US 12,226,824 B2
Three dimensional printer with configurable build plate for rapid powder removal
Michael Thomas Kenworthy, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA (US)
Assigned to DIVERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC., Los Angeles, CA (US)
Filed by Divergent Technologies, Inc., Los Angeles, CA (US)
Filed on Nov. 5, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/520,582.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/129,426, filed on Dec. 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0193779 A1, Jun. 23, 2022
Int. Cl. B22F 12/30 (2021.01); B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 10/73 (2021.01); B22F 12/52 (2021.01); B22F 12/57 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2015.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01)
CPC B22F 12/30 (2021.01) [B22F 10/28 (2021.01); B22F 10/73 (2021.01); B22F 12/52 (2021.01); B22F 12/57 (2021.01); B33Y 10/00 (2014.12); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A three-dimensional (3-D) printer, comprising:
a build chamber configured for a build plate;
a hopper for storing first powder;
a depositor connected to the hopper, the depositor for depositing sequential layers of the first powder into a powder bed on the build plate;
an energy beam source for selectively fusing the deposited layers to form a build piece, whereby unfused first powder remains in the powder bed,
wherein the build plate comprises
first structures for supporting the unfused first powder on a top of the build plate when the first structures are in a closed configuration and that transition to an open configuration via a piston coupled to the first structures to expose paths for allowing the unfused first powder or portion thereof to pass through the build plate, and
a second structure having a static portion for preventing the build piece from passing through the build plate when the first structures are in the open configuration,
wherein the first structures are aligned with the top of the build plate when in the closed configuration to form a flat surface for supporting the deposited layers of the first powder, and
a vertical roller that facilitates transitioning the first structures between the closed configuration and the open configuration.