Patents by Inventor Paul Michael Boucher

Paul Michael Boucher 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: 9657950
    Abstract: A fire-resistant collapsible enclosure can include three or more sidewalls coupled with a cross plate internal to the enclosure. A top portion of the enclosure can include a non-linear edge configured to be an airflow outlet, or a bottom portion of the enclosure can include a non-linear edge configured to be an airflow outlet. The fire-resistant collapsible enclosure can be configured for use as an oven, a stove, or a smoker. In an example, two or more of the fire-resistant collapsible enclosures can be used together, such as where one enclosure is configured as a heat source and a second enclosure is configured as a smoker. In an example, the cross plate can include a throttle to control airflow through the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Inventor: Paul Michael Boucher
  • Publication number: 20120204852
    Abstract: A fire-resistant collapsible enclosure can include three or more sidewalls coupled with a cross plate internal to the enclosure. A top portion of the enclosure can include a non-linear edge configured to be an airflow outlet, or a bottom portion of the enclosure can include a non-linear edge configured to be an airflow outlet. The fire-resistant collapsible enclosure can be configured for use as an oven, a stove, or a smoker. In an example, two or more of the fire-resistant collapsible enclosures can be used together, such as where one enclosure is configured as a heat source and a second enclosure is configured as a smoker. In an example, the cross plate can include a throttle to control airflow through the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: PAUL MICHAEL BOUCHER
  • Patent number: 8231991
    Abstract: A method of forming an energy storage device includes forming a fill hole in a wall of the energy storage device. The method also includes deforming the wall of the energy storage device to reduce a width of the fill hole. Moreover, the method includes sealing the fill hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Michael Boucher, Steven Edward Messer, Walter Carl Sunderland, Benjamin Adam Matter
  • Publication number: 20100304194
    Abstract: A method of forming an energy storage device includes forming a fill hole in a wall of the energy storage device. The method also includes deforming the wall of the energy storage device to reduce a width of the fill hole. Moreover, the method includes sealing the fill hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Michael Boucher, Steven Edward Messer, Walter Carl Sunderland, Benjamin Adam Matter
  • Patent number: 7553578
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a gasketed fuel cell membrane electrode assembly by simultaneously binding together the parts of the MEA, impregnating uncured elastomeric gasket material into the outer edge portions of each fluid transport layer, and substantially curing the uncured elastomeric gasket material so as to form anode-side and cathode-side gaskets. In order to form a raised-ridge microstructured contact pattern on the contact face of each gasket, patterning plates bearing a negative relief of a raised-ridge microstructured contact pattern may be positioned between the press platens and the uncured elastomeric gasket material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David Allen Wald, Jimmy Minh Le, Michael Andrew Yandrasits, Paul Michael Boucher
  • Patent number: 7087339
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gasketed fuel cell membrane electrode assembly comprising: a polymer electrolyte membrane; layers of anode and cathode catalyst; anode-side and cathode-side fluid transport layer; and anode-side and cathode-side gaskets; where the gaskets comprise an elastomeric gasket material which is impregnated into the outer edge portions of the respective fluid transport layer; and where at least a portion of the contact face of each gasket bears a raised-ridge microstructured contact pattern. The gasketed fuel cell membrane electrode assembly according to the present invention may additionally comprise a rigid, non-elastomeric anode-side and cathode-side shims positioned between at least a portion of the gasket and the polymer electrolyte membrane. The raised-ridge microstructured contact pattern preferably comprises ridges which meet at joining points, wherein no more than three ridges meet at any one joining point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David Allen Wald, Jimmy Minh Le, Michael Andrew Yandrasits, Paul Michael Boucher
  • Publication number: 20030211378
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gasketed fuel cell membrane electrode assembly comprising: a polymer electrolyte membrane; layers of anode and cathode catalyst; anode-side and cathode-side fluid transport layer; and anode-side and cathode-side gaskets; where the gaskets comprise an elastomeric gasket material which is impregnated into the outer edge portions of the respective fluid transport layer; and where at least a portion of the contact face of each gasket bears a raised-ridge microstructured contact pattern. The gasketed fuel cell membrane electrode assembly according to the present invention may additionally comprise a rigid, non-elastomeric anode-side and cathode-side shims positioned between at least a portion of the gasket and the polymer electrolyte membrane. The raised-ridge microstructured contact pattern preferably comprises ridges which meet at joining points, wherein no more than three ridges meet at any one joining point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David Allen Wald, Jimmy Minh Le, Michael Andrew Yandrasits, Paul Michael Boucher