Patents by Inventor Wout De Backer

Wout De Backer 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: 20230278284
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for printing a three-dimensional object. The system can include at least one nozzle assembly configured to receive a continuous fiber and at least partially encase the continuous fiber with a polymer material to create a composite material. The nozzle assembly can also include a liquefier assembly that is operable coupled to a nozzle, which is configured to allow for the controlled deposit of the composite material while minimizing or eliminating tension exerted on the continuous fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Johannes Leonardus van Tooren, Wout De Backer, Arturs Peteris Bergs
  • Patent number: 11745421
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for printing a three-dimensional object. The system can include at least one nozzle assembly configured to receive a continuous fiber and at least partially encase the continuous fiber with a polymer material to create a composite material. The nozzle assembly can also include a liquefier assembly that is operable coupled to a nozzle, which is configured to allow for the controlled deposit of the composite material while minimizing or eliminating tension exerted on the continuous fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: University of South Carolina, Tighitco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Johannes Leonardus van Tooren, Wout De Backer, Arturs Peteris Bergs
  • Patent number: 11697244
    Abstract: A composite fiber for use in additive manufacturing such as fused filament fabrication is described along with methods of its construction and use. The composite fiber includes a single continuous fiber (e.g., a continuous carbon roving) and a polymer (e.g., a high glass transition polymer) in intimate contact. The composite fiber is formed through immersion of the continuous fiber in a series of two or more solutions that together include monomer(s), catalysts, or other materials for generating the polymer as the continuous fiber moves through the solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Wout De Backer, Valerie Kay, Michael Van Tooren
  • Patent number: 11618207
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems and methods for producing high quality 3-dimensional prints using various materials. Aspects of the present disclosure may provide particular advantages when used with high temperature thermoplastics (such as polyetherimide (PEI) polymers), such as when using continuous fibers impregnated with a high temperature thermoplastic, or when co-depositing a continuous fiber with a formation material containing a high temperature thermoplastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: University of South Carolina, TIGHITCO. Inc.
    Inventors: Wout De Backer, Michael Van Tooren, Arturs Bergs
  • Publication number: 20220143913
    Abstract: A composite filament for use in additive manufacturing such as fused filament fabrication is provided, along with methods of its construction, and use incorporation application of sonic energy during the composite filament during initial formation. The composite filament allows for formation of work pieces having a complicated shape that can incorporate continuous filaments in multiple directions and orientations, which can lead to the production of stronger and more useful composite structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: WOUT DE BACKER, MICHAEL VAN TOOREN, ARTURS BERGS
  • Publication number: 20220063190
    Abstract: A composite fiber for use in additive manufacturing such as fused filament fabrication is described along with methods of its construction and use. The composite fiber includes a single continuous fiber (e.g., a continuous carbon roving) and a polymer (e.g., a high glass transition polymer) in intimate contact. The composite fiber is formed through immersion of the continuous fiber in a series of two or more solutions that together include monomer(s), catalysts, or other materials for generating the polymer as the continuous fiber moves through the solutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: WOUT DE BACKER, VALERIE KAY, MICHAEL VAN TOOREN
  • Patent number: 11192297
    Abstract: A composite filament for use in additive manufacturing such as fused filament fabrication is described along with methods of its construction and use. The composite filament includes a single continuous filament (e.g., a continuous carbon roving) and a polymer (e.g., a high glass transition polymer) in intimate contact. The composite filament is formed through immersion of the continuous filament in a solution of the polymer. The composite filament can be combined with an additional formation material in an additive manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: University of South Carolina, Clemson University Research Foundation, TIGHITCO. Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Johannes Leonardus Van Tooren, Igor Luzinov, Nikolay Borodinov, Wout De Backer, Arturs Peteris Bergs
  • Patent number: 11117362
    Abstract: A part includes a continuous fiber substantially encased in a formation material. The fiber and formation material are arranged in a plurality of alternating layers such that the formation material of a first one of the alternating layers adheres to the formation material of a second one of the alternating layers over the length of the continuous fiber. The part may include a thin-walled hollow member such as a duct. In some embodiments a part comprises a continuous fiber prepared by an additive manufacturing process comprising the steps of: depositing a composite material on a print bed using a print head, the composite material comprising a continuous fiber and a formation material in intimate contact with the continuous fiber; moving the print head and/or the print bed during the depositing of the composite material; and consolidating the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignees: TIGHITCO, Inc., University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael Johannes Leonardus van Tooren, Ramy Harik, Wout De Backer, Arturs Peteris Bergs, Tawne Louis Castorina
  • Publication number: 20200047402
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems and methods for producing high quality 3-dimensional prints using various materials. Aspects of the present disclosure may provide particular advantages when used with high temperature thermoplastics (such as polyetherimide (PEI) polymers), such as when using continuous fibers impregnated with a high temperature thermoplastic, or when co-depositing a continuous fiber with a formation material containing a high temperature thermoplastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: WOUT DE BACKER, Michael Van Tooren, Arturs Bergs
  • Publication number: 20190022935
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for printing a three-dimensional object. The system can include at least one nozzle assembly configured to receive a continuous fiber and at least partially encase the continuous fiber with a polymer material to create a composite material. The nozzle assembly can also include a liquefier assembly that is operable coupled to a nozzle, which is configured to allow for the controlled deposit of the composite material while minimizing or eliminating tension exerted on the continuous fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Johannes Leonardus van Tooren, Wout De Backer, Arturs Peteris Bergs
  • Publication number: 20180356118
    Abstract: A part includes a continuous fiber substantially encased in a formation material. The fiber and formation material are arranged in a plurality of alternating layers such that the formation material of a first one of the alternating layers adheres to the formation material of a second one of the alternating layers over the length of the continuous fiber. The part may include a thin-walled hollow member such as a duct. In some embodiments a part comprises a continuous fiber prepared by an additive manufacturing process comprising the steps of: depositing a composite material on a print bed using a print head, the composite material comprising a continuous fiber and a formation material in intimate contact with the continuous fiber; moving the print head and/or the print bed during the depositing of the composite material; and consolidating the composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Johannes Leonardus van Tooren, Ramy Harik, Wout De Backer, Arturs Peteris Bergs, Tawne Louis Castorina
  • Publication number: 20170341301
    Abstract: A composite filament for use in additive manufacturing such as fused filament fabrication is described along with methods of its construction and use. The composite filament includes a single continuous filament (e.g., a continuous carbon roving) and a polymer (e.g., a high glass transition polymer) in intimate contact. The composite filament is formed through immersion of the continuous filament in a solution of the polymer. The composite filament can be combined with an additional formation material in an additive manufacturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Johannes Leonardus Van Tooren, Igor Luzinov, Nikolay Borodinov, Wout De Backer, Arturs Peteris Bergs