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).

  • Publication number: 20240408674
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Thompson, David Scott Simmermon, William Joseph Steele
  • Publication number: 20240408821
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Joseph Steele, David Scott Simmermon, Brian Thomas Thompson
  • Publication number: 20240375183
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Scott Simmermon, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
  • Publication number: 20240375184
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Scott Simmermon, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
  • Publication number: 20240269931
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
  • Publication number: 20240253311
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Trent William Muhlenkamp, Christopher David Barnhill, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Carlos H. Bonilla, Brian Thomas Thompson, John Thomas Sterle
  • Patent number: 11958250
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
  • Patent number: 11958249
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Trent William Muhlenkamp, Christopher David Barnhill, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Carlos H. Bonilla, Brian Thomas Thompson, John Thomas Sterle
  • Publication number: 20240059008
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Kevin Robert Dickson, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson
  • Patent number: 11826950
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignees: General Electric Company, Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Kevin Robert Dickson, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson
  • Publication number: 20230012168
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Kevin Robert Dickson, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson
  • Publication number: 20220410482
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
  • Publication number: 20220410481
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Trent William Muhlenkamp, Christopher David Barnhill, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Carlos H. Bonilla, Brian Thomas Thompson, John Thomas Sterle
  • Publication number: 20220339859
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: William Joseph Steele, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Xi Yang