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Method and apparatus for rapid freezing prototyping

  • US 6,253,116 B1
  • Filed: 08/04/1998
  • Issued: 06/26/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for use in rapid freezing prototyping, using at least two crystalloid materials capable of transitioning between liquid and solid states at a threshold temperature, said system comprising:

  • a material supply subsystem and a material deposition subsystem in fluid communication with said supply subsystem;

    a three-dimensional spatial positioning subsystem connected to said material deposition subsystem and operative to position said material deposition subsystem at a plurality of points within a predetermined region; and

    a freezing chamber having an interior region defining said predetermined region;

    whereby said material supply subsystem directs said material in said liquid state to said material deposition subsystem;

    said positioning subsystem adapted to position said material deposition subsystem at one of said points;

    said material deposition subsystem adapted to maintain said material at least one liquid state temperature proximate to said threshold temperature and depositing said material within said freezing chamber;

    said chamber causing said material to have a solid state temperature by lowering the temperature of said material from said liquid state through said threshold temperature to said solid state temperature; and

    said material supply subsystem is adapted to supply a first and second crystalloid material having a first and second threshold temperatures respective; and

    said material deposition subsystem is adapted to maintain said first material at a first liquid state temperature and said second material at a second liquid state temperature;

    such that said two crystalloid materials form first and second layers respectively.

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