Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are described that enable maintaining the temperature of an optical component at a target temperature despite transient fluctuations in the laser beam that illuminates the component. One example method includes preheating the optical component to a target temperature value by applying an external heat source to the optical component. The optical component has an initial thermal resistance and heat sink temperature while being preheated. Next, the laser is turned on, and the external heat source is removed or reduced, while changing one or both the thermal resistance or heat sink temperature from their initial values to lower values to maintain a temperature of the optical component at the target temperature value while the laser source is illuminating the optical component.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and apparatus having an optic and a cooling system for cooling the optic. In one example an optically addressed light valve forms the optic. The cooling system includes first and second windows on opposing surfaces of the optically addressed light valve which constrain a cooling fluid to flow over the opposing surfaces. The fluid pressure outside the optically addressed light valve is low enough that it does not compress a liquid crystal gap of the optically addressed light valve. The cooling fluid is also transparent to a high powered light beam which is projected through the first and second windows, and also through the optically addressed light valve, during an additive manufacturing operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and apparatus having an optic and a cooling system for cooling the optic. In one example an optically addressed light valve forms the optic. The cooling system includes first and second windows on opposing surfaces of the optically addressed light valve which constrain a cooling fluid to flow over the opposing surfaces. The fluid pressure outside the optically addressed light valve is low enough that it does not compress a liquid crystal gap of the optically addressed light valve. The cooling fluid is also transparent to a high powered light beam which is projected through the first and second windows, and also through the optically addressed light valve, during an additive manufacturing operation.

Abstract: A system and an apparatus having an optic and a cooling system for cooling the optic. In one example an optically addressed light valve forms the optic. The cooling system includes first and second windows on opposing surfaces of the optically addressed light valve which constrain a cooling fluid to flow over the opposing surfaces. The fluid pressure outside the optically addressed light valve is low enough that it does not compress a liquid crystal gap of the optically addressed light valve. The cooling fluid is also transparent to a high powered light beam which is projected through the first and second windows, and also through the optically addressed light valve, during an additive manufacturing operation.

Abstract: A nozzle apparatus used for extruding a material includes an internal spindle that imparts motion into the extruding material, the internal spindle having a base; a multiple degree-of-freedom pivot at the base of the internal spindle, and a drive mechanism that controls the motion of the internal spindle. In one embodiment the material is a semi-solid metal or alloy. In another embodiment the material is a shear thinning mixture or material. In yet embodiment the material is a thixotropic mixture or material. The nozzle apparatus can be used for making a three-dimensional object with the steps of providing a material; providing a nozzle that extrudes the material, the nozzle having an internal spindle that imparts motion into the material; positioning the nozzle above a support structure; and moving the nozzle in a three-dimensional pattern while extruding the material through the nozzle onto the support structure or onto the material previously deposited.

Abstract: A nozzle apparatus used for extruding a material includes an internal spindle that imparts motion into the extruding material, the internal spindle having a base; a multiple degree-of-freedom pivot at the base of the internal spindle, and a drive mechanism that controls the motion of the internal spindle. In one embodiment the material is a semi-solid metal or alloy. In another embodiment the material is a shear thinning mixture or material. In yet embodiment the material is a thixotropic mixture or material. The nozzle apparatus can be used for making a three-dimensional object with the steps of providing a material; providing a nozzle that extrudes the material, the nozzle having an internal spindle that imparts motion into the material; positioning the nozzle above a support structure; and moving the nozzle in a three-dimensional pattern while extruding the material through the nozzle onto the support structure or onto the material previously deposited.

Abstract: Systems provide cooling of an optic such as an optically addressed light valve such that the valve is sensitive to temperature and pressure variations and is thus temperature and pressure controlled. In the case of an optic such as an optically addressed light valve, the fluid pressure outside the valve is low enough that it does not compress the liquid crystal gap of the valve. The cooling fluid is transparent to the high powered wavelength of light used during operation such as in an additive manufacturing process.

Abstract: A gerotor and methods for assembling the gerotor are disclosed. The gerotor includes a pump housing having a channel and a rotor positioning cavity, a pump shaft, an inner rotor, and an outer rotor. The pump shaft has central pump shaft axis and the inner rotor has a central inner rotor axis. The methods include: inserting the pump shaft through the channel; sliding the inner rotor onto the pump shaft at an oblique angle such that the central inner rotor axis is at least partially angularly offset from the central pump shaft axis; rotating the inner rotor to substantially align the central inner rotor axis and the central pump shaft axis and to engage the pump shaft with the inner rotor; and positioning the outer rotor around the inner rotor to maintain substantial alignment of the inner rotor with the pump housing and/or the pump shaft.

Abstract: A gerotor and methods for assembling the gerotor are disclosed. The gerotor includes a pump housing having a channel and a rotor positioning cavity, a pump shaft, an inner rotor, and an outer rotor. The pump shaft has central pump shaft axis and the inner rotor has a central inner rotor axis. The methods include: inserting the pump shaft through the channel; sliding the inner rotor onto the pump shaft at an oblique angle such that the central inner rotor axis is at least partially angularly offset from the central pump shaft axis; rotating the inner rotor to substantially align the central inner rotor axis and the central pump shaft axis and to engage the pump shaft with the inner rotor; and positioning the outer rotor around the inner rotor to maintain substantial alignment of the inner rotor with the pump housing and/or the pump shaft.