公开(公告)号：US06418955B2

公开(公告)日：2002-07-16

申请号：US09841770

申请日：2001-04-24

Applicant: Gary K. Lewis ,  Richard M. Less

Inventor： Gary K. Lewis ,  Richard M. Less

IPC: F16L100

CPC classification number: F15D1/02 ,  Y10T137/0368 ,  Y10T137/4891 ,  Y10T137/85938 ,  Y10T137/87249 ,  Y10T137/877

Abstract: A device for providing uniform powder flow to the nozzles when creating solid structures using a solid fabrication system such as the directed light fabrication (DLF) process. In the DLF process, gas entrained powders are passed through the focal point of a moving high-power laser light which fuses the particles in the powder to a surface being built up in layers. The invention is a device providing uniform flow of gas entrained powders to the nozzles of the DLF system. The device comprises a series of modular splitters which are slidably interconnected and contain an integral flow control mechanism. The device can take the gas entrained powder from between one to four hoppers and split the flow into eight tubular lines which feed the powder delivery nozzles of the DLF system.

Abstract translation: 一种用于在使用诸如定向光制造（DLF）工艺的固体制造系统创建固体结构时向喷嘴提供均匀粉末流的装置。 在DLF工艺中，气体夹带的粉末通过移动的大功率激光的焦点，该激光将粉末中的颗粒熔化成层叠的表面。 本发明是一种将气体夹带的粉末均匀流动的装置提供给DLF系统的喷嘴。 该装置包括一系列模块化分离器，其可滑动地互连并且包含一体的流量控制机构。 该装置可以将夹带的气体从1到4个料斗中取出，并将流分解成8个管状线，这些管状管线供给DLF系统的粉末输送喷嘴。

公开(公告)号：US5961862A

公开(公告)日：1999-10-05

申请号：US565798

申请日：1995-11-30

Applicant: Gary K. Lewis ,  Richard M. Less

Inventor： Gary K. Lewis ,  Richard M. Less

IPC: B23K26/14 ,  B23K26/00

CPC classification number: B23K26/1476 ,  B23K26/144

Abstract: A deposition head for use as a part of apparatus for forming articles from materials in particulate form in which the materials are melted by a laser beam and deposited at points along a tool path to form an article of the desired shape and dimensions. The deposition head delivers the laser beam and powder to a deposition zone, which is formed at the tip of the deposition head. A controller comprised of a digital computer directs movement of the deposition zone along the tool path and provides control signals to adjust apparatus functions, such as the speed at which the deposition head moves along the tool path.

Abstract translation: 一种沉积头，用作用于由颗粒形式的材料形成物品的装置的一部分，其中材料通过激光束熔化并在工具路径上沉积，形成所需形状和尺寸的制品。 沉积头将激光束和粉末输送到形成在沉积头的尖端处的沉积区。 由数字计算机组成的控制器引导沉积区沿着刀具路径的运动，并提供控制信号以调节装置功能，例如沉积头沿刀具路径移动的速度。

公开(公告)号：US06305884B1

公开(公告)日：2001-10-23

申请号：US09518768

申请日：2000-03-03

Applicant: Gary K. Lewis ,  Richard M. Less

Inventor： Gary K. Lewis ,  Richard M. Less

IPC: B65G5124

CPC classification number: B05B7/1404 ,  B05B7/228 ,  B23K26/144

Abstract: A device for increasing the uniformity of solids within a solids fabrication system, such as a direct light fabrication (DLF) system in which gas entrained powders are passed through the focal point of a moving high-power light which fuses the particles in the powder to a surface being built up in layers. The invention provides a feed through interface wherein gas entrained powders input from stationary input lines are coupled to a rotating head of the fabrication system. The invention eliminates the need to provide additional slack in the feed lines to accommodate head rotation, and therefore reduces feed line bending movements which induce non-uniform feeding of gas entrained powder to a rotating head.

Abstract translation: 一种用于增加固体制造系统（例如直接光制造（DLF）系统）内的固体的均匀性的装置，其中气体夹带的粉末通过熔化粉末中的颗粒的移动高功率光的焦点 一层被层叠的表面。 本发明提供了一种进料通过界面，其中从固定输入管线输入的气体夹带粉末耦合到制造系统的旋转头部。 本发明消除了在进料管线中提供额外的松弛以适应头部旋转的需要，并且因此减少了进料管线弯曲运动，这导致气体夹带的粉末不均匀地送入旋转头部。

公开(公告)号：US06263918B1

公开(公告)日：2001-07-24

申请号：US09523260

申请日：2000-03-10

Applicant: Gary K. Lewis ,  Richard M. Less

Inventor： Gary K. Lewis ,  Richard M. Less

IPC: F17D1100

CPC classification number: F15D1/02 ,  Y10T137/0368 ,  Y10T137/4891 ,  Y10T137/85938 ,  Y10T137/87249 ,  Y10T137/877

Abstract: A device for providing uniform powder flow to the nozzles when creating solid structures using a solid fabrication system such as the directed light fabrication (DLF) process. In the DLF process, gas entrained powders are passed through the focal point of a moving high-power laser light which fuses the particles in the powder to a surface being built up in layers. The invention is a device providing uniform flow of gas entrained powders to the nozzles of the DLF system. The device comprises a series of modular splitters which are slidably interconnected and contain an integral flow control mechanism. The device can take the gas entrained powder from between one to four hoppers and split the flow into eight tubular lines which feed the powder delivery nozzles of the DLF system.

Abstract translation: 一种用于在使用诸如定向光制造（DLF）工艺的固体制造系统创建固体结构时向喷嘴提供均匀粉末流的装置。 在DLF工艺中，气体夹带的粉末通过移动的大功率激光的焦点，该激光将粉末中的颗粒熔化成层叠的表面。 本发明是一种将气体夹带的粉末均匀流动的装置提供给DLF系统的喷嘴。 该装置包括一系列模块化分离器，其可滑动地互连并且包含一体的流量控制机构。 该装置可以将夹带的气体从1到4个料斗中取出，并将流分解成8个管状线，这些管状管线供给DLF系统的粉末输送喷嘴。