Patents Examined by Ryan M Ochylski
  • Method for calibrating an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing
    Patent number: 11338522
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating an apparatus for producing an object by means of additive manufacturing. The apparatus comprises a process chamber, as well as a support for positioning the object in relation to a surface level of a bath of material to be solidified. A solidifying device is arranged for emitting a beam of radiation on the surface level for solidifying a selective part of said material. The solidifying device comprises a focus member for adjusting a focus setting. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of controlling the solidifying device for making test patterns at different focus settings. A calibration system with a sensor unit is used for determining characteristics of test patterns, and a calibrated focus setting is determined based on the characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: ADDITIVE INDUSTRIES B.V.
    Inventors: Erwin Wijn, Rob Peter Albert Van Haendel, Mark Herman Else Vaes
  • Method and system for composite-based additive manufacturing
    Patent number: 11325302
    Abstract: A system and method are provided enabling higher precision in composite based additive manufacturing (‘AM”). The method includes staging a fibrous material such as carbon fiber sheets by potentially cutting to length and placing a sheet onto an elevator. Above the elevator is a gantry that holds a moveable print head and a powder deposition device as well as an excess powder recapture device. A liquid is placed onto the fiber by the print head such that when the subsequent step of dusting the area with a plastic powder, the powder sticks to the area where the liquid was imaged. Subsequently, excess powder is removed and pressure and potentially heat are applied to sinter the layer and compress to the desired height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: James Lawton Giacobbi
  • 3D printing equipment utilizing biological material, and method
    Patent number: 11325301
    Abstract: 3D bioprinting apparatus, and a three-dimensional bioprinting method utilizing the apparatus. The 3D bioprinting apparatus comprises a printer frame (14). A 3D bioprinting pen device (4) is arranged on the printer frame (14) and includes a detachable printing pen (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Inventors: Qing Jiang, Liya Zhu, Lan Li, Zongan Li, Kelou Li, Jianfei Yang
  • Forming apparatus and method of manufacturing article
    Patent number: 11314165
    Abstract: The present invention provides a forming apparatus that forms a composition on a substrate using a mold including a contact region to be brought into contact with the composition, comprising: a deformation unit configured to deform the contact region; and a controller configured to perform, for each of a first shot region and a second shot region on the substrate, a process of bringing the contact region and the composition on the substrate into contact with each other while controlling the deformation of the contact region, wherein an area where the mold faces the substrate during the process is different between the first and second shot regions, and wherein the controller is configured to change, between the first and second shot regions, a process condition for bringing the contact region and the composition into contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Setsuo Yoshida, Tosiya Asano
  • CIPP liner reel system
    Patent number: 11287077
    Abstract: A CIPP liner reel system for managing the utilization and deployment of CIPP liners. The CIPP liner reel system generally includes a frame connected to a reel and drive unit. The drive unit is connected to the reel to control the rotation of its core. This core contains an opening that provides access to a connector unit within the core. This connector unit can be used to connect the reel to the end of a CIPP liner using a strap. Rotation of the core causes CIPP liner to wind on to or unwind from the reel. The reel may also contain a left guide member and a right guide member to assist in controlling the process of winding and unwinding the CIPP liner. The frame may also include a tractor connector that enables the CIPP liner reel system to be coupled to and transported by a tractor without affecting its operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Subsurface, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary H. Strom, Brandon G. Strom
  • Electrospinning apparatus and methods of use thereof
    Patent number: 11236442
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrospinning apparatus and method of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: LIFENET HEALTH
    Inventors: Michael Francis, Andy Pritchard, Nathan Kemper
  • Localized heating to improve interlayer bonding in 3D printing
    Patent number: 11207824
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for printing at least a portion of a three-dimensional (3D) object, comprising receiving, in computer memory, a model of the 3D object. Next, at least one filament material from a source of the at least one filament material may be directed towards a substrate that is configured to support the 3D object, thereby depositing a first layer corresponding to a portion of the 3D object adjacent to the substrate. A second layer corresponding to at least a portion of the 3D object may be deposited. The first and second layer may be deposited in accordance with the model of the 3D object. At least a first energy beam from at least one energy source may be used to selectively melt at least a portion of the first layer and/or the second layer, thereby forming at least a portion of the 3D object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Arevo, Inc.
