Patents by Inventor Brian S. Smiddy
Brian S. Smiddy 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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Publication number: 20210362412Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Applicant: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
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Patent number: 11179893Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing apparatus and methods. An exemplary additive manufacturing system may include an extruder, the extruder having an opening dimensioned to receive a material. The apparatus may also include an extruder output in fluid communication with the extruder, wherein the extruder output extends away from the extruder along a longitudinal axis. One or more heaters positioned along at least a portion of the extruder output may also be included, and, as the material passes through the extruder output, the one or more heaters may at least partially melt the material. The system may also include a gear pump in fluid communication with the extruder output for receiving the at least partially melted material, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the gear pump for depositing the at least partially melted material.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Scott G. Vaal, Brian S. Smiddy, Jonathan I. Fuquay
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Publication number: 20210347118Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes an extruder and a gear pump in fluid communication with extruder. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a nozzle in fluid communication with the gear pump. The extruder is connected to a guide member such that at least a portion of the extruder is configured to expand and move along the guide member according to a thermal expansion of the extruder.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Brian S. SMIDDY, John FUQUAY, Scott G. VAAL
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Publication number: 20210316506Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include a carrier, a set of rails coupled to the carrier, and a transition housing movably attached to the set of rails. The additive manufacturing system may include an extruder having an extruder barrel coupled to the transition housing, and a melt pump fixedly attached to the carrier. The melt pump may be in fluid communication with the extruder barrel. Additionally, the additive manufacturing system may include a nozzle in fluid communication with the melt pump, and a roller rotatable about the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, John Fuquay, Scott G. Vaal
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Patent number: 11117313Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first vertically-extending support leg, a second vertically-extending support leg, and a gantry supported on the first and second support legs. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a work table movably supported beneath the gantry, a print head supported on the gantry, and a trim head supported on the gantry with the print head.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, John Fuquay
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Patent number: 11104072Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2020Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
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Patent number: 11077616Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes an extruder and a gear pump in fluid communication with extruder. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a nozzle in fluid communication with the gear pump. The extruder is connected to a guide member such that at least a portion of the extruder is configured to expand and move along the guide member according to a thermal expansion of the extruder.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, John Fuquay, Scott G. Vaal
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Patent number: 11059227Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include a carrier, a set of rails coupled to the carrier, and a transition housing movably attached to the set of rails. The additive manufacturing system may include an extruder having an extruder barrel coupled to the transition housing, and a melt pump fixedly attached to the carrier. The melt pump may be in fluid communication with the extruder barrel. Additionally, the additive manufacturing system may include a nozzle in fluid communication with the melt pump, and a roller rotatable about the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, John Fuquay, Scott G. Vaal
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Publication number: 20210178685Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing apparatus and methods. An exemplary additive manufacturing system may include an extruder, the extruder having an opening dimensioned to receive a material. The apparatus may also include an extruder output in fluid communication with the extruder, wherein the extruder output extends away from the extruder along a longitudinal axis. One or more heaters positioned along at least a portion of the extruder output may also be included, and, as the material passes through the extruder output, the one or more heaters may at least partially melt the material. The system may also include a gear pump in fluid communication with the extruder output for receiving the at least partially melted material, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the gear pump for depositing the at least partially melted material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2021Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Scott G. VAAL, Brian S. SMIDDY, Jonathan I. FUQUAY
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Publication number: 20210154915Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first vertically-extending support leg, a second vertically-extending support leg, and a gantry supported on the first and second support legs. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a work table movably supported beneath the gantry, a print head supported on the gantry, and a trim head supported on the gantry with the print head.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2020Publication date: May 27, 2021Applicant: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Brian S. SMIDDY, John FUQUAY
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Patent number: 11003160Abstract: A multi-axis machine includes a horizontally-displaceable carriage, a vertically-displaceable column, a spindle supported distally of the column, a motor configured to change a position of at least one of the carriage, the column, or the spindle; and an impact detection mechanism. The impact detection mechanism includes a first plate, a second plate secured distally of the first plate, and a sensor configured to detect a motion of the second plate with respect to the first plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventor: Brian S. Smiddy
