Patents by Inventor Pinghai Yang

Pinghai Yang 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: 20250332795
    Abstract: A method for predicting build line locations in a part before additively manufacturing the part, includes obtaining a sliced three-dimensional model of a part for additive manufacturing, generating, for each neighboring pair of layers in the plurality of layers, a face count difference, generating, for each of the neighboring pair of layers, a surface area difference, predicting, for each of the neighboring pair of layers, that the first layer from each of the neighboring pair of layers comprises a presence of a build line based on a determination that the face count difference is less than zero and the surface area difference is greater than zero; storing a list of predicted build line layers comprising the one or more layers predicted to comprise the presence of the build line; and adjusting dimensions of the part for additive manufacturing corresponding to a layer in the list of predicted build line layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2024
    Publication date: October 30, 2025
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bathrinarayanan Mukundan, Pinghai Yang, Johanna Sumner
  • Publication number: 20240393773
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for two-dimensional and three-dimensional scanning path visualization are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, instructions in the apparatus, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to identify at least one melt pool dimension using a beam parameter setting, the at least one melt pool dimension identified from a plurality of melt pool dimensions obtained by varying the beam parameter setting, identify a response surface model based on the plurality of melt pool dimensions to determine an effect of variation in the beam parameter setting on the at least one melt pool dimension, output a three-dimensional model of a scanning path for an additive manufacturing process using the response surface model, and adjust the beam parameter setting based on the three-dimensional model to identify a second beam parameter setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Pinghai Yang, Hongqing Sun, Manuel Acosta, Ruben E. Fairman
  • Patent number: 12151431
    Abstract: A method for additively printing extension segments on workpieces using an additive manufacturing machine includes controlling, with a computing system, an operation of a print head of the machine such that a region of interest of a build plate of the machine is scanned with an electromagnetic radiation beam. Additionally, the method includes receiving, with the computing system, data associated with reflections of the beam off of the build plate as the region interest is scanned. Furthermore, the method includes receiving, with the computing system, data associated with a location of the beam relative to the build plate. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a location of a workpiece interface based on the received data. In addition, the method includes controlling, with the computing system, the operation of the print head such that an extension segment is additively printed on the determined workpiece interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaolei Shi, Jinjie Shi, Joseph Edward Hampshire, Douglas Frank Hofmann, Pinghai Yang
  • Publication number: 20240383205
    Abstract: A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, that when executed by a computer processor, cause the computer processor to discretize distinct surfaces of a 3D model defining nominal geometry of a component to be manufactured using an additive manufacturing machine; define a build orientation of the 3D model, the build orientation comprises an initial build plane and a build direction; apply one or more in-plane offsets to at least one of the discretized distinct surfaces of the 3D model; and generate an offset 3D model for use by the additive manufacturing machine to manufacture the component such that a manufactured component comprises the nominal geometry defined by the 3D model, where the offset 3D model defines the nominal geometry of the component offset by the one or more in-plane offsets applied to the at least one of the discretized distinct surfaces of the 3D model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Endecott Osgood, Bathrinarayanan Mukundan, Vaibhav Dabaria, Justin Michael Stekli, Xuefeng Zhang, Pinghai Yang
  • Patent number: 12061466
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for two-dimensional and three-dimensional scanning path visualization are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, instructions in the apparatus, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to identify at least one melt pool dimension using a beam parameter setting, the at least one melt pool dimension identified from a plurality of melt pool dimensions obtained by varying the beam parameter setting, identify a response surface model based on the plurality of melt pool dimensions to determine an effect of variation in the beam parameter setting on the at least one melt pool dimension, output a three-dimensional model of a scanning path for an additive manufacturing process using the response surface model, and adjust the beam parameter setting based on the three-dimensional model to identify a second beam parameter setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Pinghai Yang, Hongqing Sun, Manuel Acosta, Ruben E. Fairman
  • Patent number: 12045549
    Abstract: A compensation field indicating an amount of distortion compensation to be applied across at least a portion of a component is determined, and a nominal computer-aided design (CAD) model of a component is modified based on the compensation field. The amount of distortion compensation corresponds to a multiplication product of: (i) a deviation between the nominal CAD model and a physical representation of the component having been produced based on the nominal CAD model, and (ii) a nonlinear scale factor map that includes a map associating a plurality of locations of the nominal CAD model to corresponding ones of a plurality of scale factors respectively representing an increase or a decrease in the amount of distortion compensation to be applied based on a simulated effect upon the component in response to an iterative simulation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pinghai Yang, Tyler Nelson, Adegboyega Makinde, Dean Robinson
  • Publication number: 20230302539
