Integrated cooling system for cooling filament of an additive manufacturing machine

• US 10,449,717 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2017
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bulent Besim, Stephen Weatherly
• Original Assignee: Bulent Besim, Stephen Weatherly
• Inventors: Besim, Bulent, Weatherly, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhat, Nina
• Application Number:
  US15/828,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20190160744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 4251335, 425508, 264308
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/118 using filamentary material being melted, e.g. fused deposition modelling [FDM]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 64/209 Heads; Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 30/00 Apparatus for additive manufacturing; Details thereof or accessories therefor

Abstract

An integrated cooling system for cooling filament of an additive manufacturing machine is provided. The integrated cooling system comprises a cooler and a delivery duct. The cooler is configured to circulate cool fluid. The delivery duct is connected to the cooler to receive cool air from the cooler. At least a part of the delivery duct defines an arch that circumferentially surrounds a nozzle assembly of the additive manufacturing machine. The delivery duct defines a plurality of vents for the cool air to exit the delivery duct. The vents are angled such that the cool air exiting the vents converge to an area on the print plate where the molten filament is getting deposited.

Claims

1. An integrated cooling system for cooling filament of an additive manufacturing machine, the integrated cooling system comprising:

a cooler configured to circulate cool fluid; and

a delivery duct connected to the cooler to receive cool air from the cooler, wherein,

at least a part of the delivery duct defines an arch circumferentially surrounding a nozzle assembly of the additive manufacturing machine;

the delivery duct defines a plurality of vents for the cool air to exit the delivery duct; and

the vents are angled such that the cool air exiting the vents converge to an area on the print plate where the molten filament is getting deposited.

2. The integrated cooling system in claim 1, further comprising a controller and a temperature sensor, wherein,

the delivery duct comprises the temperature sensor to determine temperature of the cool air exiting the delivery duct;

and

the controller receives signals indicating the determined temperature, wherein the controller controls the temperature of the cool fluid into the cooler based on at least the determined temperature.

3. An integrated cooling system for cooling filament of an additive manufacturing machine, the integrated cooling system comprising:

a cooler configured to introduce cool air onto a print plate of the additive manufacturing machine, wherein the cooler defines at least one opening for air to pass through; and

a blower configured to suck air through the at least one opening of the cooler, wherein, the blower is positioned adjacent to the cooler; and

suction side of the blower faces the cooler, such that the air sucked by the blower passes through the at least one opening defined by the cooler.

4. The integrated cooling system in claim 3, further comprises a cooling mechanism, wherein, the cooling mechanism is attached to the cooler using a plurality of cooling ducts;

and

the cooling mechanism is configured to cool a fluid and circulate cool fluid in the cooler using the plurality of cooling ducts.

5. The integrated cooling system in claim 4, wherein the cooler defines at least a plurality of openings to receive the plurality of cooling ducts.

6. The integrated cooling system in claim 5, wherein the cooler defines at least one cavity for the cool fluid to pass through, such that the cavity defines a path between the plurality of openings.

7. The integrated cooling system in claim 3, wherein the blower comprises at least one fan configured to suck air into the blower.

8. The integrated cooling system in claim 3, further comprises a suction fan configured to suck air onto a front face of the cooler, wherein,

the suction fan is positioned adjacent to the cooler;

and

suction side of the suction fan faces the print plate of the additive manufacturing machine.

9. The integrated cooling system in claim 8, further comprises a conduit wherein a connecting end of the conduit is connected to the suction side of the suction fan and other end of the conduit opens to the print plate of the additive manufacturing machine, to suck cool air blown onto the print plate.

10. The integrated cooling system in claim 3, further comprises a delivery duct and a connecting duct, wherein the connecting duct connects the blower to the delivery duct such that at least a part of the cool air sucked by the blower reaches the delivery duct.

11. The integrated cooling system in claim 10, wherein at least a part of the delivery duct defines an arch circumferentially surrounding a nozzle assembly of the additive manufacturing machine.

12. The integrated cooling system in claim 11, wherein the delivery duct defines a plurality of vents for the cool air to exit the delivery duct.

13. The integrated cooling system in claim 11, wherein the delivery duct comprises a recycling duct such that at least a part of the cool air blowing through the delivery duct is directed to the at least one opening defined by the cooler.

14. The integrated cooling system in claim 13, wherein the recycling duct is attached to the delivery duct using a connector.

15. An integrated cooling system for cooling filament of an additive manufacturing machine, the integrated cooling system comprising:

a cooling mechanism to cool fluid; and

a nozzle assembly, wherein the nozzle assembly comprises a cooling chamber, wherein, the cooling chamber defines at least a plurality of openings to receive a plurality of cooling ducts, wherein the cooling ducts are attached to the cooling mechanism; and

the cooling chamber defines at least one cavity for the cool fluid to pass through, such that the cavity defines a path between two openings of the plurality of openings.

16. The integrated cooling system in claim 15, wherein the cooling chamber comprises at least a plurality of fins attached along the surface to dissipate heat.