US 11,980,939 B2
Alignment system for magnetic particulate material used for additive manufacturing
Mariappan Parans Paranthaman, Knoxville, TN (US); Brian K. Post, Knoxville, TN (US); and Brian C. Sales, Lenoir City, TN (US)
Assigned to UT-BATTELLE, LLC, Oak Ridge, TN (US)
Filed by UT-Battelle, LLC, Oak Ridge, TN (US)
Filed on Apr. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/231,498.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/010,718, filed on Apr. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0323072 A1, Oct. 21, 2021
Int. Cl. B22F 12/53 (2021.01); B22F 1/10 (2022.01); B22F 10/34 (2021.01); B22F 10/85 (2021.01); B22F 12/13 (2021.01); B22F 12/90 (2021.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01)
CPC B22F 12/53 (2021.01) [B22F 1/10 (2022.01); B22F 10/34 (2021.01); B22F 10/85 (2021.01); B22F 12/13 (2021.01); B22F 12/90 (2021.01); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12)] 31 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electromagnet alignment system for in-situ alignment of at least one magnetic particulate material dispensed through an orifice of a dispensing nozzle used for 3D printing, comprising:
an electromagnet assembly comprising a coil, wherein the coil is configured to generate a pulsed magnetic field having a target magnetic flux intensity upon energization of the coil when the at least one magnetic particulate material is being heated and moved through the dispensing nozzle, such that the at least one magnetic particulate material is at least partially aligned with respect to a direction by the pulsed magnetic field; and
a power source for implementing the energization of the coil,
wherein the electromagnet assembly further comprises a tube having an inner surface proximal to the dispensing nozzle and an outer surface distal to the dispensing nozzle,
wherein the coil is cylindrical and wound around the outer surface of the tube, and
wherein the tube, the coil and the dispensing nozzle are concentric,
wherein the dispensing nozzle comprises: a connecting portion connected to a delivery port of an extruder of a 3D printer used for the 3D printing; a terminal portion comprising the orifice; and an elongated portion extending between the connecting portion and the terminal portion,
a heating layer attached to an outer surface of the elongated portion of the dispensing nozzle for maintaining the temperature of the elongated portion at a predetermined value,
an insulation layer provided between the heating layer and the inner surface of the tube,
wherein the insulation layer is configured to reduce heat-transferring from the heating layer to the tube,
wherein the heating layer and the insulation layer are provided between the outer surface of the elongated portion of the dispensing nozzle and the inner surface of the tube of the electromagnet assembly to provide frictional engagement between the outer surface of the elongated portion and the inner surface of the tube, such that the dispensing nozzle and the electromagnet assembly are coupled to each other through pressure and friction to prevent the dispensing nozzle from moving with respect to the electromagnet assembly.