Granted Patent B2

US 12,746,601 · App. 17/857,716 · Granted Sep 29, 2026

Inventors: Michael Thomas Kenworthy (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA); Krzysztof Artysiewicz (Los Angeles, CA)

Assignee: DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

B22F10/28B22F10/36B22F12/38B22F12/41B22F12/45B22F12/70B33Y10/00B33Y30/00

Abstract

Claims (51)

1 . An apparatus for additive manufacturing, comprising:

a build chamber having an enclosure, the enclosure having an opening;

a module configured to fit within the opening, the module including a plurality of beam windows with different characteristics, and the module being removable from the enclosure;

an energy source that generates a plurality of energy beams;

an optical element configured to direct the plurality of energy beams through the plurality of beam windows; and

a controller, coupled to the energy source, wherein the controller controls the energy source.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a memory, coupled to the controller, wherein the memory stores the different characteristics of the plurality of beam windows.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the different characteristics of the plurality of beam windows includes at least one optical caustic of at least one beam window of the plurality of beam windows.

4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the different characteristics of the plurality of beam windows includes at least one beam propagation ratio of at least one beam window of the plurality of beam windows.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the energy source is a laser energy source.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further coupled to the module, and wherein the controller is configured to:

identify the module; and

select the different characteristics of the plurality of beam windows from a memory based on an identification of the module, wherein the controller controls the energy source based at least in part on the different characteristics of the plurality of beam windows.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the module engages with the opening such that the plurality of beam windows are located at a consistent distance from the optical element.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a gas supply system configured to supply a positively pressured gas around the optical element.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

an extendable shutter configured to be positioned between the optical element and the opening.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a seal arranged between the module and the opening, the seal configured to maintain an environment in the build chamber.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

one or more fasteners, wherein the one or more fasteners positively engage and locate the module in the enclosure.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the optical element is further configured to direct the plurality of energy beams such that each energy beam of the plurality of energy beams is directed through a separate beam window of the plurality of beam windows.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of beam windows is separately removable.

14 . A method of additive manufacturing, comprising:

enclosing a build chamber with an enclosure, the enclosure having an opening;

placing a module within the opening, the module including a plurality of beam windows with different characteristics, and the module being removable from the enclosure;

generating a plurality of energy beams;

directing the plurality of energy beams through the plurality of beam windows with an optical element; and

controlling the plurality of energy beams.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising storing the different characteristics of the plurality of beam windows in a memory.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the different characteristics of the plurality of beam windows includes at least one optical caustic of at least one beam window of the plurality of beam windows.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the different characteristics of the plurality of beam windows includes at least one beam propagation ratio of at least one beam window of the plurality of beam windows.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of energy beams is a laser.

19 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

identifying the module; and

selecting the different characteristics of the plurality of beam windows from a memory based on an identification of the module, wherein the plurality of energy beams are controlled based at least in part on the different characteristics of the plurality of beam windows.

20 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

locating the plurality of beam windows at a consistent distance from the optical element.

21 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

supplying a positively pressured gas around the optical element.

22 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

positioning an extendable shutter between the optical element and the opening.

23 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

sealing the module in the opening to maintain an environment in the build chamber.

24 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

positively engaging the module within the opening.

25 . The method of claim 14 ,

wherein each energy beam of the plurality of energy beams is directed through a separate beam window of the plurality of beam windows.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein each beam window of the plurality of beam windows is separately removable.

27 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein each beam window of the plurality of beam windows has a corresponding location within the module, and the controller controls the energy source further based on the corresponding location.

Assignments (6)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (400)