Valve pin with thermocouple
A valve pin for use in a melt channel in an injection molding machine. The valve pin has a valve pin body and at least one thermocouple substantially completely inside the valve pin body.
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This is a reissue of Ser. No. 10/268,885 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,863 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/328,404 filed Oct. 12, 2001.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to an injection molding machine, and more particularly to a valve pin for a nozzle in an injection molding machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIt is well known that it is desirable to measure the temperature of the melt throughout the length of a nozzle on a hot runner injection molding machine, and at the gate into a mold cavity.
Several attempts at taking this measurement have been made. Typically, a thermocouple is included on the nozzle and is mounted to the exterior of the nozzle body. In order to take measurements that better represent the condition of the melt, the tip of the thermocouple is usually positioned within an aperture that penetrates into the nozzle body so that the tip of the thermocouple is positioned nearer to the nozzle melt channel. The accuracy of the thermocouple is hampered, however, by the proximity of the thermocouple to the nozzle heater, which is typically positioned on the exterior of the nozzle. Thus, the proximity of the thermocouple to the nozzle heater itself prevents the thermocouple from accurately measuring the temperature of the melt.
Another example of an attempt to measure the melt temperature at the gate is disclosed in European Patent Application EP 99304442.9 (Goldwin et al.). Goldwin et al. discloses the use of a conductive film to coat the outside of a valve pin that passes through the nozzle melt channel. The conductive film could be used to measure the temperature of the melt in the nozzle melt channel. However, the film is repeatedly exposed to a cycling of pressures, and is constantly abraded by the melt flowing through the nozzle into the mold cavity.
Yet another example of an attempt to measure the melt temperature at the gate is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,008 (Gellert). Gellert discloses a thermocouple, having a sensing portion that is fixed inside a valve pin guiding element in a melt channel. The guiding element divides the melt flow, however, and creates an obstruction in the melt channel. Furthermore, the thermocouple is fixed within the melt channel, and cannot therefore obtain temperatures from different positions within the melt channel.
For some applications, it may be advantageous to measure a plurality of temperatures. For example, in some co-injection applications, where there are flows of more than one melts into a mold cavity, it may be desirable to measure the temperatures of some of the melts individually, and/or some of the melts after they have combined. In order to achieve this using fixed thermocouples of the prior art, a plurality of thermocouples may be needed to be incorporated into the co-injection nozzle. In the event that one of the thermocouples fails for any reason, it can be relatively difficult to access the failed thermocouple to replace it.
Thus a need exists for new devices for the measuring of the temperature of the melt at the gate into a mold cavity in a hot runner injection molding machine.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a valve pin for use in a melt channel in an injection molding machine, including a valve pin body and at least one thermocouple positioned substantially completely inside the valve pin body for measuring the temperature of melt in the melt channel.
In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a nozzle for an injection molding machine, incorporating the valve pin described above.
In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a method of making a valve pin for use in a melt channel in an injection molding machine, the method comprising:
-
- providing a valve pin body having a chamber therein;
- inserting thermocouple substantially completely into the chamber; and
- at least partially filling the chamber with a retainer to retain the thermocouple therein.
For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference is made to
The nozzles 14 are positioned downstream from the outgoing melt channels 24. Each nozzle 14 includes a nozzle body 28, which has a nozzle melt channel 30 therein. The nozzle 14 is heated by a nozzle heater 32, which may be mounted to the nozzle 14 in any way known in the art. For example, nozzle heater 32 may surround the exterior of the nozzle body 28, as shown in
Melt passes from a melt source (not shown), through inlet 18 in manifold block 12, through melt channels 20, 22 and 24, through the nozzle melt channels 30 and through gates 34 into mold cavities 36.
Valve pins 11 are positioned within the nozzle melt channels 30 to control the flow of melt into the mold cavities 36. Valve pins 11 may be movable within the nozzle melt channel 30, as shown, by an actuator 38. Alternatively, valve pins 11 may be stationary within nozzle melt channel 30.
Actuator 38 may be any suitable type of actuator. For example, actuator 38 may include a chamber 40, having a first fluid passage 42 proximate one end of the chamber 40, a second fluid passage 44 proximate the opposing end of the chamber 40, a piston 46 in the chamber 40 and a arm 48 extending from the piston 46 to outside the chamber 40. The arm 48 may connect the piston 46 inside the chamber 40 to the valve pin 11, using any suitable connection means. For several reasons including ease of cleanout, the arm 48 preferably connects to the valve pin 11 outside of any melt channels 19 and 30, so that the melt is not permitted to seep into the connection. The arm 48 itself may be fixedly connected to the piston 46.
A fluid, such as, for example, hydraulic oil or air, may be introduced into the chamber 40 on one side of the piston 46 at a selected pressure and/or removed on the opposing side of the piston 46 to move the piston 46, (and in turn, the arm 48 and the valve pin 11), in a direction either towards or away from the gate 34. The movement of the valve pin 11 towards and away from the gate 34 may be, for example, to control the melt flow into the mold cavity 36.
