US3892506A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Projection forming of three-dimensional metal objects
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-06-28
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Granted: 1975-07-01
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Expires: 1993-06-28
Abstract
Abstract Metallic particles are heated to a coherent bonding state, are provided with an electric charge and accelerated into and through an evacuated chamber. Means associated with the chamber continuously control the directional path of the moving particles in accordance with the shape of the article to be formed. The projected particles then impinge upon a target at one end of the chamber to build up the three-dimensional object desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred M Dann
- 👤 James Reigel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:59
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22F; B22F3/00; B22F3/004; B22F10/00; B22F10/50; C; C23; C23C; C23C4/00; C23C4/18; C23C4/185; B22F10/20; B22F12/00; B22F12/10; B22F12/13; B22F12/50; B22F12/52; B22F12/70; B22F2998/00; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for projection forming of a threedimensional object from metallic particles such as metal powder and the like, comprising, in combination: a. means to form a moving stream of the said particles, b. means to heat said stream of particles to a coherent bonding state, c. planular image generating means disposed and operative to continuously impose a variable two-dimensional image on said stream of heated particles, d. and a target disposed downstream from said planular image generating means for impingement thereon by said particles and build-up thereon of a three-dimensional object corresponding in shape to the image continuously imposed on said particles by the planular image generating means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
An apparatus for projection forming of a threedimensional object from metallic particles such as metal powder and the like, comprising, in combination: a. means to form a moving stream of the said particles, b. means to heat said stream of particles to a coherent bonding state, c. planular image generating means disposed and operative to continuously impose a variable two-dimensional image on said stream of heated particles, d. and a target disposed downstream from said planular image generating means for impingement thereon by said particles and build-up thereon of a three-dimensional object corresponding in shape to the image continuously imposed on said particles by the planular image generating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
and selectively actuatable induction heating coils disposed about said chamber, b. and in which said stream forming means includes means to inject a stream of said particles into said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
and selectively actuatable induction heating coils disposed about said chamber, b. and in which said stream forming means includes means to inject a stream of said particles into said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
In the apparatus of claim 1: a. a columnar chamber through which said particles flow, b. means for evacuating said chamber of essentially all reactive atmospheric elements, c. and means for supplying inert backfilling and purging gas to said chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 a. in which said heating means comprises:
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
In the apparatus of claim 1: means disposed upstream from said image generating means to impart a positive charge to said stream of particles.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which said charge imparting means comprises: a. a nozzle disposed in the path of said particles, b. said nozzle having at least its tip portion of electrically conductive material, c. and means to provide a high positive potential to said tip portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
In the apparatus of claim 1: means disposed downstream from said heating means to direct the flow of particles along a generally straight path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
In the apparatus of claim 6: means disposed adjacent said flow directing means to accelerate said particles to a higher velocity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which: a. said flow directing means comprises a first metallic ring through which the said particles flow, said ring being electrically grounded, b. and said accelerating means comprises a second metallic ring through which said particles flow, said second ring having an electrical charge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said planular image generating means comprises: a. a perforated matrix disposed in the path of the said heated particles, b. an electron gun disposed to project an electron image onto said matrix, c. and continuously variable signal control means connected to said electron gun.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said planular image generating means comprises: a. a plurality of longitudinally spaced sets of electromagnets with the electromagnets of each set being disposed about the path of said heated particles in said chamber and forming a magnetic field in the particle path, b. at least one of said sets being controllable to focus said stream of particles, c. and continuously variable signal generating means connected to another of said sets for varying the said magnetic field to cause scanning of said stream of particles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said planular image generating means comprises: a. a plurality of longitudinally spaced sets of electrostatic plates with the plates of each set being disposed about the path of said heated particles in said chamber and forminG an electrical field in the particle path, b. at least one of said sets being controllable to focus said stream of particles, c. and continuously variable signal generating means connected to another of said sets for varying the said electrical field to cause scanning of said stream of particles.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 which includes: a. means disposed upstream from said target to test the steerability of all particles in said stream, b. and means to remove those particles from said stream which lack the desired steerability.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said target is selectively movable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said target is electrically grounded.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said target is electrically charged.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
242 words
An apparatus for projection forming of a threedimensional object from metallic particles such as metal powder and the like, comprising, in combination: a. a columnar chamber, b. means for evacuating said chamber of essentially all reactive atmospheric elements, c. a source of inert gas, d. means connecting said source with an inlet to said chamber for supplying backfilling and purging gas thereto, e. means connected to said source for forming a moving stream of said particles within the inlet portion of said chamber, f. induction heating means disposed adjacent the inlet portion of said chamber to heat said stream of particles to a coherent bonding state, g. a nozzle disposed in said chamber and with said nozzle having at least its tip portion of electrically conductive material, h. means to provide a high positive potential to said tip portion to thereby impart a positive charge to said stream of particles passing therethrough, i. an electrically grounded first metallic ring disposed downstream from said nozzle within said chamber and through which said particles pass, said first ring directing the flow of particles along a generally straight path, j. a negatively charged second metallic ring disposed downstream from said nozzle within said chamber and through which said particles pass, said second ring accelerating said particles to a higher velocity, k. planular image generating means disposed downstream from said rings and operative to continuously impose a variable two-dimensional image on said stream of heated particles,
Claim 20
Independent Claim
242 words
An apparatus for projection forming of a threedimensional object from metallic particles such as metal powder and the like, comprising, in combination: a. a columnar chamber, b. means for evacuating said chamber of essentially all reactive atmospheric elements, c. a source of inert gas, d. means connecting said source with an inlet to said chamber for supplying backfilling and purging gas thereto, e. means connected to said source for forming a moving stream of said particles within the inlet portion of said chamber, f. induction heating means disposed adjacent the inlet portion of said chamber to heat said stream of particles to a coherent bonding state, g. a nozzle disposed in said chamber and with said nozzle having at least its tip portion of electrically conductive material, h. means to provide a high positive potential to said tip portion to thereby impart a positive charge to said stream of particles passing therethrough, i. an electrically grounded first metallic ring disposed downstream from said nozzle within said chamber and through which said particles pass, said first ring directing the flow of particles along a generally straight path, j. a negatively charged second metallic ring disposed downstream from said nozzle within said chamber and through which said particles pass, said second ring accelerating said particles to a higher velocity, k. planular image generating means disposed downstream from said rings and operative to continuously impose a variable two-dimensional image on said stream of heated particles,
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |