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:
Feb. 08, 2005
Filed:
Nov. 16, 1999
Ampere A. Tseng, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Ampere A. Tseng, Phoenix, AZ (US);
Arizona Board of Regents, Tempe, AZ (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for forming three-dimensional objects includes a crucible () for holding a molten material; a conically-shaped orifice () having a fixed outlet diameter (d) at the bottom of the crucible through which a jet () of the molten material flows towards the substrate; and an oscillating mechanical member () for breaking the flow of molten material into the molten material drops (). The oscillating mechanical member further includes a conically-shaped head () for cooperating with the orifice () and for varying the effective size of the orifice. The conically-shaped head includes a slanted radial portion () and a tip portion () extending through the orifice. The effective diameter (d) of the jet is defined by the relationship d=[d−(d−δ tan θ)], wherein δ represents the amount of the tip portion extending through the orifice, and θ represents a slant angle corresponding to the slanted radial portion of the conically-shaped head.