Patents by Inventor Thomas Etter

Thomas Etter 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).

  • Patent number: 11753705
    Abstract: A Ni-based superalloy composition to be used for powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology, such as selective laser melting (SLM) or electron beam melting (EBM). The cracking susceptibility during an AM process is considerably reduced by controlling the amount of elements, especially Hf, that form low-melting eutectics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Engeli, Thomas Etter, Fabian Geiger
  • Patent number: 11138177
    Abstract: An event processing system is configured to process a stream of events operating on a database system. The event processing system comprises an event load balancing unit, a plurality of event computing nodes, and a plurality of event state stores, wherein the event load balancing unit is configured to route the stream of events to the plurality of event computing nodes, wherein the plurality of event state stores are configured to store states of the plurality of event computing nodes for maintaining a state of the event processing, and wherein the plurality of event computing nodes are configured to process the events, to change their states, and to update the plurality of event state stores based on their changed states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eliezer Levy, Aharon Avitzur, Lucas Braun, Thomas Etter, Georgios Gasparis, Martin Kaufmann, Donald Kossmann, Daniel Widmer
  • Patent number: 11077512
    Abstract: A manufactured article is comprised of an additively manufactured component having sequentially joined layers of metallic powder. A braze material is disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the component. The braze material is located in expected crack locations in the outer surface. At least one crack formed in the outer surface, during a heat treatment, is filled with the braze material. The additively manufactured component comprises a metallic material from a precipitation hardened nickel-based superalloy, which forms a ?? phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sabrina Michelle Puidokas, Matthias Hoebel, Jan Vladimir Schwerdtfeger, Thomas Etter
  • Publication number: 20210140015
    Abstract: A Ni-base superalloy composition to be used for powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology, such as selective laser melting (SLM) or electron beam melting (EBM). The cracking susceptibility during an AM process is considerably reduced by controlling the amount of elements, especially Hf, that form low-melting eutectics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventors: Roman ENGELI, Thomas ETTER, Fabian GEIGER
  • Patent number: 10941466
    Abstract: A Ni-base superalloy composition to be used for powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) technology, such as selective laser melting (SLM) or electron beam melting (EBM). The cracking susceptibility during an AM process is considerably reduced by controlling the amount of elements, especially Hf, that form low-melting eutectics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Roman Engeli, Thomas Etter, Fabian Geiger
  • Patent number: 10814429
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a laser device, a build plate, and a scanning device. The laser device is configured to generate a laser beam with a variable intensity. The build plate is configured to support a powdered build material. The scanning device is configured to selectively direct the laser beam across the powdered build material to generate a melt pool on the build plate. The scanning device is configured to oscillate a spatial position of the laser beam while the laser device is configured to simultaneously modulate the intensity of the laser beam to thermally control the melt pool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Subhrajit Roychowdhury, Matthias Hoebel, Lang Yuan, Prabhjot Singh, Michael Evans Graham, Robert John Filkins, Thomas Etter, Felix Martin Gerhard Roerig
  • Publication number: 20200254547
    Abstract: A manufactured article is comprised of an additively manufactured component having sequentially joined layers of metallic powder. A braze material is disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the component. The braze material is located in expected crack locations in the outer surface. At least one crack formed in the outer surface, during a heat treatment, is filled with the braze material. The additively manufactured component comprises a metallic material from a precipitation hardened nickel-based superalloy, which forms a ?? phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sabrina Michelle Puidokas, Matthias Hoebel, Jan Vladimir Schwerdtfeger, Thomas Etter
  • Patent number: 10695832
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mechanical component by additive manufacturing which includes at least one layering sequence of depositing a powder material and locally melting and resolidifying the powder material. In each layering sequence, a solid layer of solidified material is formed, wherein the solid layers jointly form a solid body. An annealing sequence subsequent to at least one layering sequence includes, locally heating at least a region of the solid body in effecting a local heat input to the immediately beforehand manufactured solid layer which was formed by the immediately precedent layering sequence, with temperature being is maintained below a melting temperature of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Hoebel, Mikhail Pavlov, Thomas Etter, Roman Engeli
