Radiant heating apparatus for providing uniform surface temperature useful in selective laser sintering
US5155321A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 1990 |
| Grant date | Oct 13, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A radiant heater, and an apparatus for performing selective laser sintering using the same, are disclosed. The radiant heater is ring-shaped with its dimensions and distance from the target surface preferably defined to provide radiant energy to a target surface, with the rate of energy received per unit area of the target surface being substantially uniform. A frusto-conical ring-shaped radiant heater is also disclosed, which may be disposed closer to the surface to provide improved efficiency of heat transfer in a uniform fashion. A cooling element similarly shaped is also disclosed, which operates in the same manner to uniformly transfer radiant heat from the target surface. Zoning of the ring-shaped radiant heaters, to allow for non-uniform radiant energy emission to the target surface, is also disclosed. Monitoring of the temperature of the target surface is done by way of infrared sensors. For monitoring of cool temperatures, a second infrared sensor is directed at the radiant heater, so that compensation for reflection of the radiant heat from the surface may be accomplished.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.