Patent ID: 11919106
Assignee: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Field: Machine tools (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 8:
9. A temperature control system for controlling the temperature of a build during its fabrication in an additive manufacturing system, the temperature control system comprising: a. a primary heat source configured to deliver energy to the build through a primary processing nozzle; b. a secondary heat source separate from any heat source associated with the additive manufacturing system; c. means for positioning the secondary heat source relative to the build; d. a cooling source; e. means for positioning the cooling source relative to the build; and f. a melt pool sensor configured to provide information regarding temperature of a melt pool of the build; g. a first temperature sensor configured to provide information regarding temperature of the build; h. a second temperature sensor associated with the cooling source and configured to measure a surf ace temperature of the build as it is being cooled; i. a programmable controller; wherein the secondary heat source comprises one of a laser beam, an electron beam, and an induction heater; and wherein the cooling source cools the build by one of forced convection, spray cooling, and via a material auxiliary to the build wherein the cooling source and means for positioning the cooling source are independent of the secondary heat source and any heat source associated with the additive manufacturing system; wherein the programmable controller is configured to control an intensity of the primary heat source, an intensity of the secondary heat source, an intensity of the cooling source, a position of the primary processing nozzle, a position of the secondary heat source, and a position of the cooling source based on signals received from the melt pool sensor, the first temperature sensor, and the second temperature sensor to maintain a thermal gradient within a specified range fora selected portion of the build; wherein a simulation of the build is performed prior to initiating the build wherein the simulation outputs, position and intensity of applied heating and cooling and a predicted temperature for each selected portion of the build to maintain the thermal gradient within the specified range; and wherein a closed loop control is applied which compares the predicted temperature to a first temperature measured by the first temperature sensor, and to a second temperature measured by the second temperature sensor.