Patents by Inventor Trent William Muhlenkamp
Trent William Muhlenkamp 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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Patent number: 11958249Abstract: A reclamation system for an additive manufacturing apparatus can include a collection structure configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a foil. A containment vessel can be configured to retain the resin removed from the foil. A drain can direct the resin from the containment vessel to a reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Trent William Muhlenkamp, Christopher David Barnhill, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Carlos H. Bonilla, Brian Thomas Thompson, John Thomas Sterle
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Publication number: 20240109250Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support configured to support a resin and a constituent material. A support plate includes a window. A stage is configured to hold one or more composite layers of the resin and the constituent material to form a composite component positioned opposite the support plate. A radiant energy device is positioned on an opposite side of the support from the stage and is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image through the window. An actuator assembly is configured to move the stage in a Z-axis direction and a Y-axis direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2022Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Xi Yang, Christopher David Barnhill, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Joseph Edward Hampshire
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Publication number: 20240100774Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a feed module and a take-up module that are configured to operably couple with a foil. A stage is configured to hold one or more cured layers of a resin that form a component. A radiant energy device is positioned opposite to the at least one stage. The radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a predetermined pattern. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the at least one stage and the foil. An accumulator is positioned between the feed module and the take-up module. The accumulator is configured to retain an intermediate portion of the foil to allow a first portion of the foil upstream of the accumulator to move at a first speed and a second portion of the foil downstream of the accumulator to move at a second speed during a defined time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Mary Kathryn Thompson, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, Trent William Muhlenkamp, William Joseph Steele
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Publication number: 20240059013Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate defining a window and a resin support configured to support an uncured layer of resin. A stage is configured to hold one or more cured layers of the resin to form a component positioned opposite a support plate. A radiant energy device is positioned on an opposite side of the resin support from the stage and is operable to project radiant energy in a grid through the window. The grid and/or pixels thereof are intelligently shifted to efficiently print one or more layers of a component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Mary Kathryn Thompson, Travis Gene Sands, Kevin Robert Dickson, William Joseph Steele, Trent William Muhlenkamp
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Publication number: 20240059008Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Kevin Robert Dickson, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Publication number: 20240059011Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate defining a window and a resin support configured to support an uncured layer of resin. A stage is configured to hold one or more cured layers of the resin to form a component positioned opposite a support plate. A radiant energy device is positioned on an opposite side of the resin support from the stage and is operable to project radiant energy in a grid through the window. The grid and/or pixels thereof are intelligently shifted to efficiently print one or more layers of a component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Mary Kathryn Thompson, Travis Gene Sands, Kevin Robert Dickson, William Joseph Steele, Trent William Muhlenkamp
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Publication number: 20240059022Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate defining a window and a resin support configured to support an uncured layer of resin. A stage is configured to hold one or more cured layers of the resin to form a component positioned opposite a support plate. A radiant energy device is positioned on an opposite side of the resin support from the stage and is operable to project radiant energy in a grid through the window. The grid and/or pixels thereof are intelligently shifted to efficiently print one or more layers of a component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Mary Kathryn Thompson, Travis Gene Sands, Kevin Robert Dickson, William Joseph Steele, Trent William Muhlenkamp
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Publication number: 20240059023Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate defining a window and a resin support configured to support an uncured layer of resin. A stage is configured to hold one or more cured layers of the resin to form a component positioned opposite a support plate. A radiant energy device is positioned on an opposite side of the resin support from the stage and is operable to project radiant energy in a grid through the window. The grid and/or pixels thereof are intelligently shifted to efficiently print one or more layers of a component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Mary Kathryn Thompson, Travis Gene Sands, Kevin Robert Dickson, William Joseph Steele, Trent William Muhlenkamp
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Publication number: 20240042701Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first print module includes a first stage configured to hold a first component and a first radiant energy device. The resin support is configured to be positioned between the first stage and the first radiant energy device. A second print module includes a second stage configured to hold a second component and a second radiant energy device. The resin support is configured to be positioned between the second stage and the second radiant energy device. A control system is configured to translate the resin support based on a condition of the first print module and the second print module through the first print module and the second print module.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Christopher David Barnhill, Robert Edgar Estes, William Joseph Steele, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Zhen Liu, John Thomas Sterle, Victor Wayne Fulton
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Patent number: 11865780Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a feed module and a take-up module that are configured to operably couple with a foil. A stage is configured to hold one or more cured layers of a resin that form a component. A radiant energy device is positioned opposite to the at least one stage. The radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a predetermined pattern. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the at least one stage and the foil. An accumulator is positioned between the feed module and the take-up module. The accumulator is configured to retain an intermediate portion of the foil to allow a first portion of the foil upstream of the accumulator to move at a first speed and a second portion of the foil downstream of the accumulator to move at a second speed during a defined time period.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mary Kathryn Thompson, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, Trent William Muhlenkamp, William Joseph Steele