The valve pin 11 passes from outside the outgoing melt channel 24 into the outgoing melt channel 24 through a mold plug 50. Mold plug 50 seals around valve pin 11 to inhibit melt from escaping from outgoing melt channel 24. The mold plug 50 may further permit sliding of the valve pin 11 therethrough, so that valve pin 11 can move, as desired in melt channels 24 and/or 30. In the position shown in
Valve pin 11 includes a valve pin body 52, which has an end 54. The end 54 may be tapered, as shown in
Valve pin 11 may further include a head 55. The head 55 may be used to facilitate connecting the valve pin 11 to the piston 46. The head 55 may be positioned at the end of the valve pin 11 opposed to the end 54. The head 55 may be a disc-shaped portion that has a larger diameter than that of the valve pin body 52. The head 55 may be captured by any suitable means known in the art, so that the valve pin 11 is removable from the arm 48.
Valve pin 11 further includes a thermocouple 56. The thermocouple 56 may be a two-wire type. For example, the thermocouple 56 may include a first electrical conduit 58, which may be a wire 58, a second electrical conduit 60, which may be a wire 60, and a sensing piece 62, which connects the wires 58 and 60 at one end. The wires 58 and 60 are preferably insulated along their length, to inhibit being heated by something other than the sensing piece 62. The thermocouple 56 may be of a configuration described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,718 (Schmidt), which is incorporated herein by reference.
Thermocouple 56 may be embedded in valve pin body 52, as shown, or may alternatively, may extend in an internal passage in valve pin body 52.
The sensing piece 62 may be positioned proximate the end 54 of the valve pin body 52 to record the temperature of melt that is relatively close to the gate 34. The term ‘proximate’ as used herein, indicates that the sensing piece 62 may be near end 54 or may be in the end 54.
The wires 58 and 60 from thermocouple 56 may exit from the valve pin body 52 outside of the nozzle melt channel 30 and manifold outgoing melt channel 24. Thermocouple 56 exits from valve pin 11 at an exit point 64. Exit point 64 may be at any suitable position on valve pin 11, such as, for example, on the side of the valve pin body 52, as shown. The position of exit point 64 should be such that the exiting wires 58 and 60 do not interfere with the movement of valve pin 11 in melt channels 24 and 30. Thermocouple 56 may be connected to a receiving device 65 for receiving, processing, transmitting and/or recording the measurements from thermocouple 56. Wires 58 and 60 should be long enough between valve pin 11 and receiving device 65, so that they do not interfere with the movement of valve pin 11.
By positioning the thermocouple 56 inside the valve pin body 52, the thermocouple 56 can measure the temperature of the melt while it is protected from wear from the melt flow in the nozzle melt channel 30. This is in contrast to valve pins having a film-type thermocouple applied thereto where substantially all of the film-type thermocouple is exposed to the melt flow.
Reference is made to
Referring to
Reference is made to FIG. 3d. As an alternative, valve pin body 52 may include a passage 72, which passes through end 54 of valve pin 11, so that there is an aperture 74 on the end 54 of valve pin 11. In this alternative, the thermocouple 56 may pass through the aperture 74, so that the sensing piece 62 of thermocouple 56 is flush with the surface of the valve pin at end 54. A suitable material may then be used to fill any air gap between the sensing piece 62 in the aperture 74, so that the end 54 of the valve pin 11 has a smooth surface.
Reference is made to
Reference is made to
Reference is made to
Reference is made to
Reference is made to
Molding machine 300 may include a plurality of manifolds, such as manifolds 304 and 306. Manifolds 304 and 306 receive melt from a plurality of melt sources (not shown), and may have a plurality of melt channels therein, which are shown at 308, 310 and 312. Each melt channel 308, 310 and 312 carries melt which forms a different layer of the final molded product.
Co-injection nozzle 302 may include a first nozzle melt channel 314, a second nozzle melt channel 316 and a third nozzle melt channel 318, which receive melt from manifold melt channels 308, 310 and 312 respectively. Such a configuration is described in PCT publication no. WO00/54954 (Gellert et al.). Nozzle melt channel 314 may be central and coherent along its length, while melt channel 316 may be annular and may join with melt channel 314, so that a second layer of material may be introduced into melt channel 314. Melt channel 318 may also be annular and join melt channel 314 to introduce a third layer of material to melt channel 314.
Valve pin 11 may be moved in melt channel 314 to permit the flow of the materials into the melt channel 314 or to permit the flow of materials into the mold cavity 303. As valve pin 11 moves in melt channel 314, different temperature information may be obtained. For example, as the valve pin 11 is in the closed position, shown in
Reference is made to
Referring to
Referring to
The second thermocouple 404 may be positioned spaced from the first thermocouple 402, such as, for example, in a central portion 408 of the valve pin 400. The central portion 408 is the portion of the valve pin 400 that is adapted to be positioned generally in the region of the nozzle 14 (
The actuator 38 has been described as being a hydraulic piston-type, and as a rack-and-pinion type. Alternatively, the actuator 38 may be an electric rotary actuator, or an electric linear actuator, which can be connected to the valve pin 11.
