US20200122376A1 - Actuator cooling apparatus and method - Google Patents
Actuator cooling apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
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- US20200122376A1 US20200122376A1 US16/718,936 US201916718936A US2020122376A1 US 20200122376 A1 US20200122376 A1 US 20200122376A1 US 201916718936 A US201916718936 A US 201916718936A US 2020122376 A1 US2020122376 A1 US 2020122376A1
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- actuator
- clamp plate
- manifold
- arm
- distal
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 30
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Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C45/72—Heating or cooling
- B29C45/73—Heating or cooling of the mould
- B29C45/7331—Heat transfer elements, e.g. heat pipes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C45/26—Moulds
- B29C45/27—Sprue channels ; Runner channels or runner nozzles
- B29C45/2737—Heating or cooling means therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C45/26—Moulds
- B29C45/27—Sprue channels ; Runner channels or runner nozzles
- B29C45/28—Closure devices therefor
- B29C45/2806—Closure devices therefor consisting of needle valve systems
- B29C45/281—Drive means therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C45/72—Heating or cooling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C45/26—Moulds
- B29C45/27—Sprue channels ; Runner channels or runner nozzles
- B29C45/2725—Manifolds
- B29C2045/2733—Inserts, plugs, bushings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C45/26—Moulds
- B29C45/27—Sprue channels ; Runner channels or runner nozzles
- B29C45/28—Closure devices therefor
- B29C45/2806—Closure devices therefor consisting of needle valve systems
- B29C2045/2848—Closure devices therefor consisting of needle valve systems having an adjustable stroke length
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C45/26—Moulds
- B29C45/27—Sprue channels ; Runner channels or runner nozzles
- B29C45/28—Closure devices therefor
- B29C45/2806—Closure devices therefor consisting of needle valve systems
- B29C2045/2868—Closure devices therefor consisting of needle valve systems with an incorporated heat pipe
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C45/72—Heating or cooling
- B29C2045/7271—Cooling of drive motors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C45/00—Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
- B29C45/17—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C45/26—Moulds
- B29C45/27—Sprue channels ; Runner channels or runner nozzles
- B29C45/28—Closure devices therefor
- B29C45/2806—Closure devices therefor consisting of needle valve systems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
- B29K2995/0012—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds having particular thermal properties
- B29K2995/0013—Conductive
Definitions
- PCT/US11/062099 (7100WO0) and PCT Application No. PCT/US11/062096 (7100WO1), U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,562,336, 8,091,202 (7097US1) and 8,282,388 (7097US2).
- Solid sheet metal springs for cooling actuators have been used in injection molding systems such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,349,244 and 8,562,336. These prior cooling devices comprise a solid body of sheet metal of relatively high mass in excess of 5 grams that is adapted to exert a spring force by forced deformation of a portion of the solid sheet of metal. This same sheet of metal is purposely disposed in direct heat conductive contact with a relatively large surface of the hot metal housing of an actuator typically in excess of 10 square millimeters that itself is disposed in heat conductive communication with a fluid distribution manifold that is heated to an elevated temperature sufficient to melt polymer materials.
- the ability of the sheet metal spring body to readily deform and provide an effective spring force is degraded by the very high level of heat to which the sheet metal body is subjected, the sheet metal spring body also acting to conduct heat from the actuator housing body to a cool clamp plate.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 interconnected to a valve pin 17 having an axis A, a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 wherein, when assembled, the clamp plate 80 is mounted upstream of the mold 300 , the manifold 20 being disposed between the clamp plate and the mold 300 ,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a proximal arm or member 504 comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm or member 502 comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm or member 502 being mounted by one or more spring loadable interconnections or engagement 506 on or to the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end surface 502 a, the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 having engagement surfaces 506 es that engage against complementary opposing engagement surfaces ( 504 us, 502 us ) of proximal 504 and distal 502 members forming a selected area of engagement that renders spring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal and distal arms or members,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a at least when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 preferably has an amount or degree of mass that renders the spring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal and distal members.
- the area of engagement or contact between engagement surfaces 506 es and one or both of surfaces 504 us or 502 us preferably minimizes, enables or imparts a minimal amount of, heat conduction between members 504 and 502 via or through spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 .
- the area of engagement or contact between engagement surfaces 506 es and one or both of surfaces 504 us or 502 us is preferably less than about 10 square mm, typically less than about 7.5 mm and more typically less than about 5 mm.
- the actuator 10 typically comprises a housing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, the housing body 12 having a surface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base or member 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 .
- the apparatus can further comprise one or more heat conductive tubes 517 a, 517 b, 517 c, 517 d containing a heat conductive liquid embedded within one or the other or both of the proximal 504 and distal 502 members.
- the distal 502 and proximal 504 members can be heat transmissively interconnected or engaged with each other by heat transmissive rods 507 or tubes 517 r that are intimately engaged with the members 502 , 504 .
- the apparatus can further comprise one or more hollow heat conductive tubes 517 ah having a cavity containing heat conductive fluid, the one or more tubes 517 ah being embedded within the body of the housing of the actuator 10 , 12 .
- the distal member 502 can have a proximal exterior surface 502 b that is adapted to be engaged and slidable against a complementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator 10 such that heat thermally conducts between the housing body 12 , 12 a and the distal arm or member 502 , the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member being movable toward and away from the actuator 10 by sliding movement of the proximal exterior surface 502 b of the distal arm or member 502 on the complementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the actuator.
- the spring loaded interconnection 506 can be adapted to urge the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into a compression of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) with the clamp plate.
- the lateral surface 12 ls and the proximal base member 504 aa are preferably laterally spaced apart 12 ld from direct heat conductive communication with the heated manifold 20 .
- the clamp plate is typically cooled.
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device are typically assembled together in an arrangement wherein the spring 506 a is resiliently compressed up to a maximum of about 3 mm urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 a.
- the apparatus can include two or more separate cooling devices each comprised of a distal arm or member 502 mounted via spring loadable interconnection to a proximal base or member 504 , each separate cooling device being separately mounted to the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator and separately assemblable together with the clamp plate, the mold, the actuator and the manifold such that the distal end surface of the distal arm or member of each separate cooling device is in compressed engagement with the clamp plate under the spring loadable interconnection 506 between each separate distal end arm 502 and proximal base or member 504 .
- the apparatus can further comprise a mount 803 separating the actuator housing from direct contact with the manifold, the mount being cooled and having an upstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mounting surface 12 d of the actuator 10 and a downstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 .
- a mount 803 is preferably comprised of a thermally conductive metal that is cooled to a temperature of less than about 150 degrees F.
- the actuator 10 can be interconnected to a valve pin 17 that is mounted to the manifold and extends through a fluid material feed bore 22 in the manifold 20 .
- the proximal base or member 504 is typically rigidly attached in thermally conductive contact to the laterally spaced surface 12 ls the housing body 12 , 12 a.
- the distal arm or member 502 , 502 b is typically attached to the actuator such that the arm 502 , 502 b is disposed in slidable thermally conductive contact with the lateral surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body.
- the distal arm or member can comprise a rod 502 r slidably disposed within a complementary bore 12 bo disposed within the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator 10 , the complementary bore 12 bo and the rod 502 r being configured such that an exterior surface 502 b of the rod 502 r is slidably engaged in thermally conductive contact against an interior surface 12 si, 12 asi of the complementary bore 12 bo.
- a method of cooling an actuator in an injection molding apparatus 5 comprised of a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 interconnected to a valve pin 17 having an axis A and a mold 300 wherein, when assembled, the clamp plate 80 is mounted upstream of the mold 300 , the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold, the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A,
- a cooling device 500 is mounted to a surface 12 ls of the housing body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the cooling device comprising a proximal arm or member 504 that is comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm or member 502 that is comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm or member 502 being mounted by one or more spring loadable interconnections or engagements 506 on or to the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end surface 502 a,
- the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 has engagement surfaces 506 es that engage against complementary opposing engagement surfaces ( 504 us, 502 us ) of proximal 504 and distal 502 members having a selected area of engagement that renders spring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal and distal arms or members,
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus of the foregoing claims such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 interconnected to a valve pin 17 having an axis A, a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 wherein, when assembled, the clamp plate 80 is mounted upstream of the mold 300 , the manifold 20 being disposed between the clamp plate and the mold 300 ,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a proximal arm or member 504 comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm or member 502 comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm or member 502 being mounted by one or more spring loadable interconnections or engagements 506 on or to the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end surface 502 a,
- the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 having an amount or degree of mass that renders the spring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal 504 and distal 502 members,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a at least when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature
- the mass of the spring loadable interconnection minimizes, enables or imparts a minimal amount of, heat conduction between the proximal and distal arms or members via or through the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 .
- the mass of the spring loadable interconnection 506 is typically less than about 10 grams, more typically less than about 7.5 grams and most typically less than about 5 grams.
- the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 can have engagement surfaces 506 es that engage against complementary opposing engagement surfaces ( 504 us, 502 us ) of proximal 504 and distal 502 members having a selected area of engagement that renders spring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal and distal arms or members.
- the area of engagement or contact between engagement surfaces 506 es and one or both of surfaces 504 us or 502 us is typically less than about 10 square mm, more typically less than about 7.5 square mm and most typically less than about 5 square mm.
- the actuator 10 preferably comprises a housing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, the housing body 12 having a surface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base or member 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 .
- Such an apparatus can further comprise one or more heat conductive tubes 517 a, 517 b, 517 c, 517 d containing a heat conductive liquid embedded within one or the other or both of the proximal 504 and distal 502 members.
- the distal 502 and proximal 504 members can be heat transmissively interconnected or engaged with each other by heat transmissive rods 507 or tubes 517 r that are intimately engaged with the members 502 , 504 .
- the apparatus can further comprise one or more hollow heat conductive tubes 517 ah having a cavity containing heat conductive fluid, the one or more tubes 517 ah being embedded within the body of the housing of the actuator 10 , 12 .
- the distal member 502 can have a proximal exterior surface 502 b that is adapted to be engaged and slidable against a complementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator 10 such that heat thermally conducts between the housing body 12 , 12 a and the distal arm or member 502 , the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member being movable toward and away from the actuator 10 by sliding movement of the proximal exterior surface 502 b of the distal arm or member 502 on the complementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the actuator.
- the spring loaded interconnection 506 is preferably adapted to urge the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into a compression of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) with the clamp plate.
- the lateral surface 12 ls and the proximal base or member 504 are typically laterally spaced apart 12 ld from direct heat conductive communication with the heated manifold 20 .
- the clamp plate can be cooled.
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device are typically assembled together in an arrangement wherein such that the spring 506 a is resiliently compressed up to a maximum of about 3 mm urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 a.
- the apparatus can include two or more separate cooling devices each comprised of a distal arm or member 502 mounted via spring loadable interconnection to a proximal base or member 504 , each separate cooling device being separately mounted to the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator and separately assemblable together with the clamp plate, the mold, the actuator and the manifold such that the distal end surface of the distal arm or member of each separate cooling device is in compressed engagement with the clamp plate under the spring loadable interconnection 506 between each separate distal end arm 502 and proximal base or member 504 .
- the apparatus can further comprise a mount 803 separating the actuator housing 19 from direct contact with the manifold, the mount being cooled and having an upstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mounting surface 12 d of the actuator 10 and a downstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 .
- a mount 803 is typically comprised of a thermally conductive metal that is cooled to a temperature of less than about 150 degrees F.
- the actuator 10 is preferably interconnected to a valve pin 17 that is mounted to the manifold and extends through a fluid material feed bore 22 in the manifold 20 .
- the proximal base or member 504 can be rigidly attached in thermally conductive contact to the laterally spaced surface 12 ls the housing body 12 , 12 a.
- the distal arm or member 502 , 502 b can be attached to the actuator such that the arm 502 , 502 b is disposed in slidable thermally conductive contact with the lateral surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body.
- the distal arm or member can comprises a rod 502 r slidably disposed within a complementary bore 12 bo disposed within the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator 10 , the complementary bore 12 bo and the rod 502 r being configured such that an exterior surface 502 b of the rod 502 r is slidably engaged in thermally conductive contact against an interior surface 12 si, 12 asi of the complementary bore 12 bo.
- a method of cooling an actuator in an injection molding apparatus 5 comprised of a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 interconnected to a valve pin 17 having an axis A and a mold 300 wherein, when assembled, the clamp plate 80 is mounted upstream of the mold 300 , the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold, the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on
- a cooling device 500 is mounted to a surface 12 ls of the housing body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the cooling device comprising a proximal arm or member 504 that is comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm or member 502 that is comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm or member 502 being mounted by one or more spring loadable interconnections or engagements 506 on or to the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end surface 502 a,
- the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 having an amount or degree of mass that renders the spring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal 504 and distal 502 members,
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 interconnected to a valve pin 17 having an axis A, a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 wherein, when assembled, the clamp plate 80 mounted upstream of the mold 300 , the manifold 20 being disposed between the clamp plate and the mold, wherein the actuator 10 comprises a housing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a proximal arm or member 504 comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm or member 502 comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm or member or member 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement 506 on or to the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end surface 502 a,
- the housing body 12 having a surface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base or member 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 is movable through the spring loadable interconnection 506 toward and away from the actuator 10 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a at least when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- Such an apparatus can further comprise one or more heat conductive tubes 517 a, 517 b, 517 c, 517 d containing a heat conductive liquid embedded within one or the other or both of the proximal 504 and distal 502 members.
- the distal 502 and proximal 504 members can be heat transmissively interconnected or engaged with each other by heat transmissive rods 507 or tubes 517 r that are intimately engaged with the members 502 , 504 .
- Such an apparatus can further comprise one or more hollow heat conductive tubes 517 ah having a cavity containing heat conductive fluid, the one or more tubes 517 ah being embedded within the body of the housing of the actuator 10 , 12 .
- the distal member 502 has a proximal exterior surface 502 b that is adapted to be engaged and slidable against a complementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator 10 such that heat thermally conducts between the housing body 12 , 12 a and the distal arm or member 502 , the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member being movable toward and away from the actuator 10 by sliding movement of the proximal exterior surface 502 b of the distal arm or member 502 on the complementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the actuator.
- the spring loaded interconnection 506 is typically adapted to urge the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into a compression of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) with the clamp plate.