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Patent number: 11826950Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignees: General Electric Company, Unison Industries, LLCInventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Kevin Robert Dickson, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Patent number: 11813799Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first print module includes a first stage configured to hold a first component and a first radiant energy device. The resin support is configured to be positioned between the first stage and the first radiant energy device. A second print module includes a second stage configured to hold a second component and a second radiant energy device. The resin support is configured to be positioned between the second stage and the second radiant energy device. A control system is configured to translate the resin support based on a condition of the first print module and the second print module through the first print module and the second print module.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Christopher David Barnhill, Robert Edgar Estes, William Joseph Steele, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Zhen Liu, John Thomas Sterle, Victor Wayne Fulton
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Publication number: 20230330924Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate and a foil supporting an uncured layer of a resin. A stage is configured to hold a component of one or more cured layers of the resin. One or more actuators is operable to move the stage away from the support plate in a Z-axis direction. A radiant energy device is positioned opposite the stage such that the support plate is positioned between the radiant energy device and the stage. A foil interaction device includes a first pneumatic actuation zone and a second pneumatic actuation zone. Each of the first and second pneumatic actuation zones is configured to apply a force on a surface of the foil. The first and second pneumatic actuation zones are fluidly separable and configured to apply varied pressures relative to one another to the surface of the foil.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, Lawrence William Nurre, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Mary Kathryn Thompson
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Publication number: 20230302728Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a resin support configured to support a first resin and a second resin. A support plate includes a window. A stage is configured to hold one or more cured layers of the resin to form a component positioned opposite the support plate. A radiant energy device is positioned on an opposite side of the resin support from the stage and is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image through the window. An actuator assembly is configured to move the stage in a Z-axis direction and in a Y-axis direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Inventors: Xi Yang, William Joseph Steele, Christopher David Barnhill, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Mary Kathryn Thompson
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Patent number: 11731367Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy toward the stage. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A feed module is configured to support a feed roll of a resin support upstream of the stage about a feed mandrel. A first control device is operably coupled with the feed mandrel. A take-up module is configured to support a take-up roll of the resin support downstream of the stage about a take-up mandrel. A second control device is operably coupled with the take-up mandrel. A computing system is operably coupled with one or more sensors. The computing system is configured to provide commands to at least one of the first control device or the second control device to respectively rotate the first control device or the second control device to obtain a target tension on the resin support.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Zhen Liu, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Christopher David Barnhill
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Patent number: 11707883Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate and a foil supporting an uncured layer of a resin. A stage is configured to hold a component of one or more cured layers of the resin. One or more actuators is operable to move the stage away from the support plate in a Z-axis direction. A radiant energy device is positioned opposite the stage such that the support plate is positioned between the radiant energy device and the stage. A foil interaction device includes a first pneumatic actuation zone and a second pneumatic actuation zone. Each of the first and second pneumatic actuation zones is configured to apply a force on a surface of the foil. The first and second pneumatic actuation zones are fluidly separable and configured to apply varied pressures relative to one another to the surface of the foil.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, Lawrence William Nurre, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Mary Kathryn Thompson
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Publication number: 20230064479Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a first print module includes a first stage configured to hold a first component and a first radiant energy device. The resin support is configured to be positioned between the first stage and the first radiant energy device. A second print module includes a second stage configured to hold a second component and a second radiant energy device. The resin support is configured to be positioned between the second stage and the second radiant energy device. A control system is configured to translate the resin support based on a condition of the first print module and the second print module through the first print module and the second print module.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Christopher David Barnhill, Robert Edgar Estes, William Joseph Steele, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Zhen Liu, John Thomas Sterle, Victor Wayne Fulton
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Publication number: 20230067394Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a build module. A feed module is configured to support a first portion of a resin support. The first portion of the resin support is supported by a feed mounting panel. A take-up module is configured to support a second portion of the resin support. The second portion of the resin support is supported by a take-up mounting panel and is positioned on an opposing side of the radiant energy device from the feed module. An adjustment assembly is configured to adjust a position of at least one of a feed mandrel within the feed module or a take-up mandrel within the take-up module.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Christopher David Barnhill, Zhen Liu, Trent William Muhlenkamp
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Publication number: 20230012168Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy device is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A resin management system includes a material deposition assembly upstream configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The material deposition assembly includes a reservoir configured to retain a first volume of the resin and define a thickness of the resin on the resin support as the resin support is translated in an X-axis direction. The material deposition assembly further includes a vessel positioned above the reservoir in a Z-axis direction and configured to store a second volume of the resin. In addition, the material deposition assembly includes a conduit configured to direct the resin from the vessel to the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2021Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Trent William Muhlenkamp, Kevin Robert Dickson, Christopher David Barnhill, Brian Thomas Thompson
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Publication number: 20220410481Abstract: A reclamation system for an additive manufacturing apparatus can include a collection structure configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a foil. A containment vessel can be configured to retain the resin removed from the foil. A drain can direct the resin from the containment vessel to a reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Trent William Muhlenkamp, Christopher David Barnhill, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Carlos H. Bonilla, Brian Thomas Thompson, John Thomas Sterle