Patents by Inventor Jeffery M. Stark

Jeffery M. Stark 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).

  • Laser smoothing
    Patent number: 11458572
    Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing includes providing a substrate material at a location proximate a surface of a part and forming the substrate material into an additive layer on top of the surface by exposing the substrate material to a first laser beam having a first power level. After forming the additive layer on the part, the method includes cooling at least a portion of the additive layer from a first temperature reached at the completion of the forming step to a second temperature. After cooling, the method includes exposing the additive layer to a second laser beam having a second power level, wherein the second power level is lower than the first power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Mullins, Jeffery M. Stark
  • LASER SMOOTHING
    Publication number: 20200361034
    Abstract: A method of additive manufacturing includes providing a substrate material at a location proximate a surface of a part and forming the substrate material into an additive layer on top of the surface by exposing the substrate material to a first laser beam having a first power level. After forming the additive layer on the part, the method includes cooling at least a portion of the additive layer from a first temperature reached at the completion of the forming step to a second temperature. After cooling, the method includes exposing the additive layer to a second laser beam having a second power level, wherein the second power level is lower than the first power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Mullins, Jeffery M. Stark