UT-Battelle, LLC (20250018651). REDUCED POROSITY 3D PRINTED COMPOSITES
REDUCED POROSITY 3D PRINTED COMPOSITES
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Vipin Kumar of Knoxville TN US
Vlastimil Kunc of Knoxville TN US
Frye Mattingly of Knoxville TN US
REDUCED POROSITY 3D PRINTED COMPOSITES
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20250018651 titled 'REDUCED POROSITY 3D PRINTED COMPOSITES
Original Abstract Submitted
a method of additively manufacturing reduced porosity composites is provided. the method includes the step of providing an additive manufacturing printer including a feed hopper. the feed hopper includes a first valve disposed proximate a feed inlet in a closed position and a second valve disposed proximate a chamber opening in an open position. the feed hopper defines a first chamber and a second chamber in selective fluid communication via the chamber opening. the method includes applying a rough vacuum to the first and second chamber and feeding feedstock into the feed hopper. the first valve is opened and the second valve is closed. the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened. the feedstock is allowed to exit the feed hopper and is heated to give a heated printing material, which is extruded. an associated feed hopper is also provided.