Patents by Inventor Alex Stockton
Alex Stockton 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).
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Patent number: 11826959Abstract: A machine for manufacturing additive printed parts includes a first filament cartridge adapted to support a length of filament of a material from which the additive printed parts will be manufactured, a print head moveably supported within the machine, and a first filament buffer positioned between the first filament cartridge and the print head and including a first buffer volume. The filament supported within the first filament cartridge extends from the first filament cartridge, through the first filament buffer, and to the print head and is allowed to deflect within the first buffer volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: ESSENTIUM IPCO, LLCInventors: Erik John Gjovik, Jason Greene, William Jack MacNeish, III, Alex Stockton
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Patent number: 11642845Abstract: A three-dimensional printer for manufacturing additive printed parts includes a housing defining a cavity and first and second fixed rails extending along a first axis. First and second movable rails extend along a second axis and move independent of other another along the first axis. First and second print heads move along the second axis on the first and second movable rails, respectively, and first, second, and third dividers collectively separate the cavity to partially define process and instrument chambers. The first divider is mounted to the housing and the first movable rail and expands and contracts with the movement of the first movable rail. The second divider is mounted to the housing and the second movable rail and expands and contracts with the movement of the second movable rail. The third divider is mounted to the movable rails and expands and contracts with the movement of the movable rails.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: ESSENTIUM IPCO, LLCInventors: Yasushi Mizuno, Alex Stockton
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Publication number: 20230102328Abstract: A printer head for a three-dimensional printer includes a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) disk configured to generate a plasma, where the DBD disk requires a high voltage alternating current (AC) voltage signal to generate the plasma. The printer head also includes a transformer assembly including a transformer and a housing that contains the transformer. The transformer is configured to transform an incoming AC voltage signal into the high voltage AC signal for the DBD disk. The printer head also includes an electrical wire that electrically connects the transformer to the DBD disk. The printer head also includes a wire guide defining a passageway, where a portion of the electrical wire is received by the passageway in the wire guide. The passageway of the wire guide is shaped to direct the electrical wire towards the DBD disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2021Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Alex Stockton, Jason Greene, Xingping Li
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Publication number: 20220379557Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing process utilizing an atmospheric plasma to conduct an electromagnetic energy to fuse extruded successive layers of thermoplastic material having a conductive material is disclosed. A 3D printing system for the 3D printing process is also provided. The 3D printing system includes a 3D printer, an extrusion nozzle, a plasma emitter, and an electromagnetic energy source. The 3D printing process includes the steps of extruding a thermoplastic composite with the extrusion nozzle in successive layers to form a 3D part; directing a substantially evenly distributed plasma onto a predetermined location on the 3D part; and emitting an electromagnetic energy through the plasma. The plasma conducts the electromagnetic energy to the predetermined location on the 3D part. The thermoplastic composite includes a conductive material that generates heat by reacting to the electromagnetic energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: Essentium, Inc.Inventors: Charles Brandon Sweeney, Blake Teipel, Travis Eubanks, John Stockton, Alex Stockton
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Publication number: 20220339863Abstract: A three-dimensional printer for manufacturing additive printed parts includes a housing defining a cavity and first and second fixed rails extending along a first axis. First and second movable rails extend along a second axis and move independent of other another along the first axis. First and second print heads move along the second axis on the first and second movable rails, respectively, and first, second, and third dividers collectively separate the cavity to partially define process and instrument chambers. The first divider is mounted to the housing and the first movable rail and expands and contracts with the movement of the first movable rail. The second divider is mounted to the housing and the second movable rail and expands and contracts with the movement of the second movable rail. The third divider is mounted to the movable rails and expands and contracts with the movement of the movable rails.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Yasushi Mizuno, Alex Stockton
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Patent number: 11446867Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing process utilizing an atmospheric plasma to conduct an electromagnetic energy to fuse extruded successive layers of thermoplastic material having a conductive material is disclosed. A 3D printing system for the 3D printing process is also provided. The 3D printing system includes a 3D printer, an extrusion nozzle, a plasma emitter, and an electromagnetic energy source. The 3D printing process includes the steps of extruding a thermoplastic composite with the extrusion nozzle in successive layers to form a 3D part; directing a substantially evenly distributed plasma onto a predetermined location on the 3D part; and emitting an electromagnetic energy through the plasma. The plasma conducts the electromagnetic energy to the predetermined location on the 3D part. The thermoplastic composite includes a conductive material that generates heat by reacting to the electromagnetic energy.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: ESSENTIUM, INC.Inventors: Charles Brandon Sweeney, Blake Teipel, Travis Eubanks, John Stockton, Alex Stockton