  • Patent number: 10695866
    Abstract: In some cases, an additive manufacturing (AM) system includes: a process chamber for additively manufacturing a component, the process chamber having: a build platform; at least one melting beam scanner configured to emit a melting beam for melting powder on the build platform; an applicator for applying layers of powder to the build platform; and a reservoir for storing powder; and a control system coupled with the set of melting beam scanners, the control system configured to: apply the melting beam to a layer of powder on the build platform along a primary melting path; and apply the melting beam to the layer of powder on the build platform along a re-melting path after applying the melting beam along the primary melting path, the re-melting path overlapping a portion of the primary melting path and applied only in an area proximate a perimeter of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Felix Martin Gerhard Roerig, Thomas Etter, Matthias Hoebel, Julius Andreas Schurb
  • Patent number: 10695867
    Abstract: Controlling microstructure in an object created by metal powder additive manufacturing is disclosed. During additive manufacturing of one or more objects using an irradiation beam source system, for each respective layer in a selected range of layers including a cross-sectional area of the one or more objects including the selected object, a duration controller controls actuation of each irradiation device to maintain constant a sum of: an irradiation device melting time, an irradiation device idle time, and a recoating time expended applying a new powder material layer, while otherwise maintaining all other operation parameters of each irradiation device constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Etter, Matthias Hoebel, Felix Martin Gerhard Roerig
  • Patent number: 10646959
    Abstract: Additive manufactured components including sacrificial caps, and methods of forming components including sacrificial caps are disclosed. The additive manufactured components may include a body portion including a first surface, and a feature formed in the body portion. The feature may include an aperture formed through the first surface of the body portion. Additionally, the components may include a sacrificial cap formed integral with at least a portion of the first surface of the body portion. The sacrificial cap may include a conduit in fluid communication with the feature. The sacrificial cap including the conduit may be removed from the body portion to expose the first surface and the aperture of the feature, respectively, after performing one or more post-build processes, such as shot peening, on the component and the sacrificial cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brendon James Leary, Thomas Etter, Felix Martin Gerhard Roerig, Julius Andreas Schurb
  • Publication number: 20190275613
    Abstract: Controlling microstructure in an object created by metal powder additive manufacturing is disclosed. During additive manufacturing of one or more objects using an irradiation beam source system, for each respective layer in a selected range of layers including a cross-sectional area of the one or more objects including the selected object, a duration controller controls actuation of each irradiation device to maintain constant a sum of: an irradiation device melting time, an irradiation device idle time, and a recoating time expended applying a new powder material layer, while otherwise maintaining all other operation parameters of each irradiation device constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas Etter, Matthias Hoebel, Felix Martin Gerhard Roerig
  • Publication number: 20190232428
    Abstract: An additive manufacturing system includes a laser device, a build plate, and a scanning device. The laser device is configured to generate a laser beam with a variable intensity. The build plate is configured to support a powdered build material. The scanning device is configured to selectively direct the laser beam across the powdered build material to generate a melt pool on the build plate. The scanning device is configured to oscillate a spatial position of the laser beam while the laser device is configured to simultaneously modulate the intensity of the laser beam to thermally control the melt pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Subhrajit Roychowdhury, Matthias Hoebel, Lang Yuan, Prabhjot Singh, Michael Evans Graham, Robert John Filkins, Thomas Etter, Felix Martin Gerhard Roerig
  • Publication number: 20190054568
    Abstract: Additive manufactured components including sacrificial caps, and methods of forming components including sacrificial caps are disclosed. The additive manufactured components may include a body portion including a first surface, and a feature formed in the body portion. The feature may include an aperture formed through the first surface of the body portion. Additionally, the components may include a sacrificial cap formed integral with at least a portion of the first surface of the body portion. The sacrificial cap may include a conduit in fluid communication with the feature. The sacrificial cap including the conduit may be removed from the body portion to expose the first surface and the aperture of the feature, respectively, after performing one or more post-build processes, such as shot peening, on the component and the sacrificial cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Brendon James Leary, Thomas Etter, Felix Martin Gerhard Roerig, Julius Andreas Schurb
