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US 6,354,362 B1Granted
Method and apparatus for infiltrating preformed components and component assemblies
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsRedd H. Smith, Sidney L. Findley, Trent N. Butcher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of infiltrating preformed, bonded-particulate components, such as rotary bits, for subterranean drilling manufactured by techniques such as layered-manufacturing or those employed in rapid prototyping technology. A support structure is provided for the preformed component to physically support the preformed component during various manufacturing processes such as sintering and infiltration.
Claims5
A system for infiltrating a preformed, three-dimensional, bonded-particulate component with a liquid infiltrant, the system comprising:
- a support structure configured to substantially conformally support the preformed, three-dimensional, bonded-particulate component during infiltration thereof with the liquid infiltrant, the support structure including a protrusion configured to extend into an interior portion of the preformed, three-dimensional, bonded-particulate component and provide internal support therefor at least when infiltrating the preformed, three-dimensional, bonded-particulate component wherein the protrusion of the support structure is configured to substantially fill at least one recess extending from an exterior into the interior portion of the bonded-particulate component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.