Patents by Inventor Michael Robert Tucker

Michael Robert Tucker 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: 20240017482
    Abstract: Methods of additively manufacturing a three-dimensional object include irradiating a first build plane region using a first energy beam, irradiating a second build plane region using a second energy beam, and irradiating an interlace region between the first build plane region and the second build plane region. Irradiating the interlace region comprises directing the first energy beam along a first oscillating path and directing the second energy beam along a second oscillating path intersecting and overlapping with the first oscillating path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher Darby Immer, Robert John Filkins, Victor Petrovich Ostroverkhov, Michael Robert Tucker
  • Patent number: 11745289
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system may include a build platform configured to receive a particulate, a particulate dispenser configured to deposit the particulate onto said build platform, a consolidation device configured to consolidate at least a portion of the particulate to form a component, a first actuator assembly configured to rotate said build platform about a rotation axis at a first speed, and a second actuator assembly configured to rotate said shaft about the rotation axis at a second speed different from the first speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Thomas Carter, Pawan Sudhindra Rao, Christopher James Hayden, Michael Robert Tucker
  • Patent number: 11618216
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a build platform, a particulate dispenser assembly configured to dispense or remove particulate to or from the build platform, and a plurality of print heads each having at least one binder jet. The binder jets are configured to dispense at least one binder in varying densities onto the particulate in multiple locations to consolidate the particulate to form the component with a variable binder density throughout. The system also includes a plurality of arms extending at least partially across the build platform and supporting the print heads and at least one actuator assembly configured to rotate the print heads and/or the build platform about a rotation axis and move at least one of the print heads and the build platform in a build direction perpendicular to the build platform as part of a helical build process for the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Juan Pablo Cilia, John P. Davis, William Thomas Carter, Jr., Jared Micheal Iverson, Michael Robert Tucker, Michael Evans Graham, Edward James Nieters, Christopher James Kenny
  • Patent number: 11584057
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is provided. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform and at least one workstation. The build platform defines a continuous workflow path and is configured to rotate about a build platform axis. The workstation is spaced apart from the build platform along the third direction and at least one of the build platform and the workstation is configured to move along the third direction. The workstation includes at least one particle delivery device, at least one recoating device, and at least one consolidation device. The particle delivery device is configured to deposit particles on the build platform. The recoating device is configured to distribute the deposited particles to form a build layer on the build platform. The consolidation device is configured to consolidate at least a portion of the build layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Tucker, Younkoo Jeong, William Thomas Carter
  • Patent number: 11465210
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for printing an article including a build plate having a build surface between an inner radius and an outer radius that may receive powder particles and a recoating assembly that may distribute the powder particles onto the build surface to form a build layer of the article. The recoating assembly includes a support jig having a first end, a second end, and a support wall extending between the first and second ends and a recoater blade coupled to the second end and extending along at least a portion of a length of the support wall. A shape of the recoater blade is such that, when the recoater blade is positioned against the build surface, an angle between the recoater blade and a tangent at each radii of the build plate is substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael Robert Tucker
  • Publication number: 20220063188
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a build platform, a particulate dispenser assembly configured to dispense or remove particulate to or from the build platform, and a plurality of print heads each having at least one binder jet. The binder jets are configured to dispense at least one binder in varying densities onto the particulate in multiple locations to consolidate the particulate to form the component with a variable binder density throughout. The system also includes a plurality of arms extending at least partially across the build platform and supporting the print heads and at least one actuator assembly configured to rotate the print heads and/or the build platform about a rotation axis and move at least one of the print heads and the build platform in a build direction perpendicular to the build platform as part of a helical build process for the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Juan Pablo Cilia, John P. Davis, William Thomas Carter, JR., Jared Micheal Iverson, Michael Robert Tucker, Michael Evans Graham, Edward James Nieters, Christopher James Kenny
  • Patent number: 11247393
    Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating a component by consolidating a particulate include a build platform configured to receive a particulate, a particulate dispenser configured to deposit the particulate on the build platform, and at least one print head including at least one jet. The at least one print head is configured to dispense a binder through the at least one jet onto the particulate to consolidate at least a portion of the particulate and form a component. The methods and systems also include at least one actuator assembly configured to rotate at least one of the at least one print head and the build platform about a rotation axis extending through the build platform and move at least one of the at least one print head and the build platform in a build direction perpendicular to the build platform as part of a helical build process for the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Juan Pablo Cilia, John Paul Davis, William Thomas Carter, Jared Micheal Iverson, Michael Robert Tucker, Michael Evans Graham, Edward James Nieters
  • Patent number: 11224940
    Abstract: A powder bed containment system for use with a rotating direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system includes an annular build plate, which includes an inner wall, an outer wall concentric with the inner wall and spaced radially apart from the inner wall, and a substantially planar build surface extending between the inner wall and the outer wall, where the substantially planar build surface is arranged to receive a weldable powder for manufacture of an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Thomas Carter, Zhen Liu, Younkoo Jeong, Michael Robert Tucker
  • Publication number: 20200376752
    Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating a component by consolidating a particulate include a build platform configured to receive a particulate, a particulate dispenser configured to deposit the particulate on the build platform, and at least one print head including at least one jet. The at least one print head is configured to dispense a binder through the at least one jet onto the particulate to consolidate at least a portion of the particulate and form a component. The methods and systems also include at least one actuator assembly configured to rotate at least one of the at least one print head and the build platform about a rotation axis extending through the build platform and move at least one of the at least one print head and the build platform in a build direction perpendicular to the build platform as part of a helical build process for the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Juan Pablo Cilia, John Paul Davis, William Thomas Carter, Jared Micheal Iverson, Michael Robert Tucker, Michael Evans Graham, Edward James Nieters
  • Publication number: 20200269353
    Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating a component by consolidating a particulate include a build platform configured to receive the particulate, a particulate dispenser configured to deposit the particulate onto the build platform, and a consolidation device configured to consolidate at least a portion of the particulate to form a component. The methods and systems also include a first actuator assembly configured to induce rotation of the build platform about a rotation axis at a first speed. The rotation axis extends through a center of the build platform. The methods and systems further include a second actuator assembly including an actuator and a shaft extending along the rotation axis. The actuator is configured to cause rotation of the shaft about the rotation axis at a second speed different from the first speed. The shaft is coupled to the build platform and configured to induce linear movement of the build platform along the rotation axis upon rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: William Thomas Carter, Pawan Sudhindra Rao, Christopher James Hayden, Michael Robert Tucker
  • Publication number: 20200108559
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes at least one build unit with a powder delivery mechanism, a powder recoating mechanism and an irradiation beam directing mechanism. The build platform is a rotating build platform or a non-rotating build platform. A gas inlet nozzle and a gas exhaust nozzle direct gas across the build site. A positioning mechanism is connected to the gas inlet nozzle and the gas exhaust nozzle, and the positioning mechanism is configured to provide independent movement of the gas inlet nozzle and the gas exhaust nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Robert Tucker, William Thomas Carter, William Francis Monaghan, Christopher James Hayden
  • Publication number: 20200061711
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for printing an article including a build plate having a build surface between an inner radius and an outer radius that may receive powder particles and a recoating assembly that may distribute the powder particles onto the build surface to form a build layer of the article. The recoating assembly includes a support jig having a first end, a second end, and a support wall extending between the first and second ends and a recoater blade coupled to the second end and extending along at least a portion of a length of the support wall. A shape of the recoater blade is such that, when the recoater blade is positioned against the build surface, an angle between the recoater blade and a tangent at each radii of the build plate is substantially constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Robert Tucker
  • Patent number: 10493527
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for printing an article including a build plate having a build surface between an inner radius and an outer radius that may receive powder particles and a recoating assembly that may distribute the powder particles onto the build surface to form a build layer of the article. The recoating assembly includes a support jig having a first end, a second end, and a support wall extending between the first and second ends and a recoater blade coupled to the second end and extending along at least a portion of a length of the support wall. A shape of the recoater blade is such that, when the recoater blade is positioned against the build surface, an angle between the recoater blade and a tangent at each radii of the build plate is substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Michael Robert Tucker
  • Publication number: 20190344346
