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. 22, 1990
Filed:
Mar. 04, 1987
Graham A Whitlow, Murrysville, PA (US);
Gerald J Bruck, Library, PA (US);
James E Smith, Delmont Boro, PA (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
Near net shape metal articles are cast from powder feedstock using a focused high energy beam which melts successive layers of powder as it repetitively traces the shape of the article over a substrate without the necessity for refocusing. Powder is fed into a cavity in which the article is formed at a rate to maintain a depth which provides lateral support for, and therefore forms a mold for, a thick layer of powder which is melted by the energy beam to add each layer to the article. The high energy laser or electron beam has a power density sufficient to penetrate the melted layer of powder and melt the surface of the underlying substrate or layer just enough to provide a good metallurgical bond for the layer being added. A copper fixture which supports the substrate while the article is being formed, serves as a heat sink and forms the cavity which confines the powder to the vicinity of the article being formed. Various shapes can be cast through selected programming of the repetitive pattern of relative motion between the energy beam and the substrate.