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US 2024/0253146 A1Published application
Dual Plasma Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing
AssigneeRelativity Space, Inc.
InventorsFritz C. Gruber, Jeremy Krol, Michael Reid, Jenna Johns
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device may position a torch assembly relative to a workpiece. A device may initiate a pilot arc between a plasma electrode and a grounded portion of a torch assembly, the grounded portion of the torch assembly grounded using a component with a variable resistance. A device may initiate a wire arc between a first wire element and the workpiece. A device may add material to the workpiece while the torch assembly traverses the workpiece.
Claims17
A dual plasma torch assembly, the dual plasma torch assembly comprising:
- a first channel, wherein a power source is configured to apply between a feedstock wire moving through the first channel and a substrate;
- wherein the power source is configured to create an electric arc to melt the feedstock wire to be deposited onto the substrate;
- wherein a first shielding gas is configured to surround the feedstock wire and the substrate annularly;
- and
- a second channel defined between an inner body and an outer body;
- wherein a second shielding gas is configured to move through the second channel;
- wherein an electrode is configured to apply a signal to the second shielding gas at a distal end of the second channel such that the signal ionizes the second shielding gas to form a plasma to shield the feedstock wire and the substrate;
- wherein the inner body is located concentrically within the outer body and is electrically insulated from the outer body;
- wherein the first channel is located concentrically within the inner body.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.