# US 11,998,998 B2 · Assembly assistance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,998 B2 - Document ID: US11998998B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/942,923 - Filed: 2022-09-12 - Published: 2023-01-05 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-30 - Assignees: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc. - Applicants: Collins Engine Nozzles, Inc. - Inventors: Brett A. Pfeffer; Robert W. Vierhout; Dustin Andrew Borror; Troy Finton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998998B2 ## CPC - B22F 10/25: Direct deposition of metal particles, e.g. direct metal deposition [DMD] or laser engineered net shaping [LENS] - B23K 1/0008: {specially adapted for particular articles or work} - B21D 39/046: {Connecting tubes to tube-like fittings} - B22F 5/106: {Tube or ring forms} - B22F 10/22: Direct deposition of molten metal - B22F 2005/005: {Article surface comprising protrusions} - B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - Y02P 10/25: Process efficiency - B22F: WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER (making alloys by powder metallurgy C22C); APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM - B21D: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL (working or processing of wire B21F) - 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 - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract A method including depositing a first material on a first member by an additive manufacturing process in a pattern intended to aid in an assembly of the first member and at least a second member and inserting the first member at least partially into the second member, with the first material being guide for insertion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising the steps of: depositing a first material on a first member by an additive manufacturing process in a pattern intended to aid in an assembly of the first member and at least a second member, wherein the pattern includes multiple strips elongated in along a primary axis of the first member, wherein the strips are circumferentially spaced about the outer surface of the first member, wherein the multiple strips includes a first row of strips and a second row of strips, wherein the second row of strips is offset from the first row of strips along the primary axis of the first member; and inserting the first member at least partially into the second member, with the first material configured to act a guide for insertion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein depositing the first material on the first member by an additive manufacturing process is done by directed energy deposition. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising deforming a portion of an outer surface of the first member by the deposition of the first material on the outer surface of the first member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein deforming does not include melting the outer surface of the first member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, where a deformation of the outer surface of the first member is less than 0.020 inches deep. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, further comprising removing the first material from the first member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first member is of a second material different from the first material deposited thereon. ### Claim 8 An assembly comprising: a first member configured to be at least partially inserted into a second member; and an assembly aid deposited additively on an outer surface of the first member configured to allow beginning insertion of the first member into the second member or prevent further insertion past a desired penetration distance of the first member into the second member, wherein the assembly aid includes multiple strips elongated in along a primary axis of the first member, wherein the strips are circumferentially spaced about the outer surface of the first member, wherein the multiple strips includes a first row of strips and a second row of strips, wherein the second row of strips is offset from the first row of strips along the primary axis of the first member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, further comprising the second member including an orifice therein configured to at least partially receive the first member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The assembly of claim 9, wherein the assembly aid is at least partially inserted into a secondary orifice of the second member configured to receive the assembly aid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The assembly of claim of claim 10, wherein the orifice and the assembly aid provide an interference fit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8, wherein an outer surface of the first member includes a deformation from the first material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The assembly of claim 12, wherein the deformation is less than 0.020 inches deep. ### Claim 14 A method comprising the steps of: depositing a first material on a first member by an additive manufacturing process in a pattern intended to aid in an assembly of the first member and at least a second member, wherein the pattern includes multiple strips elongated in along a primary axis of the first member, wherein the strips are circumferentially spaced about the outer surface of the first member, wherein the multiple strips includes a first row of strips and a second row of strips, wherein the second row of strips is circumferential offset from the first row of strips along the primary axis of the first member; and inserting the first member at least partially into the second member, with the first material configured to act a guide for insertion, wherein inserting includes inserting the first member into the second member such that the first row of strips enters the second member but the second row of strips do not enter into the second member.