Patents by Inventor Brian Thomas Thompson
Brian Thomas Thompson 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: 20240408674Abstract: A system for additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object is provided. The system includes a build platform, an array of laser diodes, each laser diode of the array of laser diodes configured to direct a laser beam toward the build platform, and a controller communicatively coupled to each laser diode of the array of laser diodes such that control signals are communicated from the controller to each laser diode individually.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2024Publication date: December 12, 2024Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brian Thomas Thompson, David Scott Simmermon, William Joseph Steele
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Publication number: 20240408821Abstract: A printing assembly for an additive manufacturing apparatus includes an energy emitter configured to steer one or more emissions across a build platform to raise a temperature of a build material on the build platform from an initial temperature to a first temperature, the first temperature being less than a threshold temperature set by material dependent metallurgical properties, and a fusing beam emitter configured to generate one or more laser beams to raise the temperature of the build material on the build platform from the first temperature to a second temperature, the second temperature being greater than the threshold temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2024Publication date: December 12, 2024Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: William Joseph Steele, David Scott Simmermon, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Publication number: 20240375183Abstract: Disclosed herein are print heads for an additive manufacturing apparatus. The print heads include a housing. A projection element is disposed within the housing and is configured to receive the one or more laser beams generated by a beam emitter and project a plurality of projected laser beams in a pattern. A consolidating optic is disposed within the housing and is located below the projection element. The consolidating optic is configured to consolidate the pattern of the plurality of projected laser beams into a consolidated pattern of projected laser beams.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Scott Simmermon, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Publication number: 20240375184Abstract: Disclosed herein are additive manufacturing apparatuses which include a print head supported by a positioning system, the print head including one or more delivery optics contained within the print head; a laser beam source assembly isolated from the positioning system, the laser beam source assembly configured to generate at least one collimated laser beam; and a laser beam receiver assembly isolated from the laser beam source assembly, the laser beam receiver assembly configured to receive the at least one collimated laser beam and direct the at least one collimated laser beam to the one or more delivery optics of the print head.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2024Publication date: November 14, 2024Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Scott Simmermon, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Publication number: 20240269931Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a stage configured to hold one or more cured layers of resin that form a component. A radiant energy device can be operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator can be configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A reclamation system can be downstream of the stage and can be configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a resin support. The reclamation system can include a first collection structure configured to accept a resin support along a resin support movement direction. A first scraper is positioned within the first collection structure. The first scraper has an elongation axis that is offset from the resin support movement direction by an offset angle that is less than 90 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2024Publication date: August 15, 2024Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Publication number: 20240253311Abstract: A reclamation system for an additive manufacturing apparatus can include a collection structure configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a foil. A containment vessel can be configured to retain the resin removed from the foil. A drain can direct the resin from the containment vessel to a reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2024Publication date: August 1, 2024Inventors: Trent William Muhlenkamp, Christopher David Barnhill, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Carlos H. Bonilla, Brian Thomas Thompson, John Thomas Sterle
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Patent number: 11958250Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a stage configured to hold one or more cured layers of resin that form a component. A radiant energy device can be operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator can be configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A reclamation system can be downstream of the stage and can be configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a resin support. The reclamation system can include a first collection structure configured to accept a resin support therethrough along a resin support movement direction. A first scraper is positioned within the first collection structure. The first scraper has an elongation axis that is offset from the resin support movement direction by an offset angle that is less than 90 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Patent number: 11958249Abstract: A reclamation system for an additive manufacturing apparatus can include a collection structure configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a foil. A containment vessel can be configured to retain the resin removed from the foil. A drain can direct the resin from the containment vessel to a reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Trent William Muhlenkamp, Christopher David Barnhill, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Carlos H. Bonilla, Brian Thomas Thompson, John Thomas Sterle
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Publication number: 20240059008Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Kevin Robert Dickson, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Patent number: 11826950Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignees: General Electric Company, Unison Industries, LLCInventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Kevin Robert Dickson, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Publication number: 20230012168Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2021Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Kevin Robert Dickson, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Publication number: 20220410482Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a stage configured to hold one or more cured layers of resin that form a component. A radiant energy device can be operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator can be configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A reclamation system can be downstream of the stage and can be configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a resin support. The reclamation system can include a first collection structure configured to accept a resin support therethrough along a resin support movement direction. A first scraper is positioned within the first collection structure. The first scraper has an elongation axis that is offset from the resin support movement direction by an offset angle that is less than 90 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Publication number: 20220410481Abstract: A reclamation system for an additive manufacturing apparatus can include a collection structure configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a foil. A containment vessel can be configured to retain the resin removed from the foil. A drain can direct the resin from the containment vessel to a reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Trent William Muhlenkamp, Christopher David Barnhill, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Carlos H. Bonilla, Brian Thomas Thompson, John Thomas Sterle
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Publication number: 20220339859Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate defining a window and a resin support configured to support an uncured layer of resin. A stage is configured to hold one or more cured layers of the resin to form a component positioned opposite a support plate. A radiant energy device is positioned on an opposite side of the resin support from the stage and is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image through the window. The stage is configured to move simultaneously with the resin support from a first position to a second position in an X-axis direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: William Joseph Steele, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Xi Yang