- the clamp plate is preferably mounted in a position in spaced thermal isolation from the manifold.
- the clamp plate is preferably cooled.
- the cooling device 500 can include a resilient spring 506 a disposed between a body surface 504 a of the proximal base or member 504 and the distal arm or member 502 , wherein the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device are assembled together in an arrangement wherein the spring 506 a is resiliently compressed up to a maximum of about 3 mm urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 a.
- Such an apparatus typically includes two or more separate cooling devices each comprised of a distal arm or member mounted in spring loadable interconnection to a proximal base or member, each separate cooling device being separately mounted to the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator and separately assemblable together with the clamp plate, the mold, the actuator and the manifold such that the distal end surface of the distal arm or member of each separate cooling device is in compressed engagement with the clamp plate under the spring loadable interconnection 506 between each separate distal end arm 502 and proximal base or member 504 .
- Such an apparatus preferably further comprises a mount 803 separating the actuator housing from direct contact with the manifold, the mount being cooled and having an upstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mounting surface 12 d of the actuator 10 and a downstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 .
- the mount is typically comprised of a thermally conductive metal that is cooled to a temperature of less than about 150 degrees F.
- the actuator 10 is typically interconnected to a valve pin 17 that is mounted to the manifold and extends through a fluid material feed bore 22 in the manifold 20 .
- the proximal base or member 504 can be rigidly attached in thermally conductive contact to the laterally spaced surface 12 ls the housing body 12 , 12 a.
- the distal arm or member 502 and proximal member 504 can comprise a unitary thermally conductive body 503 with at least the distal arm or member 502 being resiliently deformable to form the spring loadable interconnection 506 on assembly of the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assembled in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded when the manifold is heated to operating temperature urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- the distal arm or member and the proximal base or member can comprise a unitary body 503 rigidly attached in thermally conductive contact 504 s to the laterally spaced surface 12 ls, a portion of the unitary body being resiliently deformable to form the spring loadable interconnection 506 , the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assembled in an arrangement wherein the resiliently deformable portion of the unitary body 503 compresses up to a maximum of about 0.5 mm when the manifold is heated to operating temperature urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- the distal arm or member 502 , 502 b can be attached to the actuator such that the arm 502 , 502 b is disposed in slidable thermally conductive contact with the lateral surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body.
- the distal arm or member can comprises a rod 502 r slidably disposed within a complementary bore 12 bo disposed within the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator 10 , the complementary bore 12 bo and the rod 502 r being configured such that an exterior surface 502 b of the rod 502 r is slidably engaged in thermally conductive contact against an interior surface 12 si, 12 asi of the complementary bore 12 bo.
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- a method of cooling an actuator in an injection molding apparatus 5 comprised of a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 interconnected to a valve pin 17 having an axis A and a mold 300 wherein, when assembled, the clamp plate 80 is mounted upstream of the mold 300 , the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold, the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A,
- a cooling device 500 is mounted to a surface 12 ls of the housing body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the cooling device comprising a proximal arm or member 504 that is comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm or member 502 that is comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm or member 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement 506 on or to the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end surface 502 a,
- the proximal base or member 504 is mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 , and
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter are assembled together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a at least when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member and a proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load and a proximal surface for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end,
- the actuator comprising a housing body that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold,
- the proximal base or member being mounted to the housing body of the actuator in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface of the distal arm or member is movable through the spring loadable interconnection toward and away from the actuator,
- the distal arm or member being mounted to the proximal base or member in an arrangement such that an exterior surface of the distal arm or member is disposed in slidable thermally conductive contact engagement with a complementary surface of the housing body,
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator interconnected to and driving a valve pin along an axis A, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member and a proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load and a proximal surface for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end;
- the actuator ( 10 ) comprising a housing body ( 12 ) that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold;
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate,
- the distal arm or member and proximal base or member comprising a unitary thermally conductive body in which the spring loadable interconnection comprises a resiliently deformable portion of the unitary body
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable in an arrangement wherein the resiliently deformable portion of the unitary body is compressed and urges the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- the housing body 12 is typically mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis (A) to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, and
- the housing body 12 typically has a surface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis (A), the proximal base or member 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the unitary body resiliently deforms urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a heat transmissive rod and a proximal base or member, the rod being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the rod being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load,
- the actuator comprising a housing body that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold,
- the proximal base or member being mounted to or integral with the housing body of the actuator in an arrangement wherein heat is transmitted between the housing body and the proximal base or member
- the distal arm or member comprising a rod slidably disposed within a complementary bore disposed within the housing body, the complementary bore and the rod being configured such that an exterior surface of the rod is slidably engagable in thermally conductive contact with and against an interior surface of the complementary bore transmitting heat from the housing body to the distal end surface,
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the rod into compressed engagement with the clamp plate when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- the housing body 12 is typically mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, and the housing body 12 has a surface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base or member 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 .
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus described immediately above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the rod into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 , a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 , wherein when assembled the clamp plate 80 and the mold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 ,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member 502 and a proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement 506 to or with the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load,
- the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 ,
- the proximal base or member 504 being mounted to the housing body 12 of the actuator 10 in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 is movable through the spring loadable interconnection 506 toward and away from the actuator 10 ,
- the distal arm or member 502 having a proximal surface 502 b adapted to be disposed in sliding contact with a complementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the actuator 10 for transmitting heat from the proximal surface 502 b to the distal end surface 502 a,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the proximal surface 502 b slides along the complementary surface 12 ls, 12 as and the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the movable rod or arm 502 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a at least when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 has an amount or degree of mass (typically less than about 5 grams) that renders the spring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal 504 and distal 502 members.
- the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 typically has engagement surfaces 506 es that engage against complementary opposing engagement surfaces ( 504 us, 502 us ) of proximal 504 and distal 502 members having a selected area of engagement (typically less than about 10 mm) that renders spring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal and distal arms or members.
- the actuator 10 is typically interconnected to a valve pin 17 that is drivable along an axis A, the housing body 12 being mounted in thermally conductive contact with one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted on the manifold 20 downstream of the housing body 12 along the axis A,
- the proximal base 504 of the cooling device 500 being mounted to a surface 12 ls of the housing body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 ,
- the spring loadable interconnection typically comprises one or more rods or tubes 507 , 517 r slidably mounted to or within one of the proximal base or member 504 and the distal arm or member 502 and rigidly interconnected to the other of the proximal base or member 504 and the distal arm or member 502 , the one or more rods or tubes 507 , 517 r transmitting heat between the proximal base or member 504 and the distal arm or member 502 ,
- the distal arm or member can be movable in an axial direction toward and away from the actuator housing 12 .
- the distal arm or member can be movable in a lateral or radial direction toward and away from the actuator housing 12 .
- the spring loaded interconnection 506 is typically adapted to urge the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into a compression of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) with the clamp plate.
- the clamp plate is preferably mounted in a position in spaced thermal isolation from the manifold and is cooled.
- the spring loadable interconnection can comprise a resilient spring 506 a disposed between a body surface 504 a of the proximal base or member 504 and the distal arm or member 502 , wherein the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device are assembled together in an arrangement wherein the spring 506 a is resiliently compressed up to a maximum of about 3 mm urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 a.
- Such an apparatus can include two or more separate cooling devices each comprised of a distal arm or member mounted in spring loadable interconnection to a proximal base or member, each separate cooling device being separately mounted to the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator and separately assemblable together with the clamp plate, the mold, the actuator and the manifold such that the distal end surface of the distal arm or member of each separate cooling device is in compressed engagement with the clamp plate under the spring loadable interconnection 506 between each separate distal end arm 502 and proximal base or member 504 .
- Such an apparatus typically further comprises a mount 803 separating the actuator housing from direct contact with the manifold, the mount being cooled and having an upstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mounting surface 12 d of the actuator 10 and a downstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 .
- the mount is typically comprised of a thermally conductive metal that is cooled to a temperature of less than about 150 degrees F.
- the valve pin 17 is preferably mounted to the manifold and extends through a fluid material feed bore 22 in the manifold 20 .
- the proximal base or member 504 is typically rigidly attached in thermally conductive contact to the laterally spaced surface 12 ls the housing body 12 , 12 a.
- the one or more rods or tubes 507 can comprise hollow heat conductive tubes 517 ah having a cavity containing a heat conductive fluid and a wick.
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus ( 5 ) comprising a clamp plate ( 80 ), a heated manifold ( 20 ), an actuator ( 10 ), a mold ( 300 ) and a cooling device ( 500 ) that cools the actuator ( 10 ), wherein when assembled the clamp plate ( 80 ) and the mold ( 300 ) are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold ( 20 ) is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator ( 10 ) is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold ( 20 ),
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member ( 502 ) and a proximal base or member ( 504 ), the distal arm or member ( 502 ) being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement ( 506 ) to or with the proximal base or member ( 504 ), the distal arm or member ( 502 ) and the proximal base or member ( 504 ) being comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm or member ( 502 ) having a distal end surface ( 502 a ) for engaging the clamp plate ( 80 , 80 a ) under a spring load and a proximal surface ( 502 b ) in sliding heat conductive contact with the actuator ( 10 ) for transmitting heat from the proximal surface ( 502 b ) to the distal end surface ( 502 a ),
- the actuator ( 10 ) comprising a housing body ( 12 , 12 a ) that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold ( 20 ),
- the proximal base or member ( 504 ) being mounted in heat conductive contact with the housing body ( 12 ) of the actuator ( 10 ) in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface ( 502 a ) of the movable rod or arm ( 502 ) is movable through the spring loadable interconnection ( 506 ) toward and away from the actuator ( 10 ),
- the spring loadable interconnection ( 506 ) comprising a resiliently deformable elbow ( 506 ) integrally formed together with and rigidly interconnecting the proximal base ( 504 ) and the distal arm ( 502 ), the elbow ( 506 ) transmitting heat from the proximal base ( 504 ) to the distal arm or member 502 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold ( 300 ), the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection ( 506 ) is loaded urging the distal end surface ( 502 a ) of the movable rod or arm ( 502 ) into compressed engagement with the clamp plate ( 80 , 80 a ) at least when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- the housing body 12 is preferably mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A,
- the housing body 12 has a surface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base or member 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 .
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus described immediately above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 , a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 , wherein when assembled the clamp plate 80 and the mold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 ,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member 502 and a proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement 506 to or with the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 b in sliding contact with the actuator 10 for transmitting heat from the proximal surface 502 b to the distal end surface 502 a,
- the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 ,
- the proximal base or member 504 being mounted to the housing body 12 of the actuator 10 in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface 502 a of the movable rod or arm 502 is movable through the spring loadable interconnection 506 toward and away from the actuator 10 ,
- the proximal base 504 and the distal arm 502 comprising a unitary solid body of highly heat conductive material
- the spring loadable interconnection 506 comprising a resiliently deformable portion 506 of the unitary solid body rigidly interconnecting the proximal base 504 and the distal arm 502 , the resiliently deformable portion 506 being resiliently compressible and interconnecting the proximal base 504 to the distal arm or member 502 and transmitting heat from the proximal base or member 504 to the distal arm or member 502 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the movable rod or arm 502 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a.
- the housing body 12 can be mounted in thermally conductive contact along an axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A,
- the housing body 12 has a surface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base or member 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 .
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 , a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 , wherein when assembled the clamp plate 80 and the mold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 ,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member 502 comprised of a rod or tube 502 r and a proximal base or member 504 comprising a portion of the housing body 12 that is laterally spaced from an axis A along which the valve pin is driven, the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 ,
- the rod or tube 502 r being slidably disposed within a complementary bore 12 bo disposed within the laterally spaced portion 504 of the housing body 12 , the complementary bore 12 bo and the rod 502 r being configured such that the exterior surface 502 b of the rod 502 r is slidable and engaged in thermally conductive contact against an interior surface 12 si, 12 asi of the complementary bore 12 bo,
- the distal arm or member 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load exerted by a spring loadable interconnection 506 between the rod 502 r and the laterally spaced portion 504 of the housing body 12 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the movable rod or tube 502 r into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a.
- the housing body 12 is preferably mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A,
- the interior surface 12 si, 12 asi of the complementary bore 12 bo being spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, such that the interior surface 12 si, 12 asi of the complementary bore 12 bo is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 .
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 , a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 , wherein when assembled the clamp plate 80 and the mold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 ,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member 502 and a proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement 506 to the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 s in sliding contact with a surface 12 ls the actuator 10 for transmitting heat from the proximal surface 502 s to the distal end surface 502 a,
- one or more surfaces 502 s of the distal arm 502 being slidably engaged with one or more surfaces of the proximal base 504 , the proximal base 504 transmitting heat to the distal arm 502 via the slidably engaged surfaces,
- the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 ,
- the proximal base or member 504 being mounted to the housing body 12 of the actuator 10 in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface 502 a of the movable rod or arm 502 is movable through the spring loadable interconnection 506 toward and away from the actuator 10 ,
- the spring loadable interconnection comprising one or more rods or tubes 507 , 517 r slidably mounted to the proximal base or member 504 and interconnected to the distal arm or member 502 transmitting heat from the proximal base or member 504 to the distal arm or member 502 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the movable rod or arm 502 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a.
- the housing body 12 is preferably mounted in thermally conductive contact along an axis A along which the valve pin is driven, the housing body being mounted to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A,
- the surface 12 ls of the actuator with which the proximal surface 502 s of the distal member is slidably engaged being being spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base or member 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base or member 504 and the proximal surface 502 s of the distal member 502 are spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 .
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 , a mold 300 and a cooling device 800 that cools the actuator 10 , wherein when assembled the clamp plate 80 and the mold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 ,
- cooling device 800 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a highly heat conductive proximal base 803 and at least one highly heat conductive leg 800 l extending a selected upstream longitudinal length UL from the proximal base 803 and forming a reception aperture or recess 800 ra in which the actuator 10 is mountable in close proximity to the leg 800 l, the one or more legs 800 l being formed to include one or more spring joints 800 s along the longitudinal length UL that are resiliently deformable under compression to exert a spring force UF along the longitudinal length UL of the one or more legs 800 l,
- the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 ,
- the proximal base 803 being mounted between the actuator 12 and the manifold 20 in an arrangement wherein an upstream distal end surface 800 a of the one or more legs 800 l is movable through the spring loadable interconnection 506 toward and away from the actuator 10 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the one or more spring joints are deformed by engagement between the distal end surface 800 a and a surface 80 a of the clamp plate 80 , the one or more deformed spring joints urging the distal end surface 800 a of the cooling device 800 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a.
