US 11,858,067 B2
Build plate clamping-assembly and additive manufacturing systems and methods of additively printing on workpieces
Glen Charles Fedyk, Fairfield Township, OH (US); Jinjie Shi, Mason, OH (US); Joseph Edward Hampshire, West Chester, OH (US); and Richard Roy Worthing, Jr., Liberty Township, OH (US)
Assigned to General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on May 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/743,651.
Application 17/743,651 is a continuation of application No. 16/261,861, filed on Jan. 30, 2019, granted, now 11,344,979.
Prior Publication US 2023/0034833 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B23K 26/142 (2014.01); B23K 26/042 (2014.01); B23K 26/342 (2014.01); B23K 26/00 (2014.01); B23K 26/03 (2006.01); B23K 26/08 (2014.01); B23P 6/00 (2006.01); F16B 21/16 (2006.01); B25B 5/00 (2006.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 10/73 (2021.01); B22F 12/30 (2021.01); B22F 12/82 (2021.01); B22F 12/90 (2021.01); B23K 26/70 (2014.01); B23K 101/00 (2006.01); B22F 10/12 (2021.01); B22F 10/14 (2021.01); B22F 10/18 (2021.01); B22F 10/25 (2021.01); B22F 12/44 (2021.01); B22F 12/49 (2021.01); B22F 10/80 (2021.01)
CPC B23K 26/142 (2015.10) [B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 10/73 (2021.01); B22F 12/30 (2021.01); B22F 12/82 (2021.01); B22F 12/90 (2021.01); B23K 26/0006 (2013.01); B23K 26/032 (2013.01); B23K 26/042 (2015.10); B23K 26/0861 (2013.01); B23K 26/342 (2015.10); B23P 6/007 (2013.01); B25B 5/003 (2013.01); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); F16B 21/165 (2013.01); B22F 10/12 (2021.01); B22F 10/14 (2021.01); B22F 10/18 (2021.01); B22F 10/25 (2021.01); B22F 10/80 (2021.01); B22F 12/44 (2021.01); B22F 12/49 (2021.01); B23K 26/702 (2015.10); B23K 2101/001 (2018.08)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A build plate-clamping assembly for an additive manufacturing system, the build plate-clamping assembly comprising:
a build plate defining a socket-receiving recess and a socket bolt-receiving bore intersecting the socket-receiving recess;
a socket installable or installed within the socket-receiving recess, the socket comprising an outside surface corresponding to the socket-receiving recess; and
a socket locking-bolt insertable or inserted into the socket bolt-receiving bore,
wherein the outside surface of the socket comprises a socket bolt-engaging channel, the socket lockingly engageable with the build plate at least in part by the socket locking-bolt being inserted into the socket bolt-receiving bore and engaging with the socket bolt-engaging channel, and
wherein the socket is installed within the socket-receiving recess so as to allow the socket to float horizontally within the socket-receiving recess.