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Publication number: 20210101336Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes an extruder and a gear pump in fluid communication with extruder. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a nozzle in fluid communication with the gear pump. The extruder is connected to a guide member such that at least a portion of the extruder is configured to expand and move along the guide member according to a thermal expansion of the extruder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2020Publication date: April 8, 2021Applicant: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Brian S. SMIDDY, John FUQUAY, Scott G. VAAL
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Patent number: 10933586Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing apparatus and methods. An exemplary additive manufacturing system may include an extruder, the extruder having an opening dimensioned to receive a material. The apparatus may also include an extruder output in fluid communication with the extruder, wherein the extruder output extends away from the extruder along a longitudinal axis. One or more heaters positioned along at least a portion of the extruder output may also be included, and, as the material passes through the extruder output, the one or more heaters may at least partially melt the material. The system may also include a gear pump in fluid communication with the extruder output for receiving the at least partially melted material, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the gear pump for depositing the at least partially melted material.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Scott G. Vaal, Brian S. Smiddy, Jonathan I. Fuquay
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Publication number: 20200398489Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to an additive manufacturing system, which may include a nozzle having an inlet for receiving a flowable material and an outlet for depositing the flowable material. An applicator head may surround at least a portion of a proximal region of the nozzle. The applicator head may include a housing, a cooling inlet for receiving a coolant into the housing, a cooling outlet configured to allow the coolant to exit the housing, and an air inlet. A roller may be mounted on the applicator head to one side of the outlet of the nozzle. The roller may include an air outlet, wherein a flow path connects the air inlet and the air outlet so that air enters the air inlet and exits the air outlet. The roller may also include a plurality of holes located on an external surface of the roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Scott G. Vaal, Brian S. Smiddy
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Publication number: 20200331202Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include a carrier, a set of rails coupled to the carrier, and a transition housing movably attached to the set of rails. The additive manufacturing system may include an extruder having an extruder barrel coupled to the transition housing, and a melt pump fixedly attached to the carrier. The melt pump may be in fluid communication with the extruder barrel. Additionally, the additive manufacturing system may include a nozzle in fluid communication with the melt pump, and a roller rotatable about the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, John Fuquay, Scott G. Vaal
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Patent number: 10786944Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first vertically-extending support leg, a second vertically-extending support leg, and a gantry supported on the first and second support legs. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a work table movably supported beneath the gantry, a print head supported on the gantry, and a trim head supported on the gantry with the print head.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, John Fuquay
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Patent number: 10786946Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to an additive manufacturing system, which may include a nozzle having an inlet for receiving a flowable material and an outlet for depositing the flowable material. An applicator head may surround at least a portion of a proximal region of the nozzle. The applicator head may include a housing, a cooling inlet for receiving a coolant into the housing, a cooling outlet configured to allow the coolant to exit the housing, and an air inlet. A roller may be mounted on the applicator head to one side of the outlet of the nozzle. The roller may include an air outlet, wherein a flow path connects the air inlet and the air outlet so that air enters the air inlet and exits the air outlet. The roller may also include a plurality of holes located on an external surface of the roller.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Scott G. Vaal, Brian S. Smiddy
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Patent number: 10780635Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes an extruder and a gear pump in fluid communication with extruder. The additive manufacturing apparatus also includes a nozzle in fluid communication with the gear pump. The extruder is connected to a guide member such that at least a portion of the extruder is configured to expand and move along the guide member according to a thermal expansion of the extruder.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, John Fuquay, Scott G. Vaal
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Publication number: 20200276757Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes a nozzle configured to translate along a first axis, a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a third axis orthogonal to the first and second axes, wherein the nozzle is operably coupled to: an extruder having an outlet and including a screw disposed within a barrel, and a pump having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the extruder, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a speed of the pump with respect to a speed of the screw to apply a target pressure at the outlet of the extruder.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Applicant: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicholas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
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Patent number: 10723074Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include a carrier, a set of rails coupled to the carrier, and a transition housing movably attached to the set of rails. The additive manufacturing system may include an extruder having an extruder barrel coupled to the transition housing, and a melt pump fixedly attached to the carrier. The melt pump may be in fluid communication with the extruder barrel. Additionally, the additive manufacturing system may include a nozzle in fluid communication with the melt pump, and a roller rotatable about the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Thermwood CorporationInventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, John Fuquay, Scott G. Vaal