Patents by Inventor John Sterle

John Sterle 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: 20260138329
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing assemblies, printing assemblies, and methods for utilizing same are provided. A method includes providing a linear traversing stage movable in a direction transverse to a rail extending along a working axis of the additive manufacturing apparatus, and coupling a printing assembly to the linear traversing stage such that the printing assembly is movable along the linear traversing stage in a direction transverse to the working axis. In embodiments, the printing assembly includes a housing including a printing head. At least one adjustment member may be extended or retracted through a yaw bar to rotate the housing. In embodiments, a printing head receptacle may be provided for coupling the printing assembly to the rail. In embodiments, the yaw bar may be provided between the housing and the printing head receptacle for rotating the printing assembly relative to the printing head receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2025
    Publication date: May 21, 2026
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Sterle, Vadim Bromberg
  • Patent number: 12629887
    Abstract: A recoat assembly for an additive manufacturing system includes a base member movable in a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction, a powder spreading member coupled to the base member, and a containment mechanism. The base member includes a primary containment housing at least partially encapsulating the powder spreading member. The containment mechanism is positionable into a first position when the base member is moving in the first lateral direction, and positionable into a second position different from the first position when the base member is moving in the second lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vadim Bromberg, John Sterle, Joshua Tyler Mook, Samantha Jo Rowe
  • Patent number: 12617148
    Abstract: An actuator assembly for distributing build material and depositing binder material in an additive manufacturing apparatus may comprise an upper support and a lower support spaced vertically spaced from one another. A recoat head actuator may be coupled to a recoat head and one of the upper support and the lower support. The recoat head actuator may include a recoat motion axis. The recoat head actuator effects bi-directional movement of the recoat head on the recoat motion axis. A print head actuator may be coupled to a print head and the other of the upper support and the lower support. The print head actuator may include a print motion axis. The print head actuator effects bi-directional movement of the print head on the print motion axis. The recoat motion axis and the print motion axis are parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2026
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carlos H. Bonilla, John Sterle, Vadim Bromberg, Tyler Andrew Griffith, Victor Fulton, Jacob Mayer, Peter Douglas Lueschen
  • Patent number: 12600087
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing assemblies, printing assemblies, and methods for utilizing same are provided. A method includes providing a linear traversing stage (212) movable in a direction transverse to a rail (104) extending along a working axis of the additive manufacturing apparatus, and coupling a printing assembly (150) to the linear traversing stage (212) such that the printing assembly is movable along the linear traversing stage in a direction transverse to the working axis. In embodiments, the printing assembly includes a housing (201) including a printing head (154). At least one adjustment member (232) may be extended or retracted through a yaw bar (224) to rotate the housing. In embodiments, a printing head receptacle (502) may be provided for coupling the printing assembly to the rail. In embodiments, the yaw bar (224) may be provided between the housing and the printing head receptacle (502) for rotating the printing assembly relative to the printing head receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Sterle, Vadim Bromberg
  • Patent number: 12594721
    Abstract: A build material escapement assembly for an additive manufacturing system includes a retaining plate for coupling the build material escapement assembly to the additive manufacturing system. A base having a plurality of ports is disposed beneath the retaining plate, and a support frame is disposed within the base. A diaphragm is disposed around the base, and a retractable plate is disposed between the support frame and the diaphragm. A top plate is further coupled to the retractable plate through the diaphragm and a plurality of connectors are coupled to the plurality of ports of the base. The base, support frame, diaphragm, retractable plate, and top plate define a cavity, and the top plate is movable between a retracted position by applying a negative pressure and an extended position by applying positive pressure to the cavity via the plurality of connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Sterle, Vadim Bromberg
  • Patent number: 12576589
