Patents by Inventor Andreas Pfister

Andreas Pfister 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: 10556378
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object is manufactured by selective sintering by means of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the powder comprises a polymer or copolymer having at least one of the following structural characteristics: (i) at least one branching group in the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer, provided that in case of the use of polyaryletherketones (PAEK) the branching group is an aromatic structural unit in the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer; (ii) modification of at least one end group of the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer; (iii) at least one bulky group within the backbone chain of the polymer of copolymer, provided that in case of the use of polyaryletherketones (PAEK) the bulky group is not selected from the group consisting of phenylene, biphenylene, naphthalene and CH2- or isopropylidene-linked aromatics; (iv) at least one aromatic group non-linearly linking the backbone chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Andreas Pfister, Frank Mueller, Martin Leuterer
  • Patent number: 10321116
    Abstract: A volume determining method for an object on a construction site is disclosed. The method may include moving a mobile camera along a path around the object while orienting the camera repeatedly onto the object. The method may include capturing a series of images of the object from different points on the path and with different orientations with the camera, the series being represented by an image data set; performing a structure from motion evaluation with a defined algorithm using the series of images and generating a spatial representation; scaling the spatial representation with help of given information about a known absolute reference regarding scale; defining a ground surface for the object and applying it onto the spatial representation; and calculating and outputting the absolute volume of the object based on the scaled spatial representation and the defined ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Knut Siercks, Andreas Pfister, Roman Parys, Thomas Fidler
  • Publication number: 20180236711
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying layers of a powdery material (3a) at the locations corresponding to the cross-section of the object (3) in the respective layers by impact of electromagnetic radiation (7a) is provided, where in a plastic powder, preferably polyamide, is used as powder, wherein the non-solidified powder (3a?) is subjected to a treatment by water or water vapour at increased temperatures after manufacturing the object, subsequently dried and thereafter used again to build-up a new object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Pfister, Mandy Gersch
  • Patent number: 9975297
    Abstract: A polyamide powder is disclosed for use in a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying layers of the polyamide powder at the locations corresponding to the cross-section of the object in the respective layer by application of electromagnetic radiation. The polyamide powder of the invention is reclaimed after manufacturing of an object and, then is treated with water or water vapor and subsequently dried. After treatment, the powder preferably can have a molar weight Mn (numeric average) of more than about 20,000 g/mol and a Mw (weight average) of more than about 40,000 g/mol. Also, the powder preferably has an excess of carboxylic end groups relative to amino end groups of at least 4:1 up to at most 200:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Andreas Pfister, Mandy Gersch
  • Publication number: 20180117840
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object is manufactured by selective sintering by means of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the powder comprises a polymer or copolymer having at least one of the following structural characteristics: (i) at least one branching group in the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer, provided that in case of the use of polyaryletherketones (PAEK) the branching group is an aromatic structural unit in the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer; (ii) modification of at least one end group of the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer; (iii) at least one bulky group within the backbone chain of the polymer of copolymer, provided that in case of the use of polyaryletherketones (PAEK) the bulky group is not selected from the group consisting of phenylene, biphenylene, naphthalene and CH2- or isopropylidene-linked aromatics; (iv) at least one aromatic group non-linearly linking the backbone chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Andreas Pfister, Frank Mueller, Martin Leuterer
  • Patent number: 9895842
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object is manufactured by selective sintering by means of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the powder comprises a polymer or copolymer having at least one of the following structural characteristics: (i) at least one branching group in the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer, provided that in case of the use of polyaryletherketones (PAEK) the branching group is an aromatic structural unit in the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer; (ii) modification of at least one end group of the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer; (iii) at least one bulky group within the backbone chain of the polymer of copolymer, provided that in case of the use of polyaryletherketones (PAEK) the bulky group is not selected from the group consisting of phenylene, biphenylene, naphthalene and CH2— or isopropylidene-linked aromatics; (iv) at least one aromatic group non-linearly linking the backbone chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Andreas Pfister, Frank Mueller, Martin Leuterer
  • Patent number: 9011982
    Abstract: A method for a layer-wise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object has a first step of providing a layer of a material in powder form or a liquid material on a support or a layer that has already been solidified at selected positions previously and a second step of directing a focussed photon or particle beam (8?) selectively at selected positions of the layer. In the second step, the photon or particle beam is selected such that it brings about a change of the absorption of the material when hitting the layer. After the termination of the second step, a third step is carried out, in which the layer is irradiated by means of electromagnetic radiation (18?) such that the material is homogenously solidified at those positions of the layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object to be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Frank Muller, Andreas Pfister, Martin Leuterer, Peter Keller
  • Publication number: 20150022640
    Abstract: A volume determining method for an object on a construction site is disclosed. The method may include moving a mobile camera along a path around the object while orienting the camera repeatedly onto the object. The method may include capturing a series of images of the object from different points on the path and with different orientations with the camera, the series being represented by an image data set; performing a structure from motion evaluation with a defined algorithm using the series of images and generating a spatial representation; scaling the spatial representation with help of given information about a known absolute reference regarding scale; defining a ground surface for the object and applying it onto the spatial representation; and calculating and outputting the absolute volume of the object based on the scaled spatial representation and the defined ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Bernhard METZLER, Knut SIERCKS, Andreas PFISTER, Roman PARYS, Thomas FIDLER
