Patents by Inventor Michael Thomas Sherwood

Michael Thomas Sherwood 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).

  • Flash curing in selective deposition modeling
    Patent number: 7402273
    Abstract: A flash curing system for solid freeform fabrication which generates a plurality of radiation emitting pulses that forms a planar flash. The planar flash initiates curing of a curable material dispensed by a solid freeform fabrication apparatus. The radiation emitting pulses have a high peak power value that releases a sufficient quantity of free radicals from the photoinitiator to initiate curing and overcome the problem of oxygen inhibition. Substantially less power is consumed and less heat generated by the flash curing system compared to conventional continuous emission curing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Thomas Sherwood
  • Flash curing in selective deposition modeling
    Patent number: 7270528
    Abstract: A flash curing system for solid freeform fabrication which generates a plurality of radiation emitting pulses that forms a planar flash. The planar flash initiates curing of a curable material dispensed by a solid freeform fabrication apparatus. The radiation emitting pulses have a high peak power value that releases a sufficient quantity of free radicals from the photoinitiator to initiate curing and overcome the problem of oxygen inhibition. Substantially less power is consumed and less heat generated by the flash curing system compared to conventional continuous emission curing systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Thomas Sherwood
  • Post processing three-dimensional objects formed by solid freeform fabrication
    Patent number: 6916441
    Abstract: A method for removing supports from a three-dimensional object formed by solid freeform fabrication. The three-dimensional object and support structure both contain a phase change component in order to achieve the desired phase change characteristics needed for dispensing the material. The method prevents the phase change material within the three-dimensional object from migrating within the object during post processing to remove the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Newell, Kris Alan Schmidt, Michael Thomas Sherwood
  • Infiltration of three-dimensional objects formed by solid freeform fabrication
    Patent number: 6713125
    Abstract: A method for processing a three-dimensional object formed by solid freeform fabrication from a build material having a polymer component to alter the appearance of the object. A fluid medium carrying an infiltration agent is applied to the object at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer component for a desired period of time wherein the infiltration agent penetrates the three-dimensional object. The infiltration agent can be a dye that can alter the color of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Sherwood, Pingyong Xu
  • Flash curing in selective deposition modeling
    Publication number: 20030209836
    Abstract: A flash curing system for solid freeform fabrication which generates a plurality of radiation emitting pulses that forms a planar flash. The planar flash initiates curing of a curable material dispensed by a solid freeform fabrication apparatus. The radiation emitting pulses have a high peak power value that releases a sufficient quantity of free radicals from the photoinitiator to initiate curing and overcome the problem of oxygen inhibition. Substantially less power is consumed and less heat generated by the flash curing system compared to conventional continuous emission curing systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Thomas Sherwood
  • Post processing three-dimensional objects formed by solid freeform fabrication
    Publication number: 20030067098
    Abstract: A method for removing supports from a three-dimensional object formed by solid freeform fabrication. The three-dimensional object and support structure both contain a phase change component in order to achieve the desired phase change characteristics needed for dispensing the material. The method prevents the phase change material within the three-dimensional object from migrating within the object during post processing to remove the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: 3D Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Newell, Kris Alan Schmidt, Michael Thomas Sherwood