Granted Patent B2

US 12,447,682 · App. 18/635,215 · Granted Oct 21, 2025

Inventors: Trent William Muhlenkamp (Cincinnati, OH); Christopher David Barnhill (Cincinnati, OH); Meredith Elissa Dubelman (Liberty Township, OH); Carlos H Bonilla (West Chester, OH); Brian Thomas Thompson (Loveland, OH); John Thomas Sterle (Clifton Park, NY)

Assignee: General Electric Company

B29C64/357B29C64/124B33Y10/00B33Y40/00

Abstract

Claims (26)

1. A reclamation system for an additive manufacturing apparatus, the reclamation system comprising:

a collection structure configured to remove at least a portion of a resin from a foil;

a containment vessel configured to retain the resin removed from the foil;

a drain directing the resin from the containment vessel to a reservoir;

a scraper operably coupled with the collection structure and configured to vibrate to remove the resin from the foil;

a backing plate positioned on an opposing side of the foil from the collection structure, the backing plate selectively providing pressure against the opposing side of the foil from the collection structure; and

an anchor plate operably coupled with the backing plate through a guide, the guide configured to support movement of the backing plate relative to the anchor plate.

2. The reclamation system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a pneumatic actuator operably coupled with the backing plate and configured to alter a position of the backing plate relative to the anchor plate.

3. The reclamation system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a brace fixedly supporting each of the anchor plate and the collection structure.

4. The reclamation system of claim 1 , wherein the backing plate is operably coupled with a transducer, the transducer configured to convert electrical energy to mechanical pressure waves through an ultrasonic movement generator.

5. The reclamation system of claim 1 , wherein the scraper is configured to contact the foil at an offset angle that is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

6. The reclamation system of claim 1 , wherein the scraper has a vibrating head operably coupled with a transducer, the transducer configured to convert electrical energy to mechanical pressure waves through an ultrasonic movement generator.

7. A reclamation system for an additive manufacturing apparatus, the reclamation system comprising:

a collection structure configured to remove at least a portion of a resin from a foil;

a containment vessel configured to retain the resin removed from the foil;

a drain directing the resin from the containment vessel to a reservoir;

a scraper operably coupled with the collection structure and configured to contact the foil at an offset angle that is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees;

a backing plate positioned on an opposing side of the foil from the collection structure, the backing plate selectively providing pressure against the opposing side of the foil from the collection structure; and

an anchor plate operably coupled with the backing plate through a guide, the guide configured to support movement of the backing plate relative to the anchor plate.

8. The reclamation system of claim 7 , wherein the scraper has a vibrating head operably coupled with a transducer, the transducer configured to convert electrical energy to mechanical pressure waves through an ultrasonic movement generator.

9. The reclamation system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a pneumatic actuator operably coupled with the backing plate and configured to alter a position of the backing plate relative to the anchor plate.

10. The reclamation system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a brace fixedly supporting each of the anchor plate and the collection structure.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (3)

References Cited (400)