Patents by Inventor Christopher Sutcliffe
Christopher Sutcliffe 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).
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Patent number: 11123924Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: David Roberts McMurtry, Christopher Sutcliffe, Robin Geoffrey Weston, Paul Campton, David John Whitton, David Beeby
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Patent number: 10974184Abstract: A filter assembly for an additive manufacturing apparatus has a housing defining a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A filter element is located within the housing between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The assembly includes valves that can be actuated to seal the gas inlet and the gas outlet. Additionally the assembly has a fluid inlet for allowing ingress of a fluid into the housing. The assembly allows a filter element, which may contain volatile particles, to be changed safely. By sealing the gas inlet and outlet and flooding the housing with a suitable fluid, volatile particles captured by the filter can be neutralised.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Simon Peter Scott, Christopher Sutcliffe
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Patent number: 10926327Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus including a build chamber in which an object is built and a flow device. The flow device comprises a body having a Coand{hacek over (a)} surface and a passageway connectable to a pressurised gas source. The passageway has an opening located adjacent to the Coand{hacek over (a)} surface to, in use, direct a jet of gas over the Coand{hacek over (a)} surface. A space adjacent the Coand{hacek over (a)} surface is in fluid communication with the build chamber such that gas drawn into and/or propelled from the space causes gas flow through the build chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Christopher Sutcliffe, Ceri Brown
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Publication number: 20210039167Abstract: This invention concerns a laser solidification apparatus for building objects by layerwise solidification of powder material. The apparatus including a build chamber containing a build platform, a device for depositing layers of powder material on to the build platform, an optical unit for directing a laser beam to selectively solidify areas of each powder layer and a spectrometer for detecting characteristic radiation emitted by plasma formed during solidification of the powder by the laser beam. The invention also relates to a spectrometer for detecting characteristic radiation generated by interaction of the metal with the or a further laser beam. The spectra recorded using the spectrometer may be used for feedback control during the solidification process.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Ian Robert Thomas ASHTON, Stephan KLOSS, Christopher SUTCLIFFE, Ben Ian FERRAR
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Patent number: 10850326Abstract: This invention concerns a laser solidification apparatus for building objects by layerwise solidification of powder material. The apparatus including a build chamber containing a build platform, a device for depositing layers of powder material on to the build platform, an optical unit for directing a laser beam to selectively solidify areas of each powder layer and a spectrometer for detecting characteristic radiation emitted by plasma formed during solidification of the powder by the laser beam. The invention also relates to a spectrometer for detecting characteristic radiation generated by interaction of the metal with the or a further laser beam. The spectra recorded using the spectrometer may be used for feedback control during the solidification process.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Ian Robert Thomas Ashton, Stephan Kloss, Christopher Sutcliffe, Ben Ian Ferrar
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Publication number: 20200016838Abstract: A powder bed fusion apparatus for building an object in a layer-by-layer manner includes a build platform movable within a build sleeve to define a build volume, a layer formation device for forming layers of powder across the build volume in a working plane and an irradiation device for irradiating powder in the working plane to selectively fuse the powder. The powder bed fusion apparatus further includes a mechanical manipulator arranged to engage with the object and/or a build substrate, to which the object is attached, to tilt the object in a raised position above the working plane such that powder is freed from the object and deposited at a location above the working plane and/or into the build volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: David Roberts MCMURTRY, Christopher SUTCLIFFE, Robin Geoffrey WESTON, Paul CAMPTON, David John WHITTON, David BEEBY
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Publication number: 20180043614Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus builds a part by selectively consolidating flowable material in a layer-by-layer building process. The apparatus has an inert gas vessel having a build chamber a layering device for depositing layers of material in the build chamber; a scanner for delivering an energy beam to selected areas of each layer to consolidate flowable material of the layer, a gas flow circuit for generating an inert gas flow through the build chamber and a cooling device arranged to cool an internal surface of the gas flow circuit to generate cooled inert gas. The gas flow circuit is arranged such that the cooled inert gas can be delivered into the build chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2015Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Benjamin John GREENFIELD, Jonathan MUNDAY, Christopher SUTCLIFFE
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Publication number: 20170120330Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus including a build chamber in which an object is built and a flow device. The flow device comprises a body having a Coand{hacek over (a)} surface and a passageway connectable to a pressurised gas source. The passageway has an opening located adjacent to the Coand{hacek over (a)} surface to, in use, direct a jet of gas over the Coand{hacek over (a)} surface. A space adjacent the Coand{hacek over (a)} surface is in fluid communication with the build chamber such that gas drawn into and/or propelled from the space causes gas flow through the build chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Christopher SUTCLIFFE, Ceri BROWN
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Publication number: 20160318257Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing or repairing a part. The method includes building a fixture for retaining the part using an additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein material is consolidated using an energy beam, the fixture built on a build plate retained in a set position within the additive manufacturing apparatus, mounting the part to the fixture and causing the additive manufacturing apparatus to consolidate material onto the part when the build plate, with the fixture and part attached thereto, is retained substantially in the set position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: November 3, 2016Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Ian Thomas BROOKS, Christopher SUTCLIFFE
