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US 11,534,960 B2Granted
Method for additively manufacturing a component augmented by ultrasonic excitation and active temperature control
AssigneeThe Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
InventorsGeorge Alexandru Tilita, Wenhao Chen, Chi Fong Kwan, Matthew Ming Fai Yuen
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Abstract
Embodiments disclosed herein represent powder based additive manufacturing processes which provide a microstructure having improved mechanical properties. The methods may include the use of ultrasonic excitation in combination with the active control of a substrate's temperature to provide some level of control over the microstructure and hence the properties.
Claims10
An additive manufacturing process comprising:
- heating a first material layer on a substrate to produce a first molten volume;
- providing ultrasonic excitation to the first molten volume, wherein the ultrasonic excitation is provided in ultrasonic waves in a frequency range from 20 kHz to 20 MHz to achieve ultrasonic cavitation;
- and
- cooling the first molten volume in a controlled manner to produce a first fused solid layer,
- wherein the first fused solid layer is sandwiched between, and in direct contact with, the substrate and an ultrasonic horn, such that the ultrasonic horn amplifies the ultrasonic waves and guides the amplified ultrasonic waves directly to the first fused solid layer, and
- wherein cooling the first molten volume in a controlled manner comprises flowing a coolant through the substrate.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.