- a method of cooling the actuator of an apparatus as described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring joints are loaded urging the distal end surfaces of the one or more heat conductive legs into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate ( 80 ) mounted to a mold ( 300 ) in spaced relationship, a heated manifold ( 20 ), an actuator ( 10 ) interconnected to and driving a valve pin ( 17 ), the actuator ( 10 ) comprising a housing body ( 12 ), and a cooling device ( 500 ) that cools the actuator ( 10 ), wherein the manifold ( 20 ) is disposed between the clamp plate ( 80 ) and the mold ( 300 ) and the housing body ( 12 ) of the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold ( 20 ),
- the cooling device ( 500 ) comprising:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member ( 502 ) and a proximal base or member ( 504 aa ) mounted in heat conductive contact to the housing body ( 12 ) of the actuator,
- the distal arm or member ( 507 m ) comprising a rod ( 507 u, 507 d ) slidably disposed within a complementary bore ( 504 pb, 504 pba ) disposed within the proximal base or member ( 504 aa ), the complementary bore and the rod being configured such that an exterior surface of the rod ( 507 us, 507 ds ) is slidably engaged in thermally conductive contact with and against an interior surface ( 504 pbsa, 504 pbs ) of the complementary bore ( 504 pb, 504 pba ),
- the rod ( 507 u, 507 d ) being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface ( 507 a ), the rod transmitting heat from the proximal arm or member ( 507 m ) to the distal end surface via engagement of the exterior surface ( 507 us, 507 ds ) of the rod with the interior surface ( 504 pbsa, 504 pbs ) of the complementary bore,
- the rod ( 507 u, 507 d ) being mounted within the complementary bore ( 504 pb, 504 pba ) via a spring loadable interconnection ( 506 ) to the proximal base or member ( 504 aa ),
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection ( 506 ) is loaded urging the distal end surface ( 507 a ) of the rod into compressed engagement with the clamp plate when the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and heat transmitter are assembled into an operating assembly.
- the housing body ( 12 ) is preferably mounted in thermally conductive contact along an axis A along which the valve pin ( 17 ) is driven to one or more actuator mounts ( 50 , 60 , 803 ) that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, and the housing body ( 12 ) having a surface ( 12 ls ) that is spaced laterally ( 12 ld ) from the axis A, the proximal base or member ( 504 aa ) being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface ( 12 ls ) such that the proximal base or member ( 504 aa ) is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 .
- the clamp plate 80 can include an actuator receiving aperture 80 ra and an upstream end plate 80 p that is readily attachable to and detachable from the clamp plate 80 in a predetermined mating position disposed upstream of the actuator receiving aperture 80 ra, and, the clamp plate 80 ,
- the upstream end plate 80 p, the manifold 20 , the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the actuator 10 and cooling device 500 are mounted within the actuator receiving aperture 80 ra and the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the rod or arm 502 , 507 m into compressed engagement with the upstream end plate 80 p when the manifold 20 is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- the clamp plate 80 can include a recess 80 r formed within the clamp plate 80 that is complementary to the upstream end plate 80 p such that the upstream end plate is readily receivable within the recess 80 r and attachable to the clamp plate 80 in the predetermined mating position.
- the spring loadable interconnection 506 is preferably loaded urging the distal end surface of the rod into compressed engagement with the clamp plate when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the rod into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising:
- a clamp plate 80 a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 interconnected to and driving a valve pin along an axis A, a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 , wherein when assembled the clamp plate 80 and the mold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 ,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member 502 and a proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member or member 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement 506 to or with the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end surface 502 a,
- one or more heat conductive tubes containing a heat conductive fluid are embedded within one or the other of the proximal 504 or distal 502 members.
- the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 ,
- the proximal base or member 504 being mounted to the housing body 12 of the actuator 10 in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 is movable through the spring loadable interconnection 506 toward and away from the actuator 10 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a.
- the housing body 12 is typically mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, and
- the housing body 12 has a surface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base or member 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus of described immediately above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 , a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 , wherein when assembled the clamp plate 80 and the mold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 ,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member 502 and a proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member or member 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement 506 to or with the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end surface 502 a,
- the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 ,
- the proximal base or member 504 being mounted to the housing body 12 of the actuator 10 in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 is movable through the spring loadable interconnection 506 toward and away from the actuator 10 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a.
- One or more heat conductive tubes 517 a, 517 b, 517 c, 517 d can be embedded within one or the other or both of the proximal 504 or distal 502 members.
- the distal 502 and proximal 504 members are typically heat transmissively interconnected or engaged with each other by heat transmissive rods 507 or tubes 517 r that are intimately engaged with the members.
- One or more heat conductive tubes 517 ah can be embedded within the body of the housing of the actuator 10 , 12 .
- Such tubes typically contain a heat conductive fluid and a wick that facilitates flow of the heat conductive fluid within the hollow cavity of the tube.
- the distal arm or member can have an proximal exterior surface 502 b that is adapted to be engaged and slidable against a laterally disposed complementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator 10 such that heat thermally conducts between the housing body 12 , 12 a and the distal arm or member 502 , the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member being movable toward and away from the actuator 10 by sliding movement of the proximal exterior surface 502 b of the distal arm or member 502 on the complementary laterally disposed surface 12 ls, 12 as of the actuator.
- the spring loaded interconnection 506 preferably urges the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into a compression of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) with the clamp plate.
- the clamp plate is typically mounted in a position in spaced thermal isolation from the manifold.
- the clamp plate can be cooled.
- the cooling device 500 typically includes a spring 506 a disposed between a body surface 504 a of the proximal base or member 504 and the distal arm or member 502 , wherein the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device are assembled together in an arrangement wherein the spring 506 a is compressed urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 a.
- the apparatus can include two or more separate cooling devices each comprised of a distal arm or member mounted in spring loadable interconnection to a proximal base or member, each separate cooling device being separately mounted to the housing body 12 , 12 a of the actuator and separately assemblable together with the clamp plate, the mold, the actuator and the manifold such that the distal end surface of the distal arm or member of each separate cooling device is in compressed engagement with the clamp plate under the spring loadable interconnection 506 between each separate distal end arm 502 and proximal base or member 504 .
- the apparatus can further comprise a mount 50 separating the actuator housing from direct contact with the manifold, the mount being cooled and having a first mounting surface 50 a in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mounting surface 12 m of the actuator 10 and a second mounting surface 50 b in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mounting surface 20 s of the manifold 20 .
- the mount is preferably comprised of a thermally conductive metal that is cooled to a temperature of less than about 150 degrees F.
- the actuator can be interconnected to a valve pin that is mounted to the manifold and extends through a fluid material feed bore in the manifold.
- the proximal base or member 54 is preferably attached in thermally conductive contact with the housing body 12 , 12 a.
- the distal arm or member and proximal base or member can comprise a unitary thermally conductive body 503 with at least the distal arm or member 502 being movably deformed on assembly of the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- the distal arm or member and the proximal base or member can comprise a unitary body 503 where at least the proximal base or member 504 is attached in thermally conductive contact 504 s with the housing body 12 ls, 12 .
- the distal arm or member 502 , 502 b can be attached such that the arm 502 , 502 b is in thermally conductive contact with the housing body 12 ls, 12 as.
- the distal arm or member can comprise a rod 502 r slidably disposed within a complementary bore 12 bo disposed within the housing body 12 , 12 a, the complementary bore 12 bo and the rod 502 r being configured such that the exterior surface 502 b of the rod 502 r is slidable and engaged in thermally conductive contact against an interior surface 12 si, 12 asi of the complementary bore 12 bo.
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus described above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member and a proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load and a proximal surface for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end,
- the actuator comprising a housing body that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold,
- the proximal base or member being mounted to the housing body of the actuator in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface of the distal arm or member is movable through the spring loadable interconnection toward and away from the actuator,
- the distal arm or member being mounted to the proximal base or member in an arrangement such that an exterior surface of the distal arm or member is disposed in slidable contact engagement with a complementary surface of the housing body
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate,
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus of described immediately above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member and a proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load and a proximal surface for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end;
- the actuator comprising a housing body that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold;
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate,
- the distal arm or member and proximal base or member comprising a unitary thermally conductive body in which the spring loadable interconnection comprises a resilient deformability inherent in the unitary body, the distal arm or member being movably resiliently deformed on assembly of the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter in an arrangement wherein the resilient deformation of the unitary body urges the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the unitary body resiliently deforms urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member and a proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load and a proximal surface for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end,
- the actuator comprising a housing body that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold,
- the proximal base or member being mounted to the housing body of the actuator in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface of the distal arm or member is movable through the spring loadable interconnection toward and away from the actuator,
- the distal arm or member comprising a rod slidably disposed within a complementary bore disposed within the housing body, the complementary bore and the rod being configured such that the exterior surface of the rod is slidable and engaged in thermally conductive contact against an interior surface of the complementary bore.
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 , a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 , wherein when assembled the clamp plate 80 and the mold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 ,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member 502 and a proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member or member 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement 506 to or with the proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and a proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end surface 502 a,
- one or more heat conductive tubes are embedded within one or the other or both of the proximal 504 or distal 502 members.
- the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 ,
- the proximal base or member 504 being mounted to the housing body 12 of the actuator 10 in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 is movable through the spring loadable interconnection 506 toward and away from the actuator 10 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a.
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus described above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 , a mold 300 and a cooling device 500 that cools the actuator 10 , wherein when assembled the clamp plate 80 and the mold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 ,
- cooling device 500 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a movable rod or arm 502 , 507 and a proximal base or member 504 aa, the rod or arm 502 , 507 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement 506 to or with the proximal base or member 504 aa, the movable rod or arm 502 , 507 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface 502 a for engaging the clamp plate 80 , 80 a under a spring load and one or more surfaces 502 s, 507 ds, 507 us in sliding contact with one or more surfaces 504 pbs, 504 pba, 504 is of the proximal base 504 aa for transmitting heat from the one or more surfaces 504 pbs, 504 pba, 504 is to the distal end surface 502 a,
- the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 ,
- the proximal base or member 504 being mounted to the housing body 12 of the actuator 10 in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface 502 a of the movable rod or arm 502 is movable through the spring loadable interconnection 506 toward and away from the actuator 10 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging the distal end surface 502 a of the movable rod or arm 502 , 507 m into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 80 a.
- a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the movable rod or arm into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- the clamp plate 80 of the apparatuses 5 described above can include an actuator receiving aperture 80 ra and an upstream end plate 80 p that is readily attachable to and detachable from the clamp plate 80 in a mating position disposed upstream of the actuator receiving aperture 80 ra wherein the actuator receiving aperture, the mating position, the clamp plate 80 and the manifold 20 are adapted such that when the actuator 10 with the cooling devices 500 mounted to the actuator is received within the actuator receiving aperture 80 ra and mounted to the manifold 20 , the distal end surfaces 502 a of the heat transmitters 502 are engaged with the upstream end plate 80 p when the upstream end plate 80 p is attached to the clamp plate in the mating position.
- the clamp plate 80 can include a recess 80 r formed within the clamp plate 80 that is complementary to the upstream end plate 80 p such that the upstream end plate is receivable within the recess 80 r and disposed and held in the mating position for stable attachment to the clamp plate 80 .
- an injection molding apparatus 5 comprising a clamp plate 80 , a heated manifold 20 , an actuator 10 , a mold 300 and a cooling device 800 that cools the actuator 10 , wherein when assembled the clamp plate 80 and the mold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20 ,
- cooling device 800 comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a highly heat conductive proximal base 803 and at least one highly heat conductive leg 800 l extending a selected upstream longitudinal length UL from the proximal base 803 and forming a reception aperture or recess 800 ra in which the actuator 10 is mountable in close proximity to the leg 800 l, the one or more legs 800 l being formed to include one or more spring joints 800 s along the longitudinal length UL that are resiliently deformable under compression to exert a spring force UF along the longitudinal length UL of the one or more legs 800 l,
- the actuator 10 comprising a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 ,
- the proximal base 803 being mounted between the actuator 12 and the manifold 20 in an arrangement wherein an upstream distal end surface 800 a of the one or more legs 800 l is movable through the spring loadable interconnection 506 toward and away from the actuator 10 ,
- the clamp plate, the mold 300 , the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the one or more spring joints are deformed by engagement between the distal end surface 800 a and a surface 80 a of the clamp plate 80 , the one or more deformed spring joints urging the distal end surface 800 a of the cooling device 800 into compressed engagement with the clamp plate 80 , 809 a.
- FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an assembly of a top clamp plate, a heated manifold and a pair of actuators mounted on the heated manifold, each actuator having a housing and heat convectors mounted in an arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of one of the actuators of the FIG. 1 assembly.
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3 - 3 of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4 - 4 of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front view as seen along lines 5 - 5 of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines 5 A- 5 A of FIG. 5 .
- FIG. 5B is a front view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the heat convector and actuator in use with clamping plate installed.
- FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines 5 C- 5 C of FIG. 5B .
- FIG. 5D is a front view similar to FIG. 5B but showing heat pipes alternatively and additionally mounted vertically in the heat transmitter elements and actuator body.
- FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines 5 E- 5 E of FIG. 5D .
- FIG. 5F is a front view similar to FIG. 5D but with additional heat pipes mounted horizontally to the heat transmitter elements.
- FIG. 5G is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines 5 G- 5 G of FIG. 5F .
- FIG. 5H is a front view similar to FIG. 5 but showing rods formed integrally with the upper heat transmitter element.
- FIG. 5I is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines 5 I- 5 I of FIG. 5H .
- FIG. 5J is a front view similar to FIG. 5H but showing heat pipes embedded within the rods and upper heat transmitter element.
- FIG. 5K is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 5 K- 5 K of FIG. 5J .
- FIG. 5L is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the distal and proximal heat conductive component members of a cooling device according to the invention having a spring loadable interconnection comprised of one or series of stacked leaf, belleville, flat wire wave, conical or disc washer springs that serve as a spring between the distal and proximal members.
- FIG. 6 is a front view similar to FIG. 5 but showing the slidable rods affixed to the lower heat transmitting element.
- FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines 6 A- 6 A of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an actuator having a single cooling device mounted to a side wall of the actuator where the cooling device comprises a proximal base 504 and a distal plate member that is spring loadably mounted on the base with the distal plate 502 in slidable engagement contact with a surface of the housing of the actuator.
- FIG. 8 is a side view of FIG. 7 additionally showing a top clamp plate with the distal plate member in spring loaded engagement therewith.
- FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an actuator having two cooling devices mounted to two separate side walls of the actuator where the cooling devices comprise a proximal base 504 and a distal plate member 502 that is spring loadably mounted on the base 504 with the distal plates being 502 in slidable engagement contact with a surface of the housing of the actuator.
- FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG. 9 additionally showing a top clamp plate with the distal plate members 502 of the heat transmissive members in spring loaded engagement therewith.
- FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an actuator having four separate cooling devices mounted to four separate side walls of the actuator where the cooling devices each comprise a proximal base 504 and a distal plate member 502 that is spring loadably mounted on the base 504 with the distal plates being 502 in slidable engagement contact with a surface of the housing of the actuator.
- FIG. 12 is a side view of FIG. 11 additionally showing a top clamp plate with the distal plate members 502 of the heat transmissive members in spring loaded engagement therewith.
- FIG. 13 is is a top perspective view an actuator in thermal communication with a heated manifold of an injection molding system with two separate cooling devices mounted to sides of the actuator where each cooling device comprises a proximal base and a distal plate spring loadably mounted on the base with the plates in slidable engagement contact with a surface of the actuator and further with a third cooling device mounted to a side wall of the actuator where the third cooling device comprises a proximal base and a distal plate spring loadably mounted on the base with the distal plate in spring loaded arrangement to move side-to-side as opposed to upstream downstream.
- FIG. 14 is a side view of FIG. 13 additionally showing a top clamp plate assembled together with the actuator and cooling devices with the distal plate members 502 of the heat transmissive members of the cooling devices in spring loaded engagement with the top clamp plate.
- FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of an actuator in thermal communication with a heated manifold of an injection molding system with a single cooling device attached to the actuator
- the cooling device comprises one exemplary configuration of a unitary body of metal material attached at a proximal base or member end 504 to the actuator having a distally extending arm 502 of one configuration, the distally extending arm of the unitary body being engageable at a distal end surface with a top clamp plate when the system is assembled such that a distal end surface of the distally extending arm deforms under spring force to maintain the distal end surface of the arm in compressed contact with the top clamp plate.
- FIG. 16 is a side view of the FIG. 15 embodiment showing the actuator assembled together with a top clamp plate and the distal arm member in spring loaded compressed engagement with the top clamp plate.
- FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of an actuator in thermal communication with a heated manifold of an injection molding system with a single cooling device attached to the actuator
- the cooling device comprises another exemplary configuration of a unitary body of metal material attached at a proximal base or member end 504 to the actuator having a distally extending arm 502 of another configuration, the distally extending arm of the unitary body being engageable at a distal end surface with a top clamp plate when the system is assembled such that a distal end surface of the distally extending arm deforms under spring force to maintain the distal end surface of the arm in compressed contact with the top clamp plate.
- FIG. 18 is a side view of the FIG. 17 embodiment showing the actuator assembled together with a top clamp plate and the distal arm member in spring loaded compressed engagement with the top clamp plate.
- FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of an actuator in thermal communication with a heated manifold of an injection molding system with a single cooling device attached to the actuator
- the cooling device comprises another exemplary configuration of a unitary body of metal material attached at a proximal base or member end 504 to the actuator having a distally extending arm 502 of another configuration, the distally extending arm of the unitary body being engageable at a distal end surface with a top clamp plate when the system is assembled such that a distal end surface of the distally extending arm deforms under spring force to maintain the distal end surface of the arm in compressed contact with the top clamp plate.
- FIG. 20 is a side view of the FIG. 19 embodiment showing the actuator assembled together with a top clamp plate and the distal arm member in spring loaded compressed engagement with the top clamp plate.
- FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the invention showing an actuator in thermal communication with a heated manifold of an injection molding system with four separate cooling devices that each comprise a rod or tube spring loadably mounted within a complementary precision formed receiving bore drilled in body of the housing of the actuator, the rods or tubes being adapted for slidable engagement contact against an internal surface of the precision formed receiving bores.
- FIG. 22 is a side view of the FIG. 21 embodiment showing the actuator assembled together with a top clamp plate and the rods or tubes being in spring loaded compressed engagement with the top clamp plate.
- FIG. 23 is a front view of the FIG. 21 embodiment showing the actuator assembled together with a top clamp plate and the rods or tubes being in spring loaded compressed engagement with the top clamp plate.
- FIG. 24 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention showing a cooling device comprised of an assembly of a distal heat transmissive plate member assembled together with a spring loading mechanism, the assembly being that is readily mountable to or between the actuator and a top clamp plate such that when the top clamp plate and the actuator and the assembly are assembled together into operating configuration, the distal heat transmissive plate member is spring loadably engaged against the top clamp plate and heat transmissively engaged with a proximal heat transmissive base member that is mounted to the actuator housing.
- FIG. 25A is a top perspective view of an actuator assembled together with another embodiment of a pair of cooling devices comprised of sliding rods and a sliding block mounted within a base attached to the actuator.
- FIG. 25B is a front right side perspective view of an assembly of a manifold, an actuator with cooling devices as in FIGS. 25A-25E and a top clamp plate configured to assemble together quickly that the actuator and cooling devices so that spring loaded rods and block of the cooling devices 500 attached to the actuator will engage with the underside of a quickly assemblable plate component of the top clamp plate.
- FIG. 25C is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 25B .
- FIG. 25D is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 25 D- 25 D of FIG. 25A .
- FIG. 25E is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 25 E- 25 E of FIG. 25D .
- FIG. 25F is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 25 F- 25 F of FIG. 25A .
- FIG. 25G is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 25 G- 25 G of FIG. 25F .
- the apparatus 5 includes a cooling device 800 that is formed having a proximal mount 803 that is mounted between the downstream end of the actuator housing 12 and the heated manifold 20 .
- a pair of upstream extending legs 800 l extend upstream from the mount 803 .
- the cooling device 800 is formed and adapted to form a reception aperture or recess 800 ra that is complementary to and receives the actuator housing 12 such that the legs 800 l are disposed in close proximity to the lateral outer surfaces 12 los of the actuator housing 12 .
- the legs 800 l are formed to have an upstream extending longitudinal length UL that disposes the distal-most edge surface 800 a of the legs 800 l upstream beyond the upstream-most extending surface 12 u of the actuator 10 when the actuator 10 is mounted in operating format within the reception aperture 800 ra.
- the legs 800 l are configured to have one or spring joints 800 s along the longitudinal length UL of the legs 800 l. Spring joints 800 s are resiliently deformable such that when the legs 800 l are subject to a compressive force along the longitudinal length UL of the legs 800 l, the spring joints exert a spring force UF.
- the longitudinal length UL of the legs 800 l, the clamp plate 80 , manifold 20 , actuator housing 12 and their mounting and interconnection components are selected, arranged and formed such that when the clamp plate 80 , manifold 20 , actuator 10 and cooling device 800 are assembled into operating format, the undersurface 80 a of the clamp plate intimately engages with the distal end surface 800 a under compression to cause the spring joints 800 s to exert the UF force by surface 800 a against surface 80 a.
- the same components are formed and arranged together with the formation and arrangement of cooling device 500 such that the distal end most surface 502 a of distal member 502 engages the undersurface 80 a of plate 80 under compression from spring load force UF, FIG. 3 , exerted by springs 506 of cooling device 800 when all such components are assembled into operating format.
- spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 means a device that is disposed and engaged between or with the distal 502 and proximal 504 members and imparts a spring force UF therebetween at least when the apparatus is assembled and the manifold 20 is brought up to elevated operating temperature. As shown in all embodiments described herein where independent springs 506 such as shown in FIGS.
- such springs typically comprise one or more conventional coil, leaf, flat wire wave, Belleville or conical spring(s) having an upper end 506 u and a lower end 506 l that respectively engage via engagement surfaces 506 es against and between a complementary engagement surfaces 502 us, 504 us of the distal member 502 , 507 , 507 m and the proximal member 504 , 504 aa such that the spring 506 is compressed and the distal member 502 is forcibly urged under the force UF of the spring when compressed in an upstream direction to compress the distal end surface 502 a or 507 a under such force UF into engagement with the undersurface 80 a of the clamping plate 80 at least when the apparatus is assembled and the manifold brought up to an elevated operating temperature.
- Such coil or leaf or flat wire wave or Belleville or conical spring(s) typically have a degree of resilient compression that is six or more times the degree of resilient compression of the plate springs of U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,349,244 and 8,562,336, typically having a degree of resilient or elastic compression of at least about 3 mm meaning that said coil et al. springs can be repeatedly compressed by at least about 3 mm and resiliently or elastically expand or revert back to their original uncompressed condition, length or state.
- the proximal 504 and distal 502 arms or members typically comprise mechanically independent heat conductive bodies or members 502 , 504 that are interconnected via a pin or rod or slot and engaged with each other via a spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 that is typically comprised of a non-heat conductive spring, such as a coil spring as shown in FIGS. 3, 5-5K, 23, 25-25E or one or more stacked leaf, belleville, conical or disc washers 506 w or springs such as shown in FIG. 5L that act as a spring 506 between the distal and proximal members.
- a non-heat conductive spring such as a coil spring as shown in FIGS. 3, 5-5K, 23, 25-25E or one or more stacked leaf, belleville, conical or disc washers 506 w or springs such as shown in FIG. 5L that act as a spring 506 between the distal and proximal members.
- the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 exerts a spring force UF, FIGS. 3, 5C, 5L, 23, 25D , between the proximal arm or member 504 and the distal arm or member 502 at least when the apparatus 5 is assembled and the manifold is brought to an elevated operating temperature.
- the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 typically has engagement surfaces 506 es that engage against complementary opposing engagement surfaces 504 us and 502 us of proximal 504 and distal 502 members such that heat conduction between members 504 and 502 is minimized and such that the spring 506 is substantially non-heat conductive.
- the spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 is preferably selected to have an amount or degree of mass (typically less than about 10 grams and more typically less than about 5 grams) that renders the spring 506 substantially non-heat conductive and minimizes, enables or imparts a minimal amount of, heat conduction between members 504 and 502 via or through spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 .
- the mass of spring loadable interconnection 506 is preferably less than about 10 and most preferably less than about 5 grams.
- the area of engagement or contact between engagement surfaces 506 es and one or both of surfaces 504 us or 502 us is preferably selected to be an amount or degree (typically less than about 10 square mm, typically less than about 7.5 square mm and more typically less than about 5 square mm) that renders the spring 506 substantially non-heat conductive and minimizes, enables or imparts a minimal amount of, heat conduction between members 504 and 502 via or through spring or spring loadable interconnection 506 .
- FIGS. 1-25G show an injection molding apparatus 5 comprised of an actuator 10 having a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with a heated manifold 20 into which fluid injection material 102 is injected from an injection machine 100 into and through one or more manifold distribution channels 22 that deliver fluid downstream to a downstream fluid delivery channel 200 such as the bore of a nozzle that terminates at its downstream end in a gate 304 that communicates with the cavity 302 of a mold 300 .
- the actuator 10 includes a piston 14 that is controllably drivable along a drive axis A in a reciprocal upstream and downstream direction together with a valve pin 17 that is interconnected to the piston 14 .
- the valve pin 17 is mounted within a complementary receiving aperture 91 a of a bushing 91 , the outside surface of the pin 17 mating with an interior surface of the aperture 91 a and being slidable in an upstream and downstream direction axial A direction within the aperture 91 a of the bushing 91 such that injection fluid that flows through channels 22 , 200 is substantially prevented from flowing upstream through mounting aperture 91 a.
- the bushing 91 is fixedly mounted within the body of the heated manifold 20 via bushing screw 92 that is screwably engaged within a complementary threaded receiving aperture bored within the heated manifold 20 .
- the bushing 91 , screw 92 , actuator 10 and valve pin 17 are all adapted and arranged such that the valve pin 17 is controllably drivable upstream and downstream through both the manifold distribution channel 22 and the downstream nozzle channel 200 between a downstream-most gate closed position and one or more upstream gate open positions.
- the actuator housing 12 is typically mounted axially A upstream of and on or to the heated manifold 20 .
- the actuator 10 can be mounted on or to the manifold via either or both mounts or spacers 60 and a water cooled cooling device or mount 803 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,349,244, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.
- the downstream axially facing surface 12 d of the actuator housing 12 is also typically mounted on or to the stabilization mount 50 .
- the cooling mount 803 and spacers 60 are mounted on or to an upstream surface of the stabilization mount 50 .
- the downstream axially facing surface 12 d of the actuator housing 12 is mounted in direct heat or thermally conductive contact with one or more of the mounts 60 , 50 , 803 that are in turn mounted in direct heat conductive contact or direct heat conductive communication with the heated manifold in axial alignment with axis A of the actuator housing and valve pin 17 .
- mounts 50 , 60 , 803 act as insulators that prevent or retard the communication or conduction of heat from the heated manifold 20 through the mounts 50 , 60 , 803 to the lateral surface 12 ls of the actuator body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the drive axis A of the actuator 10 and valve pin 17 a distance 12 ld sufficient to prevent or substantially retard conduction of heat through ambient air or through the housing body 12 , valve pin 17 or mounts 50 , 60 , 803 .
- the cooling device 500 comprises a heat transmitter that is comprised of a distal arm or member or assembly 502 , 502 r, 509 , 509 a, 509 b, 507 , 506 , 506 bi and a proximal base or member 504 , the distal arm or member 502 or assembly being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement 506 to or with a proximal base or member 504 , 504 a, 504 aa.
- the proximal base or member 504 , 504 a, 504 aa is preferably mounted such that a complementary surface of the member 504 , 504 a, 504 aa is disposed or mounted in intimate or compressed thermally conductive contact on, to or against a surface 12 ls, 12 si of the housing body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld away from the axis A of the actuator 10 and valve pin 17 .
