Energy-beam-driven rapid fabrication system
US6476343B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 24, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 24, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/25
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An energy beam driven rapid fabrication system, in which an energy beam strikes a growth surface to form a molten puddle thereon. Feed powder is then injected into the molten puddle from a converging flow of feed powder. A portion of the feed powder becomes incorporated into the molten puddle, forcing some of the puddle contents to freeze on the growth surface, thereby adding an additional layer of material. By scanning the energy beam and the converging flow of feed powder across the growth surface, complex three-dimensional shapes can be formed, ready or nearly ready for use. Nearly any class of material can be fabricated using this system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.