  • Publication number: 20190054567
    Abstract: Additive manufactured components including portions having distinct porosities, and systems/methods of forming components including portions having distinct porosities are disclosed. The components may include a first portion having a first porosity. The first portion may include a first exposure pattern of a plurality of scan vectors extending over the first portion. The first exposure pattern may define the first porosity of the first portion. The component may also include a second portion positioned adjacent the first portion. The second portion may include a second porosity greater than the first porosity of the first portion. Additionally, the second portion may include a second exposure pattern of a plurality of scan vectors extending over the second portion. The second exposure pattern may be distinct from the first exposure pattern of the first portion, and may define the second porosity of the second portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Felix Martin Gerhard Roerig, Thomas Etter, Brendon James Leary, Julius Andreas Schurb
  • Publication number: 20180304406
    Abstract: In some cases, an additive manufacturing (AM) system includes: a process chamber for additively manufacturing a component, the process chamber having: a build platform; at least one melting beam scanner configured to emit a melting beam for melting powder on the build platform; an applicator for applying layers of powder to the build platform; and a reservoir for storing powder; and a control system coupled with the set of melting beam scanners, the control system configured to: apply the melting beam to a layer of powder on the build platform along a primary melting path; and apply the melting beam to the layer of powder on the build platform along a re-melting path after applying the melting beam along the primary melting path, the re-melting path overlapping a portion of the primary melting path and applied only in an area proximate a perimeter of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Felix Martin Gerhard Roerig, Thomas Etter, Matthias Hoebel, Julius Andreas Schurb
  • Publication number: 20180185961
    Abstract: A method for material processing is disclosed, the method comprising applying a laser beam, directing the laser beam to a processing location to melt material at the processing location, and providing a shielding gas flow. The shielding gas flow is controlled dependent on at least one of a processing location position, a processing advance vector, and a processing trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Hossein Meidani, Felix Roerig, Thomas Etter
  • Publication number: 20180141162
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mechanical component. The method comprises the application of an additive manufacturing method, wherein the method comprises the deposition of a powder material and local melting and resolidification of the powder material, thereby providing a solid body. The method furthermore comprises the selective provision of a powder material in which the lattice parameter of the gamma prime phase is larger than the lattice parameter of the gamma phase at least in a part of a temperature range from equal to or larger than 0° C. and equal to or lower the gamma prime solvus temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Thomas ETTER, Roman ENGEL
  • Publication number: 20180099331
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mechanical component by additive manufacturing which includes at least one layering sequence of depositing a powder material and locally melting and resolidifying the powder material. In each layering sequence, a solid layer of solidified material is formed, wherein the solid layers jointly form a solid body. An annealing sequence subsequent to at least one layering sequence includes, locally heating at least a region of the solid body in effecting a local heat input to the immediately beforehand manufactured solid layer which was formed by the immediately precedent layering sequence, with temperature being is maintained below a melting temperature of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: ANSALDO ENERGIA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Matthias HOEBEL, Mikhail PAVLOV, Thomas ETTER, Roman ENGELI
  • Patent number: 9889539
    Abstract: Methods include converting a residual surface stress in a component made by a metal powder additive manufacturing process. The component includes a body having an external surface and an internal opening passing at least partially through the body, the internal opening including an unused metal powder from the additive manufacturing process therein. Residual surface stress is converted in at least a portion of a body about the internal opening by applying a pressure in the internal opening using a non-compressible fluid and the unused metal powder. The method is advantageous for use with gamma primed hardened superalloys. An additively manufactured component including the stress-converted internal opening is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Julius Andreas Schurb, Thomas Etter, Brendon James Leary, Felix Martin Gerhard Roerig