Abstract: A turbine wall includes a plurality of first and second film cooling holes arranged in a common row. The holes have multiple forms and alternate in the row for collectively providing film cooling performance therefrom.

Abstract: A turbine blade includes an airfoil, platform, shank, and dovetail. The platform includes a first side disposed along the pressure side of the airfoil, and an opposite second side disposed along the airfoil suction side. The platform second side includes an integral damper keeper disposed below the midchord of the airfoil, and is locally thinner at the forward and aft ends of the platform second side for reducing blade weight.

Abstract: A turbine rotor blade includes an airfoil having pressure and suction sidewalls extending longitudinally in span from root to tip. The sidewalls are spaced apart between leading and trailing edges and joined together by longitudinal partitions defining flow channels therein. Rows of first and second slant turbulators extend from one of the sidewalls in one of the channels and are offset longitudinally. The first and second turbulators overlap chordally to eliminate an axial gap therebetween while maintaining a radial gap for tripping cooling air channeled along the span of the channel.

Abstract: An air-cooled combustor liner segment, including a plurality of spaced apart radially outwardly extending integral heat exchange protuberances or pins is repaired by providing a replacement edge member for a service damaged edge portion including such pins. The damaged edge portion is removed to provide a segment body with a body repair surface, of a first shape, from which the damaged edge portion was removed. A replacement edge member is provided including a plurality of spaced apart radially outwardly extending integral pins to replace pins in the removed edge portion. The replacement edge member includes a replacement edge member repair surface of a second shape matched with the first shape of the body repair surface. The body repair surface and the replacement edge member repair surface are disposed in juxtaposition at a matched junction therebetween so that their respective radially outer surfaces substantially are coextensive.

Abstract: A flow nozzle (10) that conveys plastic melt from an injection unit of a molding machine to a mold cavity (72) has an improved, removable seal design. The nozzle body (12) is designed to threadedly receive a nozzle tip (24) that includes an outlet (30) that communicates with the mold cavity. A thin-wall, cylindrical seal ring (40) includes a compression portion that is received between the nozzle body and nozzle tip and is compressed to create a seal between these two elements when the tip is assembled to the nozzle body. The seal ring further includes a sealing portion (50) that encircles the nozzle tip and has an outer diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the nozzle body.

Abstract: In an electrical apparatus wherein electrical devices are interconnected by coupling connectors and a desired interconnection of devices is achieved by an intended interconnection of mating components of coupling connectors, identification elements in one mating component of each connector produce identification signals representing identity of the mating component. Decoding means responsive to the identification signals produce an error signal representing an interconnection of connector components differing from the intended interconnection and, means responsive to the error signal effects a response when the actual interconnection of components differs from the intended interconnection of components. Responses are, advantageously, activation of an error indicator, inhibition of application of power to affected devices, or, with program controlled systems, display of a text error message, facilitation of user intervention for error correction, or automated re-programming to overcome interconnection errors.

Abstract: A molded part ejection tystem (103) includes a drive mechanism having a reversible servomotor (240). The drive mechanism for the ejection system includes a cam-and-follower arrangement whereby a circular cam member (252) is driven by the servomotor (240) through a drive shaft (250) that is connected with the cam member (252) and is offset from the center of the circular cam track (254). A cam follower (260) connected with an ejector drive rod (238), and the cam follower (260) rides in the cam track (254) to cause linear movement of the ejector drive rod (238) as the cam follower (260) follows the circular cam through its non-circular path of motion. Rotation of the servomotor (240) in one direction of rotation operates the part ejection system, while rotation of the servomotor in the opposite direction of rotation provides power to another portion of the machine during another portion of a molding machine operating cycle, such as a core-pull system.

Abstract: A latching device (20) for a mold assembly (10) uses a cam action to hold the “A” side plate against the hot runner system/nozzle plate (18) during operation. Preferably, a latch (20) is provided on each side of the mold to effectively hold the “A” side plate against the nozzle plate (18) during the high pressure injection of plastic melt. For purposes of a mold insert change, each latch (20) is rotated to release the “A” side plate from the nozzle plate (18), and hold the “A” side plate against the “B” side plate. This enables the “A” (12) and “B” (14) portions of the mold assembly to be moved away from the nozzle plate (18), thereby avoiding interference of the hot runner nozzles and “A” side insert and enabling quick mold insert change.

Abstract: A pressurized-fluid-operated actuator has multiple piston surfaces for providing increased output force. The actuator includes a stationary cylinder that contains a movable cylinder having multiple inner chambers separated by stationary inner pistons. The inner chambers are in fluid communication with extension and retraction ports provided in the stationary cylinder wall. Introduction of pressurized fluid into one port causes the fluid pressure to act on “n” piston surface(s) to retract the movable cylinder. Introduction of pressurized fluid into the other port causes the fluid pressure to act on “n+1” piston surfaces to provide an increased output force without increasing the diameters of the cylinders and without increasing the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A thermal expansion compensation support and method are used in a hot runner injection mold for maintaining liquid-tight relationships between parts that define a flow passageway. The support includes an annular housing having an annular recess that receives a spring, such as a Belleville washer, and a cover that overlies the annular recess in the housing. The housing and the cover are spring biased from each other to maintain a pressure force on the surfaces that are in contact with the outer faces of each of the cover and of the annular housing. The support imparts a holding force on the several parts of the machine that define the molding material flow passageway to prevent leakage. The method involves holding the parts together at a first holding force level for an initial portion of a warm-up temperature range and holding the parts together at a second holding force level for the remainder of the temperature range.

Abstract: A mixing section for a feed screw includes a body portion defined along a longitudinal axis. The mixing section further includes a primary flight defining a helical channel, wherein the primary flight is helically wound in a first direction about the longitudinal axis. The primary flight forms a first acute angle with respect to a first plane including the longitudinal axis and defines a cross channel to allow fluid communication between adjacent portions of the helical channel. The cross channel is defined along a second plane such that the second plane forms a second acute angle with respect to the first plane. The first and second acute angles are located in the same quadrant and the second angle is less than the first angle.

Abstract: A two-stage, electrically-powered injection unit for an injection molding machine includes an extruder for plasticating material, and a separate melt accumulator to receive the plasticated material. The accumulator includes an injection plunger that is slidably positioned to inject the plasticated material from the accumulator into a mold. The plunger is rotated and translated by an electrically-driven linear actuator, such as a roller screw mechanism. The plunger extends outwardly of the accumulator barrel at the commencement of an injection stroke and is peripherally supported by a bushing at the outer end of the accumulator barrel. The outwardly-extending portion of the plunger can also be supported by a movable intermediate support member to minimize lateral deflection of the plunger and enable a longer injection stroke to be employed.

Abstract: A cam slide retainer for injection molds includes a hardened wear plate with an elongated latch groove, mounted in a corresponding recess formed in the lower surface of the cam slide. The wear plate is aligned in the direction of travel of the cam slide and has a length that is no less than the length of stroke of the slide. A conventional spring-loaded plunger mounted adjacent the wear plate remains in contact with the wear plate throughout the stroke of the slide, so that the slide itself is not subject to wear from contact with the plunger.

Abstract: A molding nozzle controls the flow of material from a source of plastic melt to an outlet that communicates with a gate to a mold cavity. The nozzle contains a valve pin that includes a guide section and a valve end, and is movable toward and away from the gate to open and close the gate selectively. The valve pin is guided for movement by guide surfaces on inwardly-extending vanes within the nozzle, such that the guide surfaces engage the guide section of the valve pin. The valve end of the valve pin has a smaller diameter than that of the guide section, so that the valve section is free-floating to allow annular flow in the guide surface region to minimize the likelihood of formation of flow lines in the molded part.

Abstract: A pressurized-fluid-operated actuator has two piston surfaces for providing increased output force. The actuator includes a hollow piston that is divided into two inner chambers by a stationary inner dividing wall that is rigidly connected with a cylinder end wall. The piston has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder, and the piston carries three axially spaced sealing rings that define two axially-spaced annular chambers between the piston and the cylinder. Each of the annular chambers is in fluid communication with a respective port provided in the cylinder wall. Introduction of pressurized fluid into one port causes the fluid pressure to act on a single piston surface to retract the piston and rod, and introduction of pressurized fluid into the other port causes the fluid pressure to act on two axially-spaced piston surfaces to provide an increased output force without increasing the diameter of the cylinder and piston and without increasing the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A thermal expansion compensation support and method are used in a hot runner injection mold for maintaining liquid-tight relationships between parts that define a flow passageway. The support includes an annular housing having an annular recess that receives a spring, such as a Belleville washer, and a cover that overlies the annular recess in the housing. The housing and the cover are spring biased from each other to maintain a pressure force on the surfaces that are in contact with the outer faces of each of the cover and of the annular housing. The support imparts a holding force on the several parts of the machine that define the molding material flow passageway to prevent leakage. The method involves holding the parts together at a first holding force level for an initial portion of a warm-up temperature range and holding the parts together at a second holding force level for the remainder of the temperature range.

Abstract: A self-compensating support skate (46) for an annular hydraulic ram (15) mounted in the front stationary platen (10) of a “two-platen” injection molding machine (1) is disclosed. The hydraulic ram (15) fits into a central bore (22) in the stationary platen (10) and connects directly to a relatively thin die platen (11) that provides a mold mounting surface. The purpose of the skate (46) is to prevent movement (tilting) of the die platen (11) and the resulting misalignment with the movable platen (20) when the mold (30) is attached. The skate (46) is adjusted during assembly to compensate for the tolerance stack-up in the ram assembly. The “zero” clearance is maintained by disc springs (56) within the skate (46) that compensate for the expansions and contractions of the large diameter parts due to temperature variations. The die platen (11) is held in the aligned position by contact with the lower tie rods (7).

Abstract: The neck finish for a wide range of plastic water dispenser bottles is formed so that it has a smooth, straight inner diameter and is fully calibrated, not requiring any post trimming. The parison is extruded over a fixed blow pin, which also serves as an inner mandrel. The wall thickness of the parison is controlled to provide the desired amount of material to fill the neck area and compression mold the neck body. When the mold is closed on the parison, the area between the cutting ring and striker plate comes into contact to form a calibrated neck finish. The blow pin tip is completely water cooled to the upper end and includes a specially positioned orifices adjacent the end to distribute the blow air so that it spreads out material, thereby reducing material push out and also cools the lower neck area. The assembly is designed to be very rigid, to assist in part de-molding.

Abstract: A locking apparatus secures a movable platen in position relative to strain rods on which the movable platen is slidably carried. The locking apparatus includes split nuts that are carried by the movable platen and are pivotable about respective pivot axes between a first position in which the split nuts engage the strain rods and a second position in which the split nuts are pivoted away from the strain rods. The strain rods include grooved sections and the split nuts carry internal grooved portions that are complementary with the grooved portions of the strain rods so that the split nuts are engageable with the grooved portions of the strain rods to retain the movable platen in a desired position during a molding operation.

Abstract: A flow nozzle designed to convey plastic melt from the injection unit of a molding machine to a mold cavity. The flow nozzle includes a nozzle body having a central plastic melt passageway, with a recess at an outermost end to receive a tip member. Positioned around the tip member and the recess of the nozzle body is a seal member made from a deformable material. A compression cap is threadedly carried on the outermost end of the nozzle body and is tightened on the nozzle body to force the seal member against the tip member and the nozzle body recess to provide a seal therebetween.