Lpw Technology Ltd.

Renishaw Plc

Callum Healey

John Dardis

Marek Kurus

James Stephen Garrard

Described is a powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder, comprising: a dispensing chamber for dispensing a predetermined volume of powder to a receptacle; an inlet valve movable between a closed state and an open state to control ingress of powder into the dispensing chamber from a powder source; an outlet valve movable between a closed state and an open state to control egress of powder from the dispensing chamber to a receptacle. The inlet valve and outlet valve are individually actuated between the closed state and open state by a common removable handle. The inlet valve and outlet valve each comprise an interlock for receiving and engaging the handle. The interlock is configured to receive and release the handle when the respective valve is in the closed state and engage the handle so as to prevent removal of the handle when the respective valve is in the open state.

Or relating to powder handling

The present invention relates to a coupling system for an additive manufacturing process, comprising: a conduit for the transfer of material between a container and a further component of the additive manufacturing process; and one or more actuators for controlling operation of the conduit; wherein the conduit comprises first and second portions connected via an extendable intermediate portion; and wherein the one or more actuators are operable to act on at least a portion of the conduit to extend or retract the intermediate portion to control the length of the conduit.

Coupling system for an additive manufacturing process

A locking mechanism () for coupling an outlet () of a container () to an inlet () for a component of an additive manufacturing process. The locking mechanism () includes one or more locking members () which are moveable, in use, between at least a first position and a second position. One or more actuators () are provided and are configured, in use, to control movement of the one or more locking members () between the first and second positions. The one or more locking members () are configured to engage an exterior surface of the outlet () of the container () when in the second position so as to couple the outlet () to the inlet () for the component of the additive manufacturing process.

Docking arrangement for an additive manufacturing process

A docking arrangement () for coupling an outlet () of a container () to an inlet () for a component of an additive manufacturing process. The docking arrangement () includes a dock () configured to receive the container () and a gas supply () associated with the dock (). A gas coupler () is provided and is configured, in use, to couple the gas supply () with a gas inlet () associated with the container () when the container () is received within the dock ().

A Docking Arrangement for an Additive Manufacturing Process An operating handle () for controlling the operational state of a valve arrangement () associated with a container () to control dispensing of material from the container () to a component of an additive manufacturing process. The operating handle () includes a rotatable shaftwhich is coupled to the valve arrangement () and is rotatable between a plurality of angular positions corresponding one or more operational states of the valve arrangement (). A lever () is operatively coupled to the shaft () and is configured to cause rotation of the shaft () between the plurality of angular positions upon rotation of the lever (). The handle () is also rotatable under the operation of an actuator () provided as part of a docking arrangement () associated with the component.

An assemblyincludes a coupling memberhaving a first annular, radial connection flangeand a blanking capcomprising a disc-like memberwhich defines a second, corresponding annular, radial connection flange. The connecting flanges are clamped together by a clamp () with a seal memberin-between. The blanking cap comprises a pair of safety lugsattached to the disc-like member which each extend about an outer circumferential periphery of the first connection flange. Each safety lug has an abutmentfor engagement with the first connection flange to limit axial movement of the disc-like member away from the coupling member. The lugsprevent the blanking cap from flying off in the event the clamp is released whilst the interior of the coupling member is pressurised. The lugsmay each have a stop memberwhich defines the abutment and which may take the form of an elongate curved member extending circumferentially about an axis of the connection flanges. The clamp may be tri-clamp.

Arrangements for blanking a coupling member

A fitting prevents the unintentional flow of flowable material out of a container through a valve. The valve comprises a housing, a flow control element rotatable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and an actuator for moving the flow control element, wherein the fitting is adapted for insertion into the housing which in use locks the flow control element in a closed configuration by preventing rotation of the flow control element.

Valve fitting

Apparatus electronically interconnecting first electronic circuitry () in a hazardous environment with second electronic circuitry () whilst partitioning the second electronic circuitry from the hazardous environment includes a metallic body () defining a passage () which opens at one end into the hazardous environment. A PCB () extends across the passage and is encased within a layer of insulating material () on one side to form a gas tight barrier across the passage. The PCB has a first connector () connected with said first electronic circuity and at least one second connector () extending through the layer of insulating material and connected with said second electronic circuitry. The first and second connectors are electronically coupled so that the first electronic circuitry is electronically connected with the second electronic circuity through the PCB and insulating layer.

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Liverpool, United Kingdom

Callum Healey