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Publication number: 20220288848Abstract: A nozzle assembly for a printer head of a 3D printer includes at least two conduit portions, with each conduit portion including an interfacing surface having a recessed channel that is non-linear. The recessed channels cooperate with one another to define a serpentine path, in response to the interfacing surfaces of the associated conduit portions being engaged to one another. The serpentine path extends from a feed opening to a discharge opening for moving a filament therethrough. The nozzle assembly further includes a heating element connected to the conduit portions for transferring heat to the filament disposed in the serpentine path to fully melt the filament without caramelizing or burning the filament.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: William Jack MacNeish, III, Charles Brandon Sweeney, Alex Stockton
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Patent number: 11376789Abstract: A three-dimensional printing apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a controller and a three-dimensional printer. The controller has a signal generator. The three-dimensional printer includes a print head, a part carrier, and a plasma field applicator. The plasma field applicator is disposed on an end of the print head. The controller is in communication with the print head, part carrier, and plasma field applicator. The three dimensional printer builds the three-dimensional object onto the part carrier. The signal generator outputs a signal to the plasma field applicator and the plasma field applicator generates an electromagnetic field and induced current pathway incident to the three-dimensional object on the part carrier.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Essentium, Inc.Inventors: Charles Brandon Sweeney, Travis Eubanks, Alex Stockton, Blake Teipel
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Publication number: 20220134663Abstract: A machine for manufacturing additive printed parts includes a first filament cartridge adapted to support a length of filament of a material from which the additive printed parts will be manufactured, a print head moveably supported within the machine, and a first filament buffer positioned between the first filament cartridge and the print head and including a first buffer volume. The filament supported within the first filament cartridge extends from the first filament cartridge, through the first filament buffer, and to the print head and is allowed to deflect within the first buffer volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Inventors: Erik John Gjovik, Jason Greene, William Jack MacNeish, Alex Stockton
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Patent number: 11034090Abstract: A machine for manufacturing additive printed parts includes a first filament cartridge adapted to support a length of filament of a material from which the additive printed parts will be manufactured, a print head moveably supported within the machine, and a first filament buffer positioned between the first filament cartridge and the print head and including a first buffer volume. The filament supported within the first filament cartridge extends from the first filament cartridge, through the first filament buffer, and to the print head and is allowed to deflect within the first buffer volume.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Essentium, Inc.Inventors: Erik John Gjovik, Jason Greene, William Jack MacNeish, III, Alex Stockton
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Publication number: 20200298479Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printing process utilizing an atmospheric plasma to conduct an electromagnetic energy to fuse extruded successive layers of thermoplastic material having a conductive material is disclosed. A 3D printing system for the 3D printing process is also provided. The 3D printing system includes a 3D printer, an extrusion nozzle, a plasma emitter, and an electromagnetic energy source. The 3D printing process includes the steps of extruding a thermoplastic composite with the extrusion nozzle in successive layers to form a 3D part; directing a substantially evenly distributed plasma onto a predetermined location on the 3D part; and emitting an electromagnetic energy through the plasma. The plasma conducts the electromagnetic energy to the predetermined location on the 3D part. The thermoplastic composite includes a conductive material that generates heat by reacting to the electromagnetic energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Charles Brandon Sweeney, Blake Teipel, Travis Eubanks, John Stockton, Alex Stockton
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Publication number: 20200070416Abstract: A three-dimensional printing apparatus for manufacturing a three-dimensional object includes a controller and a three-dimensional printer. The controller has a signal generator. The three-dimensional printer includes a print head, a part carrier, and a plasma field applicator. The plasma field applicator is disposed on an end of the print head. The controller is in communication with the print head, part carrier, and plasma field applicator. The three dimensional printer builds the three-dimensional object onto the part carrier. The signal generator outputs a signal to the plasma field applicator and the plasma field applicator generates an electromagnetic field and induced current pathway incident to the three-dimensional object on the part carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2018Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Charles Brandon Sweeney, Travis Eubanks, Alex Stockton, Blake Teipel