The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 26, 2020
Filed:
Apr. 10, 2018
3d Systems, Inc., Rock Hill, SC (US);
Robert Beauchamp, Carlsbad, CA (US);
3D Systems, Inc., Rock Hill, SC (US);
Abstract
A three dimensional printing system includes a powder delivery system and a controller. The powder delivery system includes a cartridge, a powder transfer assembly, a vacuum source, and source of inert gas. The cartridge includes a lower portion defining a lower cavity containing powder and an upper portion. The powder transfer assembly includes a cowling and a loader suction tube that extends through the cowling. The controller is configured to: (1) lower the cowling into sealing engagement with the upper portion of the cartridge whereby an upper cavity is defined between the cowling and the upper portion of the cartridge, (2) operate the source of inert gas to positively pressurize the upper cavity, and (3) lower the loader suction tube into the powder while operating the vacuum source to extract the powder.