Patents by Inventor Alexander G. Cooper

Alexander G. Cooper 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).

  • Patent number: 6375880
    Abstract: A method of making molded parts employing Shape Deposition Manufacturing (SDM) techniques. First, SDM processes are used to make a layered structure having support segments and mold segments. The support segments are made of material which may be removed from the mold segments (e.g. dissolved or melted). The mold segments are made of a material which can function as a mold. The mold and support segments are sequentially deposited (e.g. in layers) and shaped (e.g. machined) to form a mold. The support segments define the shape of the part to be manufactured. The mold segments are removed from the support segments by dissolving or melting away the support segments, leaving an empty mold. Then, part material is cast into the empty mold. The mold is removed, providing a molded part. The part material can be a gelcasting slurry, for example. The present method provides homogeneous or heterogeneous parts having shapes which are accurately defined by the SDM process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Alexander G. Cooper, John W. Kietzman, Friedrich B. Prinz