Patents Examined by Melody Tsui
  • Patent number: 11878464
    Abstract: A system includes a machine readable storage medium storing instructions and a processor. The processor is to execute instructions to receive contone agent maps of a three-dimensional (3D) part and sensed thermal maps from the 3D printing of the 3D part on a 3D printer. The processor is to execute instructions to generate layer sequences including the contone agent maps and the sensed thermal map for each layer of the 3D part. The processor is to execute instructions to select training samples from the layer sequences having temperature intensity variations within each layer or between neighboring layers. The processor is to execute instructions to train a neural network using the training samples to generate a model to predict thermal behavior in the 3D printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: He Luan, Jun Zeng
  • Patent number: 11865779
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for providing a nozzle having refined print control and enhanced printing speed by providing, on the inside or outside or on an interstitial substrate layer, of any metallic or non-metallic nozzle of a non-conductive surface suitable to support sensors relevant to the FFF process. Heat, force, flow, strain, stress, extrusion force, and like sensors may be provided on the inside or the outside of any nozzle, or on an interstitial substrate layer on the inside or outside of any nozzle. The sensors may be provided about the center access through the nozzle, longitudinally along the center access of the nozzle, or at any of various points along the nozzle, wherein the placement or shape of such sensors may vary in accordance with the type of sensing to be performed by the subject sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: JABIL INC.
    Inventors: Erik Gjovik, William J. MacNeish, III
  • Patent number: 11813792
    Abstract: A three-dimensional, additive manufacturing system is disclosed. The first and second printer modules form sequences of first patterned single-layer objects and second patterned single-layer objects on the first and second carrier substrates, respectively. The patterned single-layer objects are assembled into a three-dimensional object on the assembly plate of the assembly station. A controller controls the sequences and patterns of the patterned single-layer objects formed at the printer modules, and a sequence of assembly of the first patterned single-layer objects and the second patterned single-layer objects into the three-dimensional object on the assembly plate. The first transfer module transfers the first patterned single-layer objects from the first carrier substrate to the assembly apparatus in a first transfer zone and the second transfer module transfers the second patterned single-layer objects from the second carrier substrate to the assembly apparatus in a second transfer zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Sakuu Corporation
    Inventors: Morteza Vatani, Philip Eugene Rogren
  • Patent number: 11766538
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing an elongate medical device including various surface features. The system including a heating cartridge, a heating element, a filament handling system, a substrate handling system, a controller, and one or more additional components adapted to form the surface features on the medical device. The heating element melts a filament material within the heating cartridge to form a jacket of the medical device and the one or more additional components engages the outer surface of the jacket to create surface features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Baxter, Kristin M. Johnson, Gregory N. Nesseth, Jay T. Rassat
  • Patent number: 11738512
    Abstract: A three-dimensional shaped article production apparatus includes a shaping table, a layer forming section that forms a powder layer, a head that ejects a liquid containing a binder to a shaping region of a three-dimensional shaped article, a liquid supply system that supplies the liquid to the head, and a moving system that relatively moves the head with respect to the shaping table, wherein the head includes a nozzle that ejects the liquid, a pressure chamber that communicates with the nozzle, a supply flow channel that communicates with the pressure chamber upstream in a supply direction of the liquid, and a circulation flow channel that communicates with the pressure chamber downstream in the supply direction, the circulation flow channel includes a first filter, and a pore diameter of the first filter is larger than a particle diameter of a powder for forming the powder layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Watanabe, Toshimitsu Hirai, Akihiko Tsunoya, Kaoru Momose
  • Patent number: 11724415
    Abstract: The present invention is a sintering method of a ceramic for sintering characterized by forming a layer containing a carbon powder on a surface of an article consisting of a ceramic for sintering, and then irradiating with laser a surface of the carbon powder-containing layer of a lamination obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: Japan Fine Ceramics Center, NORITAKE CO., LIMITED, TOTO LTD., NGK INSULATORS, LTD., NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teiichi Kimura, Satoshi Suehiro
  • Patent number: 11697222
    Abstract: A method and system of additively-manufacturing a structure having a reinforced access opening includes printing, via an additive printing device having at least one printer head, a portion of the structure adjacent to a support surface. The portion of the structure is printed of a cementitious material, and the printed portion of the structure defines an access opening for the structure. Moreover, the method includes providing a void of the cementitious material at a top boundary of the access opening, placing one or more reinforcement members in the void such that the one or more reinforcement members extend across the void, and continuing to print the printed portion of the structure around the void to build up the structure. Thus, the method also includes backfilling the void with a backfill material to incorporate the one or more reinforcement members within the void into the printed portion of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaopeng Li, Biao Fang, Pascal Meyer, Christopher James Kenny
  • Patent number: 11685112
    Abstract: A printing apparatus for printing a three-dimensional object. The printing apparatus includes an operative surface and a plurality of supply hoppers configured for dispensing a powder. The powder is configured to be melted by an energy beam. The supply hoppers are configured to form a plurality of vertically-aligned powder beds adjacent to one another on the operative surface simultaneously. An energy source is configured to emit an energy beam onto each powder bed simultaneously to melt or fuse a topmost layer of the powder bed onto an underlying powder bed layer or substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Aurora Labs Limited
    Inventors: David Budge, John Nathan Henry
  • Patent number: 11674207
    Abstract: A method, product, apparatus, and article of manufacture for the application of the Composite Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) method to produce objects in metal, and in metal fiber hybrids or composites. The approach has many advantages, including the ability to produce more complex geometries than conventional methods such as milling and casting, improved material properties, higher production rates and the elimination of complex fixturing, complex tool paths and tool changes and, for casting, the need for patterns and tools. The approach works by slicing a 3D model, selectively printing a fluid onto a sheet of substrate material for each layer based on the model, flooding onto the substrate a powdered metal to which the fluid adheres in printed areas, clamping and aligning a stack of coated sheets, heating the stacked sheets to melt the powdered metal and fuse the layers of substrate, and removing excess powder and unfused substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Impossible Objects, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Swartz, John Bayldon, Buckley Crist, Eugene Gore
  • Patent number: 11654611
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring stress in 3D-printed building structures using embedded and surface sensors. The sensors may be embedded during or after the 3D printing process. The sensors may be strain gauges integrally formed in the 3D-printed building structure or positioned on the surface of the 3D-printed building structure. The embedded and surface sensors may measure tensile and compressive deformation occurring during the printing process, material relaxation process, the transportation process, and at a final location of the 3D-printed building structure. Deformation data collected by the sensors may be compared to accepted threshold values based on the material of the 3D-printed building structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Mighty Buildings, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanislav Gudkov, Aleksei Dubov, Evgeniy Ostanin
  • Patent number: 11602890
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing one or more 3D products by additive manufacturing using a layer-by-layer technique and a 3D printing device. The method comprises the steps of; setting a first thickness of a reference layer and forming one or more material layer having a second thickness. The second thickness is set as a multiple of an integer and said first thickness of the reference layer, and performing a binding action on said material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Jerry Edvinsson
  • Patent number: 11590707
    Abstract: A multi-station stereolithographic group, includes: support and movement apparatus for a modelling plate with respect to a fixed base facing the modelling plate, the fixed base including at least two work stations positioned in respective areas able to be reached by the modelling plate moved by the support and movement apparatus. Such a fixed base includes at least three work stations: at least one first station for forming an object, at least one second station for washing a formed object, at least one third station for stabilising a formed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: DWS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Ettore Maurizio Costabeber, Renzo Busato
  • Patent number: 11590694
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a deflection member is disclosed. The method may include the step of incorporating a monomer, a photoinitiator system, a photoinhibitor, and/or a reinforcing member. A further step includes blending the monomer, photoinitiator, and/or photoinhibitor to form a blended photopolymer resin. Further steps may be emitting a first wavelength and emitting a second wavelength. A further step may be polymerizing the monomer to form a resinous framework comprising protuberance locked-on to the reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John L. Brent, Jr., Steven D. Smith, Jacob R. Adams
  • Patent number: 11571934
    Abstract: A tire includes a tread portion including a pair of shoulder main grooves and a crown region defined between the pair of the shoulder main grooves. The crown region includes a plurality of crown blocks. A ground contacting surface of at least one of the crown blocks is provided with a first sipe, a second sipe, and a third sipe. The first sipe, the second sipe, and the third sipe are connected with each other at one intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: SUMITOMO RUBBER INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Sho Ito
  • Patent number: 11554545
    Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional shaped article includes a first shaping step of shaping a first portion of the three-dimensional shaped article by ejecting a shaping material to a stage, and a second shaping step of shaping a second portion of the three-dimensional shaped article having an overlapping portion overlapping with the first portion, and a non-overlapping portion that does not overlap with the first portion, that forms a space between the same and the first portion, and that is in contact with the overlapping portion at one end. In the second shaping step, the overlapping portion is shaped by ejecting the shaping material onto the first portion, and thereafter, the non-overlapping portion is shaped by ejecting the shaping material so as to be in contact with the overlapping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenta Anegawa, Daizo Aoyagi
  • Patent number: 11504934
    Abstract: The invention relates to an impeller filling shoe for material feed to die bores of a rotary press, which is built-up modularly in order to enable a change in function between a 2-chamber filling shoe comprising a filling vaned wheel and a proportioning vaned wheel, and a 3-chamber filling shoe comprising a filling vaned wheel, a proportioning vaned wheel and a feeding vaned wheel, wherein the impeller filling shoe does not comprise a gearbox for driving the vaned wheels. Furthermore, the invention relates to a rotary press comprising the modular impeller filling shoe, whereby the gearbox for driving the vaned wheels is located outside the impeller filling shoe. The invention relates in addition to the use of the impeller filling shoe according to the invention in methods for converting the modular impeller filling shoe from a 2-chamber filling shoe to a 3-chamber filling shoe and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Korsch AG
    Inventors: Ingo Klaer, Stephan Mies, Robert Peucker
  • Patent number: 11485044
    Abstract: Construction systems for constructing a structure on a foundation and methods relating thereto are disclosed. In an embodiment, the construction system includes a rail assembly configured to be mounted to the foundation. In addition, the construction system includes a gantry movably disposed on the rail assembly configured to translate along a first axis relative to the rail assembly. Further, the construction system includes a printing assembly movably disposed on the gantry and configured to translate along a second axis relative to the gantry. The second axis is orthogonal to the first axis. The printing assembly is configured to deposit vertically stacked layers of an extrudable building material on the foundation to construct the structure. The gantry has a width along the second axis that is configured to be adjusted relative to the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Icon Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Le Roux
  • Patent number: 11465361
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for controlling support structures and build orientation are provided. In some embodiments, a method for additive manufacturing a part using a three dimensional (3D) printing system, the 3D printing system including a print head and a build plate is provided, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of physical constraints associated with the part; optimizing a build orientation of the part to identify an optimized build orientation b* for the part with respect to a design domain defined by the physical constraints based on the plurality of physical constraints, and a plurality of design constraints using at least one variable associated with build orientation as an optimization variable, the plurality of design constraints comprising: an initial build orientation b0; and a critical surface slope angle and generating a part model based on the optimized build orientation b*.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xiaoping Qian, Cunfu Wang
  • Patent number: 11440263
    Abstract: A device for the lithography-based additive manufacturing of three-dimensional structures may comprise a building platform defining a building plane, a light engine designed for the dynamic patterning of light in an exposure field of said light engine, a material transport unit comprising a first drive mechanism for transporting a material layer across the exposure field, a second drive mechanism for causing relative movement of the light engine and the building platform along a displacement path extending parallel to the building plane, a linear encoder for sensing a position and/or a velocity of the light engine relative to the building platform, and/or one or more control units configured to adjust the feeding rate of a pattern data feeder based on the position or the velocity sensed by the linear encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: CUBICURE GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Gmeiner, Thomas Förster-Romswinckel, Philipp Neubauer, Bernhard Busetti, Wolfgang Steiger, Raphael Krobath
  • Patent number: 11376798
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system configured to: during a first build cycle of an additive manufacturing process for manufacturing a first layer of a build, sampling a first set of sensor data streams via the sensor suite; calculate a first likelihood of failure of the build based on the first set of sensor data streams; in response to calculating the first likelihood of failure within a first likelihood range, flag the build to indicate the first likelihood of failure; and in response to calculating the first likelihood of failure within a second likelihood range greater than the first likelihood range, pause the additive manufacturing process, and notify an operator of the additive manufacturing system of the first likelihood of failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Ong, Christopher Prucha