# US 10,502,500 B2 · Method of generating support structure of tube components to become functional features

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,502,500 B2
- Document ID: US10502500B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/804,257
- Filed: 2017-11-06
- Published: 2018-03-01
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-09-23
- Assignees: United Technologies Corporation
- Applicants: United Technologies Corporation
- Inventors: Evan Butcher; Wendell V. Twelves, Jr.; Gary A. Schirtzinger; Joseph Ott; Lexia Kironn
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502500B2

## CPC

- F28F 1/12: the means being only outside the tubular element
- B28B 1/001: {Rapid manufacturing of 3D objects by additive depositing, agglomerating or laminating of material (selective deposition modelling of metallic powder B22F10/00; rapid manufacturing of 3D objects in general and in particular of plastics B29C64/00)}
- B29C 64/10: Processes of additive manufacturing
- B29C 64/106: using only liquids or viscous materials, e.g. depositing a continuous bead of viscous material
- B29C 64/112: using individual droplets, e.g. from jetting heads
- B29C 64/118: using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
- B29C 64/124: using layers of liquid which are selectively solidified
- B29C 64/153: using layers of powder being selectively joined, e.g. by selective laser sintering or melting
- B29C 64/165: using a combination of solid and fluid materials, e.g. a powder selectively bound by a liquid binder, catalyst, inhibitor or energy absorber
- B29C 64/40: Structures for supporting 3D objects during manufacture and intended to be sacrificed after completion thereof
- B29D 23/00: Producing tubular articles (B29D24/00 takes precedence)
- B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing
- B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing
- F16L 3/00: Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets (anchors for holding pipes on or under the ground F16L1/06; noise absorbers in the form of specially adapted hangers or supports F16L55/035; arrangements specially adapted for supporting insulated bodies F16L59/12)
- F16L 9/006: {specially profiled (F16L9/003 takes precedence)}
- F16L 9/02: of metal (F16L9/16 - F16L9/22 take precedence)
- F16L 9/19: Multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
- F16L 9/21: made of sound-absorbing materials or with sound-absorbing structure
- F16L 55/02: Energy absorbers; Noise absorbers
- F16L 59/08: Means for preventing radiation, e.g. with metal foil
- F28F 1/00: Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements (specially adapted for movement F28F5/00)
- F28F 1/124: {and being formed of pins}
- F28F 1/40: the means being only inside the tubular element
- B29L 2023/22: {Tubes or pipes, i.e. rigid (bent tubes not for use as pipe couplings B29L2023/004)}
- F28F 2225/04: for conduits
- F28F 2255/00: Heat exchanger elements made of materials having special features or resulting from particular manufacturing processes
- F28F 2265/10: for preventing overheating, e.g. heat shields
- F28F 2265/30: for preventing vibrations
- F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16)
- B28B: SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER (foundry moulding B22C; working stone or stone-like material B28D; shaping of substances in a plastic state, in general B29C; making layered products not composed wholly of these substances B32B)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)
- B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

A method includes building a tubular object by a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process. A structure integrally connected to the tubular object for supporting a portion of the tubular object is formed during building of the tubular object. The structure provides vibration dampening, heat shielding, heat transfer, stiffening, energy absorption, or mounting after the tubular object is built.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
building a tubular object designed for and built by a layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process;
forming, while building the tubular object, a structure integrally connected to the tubular object for supporting a portion of the tubular object having a build direction that exceeds a build limit angle of the layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process during building of the tubular object with the layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process, and wherein the structure provides vibration dampening, heat shielding, heat transfer, stiffening, energy absorption, or mounting after the tubular object is built.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the structure comprises a heat-shield structure, mounting structure, honeycomb structure, fin structure, matrix structure, lattice structure, rib structure, filter structure, bushing structure, or slot.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the tubular object includes at least one channel therein extending for the length of the tubular object, and the at least one channel is configured to allow transport of a fluid through the tubular object.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the structure is disposed within the tubular object and the structure is configured to allow transport of the fluid through the tubular object.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the fluid comprises oil, fuel, gas, or air.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the tubular object comprises a tube designed for use in a gas turbine engine.

### Claim 7

A method comprising:
designing a component having a tubular body and a structure that performs at least one of vibration dampening, heat shielding, heat transfer, stiffening, energy absorption, or mounting, wherein the structure is positioned with respect to the tubular body so that the structure will act as a support to the component during layer-by-layer additive manufacturing of the component;
creating digital files defining the component on a layer-by-layer basis; and
producing the component by layer-by-layer additive manufacturing using the digital files, wherein the structure supports the component during the producing of the tubular body, wherein a build direction of a portion of the tubular body exceeds a build limit angle of the layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein a portion of the structure comprises a heat-shield structure, mounting structure, honeycomb structure, fin structure, matrix structure, lattice structure, rib structure, filter structure, bushing structure, or slot.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the tubular object includes at least one channel therein extending for the length of the tubular object, and the at least one channel is configured to allow transport of a fluid through the tubular object.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the structure is disposed within the tubular object and the structure is configured to allow transport of the fluid through the tubular object.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid comprises oil, fuel, gas, or air.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the tubular object comprises a tube designed for use in a gas turbine engine.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the build limit angle of the layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process comprises approximately 45 degrees off vertical.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, wherein the build limit angle of the layer-by-layer additive manufacturing process comprises approximately 45 degrees off vertical.