    Abstract: A method for forming an object includes moving an assembly including an energy source, heating an initial layer of build material (31i, 31s, 31, 3, 50) positioned in a build area via forced convection around the energy source of the assembly, and spreading build material (31) on the build area, thereby depositing a second layer of build material (31i, 31s, 31, 3, 50) over the initial layer of build material (31 i, 31s, 31, 3, 50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Sterle, Vadim Bromberg, Carlos H. Bonilla, Tyler Andrew Griffith
  • Patent number: 12558841
    Abstract: A printing assembly (150) is provided including a manifold assembly including an inlet manifold (210) including an inlet reservoir (238) and an inlet port (266), and an outlet manifold (212) including an outlet reservoir (286) and an outlet port (310). A valve is provided at each of the inlet port of the inlet manifold and at the outlet port of the outlet manifold. The valve is operable between an open position for permitting the flow of material through the port and a closed position for preventing the flow of material through the port. The printing head includes a housing and print heads provided within the housing and in fluid communication with the inlet reservoir via the inlet port and the outlet reservoir via the outlet port. The valves are independently operable to control a flow of material from the inlet reservoir to the print heads, and from the print heads to the outlet reservoir, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Sterle, Vadim Bromberg
  • Patent number: 12552100
    Abstract: In embodiments, an additive manufacturing apparatus comprises a chassis assembly and a skin at least partially covering the chassis assembly. The chassis assembly comprises a lower chassis section secured to a low voltage chassis section; an upper environmental chassis section secured to and extending over the low voltage chassis section and the lower chassis section; a high voltage chassis section secured to the upper environmental chassis section and the lower chassis section; and a build receptacle carriage adjustably coupled to the lower chassis section. The skin comprises first and second doors providing access to the low voltage chassis section and the high voltage chassis section; a rear panel providing access to the upper environmental chassis section; a top panel covering a top of the upper environmental chassis section; and at least one hinged door providing access to the lower chassis section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Victor Fulton, Carlos H. Bonilla, Jacob Mayer, Timothy Francis Andrews, Joshua Tyler Mook, Peter Douglas Lueschen, John Sterle, Vadim Bromberg
  • Publication number: 20250332787
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing apparatuses, components of additive manufacturing apparatuses, and methods of using such manufacturing apparatuses and components are disclosed. An additive manufacturing apparatus may include a recoat head for distributing build material in a build area, a print head for depositing material in the build area, one or more actuators for moving the recoat head and the print head relative to the build area, and a cleaning station for cleaning the print head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2025
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vadim Bromberg, John Sterle, Victor Fulton, Tyler Andrew Griffith, Peter Douglas Lueschen, Carlos H. Bonilla, Joseph L. Smolenski, Timothy Francis Andrews, Younkoo Jeong, Jacob Mayer, Kwok Pong Chan, Mary Kathryn Thompson, Ruben E. Fairman
  • Publication number: 20250319660
    Abstract: A build material escapement assembly for an additive manufacturing system includes a retaining plate defining an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, a retractable plate, and a top plate coupled to the retractable plate, the top plate including a top plate perimeter and being actuatable between a retracted position and an extended position. A diaphragm is coupled to the top plate via the retractable plate and further includes an exposed area extending between the inner perimeter of the retaining plate and the top plate perimeter of the top plate. The retractable plate is actuated in a lateral direction as the top plate is moved from the retracted position to the extended position, and a width of the exposed area of the diaphragm is greater than a travel distance that the retractable plate is actuated in the lateral direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2024
    Publication date: October 16, 2025
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vadim Bromberg, John Sterle
  • Patent number: 12377605
    Abstract: Additive manufacturing apparatuses, components of additive manufacturing apparatuses, and methods of using such manufacturing apparatuses and components are disclosed. An additive manufacturing apparatus may include a recoat head for distributing build material in a build area, a print head for depositing material in the build area, one or more actuators for moving the recoat head and the print head relative to the build area, and a cleaning station for cleaning the print head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vadim Bromberg, John Sterle, Victor Fulton, Tyler Andrew Griffith, Peter Douglas Lueschen, Carlos H. Bonilla, Joseph L. Smolenski, Timothy Francis Andrews, Younkoo Jeong, Jacob Mayer, Kwok Pong Chan, Mary Kathryn Thompson, Ruben E. Fairman
  • Patent number: 12358227
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Francis Andrews, Carlos H. Bonilla, Vadim Bromberg, Victor Fulton, Tyler Andrew Griffith, Younkoo Jeong, John Sterle, Grant Alan Ingram
