Patents by Inventor Mike D. Conner

Mike D. Conner 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).

  • Dual roller assembly for spreading material in additive manufacturing apparatus
    Patent number: 10994483
    Abstract: A dual roller powder spreader assembly for use in layerwise manufacture in a powder bed fusion additive manufacture process utilizes in an embodiment tilting of the dual roller assembly such that a lead roller is raised upwardly relative to the powder bed in a sweep. This is accomplished using a mechanical cam-like engagement initiated at each end of the assembly's travel, causing what will then be the lead roller to rise as a whole relative to the now following roller, the latter pushing the powder pile across the powder bed. The tilt process is reversed at each end of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: EOS of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Beets, R. D. Jones, Lance B. Shanklin, Mike D. Conner
  • DUAL ROLLER ASSEMBLY FOR SPREADING MATERIAL IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20200101665
    Abstract: A dual roller powder spreader assembly for use in layerwise manufacture in a powder bed fusion additive manufacture process utilizes in an embodiment tilting of the dual roller assembly such that a lead roller is raised upwardly relative to the powder bed in a sweep. This is accomplished using a mechanical cam-like engagement initiated at each end of the assembly's travel, causing what will then be the lead roller to rise as a whole relative to the now following roller, the latter pushing the powder pile across the powder bed. The tilt process is reversed at each end of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: EOS of North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Beets, R. D. Jones, Lance B. Shanklin, Mike D. Conner