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing build files in an additive manufacturing process in order to predict defects in an additive part. The system and method further include the steps of reading an additive build file containing a set of scan paths of a three-dimensional (3D) object for a build, the set of scan paths comprising a plurality of points, creating a transfer function from parameters in the build file that corresponds to a local melt pool shape at each point of the plurality of points along the scan paths, and identifying potential defective portions of the additive part including at least one of pores, excessive melting, or surface finish based on the transfer function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian S. McCarthy, Pinghai Yang, Vipul Kumar Gupta, Andrey I. Meshkov, Rajesh Bollapragada
  • Publication number: 20230302725
    Abstract: A method for additively printing extension segments on workpieces using an additive manufacturing machine includes controlling, with a computing system, an operation of a print head of the machine such that a region of interest of a build plate of the machine is scanned with an electromagnetic radiation beam. Additionally, the method includes receiving, with the computing system, data associated with reflections of the beam off of the build plate as the region interest is scanned. Furthermore, the method includes receiving, with the computing system, data associated with a location of the beam relative to the build plate. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a location of a workpiece interface based on the received data. In addition, the method includes controlling, with the computing system, the operation of the print head such that an extension segment is additively printed on the determined workpiece interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaolei Shi, Jinjie Shi, Joseph Edward Hampshire, Douglas Frank Hofmann, Pinghai Yang
  • Patent number: 11745279
    Abstract: A system is configured for machining a workpiece (100), the workpiece includes an interior surface (110) that defines an internal passage (112). The system includes an electrode (116) located within the internal passage and electrically isolated from the workpiece, an electrolyte supply, a power supply, and a remover. The electrolyte supply is configured for circulating an electrolyte in a gap between the electrode and the workpiece. The power supply is configured for applying a voltage between the electrode and the workpiece to facilitate smoothing the interior surface. The remover is configured for completely removing the electrode from within the internal passage after smoothing the interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yong Yang, Bin Wei, Meisam Salahshoor Pirsoltan, Ming Jia, Huiyu Xu, Yibo Gao, William T. Carter, Andrew L. Trimmer, Prabhjot Singh, Pinghai Yang, Yanzhe Yang
  • Patent number: 11691336
    Abstract: A method for additively printing extension segments on workpieces using an additive manufacturing machine includes controlling, with a computing system, an operation of a print head of the machine such that a region of interest of a build plate of the machine is scanned with an electromagnetic radiation beam. Additionally, the method includes receiving, with the computing system, data associated with reflections of the beam off of the build plate as the region interest is scanned. Furthermore, the method includes receiving, with the computing system, data associated with a location of the beam relative to the build plate. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a location of a workpiece interface based on the received data. In addition, the method includes controlling, with the computing system, the operation of the print head such that an extension segment is additively printed on the determined workpiece interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaolei Shi, Jinjie Shi, Joseph Edward Hampshire, Douglas Frank Hofmann, Pinghai Yang
  • Publication number: 20230127361
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for two-dimensional and three-dimensional scanning path visualization are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, instructions in the apparatus, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to identify at least one melt pool dimension using a beam parameter setting, the at least one melt pool dimension identified from a plurality of melt pool dimensions obtained by varying the beam parameter setting, identify a response surface model based on the plurality of melt pool dimensions to determine an effect of variation in the beam parameter setting on the at least one melt pool dimension, output a three-dimensional model of a scanning path for an additive manufacturing process using the response surface model, and adjust the beam parameter setting based on the three-dimensional model to identify a second beam parameter setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Pinghai Yang, Hongqing Sun, Manuel Acosta, Ruben E. Fairman
  • Publication number: 20230117766
    Abstract: A system and method for creating pre-compensated parts through additive manufacturing by providing more precise compensation in part regions either through a user specified selection of the region or an automatic selection of the region. An additive manufacturing system first generates a computer-aided design (CAD) image and then measures the physical representation of the component, then determines the amount to be compensated and generates a compensation field using multi-level b-spline morphing over the entire part to create a 3-D part. Embodiments can also include automation to determine the best level to morph all the points on the entire additive manufactured part, using incremental morphs, determining the correct morphing level locally, and using weights to determine what regions receive high level morphs as they are compensated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pinghai Yang, Kenneth Hix, Johanna L. Sumner, Brian S. McCarthy, Michelle Brault
  • Patent number: 11537111
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for two-dimensional and three-dimensional scanning path visualization are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a parameter determiner to determine at least one of a laser beam parameter setting or an electron beam parameter setting, a melt pool geometry determiner to identify melt pool dimensions using the parameter setting, the melt pool geometry determiner to vary the parameter setting to obtain multiple melt pool dimensions, and a visualization path generator to generate a three-dimensional view of a scanning path for an additive manufacturing process using the identified melt pool dimensions. The visualization path generator adjusts the laser beam parameters based on the generated three-dimensional view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pinghai Yang, Hongqing Sun, Manuel Acosta, Ruben E. Fairman
  • Publication number: 20220281175
