HOPPER VALVE FOR EXTRUSION-BASED ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A hopper valve for transferring particles from a supply container to a hopper, the hopper valve comprising:
- a valve body configured to couple to the supply container and having at least one fill port;
a fill tube moveably coupled to the valve body and having at least one slot;
a first biasing component configured to bias the fill tube in a first direction relative to the valve body, wherein the at least one slot is configured to align with the at least one fill port when the fill tube is moved against the bias of the first biasing component;
a foot member moveably coupled to the fill tube and configured to engage the hopper; and
a second biasing component configured to bias the foot member in the first direction relative to the valve body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hopper valve for transferring particles from a supply container to a hopper, the hopper valve comprising a valve body coupled to the supply container, a fill tube moveably coupled to the valve body, and a foot member moveably coupled to the fill tube and configured to engage the hopper.
62 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A hopper valve for transferring particles from a supply container to a hopper, the hopper valve comprising:
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a valve body configured to couple to the supply container and having at least one fill port; a fill tube moveably coupled to the valve body and having at least one slot; a first biasing component configured to bias the fill tube in a first direction relative to the valve body, wherein the at least one slot is configured to align with the at least one fill port when the fill tube is moved against the bias of the first biasing component; a foot member moveably coupled to the fill tube and configured to engage the hopper; and a second biasing component configured to bias the foot member in the first direction relative to the valve body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An additive manufacturing system comprising:
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a gantry; a viscosity pump carried by the gantry and configured to build a three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer manner from particles of a part material; a hopper configured to provide the particles to the viscosity pump; a supply container configured to retain a supply of the particles; and a hopper valve retained by the supply container, the hopper valve comprising; a valve body coupled to the supply container; a fill tube slidably coupled to the valve body between an open state for transferring the particles from the supply container to the hopper, and a closed state; and a foot member slidably coupled to the fill tube and configured to engage the hopper. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for transferring particles from a supply container to a hopper, the method comprising:
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providing a hopper valve having a valve body retained by the supply container, a fill tube in a closed state, and a foot member; engaging a top wall of the hopper with the foot member; moving the fill tube downward relative to the engaged foot member to insert a portion of the fill tube through a port in the top wall of the hopper; moving the inserted fill tube upward relative to the valve body to switch the inserted fill tube from the closed state to an open state; and directing the particles from the supply container, through the inserted fill tube in the open state, and into the hopper. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification