Nanotube particle device and method for using the same
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsWayne R. Howe, Jeffrey H. Hunt, Angela W. Li, Dennis L. Coad
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A nanotube particle device for two dimensional and three dimensional printing or additive/subtractive manufacturing. The nanotube particle device comprising a nanotube, a particle shooter, a positioning mechanism, and a detection sensor. The particle shooter shoots a particle down the nanotube towards a target, the detection sensor senses the collision of the particle with the target, and the positioning mechanism re-adjusts the positioning of the nanotube based on the results of the collision. A method for aiming the particle shooter and additive/subtractive manufacturing are also disclosed and described.
Claims13
A nanotube particle device comprising:
- a nanotube having a first end and a second end;
- particle shooter, wherein the particle shooter is coupled to the first end of the nanotube and wherein the particle shooter is configured to shoot a particle from the nanotube to a target located beyond the second end of the nanotube;
- a positioning mechanism, wherein the positioning mechanism is configured to position the nanotube in relation to the target;
- and
- a detection sensor, wherein the detection sensor is configured to receive and transmit energy or movement, emanating from an interaction between the particle and the target, to the positioning mechanism to determine the relative position of the nanotube device to the target,
- wherein the positioning mechanism comprises an electrostatic coupling, an electromagnetic coupling, or a piezoelectric coupling.
A nanotube particle device comprising:
- a nanotube having a first end and a second end;
- particle shooter, wherein the particle shooter is coupled to the first end of the nanotube and wherein the particle shooter is configured to shoot a particle from the nanotube to a target located beyond the second end of the nanotube;
- a positioning mechanism, wherein the positioning mechanism is configured to position the nanotube in relation to the target;
- and
- a detection sensor, wherein the detection sensor is configured to receive and transmit energy or movement, emanating from an interaction between the particle and the target, to the positioning mechanism to determine the relative position of the nanotube device to the target,
- wherein the particle shooter comprises a first laser configured to shoot a particle at a first power for positioning the nanotube, and a second laser configured to shoot one or more particles at a second power to displace one or more particles in the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.