Techniques for powder delivery in additive fabrication and related systems and methods
US11685118B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jun 27, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Techniques are described for consistently moving powder from a hopper into a trough for subsequent delivery into a build area of an additive fabrication system. A powder delivery apparatus may comprise a hopper, a trough, and a doser. The doser may be configured to rotate about an axis and may include a recess that, when the doser is rotated about the axis, travels into and out of the hopper and into and out of the trough. As a result, when powder is present in the hopper, the recess may carry powder from the hopper to the trough when the doser rotates. The trough and doser may be configured so that when the trough contains the desired amount of powder for recoating, the doser does not transfer additional material from the hopper into the trough. As a result, the amount of powder in the trough may be self-regulating.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.