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:
Apr. 21, 2009
Filed:
Dec. 07, 2004
Tae Mark Chung, San Diego, CA (US);
Raymond J. Bishop, Santa Clarita, CA (US);
Bradley David Geving, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Jon Jody Fong, Calabasas, CA (US);
Patrick Dunne, Hemel Hempstead, GB;
Tae Mark Chung, San Diego, CA (US);
Raymond J. Bishop, Santa Clarita, CA (US);
Bradley David Geving, Huntington Beach, CA (US);
Jon Jody Fong, Calabasas, CA (US);
Patrick Dunne, Hemel Hempstead, GB;
3D Systems, Inc., Rock Hill, SC (US);
Abstract
The invention is a method for controllably cooling at least a portion of a part-cake from a laser sintering system to minimize cool down time, maximize throughput, and minimize thermal gradients within the part-cake. The method generally comprises forming one or more thermal transfer channels within the part-cake. The thermal transfer channels can include ducts and cooling fins in the part-cake surrounding the formed part. The method can further comprise removing unfused powder from the ducts and introducing cooling media into the ducts. The invention also includes a part-cake having thermal transfer channels formed therein and a laser sintering apparatus comprising a part-cake containing cylinder having permanent fittings therein for receiving terminal portions of thermal transfer channels formed in the part-cake.