  • Patent number: 8420001
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object is manufactured from a powder of polymer material by selective sintering process by means of electromagnetic radiation of the powder, wherein the powder comprises a preselected polymer or copolymer and is subjected to selective sintering such that the manufactured three-dimensional object has a final crystallinity which is in such a range that the balance of properties, in particular mechanical properties including Young's modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break, is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Martin Leuterer, Andreas Pfister, Frank Mueller, Alan Wood, Brian Wilson, Horst Sandner
  • Publication number: 20130040550
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (100) for ventilating a defined space (102), such as for example an enclosed or at least partly enclosed basement, crawlspace or attic. The system (100) comprises a control unit (110) connected to at least one inside sensor (104), at least one outside sensor (106) and a controllable fan (108), the control unit (110) being configured to operate the controllable fan (102) if the absolute humidity (AHout) outside of the defined space (102) is lower or equal to the absolute humidity (AHin) within the defined space (102), and the temperature (Tin) within the defined space (102) is above a predetermined temperature when the temperature (Tin) outside of the defined space (102) is below the temperature (Tin) within the defined space (102). Advantages of the invention include energy efficient ventilation of the defined space and a high level of protecting from moisture related problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: DRYVENT SOLUTIONS OF SCANDINAVIA AB
    Inventors: Andreas Pfister, Mike Hoglund, Lai Kim Lim, Elisabet Ehn
  • Patent number: 8299208
    Abstract: By a temper treatment a polyaryletherketone powder is processed such that it is particularly suited for the use in a method for a layer-wise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object. To this effect the powder is tempered at a temperature that is at least 20° C. above the glass transition temperature for at least 30 minutes before it is used as building material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Frank Müller, Andreas Pfister, Martin Leuterer
  • Publication number: 20120114848
    Abstract: By a temper treatment a polyaryletherketone powder is processed such that it is particularly suited for the use in a method for a layer-wise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object. To this effect the powder is tempered at a temperature that is at least 20° C. above the glass transition temperature for at least 30 minutes before it is used as building material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: EOS GMBH ELECTRO OPTICAL SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Frank M¿ller, Andreas Pfister, Martin Leuterer
  • Patent number: 7847057
    Abstract: By a temper treatment a polyaryletherketone powder is processed such that it is particularly suited for the use in a method for a layer-wise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object. To this effect the powder is tempered at a temperature that is at least 20° C. above the glass transition temperature for at least 30 minutes before it is used as building material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Frank Müller, Andreas Pfister, Martin Leuterer
  • Publication number: 20090312454
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object is manufactured from a powder of polymer material by selective sintering process by means of electromagnetic radiation of the powder, wherein the powder comprises a preselected polymer or copolymer and is subjected to selective sintering such that the manufactured three-dimensional object has a final crystallinity which is in such a range that the balance of properties, in particular mechanical properties including Young's modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break, is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Martin Leuterer, Andreas Pfister, Frank Mueller, Alan Wood, Brian Wilson, Horst Sandner
  • Publication number: 20090295042
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object is manufactured by selective sintering by means of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the powder comprises a polymer or copolymer having at least one of the following structural characteristics: (i) at least one branching group in the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer, provided that in case of the use of polyaryletherketones (PAEK) the branching group is an aromatic structural unit in the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer; (ii) modification of at least one end group of the backbone chain of the polymer or copolymer; (iii) at least one bulky group within the backbone chain of the polymer of copolymer, provided that in case of the use of polyaryletherketones (PAEK) the bulky group is not selected from the group consisting of phenylene, biphenylene, naphthalene and CH2— or isopropylidene-linked aromatics; (iv) at least one aromatic group non-linearly linking the backbone chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Andreas Pfister, Frank Mueller, Martin Leuterer
  • Publication number: 20090291308
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object by selectively solidifying layers of a powdery material (3a) at the locations corresponding to the cross-section of the object (3) in the respective layers by impact of electromagnetic radiation (7a) is provided, wherein a plastic powder, preferably polyamide, is used as powder, wherein the non-solidified powder (3a?) is subjected to a treatment by water or water vapour at increased temperatures after manufacturing the object, subsequently dried and thereafter used again to build-up a new object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Andreas Pfister, Mandy Gersch
  • Publication number: 20090017220
    Abstract: A method for a layer-wise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object has a first step of providing a layer of a material in powder form or a liquid material on a support or a layer that has already been solidified at selected positions previously and a second step of directing a focussed photon or particle beam (8?) selectively at selected positions of the layer. In the process in the second step the photon or particle beam is selected such that it brings about a change of the absorption of the material when hitting the layer. After the termination of the second step a third step is carried out, in which the layer is irradiated by means of electromagnetic radiation (18?) such that the material is homogenously solidified at those positions of the layer that correspond to the cross-section of the object to be formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
    Inventors: Frank Muller, Andreas Pfister, Martin Leuterer, Peter Keller
  • Publication number: 20080258330
    Abstract: By a temper treatment a polyaryletherketone powder is processed such that it is particularly suited for the use in a method for a layer-wise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object. To this effect the powder is tempered at a temperature that is at least 20° C. above the glass transition temperature for at least 30 minutes before it is used as building material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: EOS GMBH ELECTRO OPTICAL SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Frank Muller, Andreas Pfister, Martin Leuterer