Patents by Inventor William Joseph STEELE
William Joseph STEELE 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: 11958250Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a stage configured to hold one or more cured layers of resin that form a component. A radiant energy device can be operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator can be configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A reclamation system can be downstream of the stage and can be configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a resin support. The reclamation system can include a first collection structure configured to accept a resin support therethrough along a resin support movement direction. A first scraper is positioned within the first collection structure. The first scraper has an elongation axis that is offset from the resin support movement direction by an offset angle that is less than 90 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
-
Patent number: 11951679Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a stage configured to hold a component formed by one or more layers of resin. A support plate can be positioned above the stage. A radiant energy device can be positioned above the stage. The radiant energy device can be operable to generate and project energy in a predetermined pattern. A feed module can be configured to operably couple with a first end portion of a resin support and can be positioned upstream of the stage. A take-up module can be configured to operably couple with a second end portion of the resin support and can be positioned downstream of the stage.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mary Kathryn Thompson, Xi Yang, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, William Joseph Steele, Trent William Muhlenkamp, John Thomas Sterle, Christopher David Barnhill
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Publication number: 20240033993Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus is provided herein that includes a resin support configured to support a 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. Each cured layer is formed with the stage in a respective cure position. 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 is operably coupled with the stage and is configured to move the stage in a Z-axis direction to place the stage in a removal position. The component contacts one of the resin support or the resin supported by the resin support in the removal position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Xi Yang, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, William Joseph Steele, Mary Kathryn Thompson
-
Publication number: 20240033992Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate including a window. A stage is configured to hold one or more cured layers of the resin to form a component. A radiant energy device positioned on an opposite side of the support plate from the stage and operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image through the window. An actuator is operably coupled with the stage and is configured to move the stage between a curing position and a removal position. The curing position can be offset from the removal position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Xi Yang, Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, William Joseph Steele, Mary Kathryn Thompson
-
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
-
Publication number: 20230390191Abstract: Herein disclosed is a mucoadhesive including a bacterial cellulose, and a bioadhesive incorporated to the bacterial cellulose, wherein the bioadhesive comprises a polymer or a dendrimer, wherein the polymer and the dend rimer are grafted with a moiety which forms covalent interactions with a tissue surface in the presence of a stimulus. A method of forming the mucoadhesive is also disclosed. The method includes providing a bacterial cellulose, providing a bioadhesive comprising a polymer or a dendrimer, wherein the polymer and the dendrimer are grafted with a moiety which forms covalent interactions with a tissue surface in the presence of a stimulus, and incorporating the bioadhesive to the bacterial cellulose. In the preferred embodiment, the dendrimer grafted with the moiety is Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer grafted with 4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-3H-diazirin-3-yl] benzyl bromide (PAMAM-g-diazirine) and the stimulus is UV light.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Sierin LIM, Terry William Joseph STEELE, Juhi SINGH
-
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
-
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
-
Publication number: 20230072960Abstract: An irradiation device for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include a beam generation device configured to generate an energy beam, an optical modulator including a micromirror array disposed downstream from the beam generation device, and a focusing lens assembly disposed downstream from the optical modulator. The micromirror array may include a plurality of micromirror elements configured to reflect a corresponding plurality of beam segment of the energy beam along a beam path incident upon the focusing lens assembly. The focusing lens assembly may include one or more lenses configured to focus the plurality of beam segments such that for respective ones of a plurality of modulation groups including a subset of micromirror elements, a corresponding subset of beam segments are focused to at least partially overlap with one another at a combination zone corresponding to the respective modulation group.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: Joshua Tyler Mook, William Joseph Steele, Mary Kathryn Thompson, David Scott Simmermon, Michael Thomas Gansler
-
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
-
Publication number: 20230054516Abstract: An irradiation device for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include a beam generation device configured to generate an energy beam, an optical modulator including a micromirror array disposed downstream from the beam generation device, and a focusing lens assembly disposed downstream from the optical modulator. The micromirror array may include a plurality of micromirror elements configured to reflect a corresponding plurality of beam segment of the energy beam along a beam path incident upon the focusing lens assembly. The focusing lens assembly may include one or more lenses configured to focus the plurality of beam segments such that for respective ones of a plurality of modulation groups including a subset of micromirror elements, a corresponding subset of beam segments are focused to at least partially overlap with one another at a combination zone corresponding to the respective modulation group.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Mary Kathryn Thompson, Joshua Tyler Mook, William Joseph Steele, David Scott Simmermon, Michael Thomas Gansler
-
Publication number: 20230055872Abstract: An irradiation device for additively manufacturing three-dimensional objects may include a beam generation device configured to generate an energy beam, an optical modulator including a micromirror array disposed downstream from the beam generation device, and a focusing lens assembly disposed downstream from the optical modulator. The micromirror array may include a plurality of micromirror elements configured to reflect a corresponding plurality of beam segment of the energy beam along a beam path incident upon the focusing lens assembly. The focusing lens assembly may include one or more lenses configured to focus the plurality of beam segments such that for respective ones of a plurality of modulation groups including a subset of micromirror elements, a corresponding subset of beam segments are focused to at least partially overlap with one another at a combination zone corresponding to the respective modulation group.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Joshua Tyler Mook, William Joseph Steele, Mary Kathryn Thompson, David Scott Simmermon, Michael Thomas Gansler
-
Publication number: 20230050127Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a stage configured to hold a component. A radiant energy is device operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator is configured to change a position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A deposition assembly is upstream of the stage and configured to deposit a resin on a resin support. The deposition assembly includes a reservoir housing configured to retain a volume of resin between the upstream wall and the downstream wall. The deposition assembly also includes an application device operably coupled with the reservoir housing. A computing system is operably coupled with the application device. The computing system is configured to intermittently initiate a flush operation between successive layers of the component, wherein the application device is moved from a first position to a second position during the flush operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2022Publication date: February 16, 2023Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, William Joseph Steele, Xi Yang
-
Publication number: 20220410482Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus can include a stage configured to hold one or more cured layers of resin that form a component. A radiant energy device can be operable to generate and project radiant energy in a patterned image. An actuator can be configured to change a relative position of the stage relative to the radiant energy device. A reclamation system can be downstream of the stage and can be configured to remove at least a portion of the resin from a resin support. The reclamation system can include a first collection structure configured to accept a resin support therethrough along a resin support movement direction. A first scraper is positioned within the first collection structure. The first scraper has an elongation axis that is offset from the resin support movement direction by an offset angle that is less than 90 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang, William Joseph Steele, Brian Thomas Thompson
-
Publication number: 20220402212Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus includes a support plate and a stage configured to hold a component formed of one or more cured layers of a resin. An actuator assembly is configured to change a relative position of the stage relative the support plate. A radiant energy device is positioned opposite to the stage such that it is operable to generate and project radiant energy in a pattern. A peeling device is positioned downstream of the window. The actuator assembly is configured to move the stage simultaneously with a resin support over the peeling device in an X-axis direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Meredith Elissa Dubelman, William Joseph Steele, Christopher David Barnhill, Xi Yang