Patents by Inventor Timothy Jon Shepodd

Timothy Jon Shepodd 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: 6865939
    Abstract: A method for surface modification of microchannels and capillaries. The method produces a chemically inert surface having a lowered surface free energy and improved frictional properties by attaching a fluorinated alkane group to the surface. The coating is produced by hydrolysis of a silane agent that is functionalized with either alkoxy or chloro ligands and an uncharged C3-C10 fluorinated alkane chain. It has been found that the extent of surface coverage can be controlled by controlling the contact time from a minimum of about 2 minutes to a maximum of 120 minutes for complete surface coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Sandia Naitonal Laboratories
    Inventors: Brian J. Kirby, Timothy Jon Shepodd
  • Publication number: 20040052929
    Abstract: A method for surface modification of microchannels and capillaries. The method produces a chemically inert surface having a lowered surface free energy and improved frictional properties by attaching a fluorinated alkane group to the surface. The coating is produced by hydrolysis of a silane agent that is functionalized with either alkoxy or chloro ligands and an uncharged C3-C10 fluorinated alkane chain. It has been found that the extent of surface coverage can be controlled by controlling the contact time from a minimum of about 2 minutes to a maximum of 120 minutes for complete surface coverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Brian J. Kirby, Timothy Jon Shepodd
  • Patent number: 6706247
    Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for preventing uncontrolled exothermic reaction in the presence of a catalyst. A catalyst deployed as a finely divided powder which is attached to the surface of a low melting point wax or wax-like material which is utilized as a carrier for the catalyst. During operation should the catalyst overheat due to uncontrolled conditions brought about by a run-away reaction the heat of reaction melts the low melting point wax which would itself wet the surface of the catalyst and prevent further catalysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventor: Timothy Jon Shepodd
  • Publication number: 20030125196
    Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for preventing uncontrolled exothermic reaction in the presence of a catalyst. A catalyst deployed as a finely divided powder which is attached to the surface of a low melting point wax or wax-like material which is utilized as a carrier for the catalyst. During operation should the catalyst overheat due to uncontrolled conditions brought about by a run-away reaction the heat of reaction melts the low melting point wax which would itself wet the surface of the catalyst and prevent further catalysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy Jon Shepodd
  • Publication number: 20030004227
    Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for preventing uncontrolled exothermic reaction in the presence of a catalyst. A catalyst deployed as a finely divided powder which is attached to the surface of a low melting point wax or wax-like material which is utilized as a carrier for the catalyst. During operation should the catalyst overheat due to uncontrolled conditions brought about by a run-away reaction the heat of reaction melts the low melting point wax which would itself wet the surface of the catalyst and prevent further catalysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy Jon Shepodd
  • Patent number: 6491844
    Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for preventing uncontrolled exothermic reaction in the presence of a catalyst. A catalyst deployed as a finely divided powder which is attached to the surface of a low melting point wax or wax-like material which is utilized as a carrier for the catalyst. During operation should the catalyst overheat due to uncontrolled conditions brought about by a run-away reaction the heat of reaction melts the low melting point wax which would itself wet the surface of the catalyst and prevent further catalysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventor: Timothy Jon Shepodd
  • Patent number: 6063307
    Abstract: A novel composition comprising organic polymer molecules having carbon-carbon double bonds, for removing hydrogen from the atmosphere within enclosed spaces.Organic polymers molecules containing carbon-carbon double bonds throughout their structures, preferably polybutadiene, polyisoprene and derivatives thereof, intimately mixed with an insoluble catalyst composition, comprising a hydrogenation catalyst and a catalyst support, preferably Pd supported on carbon, provide a hydrogen getter composition useful for removing hydrogen from enclosed spaces even in the presence of contaminants such as common atmospheric gases, water vapor, carbon dioxide, ammonia, oil mists, and water. The hydrogen getter composition disclosed herein is particularly useful for removing hydrogen from enclosed spaces containing potentially explosive mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventors: Timothy Jon Shepodd, LeRoy L. Whinnery
  • Patent number: 5998325
    Abstract: A composition suitable for safely removing hydrogen from gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen and oxygen, particularly those mixtures wherein the hydrogen concentration is within the explosive range. The composition comprises a hydrogenation catalyst, preferably Pd dispersed on carbon, wherein the concentration of Pd is from about 1-10 wt %, dispersed in a polymeric material matrix. As well as serving as a matrix to contain the hydrogenation catalyst, the polymeric material, which is substantially unreactive to hydrogen, provides both a diffusion restriction to hydrogen and oxygen, thereby limiting the rate at which the reactants (hydrogen and oxygen) can diffuse to the catalyst surface and thus, the production of heat from the recombination reaction and as a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy Jon Shepodd
  • Patent number: 5837158
    Abstract: A novel composition comprising organic polymer molecules having carbon-carbon double bonds, for removing hydrogen from the atmosphere within enclosed spaces.Organic polymers molecules containing carbon-carbon double bonds throughout their structures, preferably polybutadiene, polyisoprene and derivatives thereof, intimately mixed with an insoluble catalyst composition, comprising a hydrogenation catalyst and a catalyst support, preferably Pd supported on carbon, provide a hydrogen getter composition useful for removing hydrogen from enclosed spaces even in the presence of contaminants such as common atmospheric gases, water vapor, carbon dioxide, ammonia, oil mists, and water. The hydrogen getter composition disclosed herein is particularly useful for removing hydrogen from enclosed spaces containing potentially explosive mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Jon Shepodd, LeRoy L. Whinnery