    Inventors: Riley Reese, Hemant Bheda
  • Localized heating to improve interlayer bonding in 3D printing
    Patent number: 11207825
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for printing at least a portion of a three-dimensional (3D) object, comprising receiving, in computer memory, a model of the 3D object. Next, at least one filament material from a source of the at least one filament material may be directed towards a substrate that is configured to support the 3D object, thereby depositing a first layer corresponding to a portion of the 3D object adjacent to the substrate. A second layer corresponding to at least a portion of the 3D object may be deposited. The first and second layer may be deposited in accordance with the model of the 3D object. At least a first energy beam from at least one energy source may be used to selectively melt at least a portion of the first layer and/or the second layer, thereby forming at least a portion of the 3D object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Arevo, Inc
    Inventors: Riley Reese, Hemant Bheda
  • Molding wafer chamber
    Patent number: 11205579
    Abstract: A bottom chase and a top chase of a molding system form a cavity to house a molding carrier and one or more devices. The molding carrier is placed in a desired location defined by a guiding component. The guiding component may be entirely within the cavity, or extend above a surface of the bottom chase and extend over a contacting edge of the top chase and the bottom chase, so that there is a gap between the edge of the top chase and the edge of the molding carrier which are filled by molding materials to cover the edge of the molding carrier. Releasing components may be associated with the top chase and/or the bottom chase, which may be a plurality of tape roller with a releasing film, or a plurality of vacuum holes within the bottom chase, or a plurality of bottom pins with the bottom chase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Seminconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jing-Cheng Lin, Chin-Chuan Chang, Jui-Pin Hung, Szu-Wei Lu, Shin-Puu Jeng, Chen-Hua Yu
  • Collection device, collection method, and fibrous feedstock recycling device
    Patent number: 11198087
    Abstract: Technology improving the effect of cleaning a filter by a high pressure air current is provided. A first dust collector 27 has a housing into which a gas carrying capture material is carried; a filter 240 having a filter element 305 that captures the capture material, and an opening 305b from which air passing through the filter element 305 flows out; and an injector having a nozzle with an injection opening that injects a gas, moves the nozzle to a position in contact with the opening, and injects the gas from the injection opening 305b when the nozzle is in contact with the opening 305b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kentaro Yamada
  • Three-dimensional porous structure of parylene
    Patent number: 11161957
    Abstract: The present invention provides a 3D porous structure of parylene including a poly-p-xylylenes structure having a plurality of pores. The poly-p-xylylenes structure has a porosity. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the size of the porous structure is between 20 nm and 5 cm. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the porosity is between 55% and 85%. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the porous structure further includes a plurality of target molecules. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pores of the poly-p-xylylenes structure include pore sizes of different sizes. The pore sizes are varying in a gradient. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the porous structure is formed integrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: MAY-HWA ENTERPRISE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsien-Yeh Chen, Hsing-Ying Tung
  • Systems and methods for 3D printing with multiple exchangeable printheads
    Patent number: 11161298
    Abstract: A modular 3D printer system can include a base subsystem and multiple exchangeable components. The base subsystem can have a 3D motion module, a printhead module and a platform module. The multiple exchangeable components can include printheads having different configurations and functionalities, which can be exchangeably installed in the printhead module. The multiple exchangeable components can include platform supports having different configurations and functionalities, which can be exchangeably installed in the platform module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Inventors: Karl Joseph Gifford, Tai Dung Nguyen, Tue Nguyen
  • Versatile, flexible and biocompatible elastomeric microtubes
    Patent number: 11161736
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible polymer-based microtube having an inner diameter of about 4 ?m to about 1000 ?m and a variable outer diameter, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the microtube can be, for instance, circular, rectangular, square, triangular, elliptical, star or irregular. The present invention also relates to a method of making the flexible microtube and devices incorporating the flexible microtube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: National University of Singapore, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
    Inventors: Wang Xi, Chwee Teck Lim, Fang Kong, Xiaobo Gong
  • Nanoimprint lithography process using low surface energy mask
    Patent number: 11156913
