According to GlobalData’s company profile on Carpenter Technology, powder bed fusion was a key innovation area identified from patents. Carpenter Technology's grant share as of June 2023 was 1%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Patent granted for a container with temperature and humidity sensing

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Carpenter Technology Corp

A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11679926B2) describes a container designed to store metal powder and ensure its safe handling. The container includes a sealed opening and a first sensing device that measures the temperature and humidity levels inside the container. This reading is then compared to a second reading from a sensing device outside the container, which measures the temperature and humidity levels of the surrounding environment. By analyzing these readings, the container provides users with an indication of whether the metal powder has acclimatized to its surroundings and whether it is safe to open the container.

The patent also mentions various configurations and features of the container. For example, the first sensing device can be attached to the inner surface of the container lid or the container body. The container may have a part-conical body portion, and the first sensing device can be located in this portion. Additionally, the container may have an outlet with an outlet valve, and the first sensing device can be positioned downstream of the valve to measure the conditions of the powder after it passes through the valve.

Furthermore, the container can include multiple sensing devices, such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and sensors for determining the dew point within the container. The patent also suggests the use of a second sensing device in an additive manufacturing machine, which can communicate with the container to provide additional readings.

The patent also describes methods for determining the safety of opening the container. For example, the temperature readings from the first and second sensing devices can be compared, and the difference between them can be used to make a determination. The patent also mentions the possibility of recording the step of determining if the container is safe to open and locking the container if it is deemed unsafe.

Additionally, the patent discusses the use of antennas or radio-frequency identification tags in the container to determine its location within a confined environment, potentially enabling better tracking and management of the containers.

In summary, this granted patent introduces a container designed to store metal powder safely. By utilizing sensing devices and comparing readings from inside and outside the container, users can determine if the powder has acclimatized to its surroundings and if it is safe to open the container. The patent also suggests various configurations and features to enhance the container's functionality and safety.

To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Carpenter Technology, buy the report here.

Premium Insights

From

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.

GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.

GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.