Hybridized light sources

US11179926B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Johnny Eric DeLeon, II · Arlington, US
• William Cosmo Murphy · Waynesville, US
• Stephanie Lynn DePalma · Miamisburg, US
• Brian Peterson · Lake Worth Corridor, US
• Travis Gene Sands · Cincinnati, US
• Russell Ryder Dennison · Glenville, US
• Stephen Michael Deak · Monroe, US
• Kevin Paul McEvoy · Ballston Spa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 15, 2016
• Grant date: Nov 23, 2021
• Expiry date: Aug 4, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B29K2105/0058
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to additive manufacturing of an object using both a digital light processing (DLP) projector and a focused energy source to irradiate a photopolymerizable material, and apparatuses and methods for the same. The DLP projector irradiates and cures an outer perimeter of the object, and the focused energy source irradiates and cures an inner region of the object. In a preferred embodiment, irradiation by both the DLP projector and the focused energy source occur from underneath a tank holding the photopolymerizable material and through a transparent window.