. The method includes joining the sheets, forming one or more seals to define a cavity, disposing anhydrous hydride within the cavity, and sealing the opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Inventors: James Kevin Shurtleff, John Madison Patton, Eric J. Ladd
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Publication number: 20090053134Abstract: A process, composition of matter, and apparatus for generating hydrogen are disclosed. The process includes providing an anhydrous hydride, forming a mixture of the hydride with an activating agent, and introducing a liquid reactant to the mixture to produce hydrogen. The mixture includes activating agent in the range of between about 20 to about 80 percent by dry weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Applicant: TRULITE, INC.Inventors: James Kevin Shurtleff, Eric J. Ladd, Chris A. Brydon, John M. Patton, J. Howard Anderson
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Publication number: 20080257552Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for in-situ extraction of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation. The system includes a well drilled through a hydrocarbon bearing formation, and a completion unit that places an injection tube near a fluid injection of a target zone and a production tube near a fluid production point of the target zone. The injection tube comprising a tube with an inner diameter between about 1 inch and about 2 inches. The system includes a heat source, and a thermal conduit fluid that delivers heat from the heat source to the target zone. A mixer mixes an oxygen mixture and an injection unit injects the oxygen mixture into the depleted target zone to combust a coke remainder within the target zone. The system further includes a recycling unit configured to circulate a cool gas through the heated target zone to absorb the thermal energy disposed in the heated target zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: J. Kevin Shurtleff, Stewart Cowley
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Patent number: 7438732Abstract: A fuel cartridge for a hydrogen generating system having a cartridge containing a substantially anhydrous chemical hydride reactant. A plurality of liquid conduits extends into the cartridge and each of the liquid conduits has a length and a plurality of liquid distribution apertures formed along the length. The liquid distribution apertures have a diameter of less than approximately 1 mm. The chemical hydride reactant forms a bed and the liquid conduits extend along at least half of a length of the bed.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Trulite, IncInventors: James Kevin Shurtleff, Eric J. Ladd, Chris A. Brydon, John M. Patton, Howard Anderson
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Patent number: 7393369Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method generate hydrogen through a controlled chemical reaction between water and a chemical hydride. The invention includes a chemical hydride isolated from water by a water-selective membrane. A fluid containing water is brought into contact with the water-selective membrane. The water diffuses through the water-selective membrane and reacts with the chemical hydride. The water diffuses through the membrane at a predetermined rate based on a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane. The water-selective membrane is substantially impermeable to elements and molecules other than water. Hydrogen generated within the chemical hydride is collected and used in various applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Trulite, Inc.Inventor: James Kevin Shurtleff