- the location of the mounting of the proximal member 504 , 504 a, 504 aa is arranged such that the proximal base or member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the axially mounted actuator mounts 50 , 60 , 803 that are directly mounted in close adjacency to and in thermal communication with the heated manifold 20 and on which the proximal end 12 d of the actuator housing 12 is directly axially A mounted.
- the distal arm or member 502 is preferably comprised of a highly thermally conductive material and has a distal end surface 502 a that is adapted to compressibly engage against an undersurface 80 a of the clamp plate 80 under a spring load from the spring loadable interconnection 506 between the distally extending arm 502 and the proximal base or member 504 when all components of the system 5 are fully assembled and the heated manifold is brought up to an elevated operating temperature.
- the system 5 can be adapted and arranged such that the distal end surface 502 a is not engaged under a compressive force when the system is in a cold non operating condition when the system 5 is initially assembled before the manifold 20 is heated to operating temperature or when the system 5 is shut down and allowed to return to room temperature after the manifold 20 has been heated up to operating temperature.
- the system 5 is preferably adapted and arranged such that compressive force between distal end surface 502 a and the surface 80 a of the clamp plate 80 occurs only when the system 5 including manifold 20 is brought up to normal elevated operating temperature.
- the degree of upstream and downstream movement Q along or substantially parallel to the axis A ranges from 0 mm when the system 5 is in a cold or room temperature condition up to a maximum of about 3 mm when the system 5 is brought up to normal elevated operating temperature (such as between about 150 and 450 degrees F.).
- the degree of lateral movement Q′ ranges from 0 mm when the system 5 is in a cold or room temperature condition up to a maximum of about 3 mm when the system 5 is brought up to normal elevated operating temperature.
- the independent spring body 506 in the FIGS. 1-14, 21-24 embodiments is resilient such that after being compressed Q by up to about 3 mm when the system is at operating temperature, the independent spring body 506 will return back to its original uncompressed or non-compressed axial spring length or state when the system returns to room temperature.
- the degree of upstream and downstream movement Q′′ of the distal arm 502 along or substantially parallel to the axis A ranges from 0 mm when the system 5 is in a cold or room temperature condition up to a maximum of about 0.5 mm when the system 5 is brought up to normal elevated operating temperature (such as between about 150 and 450 degrees F.).
- the arm 502 has an exterior or proximally disposed surface 502 b for making contact with and receiving heat from the actuator housing body components 12 , 12 a via engagement between an exterior arm surface 502 b and a laterally disposed complementary mating surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body 12 .
- the arm 502 transmits heat received via the proximal surface 502 b to the distal end surface 502 a and in turn to the relatively cool clamp plate 80 via compressed engagement between surface 502 a and a complementary undersurface 80 s of the clamp plate 80 .
- the arm 502 , 509 a also receives heat from the actuator housing 12 by transmission of heat through rods or tubes 507 which in turn receive heat from the base member 504 which itself receives heat from the actuator housing 12 by intimate compressed engagement with an exterior laterally disposed surface 12 l of the housing 12 .
- the laterally disposed actuator surface 12 l of the housing 12 is spaced a lateral distance 12 ld away from the drive axis A of the valve pin 17 because the valve pin 17 comes into direct thermal contact with the heated injection fluid 102 .
- the heat transmission device 500 is disposed in a laterally spaced position away from the valve pin 17 and the valve pin axis A such that the base 504 is removed from direct thermal contact or thermal communication with the axis or the valve pin 17 .
- the proximal base member 504 is rigidly attached to the lateral actuator surface 12 l such as via a bolt or screw 504 s such that a complementary surface 504 b of the base member 504 is engaged in intimate heat conductive contact with the lateral disposed surface 121 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis.
- the base 504 of the rods 502 r are engaged with a laterally disposed actuator surface 12 si that is spaced a lateral distance 12 ld away from the drive axis A of the valve pin 17 .
- the heat transmission rods 502 r are disposed in a laterally spaced position away from the mounts 50 , 60 , 803 , valve pin 17 and axis A such that the base 504 of the rods 502 r is removed from direct or closely adjacent thermal contact or communication with the axis A or the valve pin 17 .
- the actuator 10 comprises a housing body 12 , 12 a that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold 20 as described above.
- the proximal base or member 504 of the cooling device 500 is mounted to the housing body 12 of the actuator 10 in an arrangement where the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member 502 makes compressed contact with the clamp plate surface 80 a such that the end surface 502 a moves or travels some distance relative to the actuator housing 12 , 12 a to which the arm 502 is mounted.
- the arm 502 and distal engagement surface 502 a is movable via the compressible spring 506 a toward and away from the actuator 10 .
- the distally extending arm or rod or tube 502 r is movable toward and away from the actuator housing 12 via a compressible spring 506 a.
- the thermally conductive rods 502 r are mounted to proximal guides 504 which are in turn mounted to the actuator housing body 12 .
- the rods 502 r are slidably disposed within complementary receiving apertures or bores 12 bo bored into the housing body 12 .
- the rods 502 r have an exterior surface 502 b that are slidably engaged with an interior surface 12 si, 12 asi of the housing bodies 12 , 12 a which cause heat to be thermally transmitted from the housing bodies 12 , 12 a to the rods 502 r which in turn transmit heat to the clamp plate 80 via compressed contact between surface 502 a and surface 80 a.
- Up and down movement of the rods 502 r within the apertures 12 bo occurs with the surfaces 502 b and 12 si and 12 asi sliding against each other in engaged contact.
- the cooling devices 500 are mounted and arranged such that the proximally disposed arm surfaces 502 b are maintained in slidable engaged contact with the complementary housing body surfaces 12 ls, 12 as, the surfaces 502 b receiving heat from the housing bodies 12 , 12 a and in turn transmitting such received heat to the clamp plate 80 via compressed contact between surfaces 502 a and 80 a.
- the distal arm or member 502 and proximal base or member 504 are formed as a single unitary body 503 of highly conductive metal.
- the spring load in such unitary bodies 503 is created via deformation of the unitary bodies 503 such that when the clamp plate 80 , mold 300 , manifold 20 , actuator 10 and cooling device 503 are all assembled together, the unitary body 503 resiliently deforms under compression to travel to a different position 502 d relative to the actuator housing 12 to which the body 503 is mounted and relative to the original position 502 o that the unitary body was disposed in prior to surface 502 a making contact with surface 80 a.
- the unitary body 503 has an inherent resilience or inherent spring such that when the body is moved to the deformed position 502 d the inherent spring or resilience within the body 503 causes the distal end surface 502 a to remain under forcible compressed contact with the undersurface 80 a of the clamp plate 80 .
- FIGS. 13-14 embodiment another cooling device 505 according to the invention is shown where the distally extending arm 502 moves radially toward and away from the actuator housing bodies 12 , 12 a and axis A.
- a cooling device 505 arrangement can be provided for exploiting the side-to-side or radial movement SS that the actuator 10 travels relative to the clamp plate 80 when the system is assembled in a cooled state and then subsequently the manifold 20 is heated to an elevated temperature.
- the heating of the manifold 20 subsequent to assembly of all of the clamp plate 80 , mold 300 , manifold 20 , actuator 10 and cooling devices 500 , 505 results in the actuator moving side to side relative to the clamp plate 80 .
- Such side-to-side or radial movement SS in the left or lateral direction L relative to the drive axis A of the actuator can be accounted for prior to assembly such that the distal end surface 502 a can be brought into compressed contact with the complementary mating surface 80 a of the clamp plate with resilient compression being maintained by the spring 506 a disposed between the proximal base or member 504 and the heat transmission plate or element 502 .
- the surface 502 a travels toward and away from the housing bodies 12 , 12 a when compressed and when compression is released.
- FIGS. 1-12 embodiments show cooling device 500 arrangements where the distal arm 502 is adapted to move back and forth along a path of travel that is generally upstream and downstream or generally parallel to the drive axis A of the actuator or valve pin 17
- the proximal base member 504 is heat transmissively interconnected to or engaged with the distal member 502 via a heat transmissive rod 507 , the downstream end of which 507 d is slidably mounted within a complementary precision bore 504 pb that is drilled within the distal mount member 502 such that the downstream end 507 d of the rod 507 is engaged in heat transmissive intimate contact with an interior surface 504 pbs of the bore 504 pb.
- the upstream end 507 us of the rod 507 is screwably connected to the distal member 502 into a complementary aperture within distal member 502 such that when the member 502 travels through Q the downstream end 507 d is slidably moved along the path of travel Q together with movement of distal member 502 .
- the upstream ends 507 u of the heat transmissive rods 507 can conversely be slidably mounted within complementary bores 502 pb provided in distal member 502 such that the exterior surface of the upstream end 507 u of the rod 507 is slidably and heat transmissively engaged against the interior surface 502 pbs of the bore 502 pb.
- the downstream end 507 d of the rod 507 is screwably connected to proximal mount member 504 such that when the member 502 travels through Q the upstream end 507 u is slides along the interior surface 502 pbs of the bore 502 pb as member 502 travels through the path of travel Q.
- rods or tubes 507 , 517 r are preferably slidably mounted to or within one of the proximal base or member 504 and the distal arm or member 502 and rigidly interconnected to the other of the proximal base or member 504 and the distal arm or member 502 .
- the rods 507 ir are formed integrally together with and as a part of the body of the distal member 502 , the outside surface 507 os of the rods 507 ir being engaged and slidable against the interior surface 504 pbs of the receiving bores 504 pb within the proximal mounts 504 .
- the distal member 502 is spring loaded by spring 506 that disposed between the distal 502 and proximal 504 heat transmissive members.
- one or the other of the distal 502 and proximal 504 members can have one or more highly heat conductive tube members that contain a heat conductive fluid 517 a, 517 b, 517 c, 517 d embedded or mounted within a complementary receiving bore drilled into the members 502 or 504 .
- one or more of the rods or tubes 507 can comprise and be adapted to contain a heat conductive fluid such as tube 517 r shown in FIGS. 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5J, 5K .
- Such heat conductive tubes 517 a, 517 b, 517 c, 517 d are comprised of a tubular member or wall that itself is comprised of a material that is highly heat conductive such as copper, aluminum, gold, platinum or the like.
- the tubular member or wall forms a hollow interior tube cavity that contains a highly heat conductive fluid such as water, methanol or the like and also preferably further typically contains a wick that facilitates flow of the heat conductive fluid within and through the length of the cavity of the tube.
- Such heat conductive tubes facilitate the transmission of heat between the actuator housing 12 , the proximal member 504 and the distal member.
- An example of the structure and configuration of such heat conductive tubes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,279, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
- heat conductive tubes 517 ah can be embedded within the body of the actuator housing 12 as shown in FIG. 5F, 5G in the same manner as described above where the tubes 517 a, 517 b, 517 c, 517 d are embedded within members 502 or 504 .
- the actuator 12 of the apparatus 5 has a pair of cooling devices each having a base member 504 aa.
- One of the two cooling devices 500 has cylindrical slots 504 pb, 504 pba that receive a complementary rod shaped member 507 m comprised of an upper rod portion 507 u connected to a lower rod portion 507 d.
- the upper 507 u and lower 507 d portions of rod member 507 m, FIGS. 25F, 25G are connected to each other and are both respectively slidably mounted within the complementary slots 504 pb, 504 pba for upstream and downstream movement UD.
- the configuration of the upper and lower 507 u, 507 d rod portions of the rod 507 m is adapted so that the outside surfaces 507 us, 507 ds of the rod 507 m are in slidable heat conductive engagement with the inside surfaces 504 pbs, 504 pbsa of the base member 504 aa.
- the base member 504 aa is mounted in heat conductive engagement with the outside surface of actuator housing 12 .
- the base member 504 aa is mounted such that it is spaced 12 ls a lateral distance 12 ld from the axis A of the valve pin 17 and housing 12 whereby the surface 12 ls and the base member 504 aa are laterally spaced apart from direct heat conductive communication with the heat manifold 20 .
- the rod 507 m is mounted such that the rod 507 m is spring load biased via spring 506 which exerts upstream directed force UF to urge the distal end surface 507 a of the rod 507 m into contact heat conductive engagement with a surface 80 a of the top clamp plate 80 .
- rods 507 , 507 m can comprise a heat conductive, fluid containing tube that are comprised of a material that is highly heat conductive such as copper, aluminum, gold, platinum and preferably contain a highly heat conductive fluid such as water, methanol or the like that facilitates the transmission of heat between the actuator housing 12 , the proximal member 504 , the walls of the tube 507 m and the clamp plate 80 .
- a distal end surface 507 a of the rod or tube engages a surface 80 a under compression via a spring load from spring 506 or otherwise.
- the other cooling device of the FIGS. 25A-25G embodiment comprises a base member 504 aa in which a rectangular shaped distal arm or member 502 is slidably mounted in a complementarily shaped slot 504 sb.
- the rectangular arm or member 502 is connected to rods 507 having a lower rod member 507 d that are slidably received within complementary slots 504 pb.
- the outside surfaces 507 ds of the lower rod 507 d portion, FIG. 25E are in slidable heat conductive engagement with the inside surfaces 504 pbs of the base member 504 aa.
- the distal rectangular heat conducting member 502 is slidably received within the complementary receiving aperture 504 sb such that the outside surface 502 s of distal arm 502 is in slidable heat conductive engagement with the inside surface 504 is of the slot 504 sb.
- the outside surface 502 s of the distal arm 502 is also preferably mounted such that surface 502 s is in slidable heat conductive engagement with the outside surface 12 as of the upstream actuator member 12 a and surface 12 ls.
- the base member 504 aa is mounted in heat conductive engagement with the outside surface 12 ls of actuator housing 12 .
- the slidable mounting rod 507 , 507 d is mounted such that the rod 507 is spring load biased via spring 506 which exerts upstream directed force UF to urge the distal end surface 502 a of the distal arm 502 into heat conductive engagement with a surface 80 a of the top clamp plate 80 .
- FIGS. 25A-25C show an assembly of the FIG. 25A actuator 10 with the pair of cooling devices 500 attached to the actuator housing together with a manifold 20 and a top clamp plate 80 .
- the top clamp plate 80 is formed with a receiving aperture 80 ra for insertion of the actuator 10 and cooling device subassembly that enables the actuator to be mounted on the manifold 20 and surrounded by the top clamp plate as shown.
