CONNECTORS MANUFACTURED BY THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of making a conduit adapted for carrying fluid, the method comprising:
- (a) depositing a layer of material onto a support surface;
(b) depositing subsequent layers of the material upon each prior layer until the conduit is completely created;
(c) creating the conduit to comprise a hollow bore extending inside an outer wall made of the material with at least one die-locked bend therein between a female end and a male end of the conduit, as part of the depositing steps;
(d) surrounding at least a majority of the conduit with a gas during the depositing and creating steps;
(e) curing the conduit so that the layers of the material bond together; and
(f) removing the completed conduit from the support surface.
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Abstract
A hollow conduit is provided. In another aspect, a quick connector, suitable to carry fluid therethrough, is made of layers of material, a light curable material and/or multiple built-up materials. Another aspect uses a three-dimensional printing machine to emit material from an ink jet printing head to build up a conduit.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A method of making a conduit adapted for carrying fluid, the method comprising:
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(a) depositing a layer of material onto a support surface; (b) depositing subsequent layers of the material upon each prior layer until the conduit is completely created; (c) creating the conduit to comprise a hollow bore extending inside an outer wall made of the material with at least one die-locked bend therein between a female end and a male end of the conduit, as part of the depositing steps; (d) surrounding at least a majority of the conduit with a gas during the depositing and creating steps; (e) curing the conduit so that the layers of the material bond together; and (f) removing the completed conduit from the support surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing a hollow conduit adapted for carrying fluid, the method comprising:
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(a) emitting a first material from at least a first opening in a machine; (b) emitting at least a second and different material from at least a second machine opening; and (c) depositing at least one of the materials at desired locations on a support surface of the machine to build up a complete body of the hollow conduit including a through-bore; wherein the hollow conduit comprises a first section made of the first material and a second section made of the second material, with the sections being integrally attached together as a single piece by the depositing step. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of using a three-dimensional printing machine, the method comprising:
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(a) emitting material from an ink jet printing head of the machine; (b) building up a fluid carrying conduit by placing the material to define an elongated and hollow body; and (c) curing the fluid carrying conduit with light as the conduit is being built up. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of making a functional quick connector adapted to carry fluid therethrough, the method comprising:
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(a) using at least one ink jet printer opening to emit at least one three-dimensionally printable polymer to create an enlarged female end section of the quick connector; (b) using the at least one ink jet printer opening to emit the at least one three-dimensionally printable polymer to create a male end section of the quick connector; (c) using the at least one ink jet printer opening to emit the at least one three-dimensionally printable polymer to create a middle section with at least one bend in an internal bore between the ends; and (d) using the at least one ink jet printer opening to emit a different three-dimensionally printable polymer to create a seal integrally attached to at least one of the sections. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A method of making a functional fluid valve, the method comprising:
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(a) using at least one ink jet printer opening to emit at least one three-dimensionally printable polymer to create a body section of the valve between open end sections, a bore extending through the sections; and (b) using the at least one ink jet printer opening to emit the at least one three-dimensionally printable polymer to create a fluid flow-blocking member located at least partially inside the body section, the member being created substantially simultaneously with the creation of an adjacent portion of the body section; and (c) creating the member relative to the sections during their manufacture so that the member is selectively moveable after the manufacture to block and open the bore in at least one valve operating condition. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A conduit adapted to carry fluid comprising:
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a first end section of the conduit including at least one three-dimensionally printable material; a second end section of the conduit including the at least one three-dimensionally printable material; a middle section of the conduit, located between the end sections, including the at least one three-dimensionally printable material; and a flexible seal, attached to at least one of the sections as an integral single part, including the at least one three-dimensionally printable material; the sections including a bore extending therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification