Patents Examined by Atul P Khare
  • Patent number: 11491712
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing a three-dimensional article includes a resin vessel, a vertical movement mechanism, and a light engine. The resin vessel includes a lower opening closed by a transparent sheet. The vertical movement mechanism is for positioning a support tray which supports the three-dimensional article. The light engine is disposed below the transparent sheet and is configured to selectively harden layers of resin over a build plane above the transparent sheet. The light engine includes a light bar coupled to a lateral movement mechanism. The light bar includes an array of light emitting devices and a device for impinging upon the transparent sheet. The impingement maintains a proper operating distance H between the transparent sheet and the build plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: 3D SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Scott Turner, David Sabo
  • Patent number: 11491711
    Abstract: This invention relates to the field of 3D printing used to make a 3D object where a 3D printed object is formed using electromagnetic radiation emitted from a visual display screen or emissive pixel array screen illuminated by radiation sources with effectively non-overlapping wavelength emission spectra with the effect of creating two different polymerised properties in the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: PhotoCentriC Limited
    Inventors: Paul Holt, Sarah Karmel
  • Patent number: 11491718
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, for hybrid additive manufacturing of parts. In one aspect, a method includes providing a workpiece and manufacturing multiple additive layers on a surface of the workpiece. Manufacturing each of the multiple additive layers includes forming one or more formed layers on a surface of the workpiece by depositing a quantity of powder material on a growth surface, the growth surface inclusive of at least one of a first surface of the workpiece and a second surface of a previously formed layer, and applying a first amount of energy to the quantity of powder material to fuse the particles of the powder material into a formed layer fused to the growth surface, where the formed layer includes a formed surface, and further applying a secondary process to a particular area of the formed surface of the one or more formed layers on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NUtech Ventures
    Inventors: Michael Patrick Sealy, Haitham Hadidi, Guru Charan Reddy Madireddy, Cody Kanger
  • Patent number: 11485080
    Abstract: A system and method for providing centrifuge-based additive object manufacturing includes a rotating drum containing a photopolymer material that solidifies when irradiated by a light source, the photopolymer material spreads evenly over an item being manufactured when the rotating drum is in motion, a light source module emitting a light capable of solidifying the photopolymer material, a set of platform actuator elements coupled to a plurality of perforated platforms for controlling a position of the plurality of perforated platforms within the rotating drum while in operation, and a photopolymer material delivery system for adding a controlled amount of the photopolymer material into the rotating drum. The light source module moves inside the rotating drum and selectively emits its light solidifying the part of the layer above the plurality of perforated platforms in the areas crossing the object currently being manufactured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Anton Zavoyskikh
  • Patent number: 11478991
    Abstract: A system for determining a temperature of an object includes a three-dimensional (3D) printer configured to successively deposit a first layer of material, a second layer of material, and a third layer of material to form the object. The 3D printer is configured to form a recess in the second layer of material. The material is a metal. The system also includes a temperature sensor configured to be positioned at least partially with the recess and to have the third layer deposited thereon. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the first layer of material, the second layer of material, the third layer of material, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Douglas Atwood, Erwin Ruiz, David M. Kerxhalli, Douglas K. Herrmann, Linn C. Hoover, Derek A. Bryl, Ali R. Dergham
  • Patent number: 11478984
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for an additive manufacturing or three dimensional (3D) printing system, including a build point, located at an origin of a Spherical coordinate system; a theta axis motor configured to incrementally control rotation of the build point in relation to an extruder head along the theta axis; a phi axis motor configured to incrementally control rotation of the build point in relation to the extruder head along the phi axis perpendicular to the theta axis; and a rho radius motor configured to incrementally control the extruder head to a desired radius from the build point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: Jay Lee
  • Patent number: 11465353
    Abstract: A system for producing images directly on a surface includes an operational curing system comprised of a thermal acquisition system, a distance monitoring device, and a directed radiant energy source. The system also includes a support assembly for supporting the operational curing system relative to a substrate and a computer-based control system processing data and controlling the operational curing system and the support assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: PhotoFusion Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Mark Peter Poullos, Johnny Thao
  • Patent number: 11465345
    Abstract: Apparatus for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects formed by irradiation and consolidation of layers of build material. The apparatus may include at least one build plane; at least one build material application device being adapted to apply an amount of build material in the at least one build plane, the at least one build material application device comprising at least one build material application element being moveably supported in a first motion path in which the at least one build material application element is moveable or moved across the at least one build plane, wherein the at least one build material application element is transferrable in a first orientation in which the at least one build material application element is operable to apply an amount of build material in the at least one build plane and in a second orientation in which the at least one build material application element is not operable to apply an amount of build material in the at least one build plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: CONCEPT LASER GMBH
    Inventor: Domenik Braunroth
  • Patent number: 11453162
    Abstract: A system treats uneven surfaces of additive manufactured objects to improve the transparency and glossiness of the surfaces. The system operates an actuator to dip the additive manufactured object into a bath of fluid material that is the same as the material used to form the uneven surface to smooth the surface of the object and operates a sprayer to apply another fluid material to a surface of the object that is identified as being rougher based on the object's geometric data. A heater is provided to dry non-UV curable material applied to the object and a source of UV radiation is provided to cure UV curable material applied to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ron E. Dufort, Linn C. Hoover, Erwin Ruiz, Mandakini Kanungo
  • Patent number: 11453159
    Abstract: A powder layer smoothing devices adapted for use with powder-layer three-dimensional printers are described. The smoothing devices include an oscillating smoothing device that includes a leading edge adapted to cut, remove, and redistribute excess powder in a powder layer. A leveling sled follows the leading edge to trowel and compact the powder in the powder layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: ExOne Operating, LLC.
    Inventors: Adam W. Stroud, Lucas W. Phalen
  • Patent number: 11433602
    Abstract: A stereolithography machine (1) for making a three-dimensional object (O) that comprises a container (2) for a fluid substance (R), a source (3, 31, 32) of the predetermined radiation (RL, RL1, RL2), an optical group (4) configured to direct the radiation (RL, RL1, RL2) towards a reference surface (SR) of the fluid substance (R), and a control logic unit (5) configured to control the optical group (4) and/or the radiation source (3, 31, 32) so as to expose at least one portion of the reference surface (SR) to the radiation (RL, RL1, RL2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: DWS S.R.L
    Inventor: Ettore Maurizio Costabeber
  • Patent number: 11433576
    Abstract: The equipment for the production of slabs in mineral grits bound with resins, comprises: a support frame, at least one lower plate, locked together with the frame, comprising at least one positioning zone for at least one mold having at least one forming cavity, open at the top, to contain a mix comprising the materials necessary to obtain the slabs, at least one pressing assembly comprising an upper plate movable, with respect to the frame, from an upper position of loading/unloading the mold in/from the positioning zone, to a lower position of pressing the mix inside said forming cavity, vibrating means associated at least with the lower plate, and an airtight chamber, communicating with suction means, adapted to reduce the pressure to a value lower than the atmospheric pressure, containing the mold, where the chamber is interposed between the lower plate and an upper closing element opposite the lower plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SITI—B&T Group S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Bianchini, Francesco Scaramuzzi
  • Patent number: 11429022
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shaping a film. Formable material in an imprint field on the substrate may be contacted with a shaping surface of a template. Outer boundaries of the imprint field correspond to outer boundaries of the shaping surface. Shaping the film includes forming a cured layer within the imprint field while the shaping surface is in contact with the formable material. Shaping the film may include separating the shaping surface from the cured layer. Shaping the film may include moving the template away from the imprint field to a first offset location wherein the outer boundaries of the shaping surface are offset relative to the outer boundaries of the imprint field. Shaping the film may include curing a second portion of the formable material while the template is at the first offset location so as to form the shaped film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Amir Tavakkoli Kermani Ghariehali, Edward Brian Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11426930
    Abstract: A manufacturing system for fabricating a three-dimensional article includes a housing, a sensor within the housing, a coater, a removable powder module (RPM) with a platen, a laser system, and a controller. A method of operating the manufacturing system includes installing the RPM into the housing, forming pillars onto the platen, positioning the top surfaces of the pillars a distance D below a build plane, installing a calibration plate onto the top surfaces of the pillars, and then calibrating the laser system using the sensor. The sensor can include one or more of an optical sensor and an acoustic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: LayerWise NV
    Inventors: Sam Coeck, Jan Plas, Nachiketa Ray, Brawley Valkenborgs
  • Patent number: 11426570
    Abstract: A core-shell microneedle system and a method of manufacturing the microneedle system provides a pulsatile drug delivery system which is programmed to release drugs/vaccines at predictable times using biodegradable polymers and with controllable dosages. This microneedle system can be fully embedded into the skin and then release drugs/vaccines as sharp bursts in a timely manner, similar to multiple bolus injections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Thanh D. Nguyen, Khanh Tran
  • Patent number: 11420380
    Abstract: In a shaping device, a sheet that distends due to being irradiated with electromagnetic waves is placed a conveyor belt. An irradiator irradiates the sheet placed on and conveyed by the conveyor belt with electromagnetic waves. At least one heater heats the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Youichi Ushigome
  • Patent number: 11424144
    Abstract: The invention belongs to a related field of electronic manufacturing technology, and particularly relates to a conformal manufacturing device and a method for a complex curved-surface electronic system, the system includes a support platform and a six-degree-of-freedom spherical motor linkage platform, a 3D measurement module, a laser lift-off module, a curved-surface transfer printing module and a conformal jet printing module respectively mounted on the support platform and independently controllable, and specific structures and work modes of these key components are improved. The invention further discloses a corresponding manufacturing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yongan Huang, Zhouping Yin, Hao Wu, Jiankui Chen, Wenlong Li, Kun Bai
  • Patent number: 11407150
    Abstract: A trim component for vehicle interior is disclosed. A method for forming the trim component is also disclosed. The trim component comprises a cover material, a base layer, a foamed plastic, and a support element. The base layer is intended to prevent foamed plastic from penetrating into the pores of the cover material. Foamed plastic is injected between the base layer and the support element to form the trim component. The method comprises the steps of producing a base layer, applying and fixing at least part of the cover material to the base layer to form a pre-laminate, introducing the pre-laminate into a foaming mold with the base layer between the cover material and a foam chamber (between the pre-laminate and the support element) within a foaming mold and introducing foamed plastic into the foam chamber to form the trim component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI YANFENG JINQIAO AUTOMOTIVE TRIM SYSTEMS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Peter Thielhorn, Werner Klusmeier, Hubert Brueckner
  • Patent number: 11399595
    Abstract: An article of footwear may include an upper forming a void within the footwear, a sole structure secured to the upper, and a chamber that encloses a pressurized fluid. The sole structure includes a depression. The chamber is located within the void of the upper and located on the depression of the sole structure. The chamber may include a plurality of fluid-filled subchambers, a manifold, and a connection fluidically-connected at least one of the subchambers to the manifold. The subchambers may enclose the pressurized fluid at different pressures. The subchambers may be separated from one another by a bonded area in the direction extending between the heel and toe of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott C. Holt
  • Patent number: 11396129
    Abstract: A device includes a coater, a dispenser, and a treatment portion. The coater is to coat, layer-by-layer, a build material relative to a build pad to form a 3D object. The dispenser is to at least dispense a fluid including a first at least potentially electrically conductive material. In at least some selected locations of an external surface of the 3D object. The treatment portion is to treat the 3D object to substantially increase electrically conductivity on the external surface of the 3D object at the at least some selected locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kristopher J. Erickson, Thomas C. Anthony, Lihua Zhao