Patents by Inventor Eric MacDonald

Eric MacDonald 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: 10974499
    Abstract: A three-dimensional electronic, biological, chemical, thermal management, and/or electromechanical apparatus can be configured by depositing one or more layers of a three-dimensional structure on a substrate. Such a three-dimensional structure can include one or more internal cavities using an additive manufacturing system enhanced with a range of secondary embedding processes. The three-dimensional structure can be further configured with structural integrated metal objects spanning the internal cavities (possibly filled with air or even evacuated) of the three-dimensional structure for enhanced electromagnetic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Eric MacDonald, Ryan Wicker, David Espalin
  • Patent number: 10913202
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for the manufacture of 3D printed components with structurally integrated metal objects using an additive manufacturing system enhanced with a range of possible secondary embedding processes. One or more layers of a three-dimensional substrate can be created by depositing a substrate, and then one or more 3D printed components can be configured on the substrate with one or more metal objects using additive manufacturing enhanced by one or more secondary embedding processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: David Espalin, Eric MacDonald, Ryan B. Wicker
  • Patent number: 10748867
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for making a three-dimensional electronic, electromagnetic or electromechanical component/device by: (1) creating one or more layers of a three-dimensional substrate by depositing a substrate material in a layer-by-layer fashion, wherein the substrate includes a plurality of interconnection cavities and component cavities; (2) filling the interconnection cavities with a conductive material; and (3) placing one or more components in the component cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ryan B. Wicker, Eric MacDonald, Francisco Medina, David Espalin, Danny W. Muse
  • Patent number: 10691095
    Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing and controlling material deposition during a material extrusion 3D printing process. A current sensor can measure a current signal consumed by a material feed motor. The current signal can be analyzed in the time domain and frequency domain to detect material deposition characteristics and prescribe process parameter changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Chi Yen Kim, David Espalin, Eric MacDonald, Ryan Wicker
  • Patent number: 10660214
    Abstract: Systems and methods for creating interlayer mechanical or electrical attachments or connections using filaments within a three-dimensional structure, structural component, or structural electronic, electromagnetic, or electromechanical component/device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ryan B. Wicker, Francisco Medina, Eric MacDonald, Danny W. Muse, David Espalin
  • Patent number: 10582619
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for automatically dispensing and embedding components into three-dimensional parts. In an example embodiment, a direct wire embedding head can be fixed on an automation motion system. The direct wire embedding head begins and terminates an embedded wire pattern on a layer or on a surface of a three-dimensional part in order to automatically create the embedded wire pattern. A sensor is located on an embedding surface wherein the embedded wire pattern is embedded. The sensor can measure the distance between the direct wire embedding head and the embedding surface. A predefined distance can be maintained to ensure successful embedding results for the embedded wire pattern by automatically adjusting a position of the direct wire embedding head in response to feedback from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: David Espalin, Daniel Marquez, Alfonso Fernandez, Chiyen Kim, Eric MacDonald, Ryan Wicker
  • Patent number: 10569464
    Abstract: A three-dimensional electronic, biological, chemical, thermal management, or electromechanical apparatus and method of configuring such an apparatus. In an example embodiment, an apparatus can include a substrate and one or more layers of a three-dimensional structure configured on and/or from the substrate. The three-dimensional structure includes one or more internal cavities configured by an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system enhanced with a range of secondary embedding processes. The three-dimensional structure can be configured with one or more structural integrated metal objects spanning one or more of the internal cavities of the three-dimensional structure for enhanced electromagnetic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Eric MacDonald, David Espalin, Isaac Varela, Ryan Wicker
  • Publication number: 20200047482
    Abstract: A three-dimensional electronic, biological, chemical, thermal management, and/or electromechanical apparatus can be configured by depositing one or more layers of a three-dimensional structure on a substrate. Such a three-dimensional structure can include one or more internal cavities using an additive manufacturing system enhanced with a range of secondary embedding processes. The three-dimensional structure can be further configured with structural integrated metal objects spanning the internal cavities (possibly filled with air or even evacuated) of the three-dimensional structure for enhanced electromagnetic properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Eric MacDonald, Ryan Wicker, David Espalin
  • Patent number: 10518490
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for embedding a filament or filament mesh in a three-dimensional structure, structural component, or structural electronic, electromagnetic or electromechanical component/device by providing at least a first layer of a substrate material, and embedding at least a portion of a filament or filament mesh within the first layer of the substrate material such the portion of the filament or filament mesh is substantially flush with a top surface of the first layer and a substrate material in a flowable state is displaced by the portion of the filament and does not substantially protrude above the top surface of the first layer, allowing the continuation of an additive manufacturing process above the embedded filament or filament mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ryan B. Wicker, Francisco Medina, Eric MacDonald, Danny W. Muse, David Espalin
  • Patent number: 10464306
    Abstract: A three-dimensional electronic, biological, chemical, thermal management, and/or electromechanical apparatus can be configured by depositing one or more layers of a three-dimensional structure on a substrate. Such a three-dimensional structure can include one or more internal cavities using an additive manufacturing system enhanced with a range of secondary embedding processes. The three-dimensional structure can be further configured with structural integrated metal objects spanning the internal cavities (possibly filled with air or even evacuated) of the three-dimensional structure for enhanced electromagnetic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Eric MacDonald, Ryan Wicker, David Espalin
  • Patent number: 10335673
