US 12,138,859 B2
Infrared radiation deflector and apparatus for the layer-by-layer formation of three-dimensional objects
Gianluca Dorini, London (GB); Anders Hartmann, London (GB); Marcel Garrido Barrabes, London (GB); and Steffen Kongensbjerg Larsen, London (GB)
Assigned to Stratasys Powder Production Ltd., London (GB)
Filed by Stratasys Powder Production Ltd., London (GB)
Filed on Sep. 12, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/367,346.
Application 18/367,346 is a continuation of application No. 17/784,523, granted, now 11,787,116, previously published as PCT/GB2020/053179, filed on Dec. 11, 2020.
Claims priority of application No. 1918434 (GB), filed on Dec. 13, 2019; and application No. 1918435 (GB), filed on Dec. 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0001612 A1, Jan. 4, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B29C 64/286 (2017.01); B29C 64/153 (2017.01); B29C 64/236 (2017.01); B29C 64/245 (2017.01); B29C 64/282 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01)
CPC B29C 64/286 (2017.08) [B29C 64/153 (2017.08); B29C 64/236 (2017.08); B29C 64/245 (2017.08); B29C 64/282 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for the formation of three-dimensional objects by consolidation of particulate material, the apparatus comprising:
a working space, the working space comprising a build bed surface of particulate material arranged at a lower surface bounding the working space, and a ceiling arranged at an upper surface bounding the working space;
an infrared lamp carriage arranged to move across the build bed surface, the infrared lamp carriage including an infrared radiation deflector and an elongate infrared lamp mounted to the infrared lamp carriage, the infrared lamp extending, in a length direction, along a lamp axis, and the radiation deflector including opposing first and second elongate side walls, wherein the first and second elongate side walls include a first elongate mirror and a second elongate mirror extending parallel to the lamp axis and along at least a lower internal portion of the respective first and second side walls; and
an upper opening and a lower opening between the first and second side walls and arranged to pass lamp radiation to an exterior of the radiation deflector;
wherein the lamp axis extends along and between the first mirror and the second mirror, the first mirror and second mirror each having a concave surface with respect to the lamp axis;
wherein the first mirror is an upward deflecting mirror concave with respect to the upper opening and positioned so as to redirect at least a portion of direct lamp radiation through the upper opening; and
wherein the radiation deflector and the infrared lamp are positioned so that, in use, the lower opening passes radiation from the lamp towards the build bed surface and the upper opening passes radiation from the upper opening into the working space and, optionally, towards the ceiling.