- the upstream end of the top clamp plate 80 has a recess 80 r formed in a complementary configuration to a plate 80 p that is insertable within the recess 80 r in an upstream position relative to the actuator housing 12 and its attached cooling devices 500 such that the distal end surfaces 502 a of the heat transmissive rods 507 m and the heat transmissive block 502 , FIGS. 25A-25G , engage the undersurface 80 a of the clamp plate 80 p under spring loaded compression.
- the plate 80 p is readily attachable to and detachable from the upstream end surface of the clamp plate 80 via screws or bolts 80 t after the actuator 10 with attached cooling devices 50 has been inserted in the receiving aperture 80 ra and mounted on the manifold 20 .
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Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to U.S. application Ser. No.: 15/975,428 filed May 9, 2018 which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/398,381 filed Jan. 4, 2017, which is a continuation of and claims the benefit of priority to PCT application no. PCT/US2016/018042 filed Feb. 16, 2016 the disclosures of all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.
- This application also incorporates by reference the disclosure of PCT application no. PCT/US2016/019461 filed Feb. 25, 2016 in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.
- This application also incorporates by reference the disclosure of PCT application no. PCT/US2016/019466 filed Feb. 25, 2016 and PCT application no. PCT/US2016/019469 filed Feb. 25, 2016 in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.
- This application also incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/459,622 filed Aug. 14, 2014 in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.
- This application also incorporates by reference the disclosure of PCT/US2013/053591 (publication no WO 2014/025674) filed Aug. 5, 2013 in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.
- The disclosures of all of the following are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,894,025, 6,062,840, 6,294,122, 6,309,208, 6,287,107, 6,343,921, 6,343,922, 6,254,377, 6,261,075, 6,361,300 (7006), 6,419,870, 6,464,909 (7031), 6,599,116, 7,234,929 (7075US1), 7,419,625 (7075US2), 7,569,169 (7075US3), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/214,118, filed Aug. 8, 2002 (7006), U.S. Patent Nos. 7,029,268 (7077US1), 7,270,537 (7077US2), 7,597,828 (7077US3), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/699,856 filed Oct. 30, 2000 (7056), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/269,927 filed Oct. 11, 2002 (7031), U.S. application Ser. No. 09/503,832 filed Feb. 15, 2000 (7053), U.S. application Ser. No. 09/656,846 filed Sep. 7, 2000 (7060), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/006,504 filed De. 3, 2001, (7068), U.S. application Ser. No. 10/101,278 filed Mar. 19, 2002 (7070) and PCT Application No. PCT/US11/062099 (7100WO0) and PCT Application No. PCT/US11/062096 (7100WO1), U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,562,336, 8,091,202 (7097US1) and 8,282,388 (7097US2).
- Solid sheet metal springs for cooling actuators have been used in injection molding systems such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 8,349,244 and 8,562,336. These prior cooling devices comprise a solid body of sheet metal of relatively high mass in excess of 5 grams that is adapted to exert a spring force by forced deformation of a portion of the solid sheet of metal. This same sheet of metal is purposely disposed in direct heat conductive contact with a relatively large surface of the hot metal housing of an actuator typically in excess of 10 square millimeters that itself is disposed in heat conductive communication with a fluid distribution manifold that is heated to an elevated temperature sufficient to melt polymer materials. Over time, the ability of the sheet metal spring body to readily deform and provide an effective spring force is degraded by the very high level of heat to which the sheet metal body is subjected, the sheet metal spring body also acting to conduct heat from the actuator housing body to a cool clamp plate.
- In accordance with the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10 interconnected to avalve pin 17 having an axis A, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10 wherein, when assembled, theclamp plate 80 is mounted upstream of themold 300, themanifold 20 being disposed between the clamp plate and themold 300, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a proximal arm or
member 504 comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm ormember 502 comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm ormember 502 being mounted by one or more spring loadable interconnections orengagement 506 on or to the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to thedistal end surface 502 a, the spring or springloadable interconnection 506 havingengagement surfaces 506 es that engage against complementary opposing engagement surfaces (504 us, 502 us) of proximal 504 and distal 502 members forming a selected area of engagement that rendersspring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal and distal arms or members, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - The spring or spring
loadable interconnection 506 preferably has an amount or degree of mass that renders thespring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal and distal members. - The area of engagement or contact between
engagement surfaces 506 es and one or both ofsurfaces 504 us or 502 us preferably minimizes, enables or imparts a minimal amount of, heat conduction betweenmembers loadable interconnection 506. - The area of engagement or contact between
engagement surfaces 506 es and one or both ofsurfaces 504 us or 502 us is preferably less than about 10 square mm, typically less than about 7.5 mm and more typically less than about 5 mm. - The
actuator 10 typically comprises ahousing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one ormore actuator mounts housing body 12 having asurface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base ormember 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to thelateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base ormember 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one ormore actuator mounts - The apparatus can further comprise one or more heat
conductive tubes - The distal 502 and proximal 504 members can be heat transmissively interconnected or engaged with each other by heat
transmissive rods 507 ortubes 517 r that are intimately engaged with themembers - The apparatus can further comprise one or more hollow heat
conductive tubes 517 ah having a cavity containing heat conductive fluid, the one ormore tubes 517 ah being embedded within the body of the housing of theactuator - The
distal member 502 can have a proximalexterior surface 502 b that is adapted to be engaged and slidable against acomplementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of thehousing body actuator 10 such that heat thermally conducts between thehousing body member 502, thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member being movable toward and away from theactuator 10 by sliding movement of the proximalexterior surface 502 b of the distal arm ormember 502 on thecomplementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the actuator. - The spring loaded
interconnection 506 can be adapted to urge thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into a compression of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) with the clamp plate. - The
lateral surface 12 ls and theproximal base member 504 aa are preferably laterally spaced apart 12 ld from direct heat conductive communication with the heatedmanifold 20. - The clamp plate is typically cooled.
- The clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device are typically assembled together in an arrangement wherein the
spring 506 a is resiliently compressed up to a maximum of about 3 mm urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with theclamp plate 80 a. - The apparatus can include two or more separate cooling devices each comprised of a distal arm or
member 502 mounted via spring loadable interconnection to a proximal base ormember 504, each separate cooling device being separately mounted to thehousing body loadable interconnection 506 between each separatedistal end arm 502 and proximal base ormember 504. - The apparatus can further comprise a
mount 803 separating the actuator housing from direct contact with the manifold, the mount being cooled and having an upstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with acomplementary mounting surface 12 d of theactuator 10 and a downstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with themanifold 20. Such a mount is preferably comprised of a thermally conductive metal that is cooled to a temperature of less than about 150 degrees F. - The
actuator 10 can be interconnected to avalve pin 17 that is mounted to the manifold and extends through a fluidmaterial feed bore 22 in themanifold 20. - The proximal base or
member 504 is typically rigidly attached in thermally conductive contact to the laterally spacedsurface 12 ls thehousing body - The distal arm or
member arm lateral surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body. - The distal arm or member can comprise a
rod 502 r slidably disposed within acomplementary bore 12 bo disposed within thehousing body actuator 10, thecomplementary bore 12 bo and therod 502 r being configured such that anexterior surface 502 b of therod 502 r is slidably engaged in thermally conductive contact against aninterior surface 12 si, 12 asi of thecomplementary bore 12 bo. - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling an actuator in an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprised of aclamp plate 80, a heatedmanifold 20, anactuator 10 interconnected to avalve pin 17 having an axis A and amold 300 wherein, when assembled, theclamp plate 80 is mounted upstream of themold 300, themanifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold, theactuator 10 comprising ahousing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one ormore actuator mounts - the method being characterized in that:
- a
cooling device 500 is mounted to asurface 12 ls of thehousing body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the cooling device comprising a proximal arm ormember 504 that is comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm ormember 502 that is comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm ormember 502 being mounted by one or more spring loadable interconnections orengagements 506 on or to the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to thedistal end surface 502 a, - the spring or spring
loadable interconnection 506 hasengagement surfaces 506 es that engage against complementary opposing engagement surfaces (504 us, 502 us) of proximal 504 and distal 502 members having a selected area of engagement that rendersspring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal and distal arms or members, - assembling the clamp plate, the
mold 300, themanifold 20, theactuator 10 and the heat transmitter together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above, the method comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus of the foregoing claims such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10 interconnected to avalve pin 17 having an axis A, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10 wherein, when assembled, theclamp plate 80 is mounted upstream of themold 300, themanifold 20 being disposed between the clamp plate and themold 300, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a proximal arm or
member 504 comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm ormember 502 comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm ormember 502 being mounted by one or more spring loadable interconnections orengagements 506 on or to the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to thedistal end surface 502 a, - the spring or spring
loadable interconnection 506 having an amount or degree of mass that renders thespring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal 504 and distal 502 members, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - The mass of the spring loadable interconnection minimizes, enables or imparts a minimal amount of, heat conduction between the proximal and distal arms or members via or through the spring or spring
loadable interconnection 506. - The mass of the spring
loadable interconnection 506 is typically less than about 10 grams, more typically less than about 7.5 grams and most typically less than about 5 grams. - The spring or spring
loadable interconnection 506 can haveengagement surfaces 506 es that engage against complementary opposing engagement surfaces (504 us, 502 us) of proximal 504 and distal 502 members having a selected area of engagement that rendersspring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal and distal arms or members. - The area of engagement or contact between
engagement surfaces 506 es and one or both ofsurfaces 504 us or 502 us minimizes, enables or imparts a minimal amount of, heat conduction betweenmembers loadable interconnection 506. - The area of engagement or contact between
engagement surfaces 506 es and one or both ofsurfaces 504 us or 502 us is typically less than about 10 square mm, more typically less than about 7.5 square mm and most typically less than about 5 square mm. - The
actuator 10 preferably comprises ahousing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, thehousing body 12 having asurface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base ormember 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to thelateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base ormember 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803. - Such an apparatus can further comprise one or more heat
conductive tubes - The distal 502 and proximal 504 members can be heat transmissively interconnected or engaged with each other by heat
transmissive rods 507 ortubes 517 r that are intimately engaged with themembers - The apparatus can further comprise one or more hollow heat
conductive tubes 517 ah having a cavity containing heat conductive fluid, the one ormore tubes 517 ah being embedded within the body of the housing of theactuator - The
distal member 502 can have a proximalexterior surface 502 b that is adapted to be engaged and slidable against acomplementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of thehousing body actuator 10 such that heat thermally conducts between thehousing body member 502, thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member being movable toward and away from theactuator 10 by sliding movement of the proximalexterior surface 502 b of the distal arm ormember 502 on thecomplementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the actuator. - The spring loaded
interconnection 506 is preferably adapted to urge thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into a compression of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) with the clamp plate. - The
lateral surface 12 ls and the proximal base ormember 504 are typically laterally spaced apart 12 ld from direct heat conductive communication with theheated manifold 20. - The clamp plate can be cooled.
- The clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device are typically assembled together in an arrangement wherein such that the
spring 506 a is resiliently compressed up to a maximum of about 3 mm urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with theclamp plate 80 a. - The apparatus can include two or more separate cooling devices each comprised of a distal arm or
member 502 mounted via spring loadable interconnection to a proximal base ormember 504, each separate cooling device being separately mounted to thehousing body loadable interconnection 506 between each separatedistal end arm 502 and proximal base ormember 504. - The apparatus can further comprise a
mount 803 separating the actuator housing 19 from direct contact with the manifold, the mount being cooled and having an upstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mountingsurface 12 d of theactuator 10 and a downstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20. Such a mount is typically comprised of a thermally conductive metal that is cooled to a temperature of less than about 150 degrees F. - The
actuator 10 is preferably interconnected to avalve pin 17 that is mounted to the manifold and extends through a fluid material feed bore 22 in themanifold 20. - The proximal base or
member 504 can be rigidly attached in thermally conductive contact to the laterally spacedsurface 12 ls thehousing body - The distal arm or
member arm lateral surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body. - The distal arm or member can comprises a
rod 502 r slidably disposed within acomplementary bore 12 bo disposed within thehousing body actuator 10, thecomplementary bore 12 bo and therod 502 r being configured such that anexterior surface 502 b of therod 502 r is slidably engaged in thermally conductive contact against aninterior surface 12 si, 12 asi of thecomplementary bore 12 bo. - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling an actuator in an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprised of aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10 interconnected to avalve pin 17 having an axis A and amold 300 wherein, when assembled, theclamp plate 80 is mounted upstream of themold 300, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold, theactuator 10 comprising ahousing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on - the manifold along the axis A,
- the method being characterized in that: a cooling
device 500 is mounted to asurface 12 ls of thehousing body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the cooling device comprising a proximal arm ormember 504 that is comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm ormember 502 that is comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm ormember 502 being mounted by one or more spring loadable interconnections orengagements 506 on or to the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to thedistal end surface 502 a, - the spring or spring
loadable interconnection 506 having an amount or degree of mass that renders thespring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal 504 and distal 502 members, - assembling the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold 20, theactuator 10 and the heat transmitter together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above, the method comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In accordance with the invention there is also provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10 interconnected to avalve pin 17 having an axis A, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10 wherein, when assembled, theclamp plate 80 mounted upstream of themold 300, the manifold 20 being disposed between the clamp plate and the mold, wherein theactuator 10 comprises ahousing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a proximal arm or
member 504 comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm ormember 502 comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm or member ormember 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection orengagement 506 on or to the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to thedistal end surface 502 a, - the
housing body 12 having asurface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base ormember 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to thelateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base ormember 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 in an arrangement wherein thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 is movable through the springloadable interconnection 506 toward and away from theactuator 10, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - Such an apparatus can further comprise one or more heat
conductive tubes - The distal 502 and proximal 504 members can be heat transmissively interconnected or engaged with each other by heat
transmissive rods 507 ortubes 517 r that are intimately engaged with themembers - Such an apparatus can further comprise one or more hollow heat
conductive tubes 517 ah having a cavity containing heat conductive fluid, the one ormore tubes 517 ah being embedded within the body of the housing of theactuator - Preferably the
distal member 502 has a proximalexterior surface 502 b that is adapted to be engaged and slidable against acomplementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of thehousing body actuator 10 such that heat thermally conducts between thehousing body member 502, thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member being movable toward and away from theactuator 10 by sliding movement of the proximalexterior surface 502 b of the distal arm ormember 502 on thecomplementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of the actuator. - The spring loaded
interconnection 506 is typically adapted to urge thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into a compression of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) with the clamp plate. - The clamp plate is preferably mounted in a position in spaced thermal isolation from the manifold.