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Publication number: 20160236279Abstract: This invention concerns a laser solidification apparatus for building objects by layerwise solidification of powder material. The apparatus including a build chamber containing a build platform, a device for depositing layers of powder material on to the build platform, an optical unit for directing a laser beam to selectively solidify areas of each powder layer and a spectrometer for detecting characteristic radiation emitted by plasma formed during solidification of the powder by the laser beam. The invention also relates to a spectrometer for detecting characteristic radiation generated by interaction of the metal with the or a further laser beam. The spectra recorded using the spectrometer may be used for feedback control during the solidification process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2014Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: RENISHAW PLCInventors: Ian Robert Thomas ASHTON, Stephan KLOSS, Christopher SUTCLIFFE, Ben Ian FERRAR
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Patent number: 9254183Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental implant and to a process for fabricating the dental implant.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: The University of LiverpoolInventors: Lewis Mullen, Christopher Sutcliffe
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Publication number: 20140287080Abstract: A filter assembly for an additive manufacturing apparatus has a housing defining a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A filter element is located within the housing between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The assembly includes valves that can be actuated to seal the gas inlet and the gas outlet. Additionally the assembly has a fluid inlet for allowing ingress of a fluid into the housing. The assembly allows a filter element, which may contain volatile particles, to be changed safely. By sealing the gas inlet and outlet and flooding the housing with a suitable fluid, volatile particles captured by the filter can be neutralised.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: MTT TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventors: SIMON PETER SCOTT, CHRISTOPHER SUTCLIFFE
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Patent number: 8794263Abstract: A filter assembly for an additive manufacturing apparatus has a housing defining a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A filter element is located within the housing between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The assembly includes valves that can be actuated to seal the gas inlet and the gas outlet. Additionally the assembly has a fluid inlet for allowing ingress of a fluid into the housing. The assembly allows a filter element, which may contain volatile particles, to be changed safely. By sealing the gas inlet and outlet and flooding the housing with a suitable fluid, volatile particles captured by the filter can be neutralised.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2009Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: MTT Technologies LimitedInventors: Simon Peter Scott, Christopher Sutcliffe
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Patent number: 8551388Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for fabricating a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) component, to a monolithic quadrupole mass spectrometer or a component thereof, to a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) or quadrupole ion trap (QIT) capable of generating a hyperbolic electric field and to a modular quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: The University of LiverpoolInventors: Paul Chalker, Christopher Sutcliffe, Stephen Taylor
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Patent number: 8516665Abstract: A fastener comprising two parts (502,514) separable along a separation axis, at least one part (502) comprising a magnet (510) establishing magnetic force along the separation axis; and a mechanical coupling having complementary elements (508,522) formed respectively on the two parts (502,514) of the fastener, the mechanical coupling being configured such that movement together of the two parts (502,514) under magnetic force causes automatic relative rotation of the parts (502,514) about the axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Zagonda LimitedInventors: Michael Clarke, Christopher Sutcliffe, Andrew Southern
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Publication number: 20120148983Abstract: The present invention relates to a dental implant and to a process for fabricating the dental implant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOLInventors: Lewis Mullen, Christopher Sutcliffe
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Publication number: 20110265893Abstract: A filter assembly for an additive manufacturing apparatus has a housing defining a gas inlet and a gas outlet. A filter element is located within the housing between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. The assembly includes valves that can be actuated to seal the gas inlet and the gas outlet. Additionally the assembly has a fluid inlet for allowing ingress of a fluid into the housing. The assembly allows a filter element, which may contain volatile particles, to be changed safely. By sealing the gas inlet and outlet and flooding the housing with a suitable fluid, volatile particles captured by the filter can be neutralised.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2009Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Simon Peter Scott, Christopher Sutcliffe
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Publication number: 20110174970Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for fabricating a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) component, to a monolithic quadrupole mass spectrometer or a component thereof, to a quadrupole mass filter (QMF) or quadrupole ion trap (QIT) capable of generating a hyperbolic electric field and to a modular quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2009Publication date: July 21, 2011Inventors: Paul Chalker, Christopher Sutcliffe, Stephen Taylor
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Publication number: 20100263173Abstract: A fastener comprising two parts (502,514) separable along a separation axis, at least one part (502) comprising a magnet (510) establishing magnetic force along the separation axis; and a mechanical coupling having complementary elements (508,522) formed respectively on the two parts (502,514) of the fastener, the mechanical coupling being configured such that movement together of the two parts (502,514) under magnetic force causes automatic relative rotation of the parts (502,514) about the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2008Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: ZAGONDA LIMITEDInventors: Michael Clarke, Christopher Sutcliffe, Andrew Southern
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Patent number: 7754137Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for fabricating a composite functional body/substrate, either by melting with an energy beam or by spin coating. The functional material is preferably a piezoelectric material (PVDF). The energy beam is preferably a laser beam.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: The University of LiverpoolInventors: Christopher Sutcliffe, Paul Raymond Chalker