    Abstract: A method is described for creating a modified mask with low surface energies for a nano-imprint lithography (NIL) imprinting process. The method includes applying a master mold to an imprint mask material to create an imprint mask. The method further includes modifying the imprint mask by applying a treatment to the imprint mask to cause a surface energy level of the imprint mask to fall below a sticking threshold. The modified imprint mask is applied to a nano-imprint lithography (NIL) material to create an imprinted NIL material layer. The surface energy level of the imprint mask causes a shape of the imprinted NIL material layer to be remain unchanged when the imprinted NIL material layer is detached from the modified imprint mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Austin Lane, Matthew E. Colburn, Giuseppe Calafiore, Nihar Ranjan Mohanty
  • Method of injection molding a discrete part
    Patent number: 11155011
    Abstract: A method and assembly for injection molding a part. The injection molding assembly has a frame and a core back assembly on the frame with a material controlling region. The core back assembly has first and second states with the material controlling region: i) in a first position with the core back assembly in the first state; and ii) in a second position with the core back assembly in the second state. First and second mold units are configured to be placed in operative relationship on the frame wherein the first and second mold units cooperate to form a mold cavity on the frame. The frame, core back assembly, and first and second mold units are configured so that the state of the core back assembly is changed as an incident of the first and second mold units being placed in the operative relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Chunichi Precision Molding, Inc.
    Inventor: Kota Nakashima
  • Apparatus and method for making an object
    Patent number: 11141969
    Abstract: An apparatus for making an object is disclosed. The apparatus has a flexible element having an upwardly facing surface for disposing thereon a material used to make the object, and a member connected to an actuator that can move the member. A controller is in communication the actuator. A method which may be executed using the apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: ZYDEX PTY LTD
    Inventor: Justin Elsey
  • Heating tool
    Patent number: 11142297
    Abstract: In one aspect, a heating tool includes a heat source having a discharge outlet; and a manifold including an intake conduit configured to releasably connect to the discharge outlet of the heat source and a chamber coupled to the intake conduit having a ventilation path. The chamber includes a diverging portion configured to provide uniform airflow through the ventilation path to provide heating to a surface. In an embodiment, the chamber has a first portion and a second portion configured for assembly and disassembly. A method of curing an aircraft component is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Tom S. Chiang, Bruce B. Bacon, Frank S. Allen, Jahanzeb Tareen, Christopher L. Gravelle
  • Construction of a 3D printing device for producing components
    Patent number: 11130290
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing three-dimensional models, comprising a coater, which includes an ejection opening, at least one print head, which is mounted on a print axis, the ejection opening of the coater being disposed toward the top in the coating direction, and the print head being disposed counter to the coating direction with the opposite orientation on the printing axis behind the coater in the coating direction; the invention also relates to a method for producing three-dimensional models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Voxeljet AG
    Inventors: Ingo Ederer, Andreas Dominik Hartmann, Dominik Schmid
  • Method of molding using mold inserts and apparatus therefor
    Patent number: 11117299
    Abstract: A method for forming a part in an injection mold, includes: heating a molding material to a molding temperature; injecting the molding material through a gate and into a molding cavity of the injection molding apparatus of any of the preceding claims; pressing the stationary half and the moving half together to form the molding cavity between the resin mold surface and the insert molding surface; moving the movable mold insert, and thereby moving the insert molding surface and adjusting the molding cavity shape, the molding cavity depth, the molding cavity volume, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing along at least a portion of the molding cavity; cooling a surface of the molding cavity with the cooling system; separating the resin mold surface and the moving half mold surface; and ejecting the part from the injection molding apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SABIC GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Neerincx, Ruud Heerkens
  • Method and apparatus for making a polymeric aircraft window panel
    Patent number: 11110634
    Abstract: A mold for casting a polymeric aircraft window panel includes a first mold half (12) having a first mold surface (24), and a second mold half (14) having a second mold surface (50). The first mold surface (24) and/or the second mold surface (50) have a shape conforming to a final shape for the major surfaces of the aircraft window panel. The first mold half (12) and/or the second mold half (14) can be formed of rolled, hydroformed, or stamped metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: George B. Goodwin, Dennis P. McCarthy, John D. M. Shearer