Patents by Inventor Michael John McCoy
Michael John McCoy 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).
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Patent number: 9446448Abstract: Recoaters for powder-layer three-dimensional printers which are capable of producing enhanced powder layer uniformity and powder-layer three-dimensional printers having such recoaters are described. The recoater comprises a bridge, two supports, one at either end of the bridge, a powder reservoir, and a substantially rectangular plate which extends between the two supports and contains an opening through which the powder reservoir either extends into or through or through which build powder can be fed into the powder reservoir. The plate has a length to minimum width ratio of no more than about 7.0 and a length to maximum width ratio of no more than about 5.0, the plate being adapted to brace the bridge into a perpendicular relationship with the first and second supports when the recoater is being controllably moved and the powder reservoir is dispensing powder to form a powder layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: The ExOne CompanyInventors: Michael John McCoy, Anthony S. Dugan
-
Publication number: 20160151840Abstract: Recoaters for powder-layer three-dimensional printers which are capable of producing enhanced powder layer uniformity and powder-layer three-dimensional printers having such recoaters are described. The recoater comprises a bridge, two supports, one at either end of the bridge, a powder reservoir, and a substantially rectangular plate which extends between the two supports and contains an opening through which the powder reservoir either extends into or through or through which build powder can be fed into the powder reservoir. The plate has a length to minimum width ratio of no more than about 7.0 and a length to maximum width ratio of no more than about 5.0, the plate being adapted to brace the bridge into a perpendicular relationship with the first and second supports when the recoater is being controllably moved and the powder reservoir is dispensing powder to form a powder layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2015Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Michael John McCoy, Anthony S. Dugan