- The clamp plate is preferably cooled.
- The
cooling device 500 can include aresilient spring 506 a disposed between a body surface 504 a of the proximal base ormember 504 and the distal arm ormember 502, wherein the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device are assembled together in an arrangement wherein thespring 506 a is resiliently compressed up to a maximum of about 3 mm urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with theclamp plate 80 a. - Such an apparatus typically includes two or more separate cooling devices each comprised of a distal arm or member mounted in spring loadable interconnection to a proximal base or member, each separate cooling device being separately mounted to the
housing body loadable interconnection 506 between each separatedistal end arm 502 and proximal base ormember 504. - Such an apparatus preferably further comprises a
mount 803 separating the actuator housing from direct contact with the manifold, the mount being cooled and having an upstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mountingsurface 12 d of theactuator 10 and a downstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20. - The mount is typically comprised of a thermally conductive metal that is cooled to a temperature of less than about 150 degrees F.
- The
actuator 10 is typically interconnected to avalve pin 17 that is mounted to the manifold and extends through a fluid material feed bore 22 in themanifold 20. - The proximal base or
member 504 can be rigidly attached in thermally conductive contact to the laterally spacedsurface 12 ls thehousing body - The distal arm or
member 502 andproximal member 504 can comprise a unitary thermallyconductive body 503 with at least the distal arm ormember 502 being resiliently deformable to form the springloadable interconnection 506 on assembly of the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assembled in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded when the manifold is heated to operating temperature urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate. - The distal arm or member and the proximal base or member can comprise a
unitary body 503 rigidly attached in thermallyconductive contact 504 s to the laterally spacedsurface 12 ls, a portion of the unitary body being resiliently deformable to form the springloadable interconnection 506, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assembled in an arrangement wherein the resiliently deformable portion of theunitary body 503 compresses up to a maximum of about 0.5 mm when the manifold is heated to operating temperature urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate. - The distal arm or
member arm lateral surface 12 ls, 12 as of the housing body. - The distal arm or member can comprises a
rod 502 r slidably disposed within acomplementary bore 12 bo disposed within thehousing body actuator 10, thecomplementary bore 12 bo and therod 502 r being configured such that anexterior surface 502 b of therod 502 r is slidably engaged in thermally conductive contact against aninterior surface 12 si, 12 asi of thecomplementary bore 12 bo. - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling an actuator in an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprised of aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10 interconnected to avalve pin 17 having an axis A and amold 300 wherein, when assembled, theclamp plate 80 is mounted upstream of themold 300, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold, theactuator 10 comprising ahousing body 12 that is mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, - the method being characterized in that:
- a
cooling device 500 is mounted to asurface 12 ls of thehousing body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the cooling device comprising a proximal arm ormember 504 that is comprised of a heat conductive material and a distal arm ormember 502 that is comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm ormember 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection orengagement 506 on or to the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to thedistal end surface 502 a, - the proximal base or
member 504 is mounted in heat conductive contact with and to thelateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base ormember 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803, and - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter are assembled together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - In another aspect of the invention there is provided an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- wherein the cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member and a proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load and a proximal surface for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end,
- the actuator comprising a housing body that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold,
- the proximal base or member being mounted to the housing body of the actuator in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface of the distal arm or member is movable through the spring loadable interconnection toward and away from the actuator,
- the distal arm or member being mounted to the proximal base or member in an arrangement such that an exterior surface of the distal arm or member is disposed in slidable thermally conductive contact engagement with a complementary surface of the housing body,
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature,
- the exterior surface of the distal arm or member sliding along the complementary surface of the housing body on assembly of the clamp plate, the mold, the actuator and the cooling device.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided, a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator interconnected to and driving a valve pin along an axis A, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- wherein the cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member and a proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load and a proximal surface for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end;
- the actuator (10) comprising a housing body (12) that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold;
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate,
- the distal arm or member and proximal base or member comprising a unitary thermally conductive body in which the spring loadable interconnection comprises a resiliently deformable portion of the unitary body,
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable in an arrangement wherein the resiliently deformable portion of the unitary body is compressed and urges the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- In such an apparatus:
- the
housing body 12 is typically mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis (A) to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, and - and the
housing body 12 typically has asurface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis (A), the proximal base ormember 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to thelateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base ormember 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 - A method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the unitary body resiliently deforms urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- wherein the cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a heat transmissive rod and a proximal base or member, the rod being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the rod being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load,
- the actuator comprising a housing body that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold,
- the proximal base or member being mounted to or integral with the housing body of the actuator in an arrangement wherein heat is transmitted between the housing body and the proximal base or member,
- the distal arm or member comprising a rod slidably disposed within a complementary bore disposed within the housing body, the complementary bore and the rod being configured such that an exterior surface of the rod is slidably engagable in thermally conductive contact with and against an interior surface of the complementary bore transmitting heat from the housing body to the distal end surface,
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the rod into compressed engagement with the clamp plate when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- In such an apparatus: the
housing body 12 is typically mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, and thehousing body 12 has asurface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base ormember 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to thelateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base ormember 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803. - In another aspect of the invention there is provided, a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus described immediately above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the rod into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10, wherein when assembled theclamp plate 80 and themold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and theactuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or
member 502 and a proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection orengagement 506 to or with the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate - the
actuator 10 comprising ahousing body - the proximal base or
member 504 being mounted to thehousing body 12 of theactuator 10 in an arrangement wherein thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 is movable through the springloadable interconnection 506 toward and away from theactuator 10, - the distal arm or
member 502 having aproximal surface 502 b adapted to be disposed in sliding contact with acomplementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of theactuator 10 for transmitting heat from theproximal surface 502 b to thedistal end surface 502 a, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein theproximal surface 502 b slides along thecomplementary surface 12 ls, 12 as and the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the movable rod orarm 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - In such an apparatus the spring or spring
loadable interconnection 506 has an amount or degree of mass (typically less than about 5 grams) that renders thespring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal 504 and distal 502 members. - Further in such an apparatus the spring or spring
loadable interconnection 506 typically hasengagement surfaces 506 es that engage against complementary opposing engagement surfaces (504 us, 502 us) of proximal 504 and distal 502 members having a selected area of engagement (typically less than about 10 mm) that rendersspring 506 substantially non-heat conductive between the proximal and distal arms or members. - In such an apparatus the
actuator 10 is typically interconnected to avalve pin 17 that is drivable along an axis A, thehousing body 12 being mounted in thermally conductive contact with one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted on the manifold 20 downstream of thehousing body 12 along the axis A, - the
proximal base 504 of thecooling device 500 being mounted to asurface 12 ls of thehousing body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A such that the proximal base ormember 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803, - The spring loadable interconnection typically comprises one or more rods or
tubes member 504 and the distal arm ormember 502 and rigidly interconnected to the other of the proximal base ormember 504 and the distal arm ormember 502, the one or more rods ortubes member 504 and the distal arm ormember 502, - In such an apparatus the distal arm or member can be movable in an axial direction toward and away from the
actuator housing 12. - In such an apparatus the distal arm or member can be movable in a lateral or radial direction toward and away from the
actuator housing 12. - In such an apparatus, the spring loaded
interconnection 506 is typically adapted to urge thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into a compression of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) with the clamp plate. - The clamp plate is preferably mounted in a position in spaced thermal isolation from the manifold and is cooled.
- The spring loadable interconnection can comprise a
resilient spring 506 a disposed between a body surface 504 a of the proximal base ormember 504 and the distal arm ormember 502, wherein the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device are assembled together in an arrangement wherein thespring 506 a is resiliently compressed up to a maximum of about 3 mm urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with theclamp plate 80 a. - Such an apparatus can include two or more separate cooling devices each comprised of a distal arm or member mounted in spring loadable interconnection to a proximal base or member, each separate cooling device being separately mounted to the
housing body loadable interconnection 506 between each separatedistal end arm 502 and proximal base ormember 504. - Such an apparatus typically further comprises a
mount 803 separating the actuator housing from direct contact with the manifold, the mount being cooled and having an upstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mountingsurface 12 d of theactuator 10 and a downstream mounting surface in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20. - The mount is typically comprised of a thermally conductive metal that is cooled to a temperature of less than about 150 degrees F.
- The
valve pin 17 is preferably mounted to the manifold and extends through a fluid material feed bore 22 in themanifold 20. - The proximal base or
member 504 is typically rigidly attached in thermally conductive contact to the laterally spacedsurface 12 ls thehousing body - The one or more rods or
tubes 507 can comprise hollow heatconductive tubes 517 ah having a cavity containing a heat conductive fluid and a wick. - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an injection molding apparatus (5) comprising a clamp plate (80), a heated manifold (20), an actuator (10), a mold (300) and a cooling device (500) that cools the actuator (10), wherein when assembled the clamp plate (80) and the mold (300) are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold (20) is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator (10) is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold (20),
- wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member (502) and a proximal base or member (504), the distal arm or member (502) being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection or engagement (506) to or with the proximal base or member (504), the distal arm or member (502) and the proximal base or member (504) being comprised of a thermally conductive material, the distal arm or member (502) having a distal end surface (502 a) for engaging the clamp plate (80, 80 a) under a spring load and a proximal surface (502 b) in sliding heat conductive contact with the actuator (10) for transmitting heat from the proximal surface (502 b) to the distal end surface (502 a),
- the actuator (10) comprising a housing body (12, 12 a) that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold (20),
- the proximal base or member (504) being mounted in heat conductive contact with the housing body (12) of the actuator (10) in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface (502 a) of the movable rod or arm (502) is movable through the spring loadable interconnection (506) toward and away from the actuator (10),
- the spring loadable interconnection (506) comprising a resiliently deformable elbow (506) integrally formed together with and rigidly interconnecting the proximal base (504) and the distal arm (502), the elbow (506) transmitting heat from the proximal base (504) to the distal arm or
member 502, - the clamp plate, the mold (300), the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection (506) is loaded urging the distal end surface (502 a) of the movable rod or arm (502) into compressed engagement with the clamp plate (80, 80 a) at least when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature.
- In such an embodiment the
housing body 12 is preferably mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, - wherein the
housing body 12 has asurface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base ormember 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to thelateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base ormember 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803. - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus described immediately above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10, wherein when assembled theclamp plate 80 and themold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and theactuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or
member 502 and a proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection orengagement 506 to or with the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 b in sliding contact with theactuator 10 for transmitting heat from theproximal surface 502 b to thedistal end surface 502 a, - the
actuator 10 comprising ahousing body - the proximal base or
member 504 being mounted to thehousing body 12 of theactuator 10 in an arrangement wherein thedistal end surface 502 a of the movable rod orarm 502 is movable through the springloadable interconnection 506 toward and away from theactuator 10, - the
proximal base 504 and thedistal arm 502 comprising a unitary solid body of highly heat conductive material, the springloadable interconnection 506 comprising a resilientlydeformable portion 506 of the unitary solid body rigidly interconnecting theproximal base 504 and thedistal arm 502, the resilientlydeformable portion 506 being resiliently compressible and interconnecting theproximal base 504 to the distal arm ormember 502 and transmitting heat from the proximal base ormember 504 to the distal arm ormember 502, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the movable rod orarm 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - In such an apparatus the
housing body 12 can be mounted in thermally conductive contact along an axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, - wherein the
housing body 12 has asurface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base ormember 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to thelateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base ormember 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803. - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10, wherein when assembled theclamp plate 80 and themold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and theactuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or
member 502 comprised of a rod ortube 502 r and a proximal base ormember 504 comprising a portion of thehousing body 12 that is laterally spaced from an axis A along which the valve pin is driven, theactuator 10 comprising ahousing body - the rod or
tube 502 r being slidably disposed within acomplementary bore 12 bo disposed within the laterally spacedportion 504 of thehousing body 12, thecomplementary bore 12 bo and therod 502 r being configured such that theexterior surface 502 b of therod 502 r is slidable and engaged in thermally conductive contact against aninterior surface 12 si, 12 asi of thecomplementary bore 12 bo, - the distal arm or
member 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate loadable interconnection 506 between therod 502 r and the laterally spacedportion 504 of thehousing body 12, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the movable rod ortube 502 r into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - The
housing body 12 is preferably mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, - the
interior surface 12 si, 12 asi of thecomplementary bore 12 bo being spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, such that theinterior surface 12 si, 12 asi of thecomplementary bore 12 bo is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803. - A method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10, wherein when assembled theclamp plate 80 and themold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and theactuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or
member 502 and a proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection orengagement 506 to the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 s in sliding contact with asurface 12 ls theactuator 10 for transmitting heat from theproximal surface 502 s to thedistal end surface 502 a, - one or
more surfaces 502 s of thedistal arm 502 being slidably engaged with one or more surfaces of theproximal base 504, theproximal base 504 transmitting heat to thedistal arm 502 via the slidably engaged surfaces, - the
actuator 10 comprising ahousing body - the proximal base or
member 504 being mounted to thehousing body 12 of theactuator 10 in an arrangement wherein thedistal end surface 502 a of the movable rod orarm 502 is movable through the springloadable interconnection 506 toward and away from theactuator 10, - the spring loadable interconnection comprising one or more rods or
tubes member 504 and interconnected to the distal arm ormember 502 transmitting heat from the proximal base ormember 504 to the distal arm ormember 502, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the movable rod orarm 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - In such an apparatus the
housing body 12 is preferably mounted in thermally conductive contact along an axis A along which the valve pin is driven, the housing body being mounted to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, - the
surface 12 ls of the actuator with which theproximal surface 502 s of the distal member is slidably engaged being being spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base ormember 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to thelateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base ormember 504 and theproximal surface 502 s of thedistal member 502 are spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803. - A method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10, amold 300 and acooling device 800 that cools theactuator 10, wherein when assembled theclamp plate 80 and themold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and theactuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20, - wherein the
cooling device 800 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a highly heat conductive
proximal base 803 and at least one highly heat conductive leg 800 l extending a selected upstream longitudinal length UL from theproximal base 803 and forming a reception aperture orrecess 800 ra in which theactuator 10 is mountable in close proximity to the leg 800 l, the one or more legs 800 l being formed to include one ormore spring joints 800 s along the longitudinal length UL that are resiliently deformable under compression to exert a spring force UF along the longitudinal length UL of the one or more legs 800 l, - the
actuator 10 comprising ahousing body - the
proximal base 803 being mounted between the actuator 12 and the manifold 20 in an arrangement wherein an upstreamdistal end surface 800 a of the one or more legs 800 l is movable through the springloadable interconnection 506 toward and away from theactuator 10, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the one or more spring joints are deformed by engagement between thedistal end surface 800 a and asurface 80 a of theclamp plate 80, the one or more deformed spring joints urging thedistal end surface 800 a of thecooling device 800 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of an apparatus as described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring joints are loaded urging the distal end surfaces of the one or more heat conductive legs into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate (80) mounted to a mold (300) in spaced relationship, a heated manifold (20), an actuator (10) interconnected to and driving a valve pin (17), the actuator (10) comprising a housing body (12), and a cooling device (500) that cools the actuator (10), wherein the manifold (20) is disposed between the clamp plate (80) and the mold (300) and the housing body (12) of the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold (20),
- the cooling device (500) comprising:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member (502) and a proximal base or member (504 aa) mounted in heat conductive contact to the housing body (12) of the actuator,
- the distal arm or member (507 m) comprising a rod (507 u, 507 d) slidably disposed within a complementary bore (504 pb, 504 pba) disposed within the proximal base or member (504 aa), the complementary bore and the rod being configured such that an exterior surface of the rod (507 us, 507 ds) is slidably engaged in thermally conductive contact with and against an interior surface (504 pbsa, 504 pbs) of the complementary bore (504 pb, 504 pba),
- the rod (507 u, 507 d) being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface (507 a), the rod transmitting heat from the proximal arm or member (507 m) to the distal end surface via engagement of the exterior surface (507 us, 507 ds) of the rod with the interior surface (504 pbsa, 504 pbs) of the complementary bore,
- the rod (507 u, 507 d) being mounted within the complementary bore (504 pb, 504 pba) via a spring loadable interconnection (506) to the proximal base or member (504 aa),
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection (506) is loaded urging the distal end surface (507 a) of the rod into compressed engagement with the clamp plate when the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and heat transmitter are assembled into an operating assembly.
