Patents by Inventor Neil Hopkinson
Neil Hopkinson 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).
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Publication number: 20230249400Abstract: A method of manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder to form each layer of the object. The method includes the steps of driving a powder distribution sled in a first direction to distribute a layer of powder; driving a print sled in the first direction; driving the print sled and the powder distribution sled in a second direction; preheating the layer of powder by activating multiple radiation sources during various ones of the driving steps; during some of the driving steps, depositing a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder; and sintering the powder on which fluid was deposited only in the second direction, by activating the at least one radiation source assembly during various ones of the driving steps in that direction. Repeating the above steps to distribute the next layer of powder.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Frederik Tjellesen, Anders Hartmann, Neil Hopkinson
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Patent number: 11718022Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, comprising: (i) providing a layer of particulate material to a part bed; (ii) providing radiation to sinter a portion of the material of the layer; (iii) providing a further layer of particulate material overlying the prior layer of particulate material including the previously sintered portion of material; (iv) providing radiation to sinter a further portion of the material within the overlying further layer and to sinter said further portion with the previously sintered portion of material in the prior layer; (v) successively repeating blocks (iii) and (iv) to form a three-dimensional object; and wherein at least some of the layers of particulate material are pre-heated with a heater prior to sintering a portion of the material of the respective layer, the heater being configured to move relative to, and proximate, the particulate material.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Loughborough UniversityInventors: Neil Hopkinson, Helen Rhiannon Thomas
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Patent number: 11660809Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus (1) comprising: a build bed (201) having a build area (190), wherein successive layers of said three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed (201); a powder distribution sled (300) operable to distribute a layer of powder within the build area (190), the powder distribution sled (300) being driveable in a first direction along a first axis, across the build area (190), and driveable in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the first axis; and a print sled (350) operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area (190) to define the cross section of said object in said layer, the print sled (350) being driveable in the first direction along a second axis across the build area, and driveable in the second direction along the second axis; wherein the first axis is parallel to, or coaxial with, the second axis; wherein the print sled (350) comprises one or more dropType: GrantFiled: December 5, 2019Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Stratasys Powder Production Ltd.Inventors: Frederik Tjellesen, Anders Hartmann, Neil Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20220388240Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus (1) comprising: a build bed (201) having a build area (190), wherein successive layers of said three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed (201); a powder distribution sled (300) operable to distribute a layer of powder within the build area (190), the powder distribution sled (300) being driveable in a first direction along a first axis, across the build area (190), and driveable in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the first axis; and a print sled (350) operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area (190) to define the cross section of said object in said layer, the print sled (350) being driveable in the first direction along a second axis across the build area, and driveable in the second direction along the second axis; wherein the first axis is parallel to, or coaxial with, the second axis; wherein the print sled (350) comprises one or more dropType: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: December 8, 2022Inventors: Frederik Tjellesen, Anders Hartmann, Neil Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20220024124Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object from a powder, the apparatus (1) comprising: a build bed (201) having a build area (190), wherein successive layers of said three-dimensional object are formed in the build bed (201); a powder distribution sled (300) operable to distribute a layer of powder within the build area (190), the powder distribution sled (300) being driveable in a first direction along a first axis, across the build area (190), and driveable in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the first axis; and a print sled (350) operable to deposit a pattern of fluid onto the layer of powder within the build area (190) to define the cross section of said object in said layer, the print sled (350) being driveable in the first direction along a second axis across the build area, and driveable in the second direction along the second axis; wherein the first axis is parallel to, or coaxial with, the second axis; wherein the print sled (350) comprises one or more dropType: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Frederik Tjellesen, Anders Hartmann, Neil Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20210162658Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, comprising: (i) providing a layer of particulate material to a part bed; (ii) providing radiation to sinter a portion of the material of the layer; (iii) providing a further layer of particulate material overlying the prior layer of particulate material including the previously sintered portion of material; (iv) providing radiation to sinter a further portion of the material within the overlying further layer and to sinter said further portion with the previously sintered portion of material in the prior layer; (v) successively repeating blocks (iii) and (iv) to form a three-dimensional object; and wherein at least some of the layers of particulate material are pre-heated with a heater prior to sintering a portion of the material of the respective layer, the heater being configured to move relative to, and proximate, the particulate material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2021Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Neil Hopkinson, Helen Rhiannon Thomas
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Patent number: 10933581Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, comprising: (i) providing a layer of particulate material to a part bed; (ii) providing radiation to sinter a portion of the material of the layer; (iii) providing a further layer of particulate material overlying the prior layer of particulate material including the previously sintered portion of material; (iv) providing radiation to sinter a further portion of the material within the overlying further layer and to sinter said further portion with the previously sintered portion of material in the prior layer; (v) successively repeating blocks (iii) and (iv) to form a three-dimensional object; and wherein at least some of the layers of particulate material are pre-heated with a heater prior to sintering a portion of the material of the respective layer, the heater being configured to move relative to, and proximate, the particulate material.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Loughborough UniversityInventors: Neil Hopkinson, Helen Rhiannon Thomas
