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).

  • Publication number: 20200215749
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, John Fuquay, Scott G. Vaal
  • Patent number: 10688719
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Nicolas Vote, Robert Gaesser, Brian S. Smiddy, Scott G. Vaal
  • Patent number: 10532512
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include an extruder. The extruder may include a barrel having a bore. Additionally, the extruder may include an extruder screw at least partially received within the bore of the barrel. The additive manufacturing system also may include a gear pump fluidly coupled to the bore of the barrel. The extruder screw may extend at least partially into the gear pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy
  • Publication number: 20190375148
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include an extruder. The extruder may include a barrel having a bore. Additionally, the extruder may include an extruder screw at least partially received within the bore of the barrel. The additive manufacturing system also may include a gear pump fluidly coupled to the bore of the barrel. The extruder screw may extend at least partially into the gear pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy
  • Publication number: 20190322044
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Nicolas VOTE, Robert GAESSER, Brian S. SMIDDY, Scott G. VAAL
  • Publication number: 20190077079
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Scott G. VAAL, Brian S. SMIDDY
  • Publication number: 20190077081
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Scott G. Vaal, Brian S. Smiddy, Jonathan I. Fuquay
  • Patent number: 10105894
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include a nozzle having an inlet for receiving a flowable material and an outlet for depositing the flowable material. The system also may include an applicator head surrounding at least a portion of the nozzle. Additionally, a roller may be mounted on the applicator head and rotatable about an axle. A coolant circuit may extend through at least a portion of the applicator head and through a lumen of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventor: Brian S. Smiddy
  • Patent number: 10071525
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing apparatus and methods. An exemplary apparatus for fabricating components via additive manufacturing may include a programmable CNC machine. The CNC machine may comprise a first worktable extending in a first plane and a second worktable extending in a second plane, wherein the second plane is oriented at an angle relative to the first plane. At least one conveyor belt may be operably coupled to the first worktable. A printing gantry may be displaceable along a first axis of the CNC machine. The CNC machine may also comprise an applicator having a nozzle configured to deposit material on the second worktable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, Jonathan I. Fuquay
  • Patent number: 10065361
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing apparatus and methods. An exemplary apparatus for fabricating components via additive manufacturing may include a programmable CNC machine. The CNC machine may comprise a first worktable extending in a first plane and a second worktable extending in a second plane, wherein the second plane is oriented at an angle relative to the first plane. At least one conveyor belt may be operably coupled to the first worktable. A printing gantry may be displaceable along a first axis of the CNC machine. The CNC machine may also comprise an applicator having a nozzle configured to deposit material on the second worktable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, Jonathan I. Fuquay
  • Publication number: 20180222124
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing apparatus and methods. An exemplary apparatus for fabricating components via additive manufacturing may include a programmable CNC machine. The CNC machine may comprise a first worktable extending in a first plane and a second worktable extending in a second plane, wherein the second plane is oriented at an angle relative to the first plane. At least one conveyor belt may be operably coupled to the first worktable. A printing gantry may be displaceable along a first axis of the CNC machine. The CNC machine may also comprise an applicator having a nozzle configured to deposit material on the second worktable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. SUSNJARA, Brian S. SMIDDY, Jonathan I. FUQUAY
  • Publication number: 20180222118
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to additive manufacturing apparatus and methods. An exemplary apparatus for fabricating components via additive manufacturing may include a programmable CNC machine. The CNC machine may comprise a first worktable extending in a first plane and a second worktable extending in a second plane, wherein the second plane is oriented at an angle relative to the first plane. At least one conveyor belt may be operably coupled to the first worktable. A printing gantry may be displaceable along a first axis of the CNC machine. The CNC machine may also comprise an applicator having a nozzle configured to deposit material on the second worktable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Thermwood Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Susnjara, Brian S. Smiddy, Jonathan I. Fuquay
  • Patent number: 9969122
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include a nozzle having an inlet for receiving a flowable material and an outlet for depositing the flowable material. The system also may include an applicator head surrounding at least a portion of the nozzle. Additionally, a roller may be mounted on the applicator head and rotatable about an axle. A coolant circuit may extend through at least a portion of the applicator head and through a lumen of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: THERMWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brian S. Smiddy