Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of an injection mold passes pressurized air contained in an air supply tube through an orifice into an exhaust channel, wherein the pressure of the air in the exhaust channel is lower than the pressure of the air in the air supply tube. As the pressurized air is released through the orifice, cooling is produced that can be applied to a portion of an injection mold where cooling is desired, in order to control the temperature of that portion of the injection mold.

Abstract: A radiant heating system is provided. The system includes a tube, a heat radiating panel, a fastener, and a heat transfer device. The heat radiating panel includes a heat radiating portion, and a channel extending from the heat radiating portion. The channel is sized to hold a section of the tube. The heat radiating portion may further include a plurality of slats extending from a substantially planar surface. To improve the heat distribution, the plurality of slats extend from the surface at an angle less than 90 degrees. The fastener is used to attach the heat radiating panel to the section of the tube. The heat transfer device includes an outlet valve operably coupled to supply a heat transfer medium to a first end of the tube, and an inlet valve operably coupled to receive the heat transfer medium from a second end of the tube. The heat transfer device may heat or cool the heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A method for installing heat transfer panels and a heat transfer panel assembly having angled louvers for greater and more uniform dissipation of a convected heat transfer medium, such as air. The heat transfer panel assembly providing a broader and more uniform heat transfer means to affected surfaces, and the method of installation providing a simpler and quicker means for installation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a temperature indicating method and device. The device embodies a sealed tube containing a liquid and a float. The tube has markings on the exterior indicating temperature zones or, in the alternative, temperature gradients. The method disclosed includes inverting the tube such that the indicator drops to the bottom of the tube and freezing the device at the appropriate temperature level. In use, the device is placed right side up in a container along with other items for which the highest temperature level arrived at is desired to be known. Upon warming, the liquid in the tube melts and the float drops through the liquid to the freezing level of the liquid. By removing the device from the container and comparing the float level in the tube to the markings on the exterior of the tube, the highest temperature or temperature zone that the contents of the container were subjected can be determined.

Abstract: A valve is formed to resist snap-action closure forces and provides a smooth closing action to minimize or eliminate water hammer. The valve is opened and closed by modulating the relative air pressures above and below a piston in the valve. Because the air pressures above and below the piston produce partially offsetting forces on the piston, the net closure force on the valve plunger is limited, and the rate of valve closure is reduced enough to achieve the effect of minimizing water hammer. A separate vent port volume may vent to atmosphere to further limit valve closure speed, and to further reduce water hammer. The valve can provide the capability to control the flow of fluids over a wide temperature range over a long service life while reducing or eliminating water hammer. The valve is well suited for use in injection mold temperature control systems.