Patents by Inventor Michael M. Withey

Michael M. Withey 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: 10987875
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a hot melt device comprising a heating device that is automatically or manually triggered is configured so as to have its melt surface applied bringing a thermoplastic material in its solid form into contact with a surface via mechanical extrusion; using a heater to heat the thermoplastic material to a temperature above a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material while maintaining the contact of the thermoplastic material with the surface; allowing the heated thermoplastic material to cool to a temperature that is below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature; and allowing the heated thermoplastic material to bond the hot melt apparatus to the contacted surface without a solvent or use of a curing chemical reaction when the heated thermoplastic material is cooled to below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature while remaining connected to the structural body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Christensen, Peter Carow, Eric Curley, Andrew Curtis, James Stein, Lee Vyoral, Michael M Withey
  • Publication number: 20210114310
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a hot melt device comprising a heating device that is automatically or manually triggered is configured so as to have its melt surface applied bringing a thermoplastic material in its solid form into contact with a surface via mechanical extrusion; using a heater to heat the thermoplastic material to a temperature above a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material while maintaining the contact of the thermoplastic material with the surface; allowing the heated thermoplastic material to cool to a temperature that is below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature; and allowing the heated thermoplastic material to bond the hot melt apparatus to the contacted surface without a solvent or use of a curing chemical reaction when the heated thermoplastic material is cooled to below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature while remaining connected to the structural body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Christensen, Peter Carow, Eric Curley, Andrew Curtis, James Stein, Lee Vyoral, Michael M Withey
  • Publication number: 20210114311
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a hot melt device comprising a heating device that is automatically or manually triggered is configured so as to have its melt surface applied bringing a thermoplastic material in its solid form into contact with a surface via mechanical extrusion; using a heater to heat the thermoplastic material to a temperature above a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material while maintaining the contact of the thermoplastic material with the surface; allowing the heated thermoplastic material to cool to a temperature that is below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature; and allowing the heated thermoplastic material to bond the hot melt apparatus to the contacted surface without a solvent or use of a curing chemical reaction when the heated thermoplastic material is cooled to below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature while remaining connected to the structural body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Christensen, Peter Carow, Eric Curley, Andrew Curtis, James Stein, Lee Vyoral, Michael M Withey
  • Publication number: 20200398498
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a hot melt device comprising a heating device that is automatically or manually triggered is configured so as to have its melt surface applied bringing a thermoplastic material in its solid form into contact with a surface via mechanical extrusion; using a heater to heat the thermoplastic material to a temperature above a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material while maintaining the contact of the thermoplastic material with the surface; allowing the heated thermoplastic material to cool to a temperature that is below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature; and allowing the heated thermoplastic material to bond the hot melt apparatus to the contacted surface without a solvent or use of a curing chemical reaction when the heated thermoplastic material is cooled to below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature while remaining connected to the structural body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Christensen, Peter Carow, Eric Curley, Andrew Curtis, James Stein, Lee Vyoral, Michael M Withey
  • Publication number: 20190016060
    Abstract: In various embodiments, a hot melt device comprising a heating device that is automatically or manually triggered is configured so as to have its melt surface applied bringing a thermoplastic material in its solid form into contact with a surface via mechanical extrusion; using a heater to heat the thermoplastic material to a temperature above a melting temperature of the thermoplastic material while maintaining the contact of the thermoplastic material with the surface; allowing the heated thermoplastic material to cool to a temperature that is below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature; and allowing the heated thermoplastic material to bond the hot melt apparatus to the contacted surface without a solvent or use of a curing chemical reaction when the heated thermoplastic material is cooled to below the thermoplastic material's melting temperature while remaining connected to the structural body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Christensen, Peter Carow, Eric Curley, Andrew Curtis, James Stein, Lee Vyoral, Michael M Withey
  • Patent number: 6221666
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the method and apparatus for the cytoplasmic loading of macromolecules into living cells by an impact-mediated procedure that impacts the cells with a predetermined number of solid particles in a blast of propellant gas. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an impact-mediated procedure that is altered by gravitational conditions and is preferably carried out under hypergravity conditions. Further, the present invention is directed to an IML method and apparatus for consistently and reproducibly loading macromolecules into the cytoplasm of living cells via membrane wounding at significantly higher efficiencies than can be accomplished using existing methodologies. The IML procedure directs a blast of propellant gas through a rupturable membrane on which solid particles are supported in order to achieve insertion of a predetermined number of particles into the propellant blast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. F. Clarke, Rob G. Lucas-Dean, Daniel L. Feeback, Charles R. Vanderburg, Michael M. Withey
  • Patent number: 5766177
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a surgical rongeur having a body, a replaceable hollow cutting member and an actuator for moving the cutting member. The body has a distal end and a proximal end. The body at the distal end has an extended member terminating in an anvil. Between the distal end and the proximal end is a hollow portion, and at the proximal end of the body is a handle which actuates the cutting member. The replaceable hollow cutting member is movable within and guided by said hollow portion of the body but extends beyond the body at the proximal end. The hollow cutting member is actuated to cut any bodily material positioned between the anvil of the body and the cutting member, capturing the cut material in the hollow cutting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Rob G. Lucas-Dean, Michael M. Withey, Kent D. Copeland
  • Patent number: 5439086
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mechanical clutch which limits transmission of torque to a desired, predetermined maximum torque from a first clutch plate to a second clutch plate. More specifically, the mechanical clutch includes at least one stepper member, preferably three or more evenly spaced stepper members, which transmit the torque from a first clutch plate to a second clutch plate providing a desired maximum torque is not exceeded. However, if the desired maximum torque is exceeded, the stepper member will rotate and move between the clutch plates so that the torque to the second clutch plate does not exceed the desired maximum torque. The desired maximum torque is set by the axial force compressing the stepper member between the clutch plates and when the applied torque to the first clutch plate exceeds the desired torque, the stepper member will rotate between the clutch plates rather than transmit that torque to the second clutch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Withey, Rob G. Lucas-Dean