Patent ID: 11964433
Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
Field: Other special machines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  Y | IPC B

Claim 17:
18. 3D printing system comprising a storage module and a conveyor to transport material from the storage module, the system further comprising:
an inlet defining a passage between the storage module and the conveyor, wherein
the storage module stores powdered type material, particulate type material, or liquid material;
an outlet located remote from the inlet, and
helicoidal element arranged between the inlet and the outlet, the helicoidal element surrounding a central axis;
wherein the conveyor transports powdered type material, particulate type material, or liquid material using an effective area of the helicoidal element defined as the area between each pair of adjacent crests of the helicoidal element and transversely between the edge of the adjacent crests and the central axis and
wherein the conveyor further comprises a set of wall elements configured to selectively cover, at least partially the effective area of the helicoidal element, the wall elements biased to extend laterally into the area between adjacent crests of the helicoidal element but moveable in a plane as deflected by rotation of the helicoidal element.