Abstract: A shifter includes a powered pawl mechanism that selectively engages a shift gate. The powered pawl mechanism may include an electrically operated solenoid or the like, and may be mounted to the base of the shifter or to the shift lever. The pawl engages a shift gate that is mounted on the other of the shift lever and the base. A mechanical override may be utilized to disengage the pawl. The shifter includes an electrically operated push button or the like on the shift knob, and may utilize sensors that determine the shift lever position for controlling a transmission.

Abstract: A system for generating a simulation of fluid flow in an injection molding process carried out by an injection molding machine having an injection unit for injecting the fluid into a manifold delivering the fluid to at least two injection ports leading to one or more cavities of one or more molds. The system comprises one or more programs containing a set of instructions that generate a calculated property, state, position or image of the fluid flowing into or through each cavity, the one or more programs using one or more variable inputs that are representative of one or more selected properties, characteristics or operating parameters of the machine or the fluid. The variable inputs include at least a first value indicative of a first fluid flow rate downstream of the injection unit leading to or through a first injection port and a second value indicative of a second fluid flow rate downstream of the injection unit leading to or through a second injection port.

Abstract: In an injection molding machine having upstream and downstream channels communicating with each other for delivering fluid material to one or more mold cavities, apparatus for controlling delivery of the melt material from the channels to the one or more mold cavities, each channel having an axis, the downstream channel having an axis intersecting a gate of a cavity of a mold, the upstream channel having an axis not intersecting the gate and being associated with an upstream actuator interconnected to an upstream melt flow controller disposed at a selected location within the upstream channel, the apparatus comprising a sensor for sensing a selected condition of the melt material at a position downstream of the upstream melt flow controller; an actuator controller interconnected to the upstream actuator, the actuator controller comprising a computer interconnected to a sensor for receiving a signal representative of the selected condition sensed by the sensor, the computer including an algorithm utilizing a v

Abstract: Injection molding apparati, systems and methods are provided for limiting forward valve pin movement during flow control. According to one embodiment, an injection molding apparatus is provided that includes an actuator, and a valve pin coupled to the actuator. The valve pin is adapted to open and close a gate to a mold, and to control a rate of material flow through the gate during an injection cycle.

Abstract: In an injection molding machine having first and second nozzles for delivering melt material to first and second mold cavities of first and second molds respectively, apparatus for controlling delivery of the melt material from the nozzles to the mold cavities, each nozzle having an exit aperture communicating with a gate of a cavity of a respective mold and being associated with an actuator interconnected to a melt flow controller, the apparatus comprising a sensor for sensing a selected condition of the melt material through at least one of the nozzles; an actuator controller interconnected to each actuator, the actuator controller interconnected to the actuator associated with the at least one nozzle comprising a computer interconnected to the sensor, the computer receiving a signal representative of the selected condition sensed by the sensor, the computer including an algorithm utilizing a value corresponding to a signal received from the sensor as a variable for controlling operation of the actuator for

Abstract: In an injection molding machine, an apparatus for controlling movement of a pin comprising a plastic melt flow channel having an output end for delivering molten plastic injected into the channel under pressure to a mold cavity, wherein the pin comprises an elongated rod having an axis and an end, the pin being slidably mounted within the channel for movement along its axis within the channel, an electrically driven motor drivably interconnected to an actuating mechanism, wherein the actuating mechanism is drivably interconnected to the end of the pin, the motor being controllably drivable to drive the pin through movement along its axis within the channel