  • Publication number: 20250187338
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2025
    Publication date: June 12, 2025
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Francis Andrews, Carlos H. Bonilla, Vadim Bromberg, Victor Fulton, Tyler Andrew Griffith, Younkoo Jeong, Jacob Mayer, John Sterle, Stephen M. Deak, Justin Gandee, Tyler Hater, Grant Alan Ingram, Peter Douglas Lueschen
  • Patent number: 12280596
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Francis Andrews, Carlos H. Bonilla, Vadim Bromberg, Victor Fulton, Tyler Andrew Griffith, Younkoo Jeong, Jacob Mayer, John Sterle, Stephen M. Deak, Justin Gandee, Tyler Hater, Grant Alan Ingram, Peter Douglas Lueschen
  • Patent number: 12257778
    Abstract: A recoat assembly (200) for an additive manufacturing system includes a base member (250) that is movable in a lateral direction, a powder spreading member (202, 204) coupled to the base member (250), wherein the base member (250) at least partially encapsulates the powder spreading member (202, 204), and a vacuum (290) in fluid communication with at least a portion of the base member (250).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vadim Bromberg, John Sterle, Sara Rostami
  • Publication number: 20250091289
    Abstract: A method for forming an object includes moving a recoat assembly over a build material, where the recoat assembly includes a first roller and a second roller that is spaced apart from the first roller, moving the second roller above the first roller in a vertical direction, rotating the first roller of the recoat assembly in a counter-rotation direction, such that a bottom of the first roller moves in a coating direction, contacting the build material with the first roller of the recoat assembly, thereby fluidizing at least a portion of the build material, while the second roller is spaced apart from the build material in the vertical direction, and moving the fluidized build material with the first roller, thereby depositing a second layer of the build material over an initial layer of build material positioned in a build area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2024
    Publication date: March 20, 2025
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vadim Bromberg, John Sterle, Joseph Lucian Smolenski, Carlos H. Bonilla, Tyler Andrew Griffith, Victor Fulton, Robert Butler
  • Patent number: 12233643
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a printing head (154) comprising jet nozzles (158) spaced apart from one another, where a distance from a first jet nozzle to a second jet nozzle positioned adjacent the first jet nozzle defines a jet-spacing, a printing head position control assembly includes a first actuator assembly (102) to move the printing head along the longitudinal axis and a second actuator assembly (103) to move the printing head along a latitudinal axis, and an control unit communicatively coupled to the printing head position control assembly. The control unit causes jet nozzles to dispense drops of binder (50) while the printing head traverses a first pass trajectory along the longitudinal axis in a first direction, indexes the printing head to a second pass trajectory along the latitudinal axis, and causes jet nozzles to dispense drops of binder while the printing head traverses the second pass trajectory along the longitudinal axis in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vadim Bromberg, John Sterle, Carlos H. Bonilla, Kwok Pong Chan, Mary Kathryn Thompson, Ruben E. Fairman, Jacob Mayer
  • Patent number: 12208583
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Francis Andrews, Carlos H. Bonilla, Vadim Bromberg, Victor Fulton, Tyler Andrew Griffith, Younkoo Jeong, John Sterle
  • Patent number: 12202200
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to additive manufacturing apparatuses, cleaning stations incorporated therein, and methods of cleaning using the cleaning stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Francis Andrews, Victor Fulton, Glen Charles Fedyk, Carlos H. Bonilla, Jacob Mayer, John Sterle, Vadim Bromberg
  • Patent number: 12172370
    Abstract: A method for forming an object includes moving a recoat assembly (200) in a coating direction over a build material, wherein the recoat assembly (200) comprises a first roller (202) and a second roller (204) that is spaced apart from the first roller; rotating the first roller (202) of the recoat assembly in a counter-rotation direction, such that a bottom of the first roller moves in the coating direction; contacting the build material with the first roller of the recoat assembly, thereby fluidizing at least a portion of the build material; irradiating, with a front energy source (260) coupled to a front end of the recoat assembly, an initial layer of build material positioned in a build area; subsequent to irradiating the initial layer of build material, spreading the build material on the build area with the first roller, thereby depositing a second layer of the build material over the initial layer of build material; and subsequent to spreading the second layer of the build material, irradiating, with a r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vadim Bromberg, John Sterle, Joseph Lucian Smolenski, Carlos H. Bonilla, Tyler Andrew Griffith, Victor Fulton, Robert Butler