Patents by Inventor Joseph J. Bolt
Joseph J. Bolt 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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Publication number: 20240165872Abstract: The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) having a discrete supply hopper (340) and a recoater (20). The discrete supply hopper (340) is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater (20) in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (20). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2023Publication date: May 23, 2024Applicant: Desktop Metal, Inc.Inventors: Jake Flick, Michael John McCoy, Joseph J. Bolt, Alec Hydock, Travis Maxwell Inks, Anthony S. Dugan, Thomas Lizzi
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Patent number: 11691335Abstract: The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) having a discrete supply hopper (340) and a recoater (20). The discrete supply hopper (340) is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater (20) in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (20). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: THE EXONE COMPANYInventors: Jake Flick, Michael John McCoy, Joseph J. Bolt, Alec Hydock, Travis Maxwell Inks, Anthony S Dugan, Thomas Lizzi
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Patent number: 11691334Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses for distributing build powder in powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) and for the collection of particulates of the build powder that have become suspended in the gaseous atmosphere in the vicinity of the build platform of the three-dimensional printer. These apparatuses include recoaters (20) that are particularly useful in providing uniform distribution of fine build powder across the width of the build platform or powder bed. The present invention also includes powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) which comprise such apparatuses for distributing build powder and/or apparatuses for collecting such suspended particulates. The improved fine powder recoater (20) uses an ultrasonic transducer (30) to move powder through a sheet screen (28). The sheet screen (28) may be presented to the powder fed onto it in a narrow dispensing slot to limit the flow rate of powder from the dispenser and to provide control over the amount of powder dispensed.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: THE EXONE COMPANYInventors: Lawrence Joseph Voss, Joseph J. Bolt, Anthony S. Dugan, Michael John McCoy, Daniel T. Brunermer, Travis Maxwell Inks, Paul P. Knor
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Patent number: 10759115Abstract: Powder layer smoothing devices (34) adapted for use with powder-layer three-dimensional printers (10) are described. The smoothing devices (34) include a counter rotating roller (36, 50, 60) having a complex powder engaging face (38) that may include a series or plurality of flutes (54) or may include knurling (64) extending along at least a portion of the counter rotating roller (36, 50, 60) along its rotational axis (56, 66). The smoothing device (34) may also include a vertically adjustable finishing roller (35) to follow the counter rotating roller (36, 50, 60) across the build box (12) of the powder-layer three-dimensional printer (10).Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: The ExOne CompanyInventors: Adam W. Stroud, Rick D. Lucas, Michael John McCoy, Anthony S. Dugan, Joseph J. Bolt
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Publication number: 20200180227Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses for distributing build powder in powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) and for the collection of particulates of the build powder that have become suspended in the gaseous atmosphere in the vicinity of the build platform of the three-dimensional printer. These apparatuses include recoaters (20) that are particularly useful in providing uniform distribution of fine build powder across the width of the build platform or powder bed. The present invention also includes powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) which comprise such apparatuses for distributing build powder and/or apparatuses for collecting such suspended particulates. The improved fine powder recoater (20) uses an ultrasonic transducer (30) to move powder through a sheet screen (28). The sheet screen (28) may be presented to the powder fed onto it in a narrow dispensing slot to limit the flow rate of powder from the dispenser and to provide control over the amount of powder dispensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2018Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Lawrence Joseph Voss, Joseph J. Bolt, Anthony S. Dugan, Michael John McCoy, Daniel T. Brunermer, Travis Maxwell Inks, Paul P. Knor
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Publication number: 20200147884Abstract: The present invention relates to powder-layer three-dimensional printers (2) having a discrete supply hopper (340) and a recoater (20). The discrete supply hopper (340) is configured to transfer a build powder to the recoater (20) in a manner that enhances the uniformity of build powder layers that are dispensed from the recoater (20). In some embodiments, at least one of the discrete supply hopper and the powder hopper of the recoater is adapted to selectively contact the other, seal against the other, and/or have one partially inserted inside the other so as to diminish or prevent powder pluming during the transfer of build powder from the discrete supply hopper to the recoater.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Jake Flick, Michael John McCoy, Joseph J. Bolt, Alec Hydock, Travis Maxwell Inks, Anthony S Dugan, Thomas Lizzi
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Publication number: 20200001530Abstract: Powder layer smoothing devices (34) adapted for use with powder-layer three-dimensional printers (10) are described. The smoothing devices (34) include a counter rotating roller (36, 50, 60) having a complex powder engaging face (38) that may include a series or plurality of flutes (54) or may include knurling (64) extending along at least a portion of the counter rotating roller (36, 50, 60) along its rotational axis (56, 66). The smoothing device (34) may also include a vertically adjustable finishing roller (35) to follow the counter rotating roller (36, 50, 60) across the build box (12) of the powder-layer three-dimensional printer (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Adam W. Stroud, Rick D. Lucas, Michael John McCoy, Anthony S. Dugan, Joseph J. Bolt
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Patent number: 10449718Abstract: A powder layer smoothing devices adapted for use with powder-layer three-dimensional printers are described. The smoothing devices include a counter rotating roller having a complex powder engaging face that may include a series or plurality of flutes or may include knurling extending along at least a portion of the roller along the rotational axis. The smoothing device may also include a vertically adjustable finishing roller to follow the counter rotating roller across the build box of the powder-layer three-dimensional printer.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: The ExOne CompanyInventors: Adam W. Stroud, Rick D. Lucas, Michael John McCoy, Anthony S. Dugan, Joseph J. Bolt
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Patent number: 9486962Abstract: Powder-layer three-dimensional printer recoaters, which are adapted for use with fine powders, are disclosed. The recoaters comprise a controllably vibrated traveling powder dispenser having a hopper section adapted to contain the build powder, an opening through which the powder can be controllably discharged laterally into a chamber which is located beside the opening and which has a mesh covering at least a portion of its bottom. The recoaters also comprise a vibrator that is operably connected to the traveling powder dispenser and is adapted to selectively cause the powder to flow from the hopper through the opening and be discharged through the mesh. In some embodiments, the recoaters also comprise a smoothing device which is adapted to smoothen the powder dispensed through the mesh. In some embodiments the smoothing device is adapted to compact the density of the dispensed powder level a selectable amount. Also disclosed are powder-layer three-dimensional printers having such recoaters.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: The ExOne CompanyInventors: Anthony S. Dugan, Joseph J. Bolt, Andrew P. Klein