    Abstract: A laser calibration device for calibrating an energy beam used in additive manufacturing, the laser calibration device including a body configured to be disposed in an additive manufacturing process chamber; a cover for the body, the cover comprising a plurality of holes; a photodiode; and a coating disposed on the body and configured to optically couple the photodiode with the plurality of holes, wherein the photodiode is configured to sense one or more parameters of the energy beam for determining calibrating instructions for the energy beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaolei Shi, Jinjie Shi, Victor Petrovich Ostroverkhov, Udo Burggraf, Joseph Edward Hampshire, Pinghai Yang
  • Publication number: 20220245305
    Abstract: A compensation field indicating an amount of distortion compensation to be applied across at least a portion of a component is determined, and a nominal computer-aided design (CAD) model of a component is modified based on the compensation field. The amount of distortion compensation corresponds to a multiplication product of: (i) a deviation between the nominal CAD model and a physical representation of the component having been produced based on the nominal CAD model, and (ii) a nonlinear scale factor map that includes a map associating a plurality of locations of the nominal CAD model to corresponding ones of a plurality of scale factors respectively representing an increase or a decrease in the amount of distortion compensation to be applied based on a simulated effect upon the component in response to an iterative simulation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Pinghai YANG, Tyler NELSON, Adegboyega MAKINDE, Dean ROBINSON
  • Publication number: 20220143907
    Abstract: A method for additively printing extension segments on workpieces using an additive manufacturing machine includes controlling, with a computing system, an operation of a print head of the machine such that a region of interest of a build plate of the machine is scanned with an electromagnetic radiation beam. Additionally, the method includes receiving, with the computing system, data associated with reflections of the beam off of the build plate as the region interest is scanned. Furthermore, the method includes receiving, with the computing system, data associated with a location of the beam relative to the build plate. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a location of a workpiece interface based on the received data. In addition, the method includes controlling, with the computing system, the operation of the print head such that an extension segment is additively printed on the determined workpiece interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaolei Shi, Jinjie Shi, Joseph Edward Hampshire, Douglas Frank Hofmann, Pinghai Yang
  • Patent number: 11328107
    Abstract: A method and system, the method including receiving a nominal computer-aided design (CAD) model of a component; producing a physical representation of the component based on the CAD model using an additive manufacturing (AM) process; measuring the produced physical representation of the component to obtain measurement data of the physical representation of the component; determining a deviation between a geometry of the CAD model and the measurement data of the physical representation of the component; calculating a nonlinear scale factor using an iterative simulation process; determining a compensation field based on the determined deviation between the geometry of the CAD model and the measurement data of the physical representation of the component and the calculated nonlinear scale factor; modifying the nominal CAD model by the determined compensation field; and producing a physical representation of the component based on the modified nominal CAD model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pinghai Yang, Tyler Nelson, Adegboyega Makinde, Dean Robinson
  • Patent number: 11155034
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, system and methods are provided comprising generating a nominal computer-aided design (CAD) image of a component; producing a physical representation of the component from the nominal CAD image using an additive manufacturing (AM) process; measuring the physical component to obtain measurement data; determining a deviation between geometry associated with the nominal CAD image and the obtained measurement data; determining a compensation field for the deviation, if the deviation is outside of a tolerance threshold; modifying the nominal CAD image by the compensation field; and producing a physical representation of the component from the modified nominal CAD image. Numerous other aspects are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pinghai Yang, James William Sears, Steven Charles Woods, Michael Evans Graham
  • Publication number: 20210311466
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for two-dimensional and three-dimensional scanning path visualization are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a parameter determiner to determine at least one of a laser beam parameter setting or an electron beam parameter setting, a melt pool geometry determiner to identify melt pool dimensions using the parameter setting, the melt pool geometry determiner to vary the parameter setting to obtain multiple melt pool dimensions, and a visualization path generator to generate a three-dimensional view of a scanning path for an additive manufacturing process using the identified melt pool dimensions, the visualization path generator to adjust the laser beam parameters based on the generated three-dimensional view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Pinghai Yang, Hongqing Sun, Manuel Acosta, Ruben E. Fairman
  • Publication number: 20200074028
    Abstract: A method and system, the method including receiving a nominal computer-aided design (CAD) model of a component; producing a physical representation of the component based on the CAD model using an additive manufacturing (AM) process; measuring the produced physical representation of the component to obtain measurement data of the physical representation of the component; determining a deviation between a geometry of the CAD model and the measurement data of the physical representation of the component; calculating a nonlinear scale factor using an iterative simulation process; determining a compensation field based on the determined deviation between the geometry of the CAD model and the measurement data of the physical representation of the component and the calculated nonlinear scale factor; modifying the nominal CAD model by the determined compensation field; and producing a physical representation of the component based on the modified nominal CAD model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Pinghai YANG, Tyler NELSON, Adegboyega MAKINDE, Dean ROBINSON