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US 10,953,598 B2Granted
Additive manufacturing system having vibrating nozzle
AssigneeContinuous Composites Inc.
InventorsKenneth Lyle Tyler, Trevor David Budge
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system is disclosed for use in additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a nozzle configured to discharge a composite material, including a matrix and a continuous reinforcement. The system may also include a support configured to move the nozzle in multiple dimensions during discharge of the composite material, and a vibration mechanism configured to generate oscillations within the nozzle during discharge.
Claims17
An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
- a nozzle configured to discharge a composite material, including a matrix and a continuous reinforcement;
- a support configured to move the nozzle in multiple dimensions during discharge of the composite material;
- and
- a vibration mechanism configured to generate oscillations that compacts the composite material after discharge from the nozzle,
- wherein the vibration mechanism includes:
- a shoe located at a side of the nozzle;
- a spring configured to bias the shoe against the composite material;
- and
- an actuator configured to cause the shoe to oscillate in an axial direction of the nozzle.
6 more elements
An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
- a nozzle configured to discharge a composite material, including a matrix and a continuous reinforcement;
- a support configured to move the nozzle in multiple dimensions during discharge of the composite material;
- and
- a vibration mechanism configured to generate oscillations within the nozzle during discharge, wherein:
- the vibration mechanism is a first vibration mechanism;
- the additive manufacturing system further includes:
- a second vibration mechanism operatively connected to the nozzle;
- and
- a controller in communication with the first and second vibration mechanisms;
- and
- the controller is configured to cooperatively energize the first and second vibration mechanisms to produce a desired movement of the nozzle.
8 more elements
An additive manufacturing system, comprising:
- a nozzle configured to discharge a composite material, including a matrix and a continuous reinforcement;
- a support configured to move the nozzle in multiple dimensions during discharging;
- a cure enhancer configured to direct energy to the composite material during discharging to enhance curing of the matrix;
- a shoe connected to the nozzle at a trailing side relative to a travel direction of the nozzle;
- a first spring configured to bias the shoe against the composite material discharging from the nozzle;
- a first actuator configured to generate oscillations in the shoe in an axial direction of the nozzle;
- a blade connected to the nozzle at a leading side;
- a second spring configured to bias the blade in the axial direction of the nozzle;
- and
- a second actuator configured to generate oscillations in the blade in a direction normal to the axial direction of the nozzle.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.