Ut-battelle, Inc.

Other

Brian C Jolly

Kurt A Terrani

Michael P Trammell

Christian M Petrie

Kenneth Jolly

Richard A Jolly

An improved method for embedding one or more sensors in SiC is provided. The method includes depositing a binder onto successive layers of a SiC powder feedstock to produce a dimensionally stable green body have a true-sized cavity. A sensor component is then press-fit into the true-sized cavity. Alternatively, the green body is printed around the sensor component. The assembly (the green body and the sensor component) is heated within a chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) chamber for debinding, and a precursor gas is introduced for densifying the SiC matrix material. During infiltration, the sensor component becomes bonded to the densified SiC matrix, the sensor component being selected to be thermodynamically compatible with CVI byproducts at elevated temperatures, including temperatures in excess of 1000° C.

Embedding sensors in 3D-printed silicon carbide

A method for the manufacture of a three-dimensional object using a refractory matrix material is provided. The method includes the additive manufacture of a green body from a powder-based refractory matrix material followed by densification via chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). The refractory matrix material can be a refractory ceramic (e.g., silicon carbide, zirconium carbide, or graphite) or a refractory metal (e.g., molybdenum or tungsten). In one embodiment, the matrix material is deposited according to a binder-jet printing process to produce a green body having a complex geometry. The CVI process increases its density, provides a hermetic seal, and yields an object with mechanical integrity. The residual binder content dissociates and is removed from the green body prior to the start of the CVI process as temperatures increase in the CVI reactor. The CVI process selective deposits a fully dense coating on all internal and external surfaces of the finished object.

Additive manufacturing of complex objects using refractory matrix materials

A carpet stretching device and method of using the same to install carpet on stairs, the device including a primary support arm extending from an anchor to a base, a lever arm extending from a grip to a base, a gripping head having carpet-engaging teeth attached to a base, and a stretching mechanism operatively connecting the base of the support arm to the base of the gripping head. The stretching mechanism also is operatively connected to the lever arm, so that application of a force to the grip of the lever arm forces the gripping head to move toward the anchor of the primary support arm.

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Knoxville, TN, United States of America

Brian C Jolly