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US 12,429,367 B1Granted
Fill level sensing devices and additive manufacturing apparatuses including same
AssigneeConcept Laser GmbH
InventorsFlorian Betz, Olaf Jäger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed herein are particulate separation systems including a filter device that separates particulates from a particulate-laden stream generated by an additive manufacturing apparatus. A collection container is also included which is fluidly connected to the filter device and receives the particulates separated from the particulate-laden stream. A fill level sensor is further included which is fluidly connected to the collection container and detects a pressure change from displacement of an inert gas by the particulates received in the collection container.
Claims20
A particulate separation system, comprising:
- a filter device that separates particulates from a particulate-laden stream generated by an additive manufacturing apparatus;
- a collection container fluidly connected to the filter device that receives the particulates separated from the particulate-laden stream;
- and
- a fill level sensor fluidly connected to the collection container that detects a pressure change from displacement of an inert gas by the particulates received in the collection container, the pressure change utilized to detect a fill level of particulates within the collection container, wherein the fill level sensor comprises:
- an inlet valve to control a flow of the inert gas from an inert gas tank to the collection container;
- a reference chamber located downstream of the inlet valve;
- an outlet valve to control venting of the collection container and the reference chamber to an ambient environment;
- and
- a reference chamber valve located between the inlet valve and the reference chamber to control a flow of the inert gas from the inert gas tank to the reference chamber;
- and
- an electronic control unit including a processor and a memory module operatively connected to elements of the fill level sensor, the electronic control unit being configured to detect the fill level of particulates within the collection container by:
- opening the outlet valve to release pressure from within the collection container;
- closing the outlet valve and measuring an initial pressure within the collection container;
- opening the inlet valve for a first period of time to pressurize the collection container with the inert gas from the inert gas tank;
- closing the inlet valve and opening the reference chamber valve for a second period of time to allow pressure within the collection container and the reference chamber to equilibrate;
- and
- measuring an end pressure within the collection container after equilibration, the reference chamber valve remaining open during measurement of the end pressure,
- wherein the initial pressure and the end pressure within the collection container determine the pressure change that is then utilized to detect a fill level of particulates within the collection container.
15 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a collection container having a container interior that receives material used in an additive manufacturing apparatus;
- and
- a fill level sensor fluidly connected to the container interior that detects a pressure change from displacement of an inert gas by the material received in the container interior, the fill level sensor comprises:
- an inlet valve to control a flow of the inert gas from an inert gas tank to the collection container;
- a reference chamber located downstream of the inlet valve;
- an outlet valve to control venting of the collection container and the reference chamber to an ambient environment;
- and
- a reference chamber valve located between the inlet valve and the reference chamber to control a flow of the inert gas from the inert gas tank to the reference chamber;
- and
- an electronic control unit including a processor and a memory module operatively connected to elements of the fill level sensor, the electronic control unit being configured to detect the fill level of particulates within the collection container by:
- opening the outlet valve to release pressure from within the collection container;
- closing the outlet valve and measuring an initial pressure within the collection container;
- opening the inlet valve for a first period of time to pressurize the collection container with the inert gas from the inert gas tank;
- closing the inlet valve and opening the reference chamber valve for a second period of time to allow pressure within the collection container and the reference chamber to equilibrate;
- and
- measuring an end pressure within the collection container after equilibration, the reference chamber valve remaining open during measurement of the end pressure,
- wherein the initial pressure and the end pressure within the collection container determine the pressure change that is then utilized to detect a fill level of particulates within the collection container.
14 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.