Michael P Mcdaniel

US Patent:

20220305728, Sep 29, 2022

Filed:

Jun 2, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/830917

Inventors:

- Austin TX, US
Michael McDaniel - Austin TX, US
Evan Jensen - Austin TX, US
Alex LeRoux - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

B29C 64/165
B33Y 10/00
B33Y 30/00
B29C 64/314
B29C 64/329
B29C 64/232
B29C 64/209
B29C 64/236
B29C 64/268
B29C 64/25
B33Y 40/10
B64G 1/16

Abstract:

An apparatus, system and method are provided for launching, deploying and moving mobility platforms used to produce a three-dimensional product using additive printing. The product, or object, is made by collecting materials in-situ at an off-Earth celestial body. A sintering apparatus, such as a laser, is used to consolidate the planetary regrowth into a solid object. The apparatus can receive power, and can apply heat to assist in the consolidation process. The apparatus is moveable to the build site, and includes a print head having a collector for receiving collected materials, a conditioner for sintering and heating the collected materials, and an extruder, specifically a slip form opening in which the materials can be dispersed over the surface of the extraterrestrial body where the powder form of the conditioned materials are sintered, fused, or consolidated into a hard solid bead of material.

US Patent:

20220242794, Aug 4, 2022

Filed:

Dec 20, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/556865

Inventors:

- Austin TX, US
Michael McDaniel - Austin TX, US
Thao Hien Nguyen - Austin TX, US
Theodore Cera - Austin TX, US
Alexander Le Roux - Austin TX, US
Jason Ballard - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

C04B 35/195
C04B 35/653
B33Y 10/00
B33Y 40/00
B28B 1/00

Abstract:

Systems and methods for preparing a three-dimensional printing material derived from aluminosilicate material are provided. The method includes the steps of heating an amount of aluminosilicate powder to a temperature between approximately 1,100 C. and approximately 1,750 C. to form a molten aluminosilicate material; maintaining the molten aluminosilicate material at a temperature between approximately 1,100 C. and approximately 1,750 C. between about one minute and approximately 45 minutes; extruding molten aluminosilicate material through a nozzle to form an elongated bead of molten aluminosilicate material; and cooling the molten aluminosilicate material to form a hardened aluminosilicate material. Once hardened, the aluminosilicate material includes between about 50% and 90% feldspar and demonstrates a strength of between about 5,000 psi and 30,000 psi. The systems and methods enable the construction of structures using raw, in-situ natural resources without the need for additives to adjust or modify the viscosity of the molten material prior to extrusion or printing.