While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification and change without departing from the fair meaning of the accompanying claims.
Claims
1. A valve pin for use in a melt channel in of an injection molding machine nozzle having a nozzle heater, comprising:
- a valve pin body; and
- at least one thermocouple positioned substantially completely inside coupled to said valve pin body for measuring the temperature of melt in said melt channel, wherein the temperature measurement is used in controlling said nozzle heater.
2. A valve pin as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one thermocouple includes a sensing portion and a pair of electrical conduits for connecting said sensing portion to a receiving device.
3. A valve pin as claimed in claim 2, wherein said valve pin body has an end that is adapted to be positioned proximate a gate into a mold cavity, and said sensing portion of said at least one thermocouple is positioned in said end.
4. A valve pin as claimed in claim 3, wherein said sensing portion of said at least one thermocouple is adapted to be exposed to melt when said valve pin body is positioned in said melt channel.
5. A valve pin as claimed in claim 4, wherein said sensing portion of said at least one thermocouple is flush with said end.
6. A valve pin as claimed in claim 2, wherein said valve pin includes a first said thermocouple and a second said thermocouple, and said sensing portion of said first thermocouple is spaced from said sensing portion of said second thermocouple.
7. A valve pin as claimed in claim 6, wherein said valve pin body has an end that is adapted to be positioned proximate a gate into a mold cavity, and said sensing portion of said first thermocouple is positioned proximate said end.
8. A valve pin as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an actuator for moving said valve pin body in said melt channel.
9. The valve pin as claimed in claim 8, wherein said valve pin body is removably connected to said actuator.
10. A nozzle for an injection molding machine, comprising:
- a nozzle body defining a nozzle melt channel therein, wherein said nozzle melt channel is adapted to transfer melt from a melt source, to a gate into a mold cavity;
- a heater connected to said nozzle body, wherein said heater is located on said nozzle body for heating melt passing through said nozzle melt channel;
- a valve pin positioned at least partially in said nozzle melt channel, said valve pin including a valve pin body and at least one valve pin thermocouple positioned at least partially within said valve pin body for measuring the temperature of the melt in said nozzle melt channel, wherein the temperature measurement is used in controlling said nozzle heater; and
- an actuator for moving said valve pin in said melt channel.
11. A nozzle as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:
- a heater connected to said nozzle body, and wherein said heater is located on said nozzle body for heating melt passing through said nozzle melt channel; and
- a nozzle body thermocouple connected to said nozzle body.
12. A nozzle as claimed in claim 10, wherein said actuator includes a chamber and a piston that is movable within said chamber, wherein said valve pin is connected to said piston, said piston has two faces, and said piston is adapted to be moved in said chamber by differential pressure of an actuating fluid in said chamber on said two faces of said piston.
13. A nozzle as claimed in claim 10, wherein said valve pin is removably connected to said actuator.
14. The valve pin as claimed in claim 1, wherein said thermocouple is positioned at least partially within said valve pin body.
15. An injection molding machine comprising:
- a manifold having a manifold melt channel for receiving a melt stream;
- a nozzle having a nozzle melt channel for receiving the melt stream from said manifold melt channel and delivering the melt stream to a mold cavity; and
- a valve pin slidable within the manifold and nozzle melt channels, said valve pin having a valve pin body with a thermocouple, wherein said valve pin thermocouple is positionable within said manifold melt channel for measuring a temperature of the melt therein.
16. The injection molding machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein said valve pin thermocouple is positionable within said nozzle melt channel for measuring a temperature of the melt therein.
17. The injection molding machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the mold cavity receives melt from a plurality of mold gates.
18. An injection molding machine comprising:
- a nozzle having a nozzle melt channel for receiving a melt from a melt source and delivering the melt to a mold cavity via a mold gate;
- a valve pin slidable within the nozzle melt channel;
- a first thermocouple with a sensing portion coupled proximate a forward end of said valve pin; and
- a second thermocouple with a sensing portion coupled to said valve pin and spaced from said sensing portion of said first thermocouple.
19. The injection molding machine as claimed in claim 18, wherein the forward end of said valve pin is adapted to be seated in the mold gate and the sensing portion of the first thermocouple measures a temperature of the melt proximate the mold gate.
20. The injection molding machine as claimed in claim 19, wherein the sensing portion of the second thermocouple is positioned on a central portion of said valve pin for measuring a temperature of the melt proximate a central portion of said nozzle melt channel.
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Type: Grant
Filed: May 17, 2006
Date of Patent: Sep 2, 2008
Assignee: Mold-Masters (2007) Limited (Georgetown Ontario)
Inventor: George Olaru (Georgetown)
Primary Examiner: Tim Heitbrink
Attorney: Medler Ferro PLLC
Application Number: 11/436,185
International Classification: B29C 45/23 (20060101);