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system for printing an article including a build plate having a build surface between an inner radius and an outer radius that may receive powder particles and a recoating assembly that may distribute the powder particles onto the build surface to form a build layer of the article. The recoating assembly includes a support jig having a first end, a second end, and a support wall extending between the first and second ends and a recoater blade coupled to the second end and extending along at least a portion of a length of the support wall. A shape of the recoater blade is such that, when the recoater blade is positioned against the build surface, an angle between the recoater blade and a tangent at each radii of the build plate is substantially constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Robert Tucker
  • Publication number: 20190240774
    Abstract: A powder bed containment system for use with a rotating direct metal laser melting (DMLM) system includes an annular build plate, which includes an inner wall, an outer wall concentric with the inner wall and spaced radially apart from the inner wall, and a substantially planar build surface extending between the inner wall and the outer wall, where the substantially planar build surface is arranged to receive a weldable powder for manufacture of an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: William Thomas Carter, Zhen Liu, Younkoo Jeong, Michael Robert Tucker
  • Publication number: 20190202101
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system is provided. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform and at least one workstation. The build platform defines a continuous workflow path and is configured to rotate about a build platform axis. The workstation is spaced apart from the build platform along the third direction and at least one of the build platform and the workstation is configured to move along the third direction. The workstation includes at least one particle delivery device, at least one recoating device, and at least one consolidation device. The particle delivery device is configured to deposit particles on the build platform. The recoating device is configured to distribute the deposited particles to form a build layer on the build platform. The consolidation device is configured to consolidate at least a portion of the build layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Robert Tucker, Younkoo Jeong, William Thomas Carter
  • Publication number: 20190143406
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes first and second spaced apart side walls defining a build chamber therebetween. The first and second spaced apart side walls are configured to rotate through an angle ?, about a z-axis along a pre-defined path. A build platform is defined within the first and second spaced apart side walls and is configured to rotate through an angle ? about the z-axis and vertically moveable along the z-axis. The apparatus further includes one or more build units mounted for movement along the pre-defined path. An additive manufacturing method is additionally disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: William Thomas Carter, David Charles Bogdan, JR., Jason Harris Karp, Justin John Gambone, JR., Victor Petrovich Ostroverkhov, Marshall Gordon Jones, Kevin George Harding, Younkoo Jeong, Michael Robert Tucker, Subhrajit Roychowdhury
  • Patent number: 10091461
    Abstract: A system and method provide a rule-based technique for adapting a videoconferencing system to current conditions of a conference session, automatically converting the session from one conferencing technique to another, based on those current conditions. Rules may involve criteria including number of participants, ability to use a common codex, among others. An escalation module can be used to manage the transition between one type of conference session and another. If a condition occurs that causes transitioning the conference from one type to another, when that condition no longer applies, the conference may automatically transition back to the original conferencing type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Aviv Eisenberg, Eran Decker, John Raymond Nicol, Michael Robert Tucker
  • Publication number: 20150103137
    Abstract: A system and method provide a rule-based technique for adapting a videoconferencing system to current conditions of a conference session, automatically converting the session from one conferencing technique to another, based on those current conditions. Rules may involve criteria including number of participants, ability to use a common codex, among others. An escalation module can be used to manage the transition between one type of conference session and another. If a condition occurs that causes transitioning the conference from one type to another, when that condition no longer applies, the conference may automatically transition back to the original conferencing type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Aviv Eisenberg, Eran Decker, John Raymond Nicol, Michael Robert Tucker
  • Publication number: 20120150956
    Abstract: Systems and methods to integrate or interface video conference rooms, video conference infrastructure equipment and electronic calendars are disclosed. Example embodiments include providing: security for meeting information; interfaces for personal electronic calendar applications and video conferencing equipment; and implementations for video conferencing infrastructure components to integrate with meeting scheduling software. Also disclosed are systems and methods for making information automatically available via interfaces to the scheduling software (e.g., via a plug-in or extension to the regular interface software and integration modules executing in video conferencing infrastructure equipment) without a change in how a user interacts with existing meeting scheduling software.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: POLYCOM, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Tucker, Stephen Paul Schaefer, Alain Nimri