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:
Jul. 23, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 16, 2000
Joseph K. Kelly, Plymouth, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
The temperature of the deposition tip in a direct metal deposition (DMD) apparatus is monitored to circumvent problems due to tip clogging. Both the inner and outer nozzle tips are monitored utilizing appropriate sensors, which are interconnected to a controller programmed to detect a predetermined rise in tip temperature. If an unacceptable condition is sensed, the equipment may be configured to sound an alarm, display a warning condition, or enter a controlled shut-down of the deposition apparatus. Use of the invention accordingly permits the detection of even partial clogging when it occurs, allowing an operator to take immediate corrective measures both to protect the nozzle from damage and to insure the highest possible deposition quality.