    Abstract: An electronic gaming die includes an enclosure, a flexible substrate, a number of light emitting diodes, a sensor, a processor and a battery. The enclosure has N sides where N is equal to or greater than 4. The flexible substrate folds into N sides and fits into an interior of the enclosure, wherein each side has an inner face, an outer face and is assigned an integer from 1 to N. The light emitting diodes are disposed on the outer face of each side of the flexible substrate, wherein the number of light emitting diodes equals the integer assigned to the side of the flexible substrate. The sensor, processor and battery are disposed on one of the inner faces of the flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Danny W. Muse, Ryan Wicker, Eric MacDonald, Rodolfo Salas, Francisco Medina
  • Publication number: 20190152158
    Abstract: A projector or system for assisting in a removal of 3D printed molds from a print chamber. The projector is operative to receive a file in a format compatible for a 3D printer. The projector further receives input corresponding to a location of the prototype contained in a powder box and input corresponding to a profile of powder contained across a surface of the associated powder box. Using the location, a portion of the prototype located immediately beneath a surface of powder in the powder box is determined. A distance of the portion to a selected region of the top surface is also determined. A cue is generated based on the distance. The projector generates an image of the extracted layer and projects the image onto the surface of the associated powder box. The image comprises at least one color coded region within a proximity of the portion, where a color of the color coded region is based on the cue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Eric MacDonald, Darrell Wallace, Mark Lamoncha, Brett Conner, Scott Conner
  • Patent number: 10259081
    Abstract: A three-dimensional electronic, biological, chemical, thermal management, or electromechanical apparatus and method thereof. One or more layers of a three-dimensional structure are deposited on a substrate. The three-dimensional structure is configured to include one or more internal cavities using, an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system enhanced with a range of secondary embedding processes. The three-dimensional structure includes one or more structural integrated metal objects spanning the one or more of the internal cavities of the three-dimensional structure for enhanced electromagnetic properties and bonded between two or more other metal objects located at the same layer or different layers of the three-dimensional structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Eric MacDonald, David Espalin, Ryan Wicker
  • Publication number: 20180354189
    Abstract: A three-dimensional electronic, biological, chemical, thermal management, or electromechanical apparatus and method of configuring such an apparatus. In an example embodiment, an apparatus can include a substrate and one or more layers of a three-dimensional structure configured on and/or from the substrate. The three-dimensional structure includes one or more internal cavities configured by an extrusion-based additive manufacturing system enhanced with a range of secondary embedding processes. The three-dimensional structure can be configured with one or more structural integrated metal objects spanning one or more of the internal cavities of the three-dimensional structure for enhanced electromagnetic properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Eric MacDonald, David Espalin, Isaac Varela, Ryan Wicker
  • Publication number: 20180140941
    Abstract: An electronic gaming die includes an enclosure, a flexible substrate, a number of light emitting diodes, a sensor, a processor and a battery. The enclosure has N sides where N is equal to or greater than 4. The flexible substrate folds into N sides and fits into an interior of the enclosure, wherein each side has an inner face, an outer face and is assigned an integer from 1 to N. The light emitting diodes are disposed on the outer face of each side of the flexible substrate, wherein the number of light emitting diodes equals the integer assigned to the side of the flexible substrate. The sensor, processor and battery are disposed on one of the inner faces of the flexible substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Danny W. Muse, Ryan Wicker, Eric MacDonald, Rodolfo Salas, Francisco Medina
  • Publication number: 20180079131
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for the manufacture of 3D printed components with structurally integrated metal objects using an additive manufacturing system enhanced with a range of possible secondary embedding processes. One or more layers of a three-dimensional substrate can be created by depositing a substrate, and then one or more 3D printed components can be configured on the substrate with one or more metal objects using additive manufacturing enhanced by one or more secondary embedding processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: David Espalin, Eric MacDonald, Ryan B. Wicker
  • Patent number: 9908037
    Abstract: An electronic gaming die includes an enclosure, a flexible substrate, a number of light emitting diodes, a sensor, a processor and a battery. The enclosure has N sides where N is equal to or greater than 4. The flexible substrate folds into N sides and fits into an interior of the enclosure, wherein each side has an inner face, an outer face and is assigned an integer from 1 to N. The light emitting diodes are disposed on the outer face of each side of the flexible substrate, wherein the number of light emitting diodes equals the integer assigned to the side of the flexible substrate. The sensor, processor and battery are disposed on one of the inner faces of the flexible substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Inventors: Danny W. Muse, Ryan Wicker, Eric MacDonald, Rodolfo Salas, Francisco Medina
  • Publication number: 20180043618
    Abstract: An embedded material and an embedding apparatus and method. A compatible solute can be dissolved in a solvent. The object to be embedded can be coated with the solvent/plastic solution using, for example, addition and/or condensation polymerization. The solvent can be removed. The coated object can be inserted, snap fit, or submerged into a partially 3D printed substrate with or without the aid of ultrasonic embedding, thermal energy, joule heating, and/or the use of adhesives, and the 3D printing process resumes in order to fully embed the coated object within the 3D printed substrate. The coated object can be inserted, snap fit, or submerged into a partially 3D printed substrate with or without the addition of ultrasonic embedding, thermal energy, joule heating, and/or adhesives, and the 3D printing process resumes in order to fully embed the coated object within the 3D printed substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Corey Shemelya, David Espalin, Eric MacDonald, Ryan Wicker
  • Publication number: 20170359896
    Abstract: A 3D printed circuit apparatus includes a 3D printed circuit having a surface layer and one or more wires embedded under the surface layer, and a conductive metal pin that is cut to a desired length and inserted into the 3D printed circuit in order to attain contact with the wire or wires embedded under the surface layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Chi Yen Kim, Ryan Wicker, Eric MacDonald, David Espalin
  • Publication number: 20170315526
    Abstract: Methods and systems for diagnosing and controlling material deposition during a material extrusion 3D printing process. A current sensor can measure a current signal consumed by a material feed motor. The current signal can be analyzed in the time domain and frequency domain to detect material deposition characteristics and prescribe process parameter changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Chi Yen Kim, David Espalin, Eric MacDonald, Ryan Wicker