Patents by Inventor Michael Purfield

Michael Purfield 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: 10935149
    Abstract: Temperature-actuated valves, devices including temperature-actuated valves, and related methods are described. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve includes a heat-shrink film defining a perforation extending at least partially in a first direction. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve is configured to open when a portion of the heat-shrink film including the perforation is heated above a threshold temperature to contract the heat-shrink film along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to define an aperture, in an open configuration, providing a fluid a path through the heat-shrink film. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve includes a leakage-mitigation feature configured to limit fluid flow through the perforation when the valve is in a closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Paul Yager, Joshua Bishop, Michael Purfield
  • Publication number: 20190285187
    Abstract: Temperature-actuated valves, devices including temperature-actuated valves, and related methods are described. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve includes a heat-shrink film defining a perforation extending at least partially in a first direction. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve is configured to open when a portion of the heat-shrink film including the perforation is heated above a threshold temperature to contract the heat-shrink film along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to define an aperture, in an open configuration, providing a fluid a path through the heat-shrink film. In an embodiment, the temperature-actuated valve includes a leakage-mitigation feature configured to limit fluid flow through the perforation when the valve is in a closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: University of Washington
    Inventors: Paul Yager, Joshua Bishop, Michael Purfield