Patents Assigned to Continuous Composites Inc.
  • Publication number: 20220080660
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, and a print head operatively connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may include an outlet configured to discharge a material in a trajectory along a central axis of the outlet; a compactor disposed downstream of the outlet relative to the trajectory and configured to press the material transversely against an adjacent surface, and a cutting module located between the outlet and the compactor. The compactor and the cutting module may be configured to move together relative to the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor David Budge, Brock Adam Jahner, Jeremiah R. Smith, Nathan Andrew Stranberg, Andrew Michael Stulc, Samuel VanDenBerg, Stephen Tyler Wilson, Andrew John Overby
  • Publication number: 20220072772
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Lyle Tyler
  • Publication number: 20220072771
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Lyle Tyler
  • Patent number: 11247395
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, and a print head connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may have an outlet configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in a matrix. The system may also include at least one doser located inside the print head and configured to at least partially coat the continuous reinforcement with the matrix, a sensor located downstream of the at least one doser and configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of matrix coating the continuous reinforcement, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the at least one doser. The controller may be configured to direct a feedforward command to the at least one doser to cause the at least one doser to advance matrix toward the continuous reinforcement during passage of the continuous reinforcement through the print head, and to selectively adjust the feedforward command based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor David Budge, Nathan Andrew Stranberg, Ryan C. Stockett, Andrew Michael Stulc
  • Patent number: 11235522
    Abstract: A head is disclosed for an additive manufacturing system. The head may include an outlet configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement at least partially coated in a liquid matrix. The head may also include a low-pressure port located upstream of the outlet and configured to draw out only liquid matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Hugh Hambling, Trevor David Budge, Ryan C. Stockett
  • Patent number: 11235539
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for severing a continuous reinforcement from a print head at conclusion of an event during fabrication of a composite structure. The method may include moving the print head a distance away from the composite structure that provides clearance for a cutting mechanism between an outlet of the print head and the composite structure, and responsively causing the cutting mechanism to make a first cut of the continuous reinforcement at a boundary of the composite structure. The method may also include moving the print head to a waste discard location, and responsively causing the cutting mechanism to make a second cut of the continuous reinforcement at a desired distance offset from the outlet of the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Hugh Hambling, Trevor David Budge
  • Publication number: 20220009163
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an additive manufacturing system. The method may include causing a head to discharge composite material along a first trajectory, and activating a cure enhancer to at least partially cure composite material discharging from the head along the first trajectory. The method may also include selectively deactivating the cure enhancer as the head nears a corner location, moving the head to a second trajectory after the head reaches the corner location, and reactivating the cure enhancer after moving the head to the second trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lyle TYLER, Blake L. Alfson, Josiah D. Coad, Kaleb Forrest Beebout
  • Publication number: 20220009165
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method is disclosed. The method may include directing into a print head a reinforcement having a continuous axial core and integral branches extending radially outward from the continuous axial core. The method may also include coating the reinforcement in a matrix, and softening a portion of a track of the coated reinforcement that was previously discharged from the print head. The method may further include discharging from the print head a track of the coated reinforcement adjacent the previously discharged track of the coated reinforcement, such that cross-bonding of the integral branches occurs between the discharging track of the coated reinforcement and the softened portion of the previously discharged track of the coated reinforcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lyle Tyler, Ryan C. Stockett
  • Patent number: 11220048
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing method is disclosed. The method may include directing into a print head a reinforcement having a continuous axial core and integral branches extending radially outward from the continuous axial core. The method may also include coating the reinforcement in a matrix, and softening a portion of a track of the coated reinforcement that was previously discharged from the print head. The method may further include discharging from the print head a track of the coated reinforcement adjacent the previously discharged track of the coated reinforcement, such that cross-bonding of the integral branches occurs between the discharging track of the coated reinforcement and the softened portion of the previously discharged track of the coated reinforcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Lyle Tyler, Ryan C. Stockett
  • Publication number: 20220001606
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Lyle TYLER
  • Publication number: 20210394452
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a structure. The method may include generating a vector field through a 3D virtual model, and slicing the virtual model into a plurality of layers that are aligned with the vector field. The method may also include generating at least one tool path for at least one of the plurality of layers, and causing an additive manufacturing machine to deposit a material along the at least one tool path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Logan Lalonde, Brock Adam Jahner, Mikel Negugogor, Rachael Kathleen Morris
  • Publication number: 20210394451
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The method may include receiving from a user a sketch of a cross-section of the composite structure and a desired height. The method may also include automatically generating a virtual model of the composite structure having a plurality of layers, each with a thickness related to the height. The method may further include receiving from the user at least one infill pattern for at least one of the plurality of layers, and causing an additive manufacturing machine to deposit a continuous fiber along segments of the at least one infill pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Logan Lalonde, Brock Adam Jahner, Mikel Negugogor, Rachael Kathleen Morris
  • Publication number: 20210394453
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a structure. The method may include slicing a virtual model of the structure into a plurality of layers, applying at least one infill pattern to each of the plurality of layers, and distributing a plurality of points along lines of the at least one infill pattern. The method may also include sequentially grouping the plurality of points into at least one path, validating the at least one path for fabrication by an additive manufacturing machine, and causing the additive manufacturing machine to discharge material along the validated at least one path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Logan Lalonde, Brock Adam Jahner, Mikel Negugogor, Rachael Kathleen Morris
  • Publication number: 20210394432
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for additively manufacturing a structure. The method may include generating at least one tool path, causing the additive manufacturing machine to place material along a first portion of the at least one tool path, and monitoring placement of the material along the first portion of the at least one tool path. The method may also include adjusting a second portion of the at least one tool path based on the placement, and causing the additive manufacturing machine to place material along the second portion of the at least one tool path after the adjusting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Logan LALONDE, Brock Adam Jahner, Mikel Negugogor, Rachael Kathleen Morris
  • Publication number: 20210379827
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a head configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement that is at least partially coated with a matrix, and a housing trailing from the head and configured to at least partially enclose the continuous reinforcement after discharge. The system may also include a heat source disposed at least partially inside the oven, and a support configured to move the head during discharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan C. Stockett, Kenneth Lyle Tyler
  • Publication number: 20210370594
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a head configured to discharge a continuous reinforcement at least partially coated with a matrix. The head may have a matrix reservoir, and a nozzle connected to an end of the matrix reservoir. The system may further include a support configured to move the head during discharging, and a supply of matrix. The system may also include at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a matrix characteristic inside of the head, and a controller configured to selectively affect the supply of matrix based on the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor David BUDGE
  • Patent number: 11173660
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects are disclosed. Two or more materials are extruded simultaneously as a composite, with at least one material in liquid form and at least one material in a solid continuous strand completely encased within the liquid material. A means of curing the liquid material after extrusion hardens the composite. A part is constructed using a series of extruded composite paths. The strand material within the composite contains specific chemical, mechanical, or electrical characteristics that instill the object with enhanced capabilities not possible with only one material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Lyle Tyler
  • Publication number: 20210347119
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include at least one support, and a print head operatively connected to the at least one support and configured to discharge composite material. The system may further include an auxiliary tool operatively connected to the at least one support and configured to receive the composite material discharged by the print head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Isaak Stuart, Tyler B. Alvarado, Ryan C. Stockett
  • Publication number: 20210346733
    Abstract: A respirator is disclosed for use in protecting a wearer from airborne contaminates. The respirator may include a body configured to seal against a face of a wearer and provide clearance for a nose, a mouth, and a chin of the wearer. The respirator may also include a frame connectable to the body. At least one of the body and the frame may be configured to receive and seal against a plurality of filter media having different shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Andrew STRANBERG, Andrew John OVERBY
  • Patent number: 11167495
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a head having a matrix reservoir, a nozzle fluidly connected to the matrix reservoir and configured to discharge a composite material into a feature of an existing component. a guide configured to detect a location of the feature, and a cure enhancer configured to expose composite material discharging from the nozzle to a cure energy. The system may also include a support configured to move the head in multiple dimensions, and a controller in communication with the cure enhancer and the support. The controller may be configured to cause the support to move the head during discharge of the composite material into the feature based on the detected location of the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Blake L. Alfson, Ryan C Stockett, Kenneth Lyle Tyler