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Publication number: 20140314613Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, comprising: (i) providing a layer of particulate material to a part bed; (ii) providing radiation to sinter a portion of the material of the layer; (iii) providing a further layer of particulate material overlying the prior layer of particulate material including the previously sintered portion of material; (iv) providing radiation to sinter a further portion of the material within the overlying further layer and to sinter said further portion with the previously sintered portion of material in the prior layer; (v) successively repeating blocks (iii) and (iv) to form a three-dimensional object; and wherein at least some of the layers of particulate material are pre-heated with a heater prior to sintering a portion of the material of the respective layer, the heater being configured to move relative to, and proximate, the particulate material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2012Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Loughborough UniversityInventors: Neil Hopkinson, Helen Rhiannon Thomas
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Patent number: 8535036Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, for example plastics material by sintering, comprises providing a layer of particulate material, providing radiation, for example using a radiation source over the layer, and varying the absorption of the provided radiation across a selected surface portion of the layer to combine a portion of the material of the layer. The method may comprise varying radiation absorption by varying the intensity of the radiation incident on the surface portion of the layer, or alternatively may comprise varying the radiation absorptive properties of the particulate material over the selected surface portion of the layer, for example by printing a radiation absorbent material onto the surface portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Loughborough University Enterprises LimitedInventors: Neil Hopkinson, Poonjolai Erasenthiran
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Patent number: 8347940Abstract: A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Loughborough UniversityInventors: Michael Thomas Furlong, Neil Hopkinson, Kamran Aamir Mumtaz
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Publication number: 20120227923Abstract: A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Inventors: Michael Thomas Furlong, Neil HOPKINSON, Kamran Aamir MUMTAZ
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Patent number: 8186414Abstract: A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Loughborough UniversityInventors: Michael Thomas Furlong, Neil Hopkinson, Kamran Aamir Mumtaz
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Publication number: 20110107967Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, for example plastics material by sintering, comprises providing a layer of particulate material, providing radiation, for example using a radiation source over the layer, and varying the absorption of the provided radiation across a selected surface portion of the layer to combine a portion of the material of the layer. The method may comprise varying radiation absorption by varying the intensity of the radiation incident on the surface portion of the layer, or alternatively may comprise varying the radiation absorptive properties of the particulate material over the selected surface portion of the layer, for example by printing a radiation absorbent material onto the surface portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY ENTERPRISES LIMITEDInventors: Neil HOPKINSON, Poonjolai ERASENTHIRAN
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Publication number: 20110042031Abstract: A method for forming an object, including providing at least a first material having a melting point at a first temperature and a second material having a melting point at a second temperature; heating at least a portion of the first and second materials above the first and second temperatures to form a substantially molten alloy, the molten alloy having a solidifying point at a third temperature, the third temperature being less than the first temperature and the second temperature; and providing substantially solid further material to at least a portion of the molten alloy, the further material having a melting point at a temperature greater than the third temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Michael Thomas Furlong, Neil Hopkinson, Kamran Aamir Mumtaz
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Patent number: 7879282Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, for example plastics material by sintering, comprises providing a layer of particulate material, providing radiation, for example using a radiation source over the layer, and varying the absorption of the provided radiation across a selected surface portion of the layer to combine a portion of the material of the layer. The method may comprise varying radiation absorption by varying the intensity of the radiation incident on the surface portion of the layer, or alternatively may comprise varying the radiation absorptive properties of the particulate material over the selected surface portion of the layer, for example by printing a radiation absorbent material onto the surface portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Loughborough University Enterprises LimitedInventors: Neil Hopkinson, Poonjolai Erasenthiran
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Patent number: 7272409Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for setting pilot signal transit powers in a CDMA system. Subscriber units (211,213,215) perform pilot signal measurement measurements and transmits these to a receiver (603). A processor (605) determines a ranking factor for each cell (217, 219,221) at least partly dependent on the pilot signal measurement and a cell overlap condition of the subscriber unit (211, 213, 215) during measurements. The processor (605) ranks the cells (217,219,221) according to the ranking factor, and sets the pilot signal transmit power of at least one cell in response to the ranking of the cells by adjusting a power amplifier (609). The cell overlap condition is determined as the handover state of the subscriber unit (211,213,215) or as the number of cells, which can be received by the subscriber unit (211,213,215) during the measurement The invention is applicable to 3rd generation cellular communication systems.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Matthew James Dillon, Simon Brusch, Chris Murphy, Jonathan Neil Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20060180957Abstract: A method of selectively combining particulate material, for example plastics material by sintering, comprises providing a layer of particulate material, providing radiation, for example using a radiation source over the layer, and varying the absorption of the provided radiation across a selected surface portion of the layer to combine a portion of the material of the layer. The method may comprise varying radiation absorption by varying the intensity of the radiation incident on the surface portion of the layer, or alternatively may comprise varying the radiation absorptive properties of the particulate material over the selected surface portion of the layer, for example by printing a radiation absorbent material onto the surface portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2004Publication date: August 17, 2006Inventors: Neil Hopkinson, Poonjolai Erasenthiran
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Publication number: 20040198408Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for setting pilot signal transit powers in a CDMA system. Subscriber units (211,213,215) perform pilot signal measurement measurements and transmits these to a receiver (603). A processor (605) determines a ranking factor for each cell (217, 219,221) at least partly dependent on the pilot signal measurement and a cell overlap condition of the subscriber unit (211, 213, 215) during measurements. The processor (605) ranks the cells (217,219,221) according to the ranking factor, and sets the pilot signal transmit power of at least one cell in response to the ranking of the cells by adjusting a power amplifier (609). The cell overlap condition is determined as the handover state of the subscriber unit (211,213,215) or as the number of cells, which can be received by the subscriber unit (211,213,215) during the measurement The invention is applicable to 3rd generation cellular communication systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventors: Matthew James Dillon, Simon Brusch, Chris Murphy, Jonathan Neil Hopkinson