- In such an apparatus the housing body (12) is preferably mounted in thermally conductive contact along an axis A along which the valve pin (17) is driven to one or more actuator mounts (50, 60, 803) that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, and the housing body (12) having a surface (12 ls) that is spaced laterally (12 ld) from the axis A, the proximal base or member (504 aa) being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to the lateral surface (12 ls) such that the proximal base or member (504 aa) is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803.
- In such an apparatus the
clamp plate 80 can include anactuator receiving aperture 80 ra and anupstream end plate 80 p that is readily attachable to and detachable from theclamp plate 80 in a predetermined mating position disposed upstream of theactuator receiving aperture 80 ra, and, theclamp plate 80, - the
upstream end plate 80 p, the manifold 20, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein theactuator 10 andcooling device 500 are mounted within theactuator receiving aperture 80 ra and the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the rod orarm upstream end plate 80 p when the manifold 20 is heated to an elevated operating temperature. - The
clamp plate 80 can include arecess 80 r formed within theclamp plate 80 that is complementary to theupstream end plate 80 p such that the upstream end plate is readily receivable within therecess 80 r and attachable to theclamp plate 80 in the predetermined mating position. - The spring loadable
interconnection 506 is preferably loaded urging the distal end surface of the rod into compressed engagement with the clamp plate when the manifold is heated to an elevated operating temperature. - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the rod into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising: - a
clamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10 interconnected to and driving a valve pin along an axis A, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10, wherein when assembled theclamp plate 80 and themold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and theactuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or
member 502 and a proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm or member ormember 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection orengagement 506 to or with the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to thedistal end surface 502 a, - wherein one or more heat conductive tubes containing a heat conductive fluid are embedded within one or the other of the proximal 504 or distal 502 members.
- the
actuator 10 comprising ahousing body - the proximal base or
member 504 being mounted to thehousing body 12 of theactuator 10 in an arrangement wherein thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 is movable through the springloadable interconnection 506 toward and away from theactuator 10, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - In such an apparatus:
- the
housing body 12 is typically mounted in thermally conductive contact along the axis A to one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are mounted downstream in heat conductive communication with or contact with or on the manifold along the axis A, and - wherein the
housing body 12 has asurface 12 ls that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis A, the proximal base ormember 504 being mounted in heat conductive contact with and to thelateral surface 12 ls such that the proximal base ormember 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the one or more actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus of described immediately above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In accordance with the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10, wherein when assembled theclamp plate 80 and themold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and theactuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or
member 502 and a proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm or member ormember 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection orengagement 506 to or with the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to thedistal end surface 502 a, - the
actuator 10 comprising ahousing body - the proximal base or
member 504 being mounted to thehousing body 12 of theactuator 10 in an arrangement wherein thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 is movable through the springloadable interconnection 506 toward and away from theactuator 10, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - One or more heat
conductive tubes - The distal 502 and proximal 504 members are typically heat transmissively interconnected or engaged with each other by heat
transmissive rods 507 ortubes 517 r that are intimately engaged with the members. - One or more heat
conductive tubes 517 ah can be embedded within the body of the housing of theactuator - The distal arm or member can have an proximal
exterior surface 502 b that is adapted to be engaged and slidable against a laterally disposedcomplementary surface 12 ls, 12 as of thehousing body actuator 10 such that heat thermally conducts between thehousing body member 502, thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member being movable toward and away from theactuator 10 by sliding movement of the proximalexterior surface 502 b of the distal arm ormember 502 on the complementary laterally disposedsurface 12 ls, 12 as of the actuator. - The spring loaded
interconnection 506 preferably urges thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into a compression of at least 1 pound per square inch (psi) with the clamp plate. - The clamp plate is typically mounted in a position in spaced thermal isolation from the manifold.
- The clamp plate can be cooled.
- The
cooling device 500 typically includes aspring 506 a disposed between a body surface 504 a of the proximal base ormember 504 and the distal arm ormember 502, wherein the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device are assembled together in an arrangement wherein thespring 506 a is compressed urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with theclamp plate 80 a. - The apparatus can include two or more separate cooling devices each comprised of a distal arm or member mounted in spring loadable interconnection to a proximal base or member, each separate cooling device being separately mounted to the
housing body loadable interconnection 506 between each separatedistal end arm 502 and proximal base ormember 504. - The apparatus can further comprise a
mount 50 separating the actuator housing from direct contact with the manifold, the mount being cooled and having a first mounting surface 50 a in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mounting surface 12 m of theactuator 10 and a second mounting surface 50 b in thermally conductive communication with a complementary mountingsurface 20 s of the manifold 20. - The mount is preferably comprised of a thermally conductive metal that is cooled to a temperature of less than about 150 degrees F.
- The actuator can be interconnected to a valve pin that is mounted to the manifold and extends through a fluid material feed bore in the manifold.
- The proximal base or member 54 is preferably attached in thermally conductive contact with the
housing body - The distal arm or member and proximal base or member can comprise a unitary thermally
conductive body 503 with at least the distal arm ormember 502 being movably deformed on assembly of the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate. - The distal arm or member and the proximal base or member can comprise a
unitary body 503 where at least the proximal base ormember 504 is attached in thermallyconductive contact 504 s with thehousing body 12 ls, 12. - The distal arm or
member arm housing body 12 ls, 12 as. - The distal arm or member can comprise a
rod 502 r slidably disposed within acomplementary bore 12 bo disposed within thehousing body complementary bore 12 bo and therod 502 r being configured such that theexterior surface 502 b of therod 502 r is slidable and engaged in thermally conductive contact against aninterior surface 12 si, 12 asi of thecomplementary bore 12 bo. - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus described above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- wherein the cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member and a proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load and a proximal surface for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end,
- the actuator comprising a housing body that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold,
- the proximal base or member being mounted to the housing body of the actuator in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface of the distal arm or member is movable through the spring loadable interconnection toward and away from the actuator,
- the distal arm or member being mounted to the proximal base or member in an arrangement such that an exterior surface of the distal arm or member is disposed in slidable contact engagement with a complementary surface of the housing body,
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate,
- the exterior surface of the distal arm or member sliding along the complementary surface of the housing body on assembly of the clamp plate, the mold, the actuator and the cooling device.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus of described immediately above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- wherein the cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member and a proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load and a proximal surface for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end;
- the actuator comprising a housing body that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold;
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate,
- the distal arm or member and proximal base or member comprising a unitary thermally conductive body in which the spring loadable interconnection comprises a resilient deformability inherent in the unitary body, the distal arm or member being movably resiliently deformed on assembly of the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter in an arrangement wherein the resilient deformation of the unitary body urges the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the unitary body resiliently deforms urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold, an actuator, a mold and a cooling device that cools the actuator, wherein when assembled the clamp plate and the mold are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and the actuator is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold,
- wherein the cooling device comprises:
- a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or member and a proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection to the proximal base or member, the distal arm or member being comprised of a thermally conductive material having a distal end surface for engaging the clamp plate under a spring load and a proximal surface for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to the distal end,
- the actuator comprising a housing body that is thermally conductive and mounted in thermal communication with the manifold,
- the proximal base or member being mounted to the housing body of the actuator in an arrangement wherein the distal end surface of the distal arm or member is movable through the spring loadable interconnection toward and away from the actuator,
- the distal arm or member comprising a rod slidably disposed within a complementary bore disposed within the housing body, the complementary bore and the rod being configured such that the exterior surface of the rod is slidable and engaged in thermally conductive contact against an interior surface of the complementary bore.
- the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In accordance with the invention there is also provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10, wherein when assembled theclamp plate 80 and themold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and theactuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a distal arm or
member 502 and a proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm or member ormember 502 being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection orengagement 506 to or with the proximal base ormember 504, the distal arm ormember 502 being comprised of a thermally conductive material having adistal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate proximal surface 502 b for transmitting heat from the proximal surface to thedistal end surface 502 a, - wherein one or more heat conductive tubes are embedded within one or the other or both of the proximal 504 or distal 502 members.
- the
actuator 10 comprising ahousing body - the proximal base or
member 504 being mounted to thehousing body 12 of theactuator 10 in an arrangement wherein thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 is movable through the springloadable interconnection 506 toward and away from theactuator 10, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate - In accordance with the invention there is also provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus described above such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the distal arm or member into compressed engagement with the clamp plate at least upon heating the manifold to an elevated operating temperature.
- In another aspect of the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10, amold 300 and acooling device 500 that cools theactuator 10, wherein when assembled theclamp plate 80 and themold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and theactuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20, - wherein the
cooling device 500 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a movable rod or
arm member 504 aa, the rod orarm engagement 506 to or with the proximal base ormember 504 aa, the movable rod orarm distal end surface 502 a for engaging theclamp plate more surfaces more surfaces 504 pbs, 504 pba, 504 is of theproximal base 504 aa for transmitting heat from the one ormore surfaces 504 pbs, 504 pba, 504 is to thedistal end surface 502 a, - the
actuator 10 comprising ahousing body - the proximal base or
member 504 being mounted to thehousing body 12 of theactuator 10 in an arrangement wherein thedistal end surface 502 a of the movable rod orarm 502 is movable through the springloadable interconnection 506 toward and away from theactuator 10, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the springloadable interconnection 506 is loaded urging thedistal end surface 502 a of the movable rod orarm clamp plate - In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of cooling the actuator of the apparatus described immediately above comprising assembling the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the cooling device of the apparatus such that the spring loadable interconnection is loaded urging the distal end surface of the movable rod or arm into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.
- The
clamp plate 80 of theapparatuses 5 described above can include anactuator receiving aperture 80 ra and anupstream end plate 80 p that is readily attachable to and detachable from theclamp plate 80 in a mating position disposed upstream of theactuator receiving aperture 80 ra wherein the actuator receiving aperture, the mating position, theclamp plate 80 and the manifold 20 are adapted such that when theactuator 10 with thecooling devices 500 mounted to the actuator is received within theactuator receiving aperture 80 ra and mounted to the manifold 20, the distal end surfaces 502 a of theheat transmitters 502 are engaged with theupstream end plate 80 p when theupstream end plate 80 p is attached to the clamp plate in the mating position. - The
clamp plate 80 can include arecess 80 r formed within theclamp plate 80 that is complementary to theupstream end plate 80 p such that the upstream end plate is receivable within therecess 80 r and disposed and held in the mating position for stable attachment to theclamp plate 80. - In another aspect of the invention there is provided an
injection molding apparatus 5 comprising aclamp plate 80, aheated manifold 20, anactuator 10, amold 300 and acooling device 800 that cools theactuator 10, wherein when assembled theclamp plate 80 and themold 300 are interconnected and spaced apart from each other, the manifold 20 is disposed between the clamp plate and the mold and theactuator 10 is mounted in thermally conductive communication with the manifold 20, - wherein the
cooling device 800 comprises: - a heat transmitter comprising a highly heat conductive
proximal base 803 and at least one highly heat conductive leg 800 l extending a selected upstream longitudinal length UL from theproximal base 803 and forming a reception aperture orrecess 800 ra in which theactuator 10 is mountable in close proximity to the leg 800 l, the one or more legs 800 l being formed to include one ormore spring joints 800 s along the longitudinal length UL that are resiliently deformable under compression to exert a spring force UF along the longitudinal length UL of the one or more legs 800 l, - the
actuator 10 comprising ahousing body - the
proximal base 803 being mounted between the actuator 12 and the manifold 20 in an arrangement wherein an upstreamdistal end surface 800 a of the one or more legs 800 l is movable through the springloadable interconnection 506 toward and away from theactuator 10, - the clamp plate, the
mold 300, the manifold, the actuator and the heat transmitter being assemblable together in an arrangement wherein the one or more spring joints are deformed by engagement between thedistal end surface 800 a and asurface 80 a of theclamp plate 80, the one or more deformed spring joints urging thedistal end surface 800 a of thecooling device 800 into compressed engagement with theclamp plate 80, 809 a. - The above and further advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an assembly of a top clamp plate, a heated manifold and a pair of actuators mounted on the heated manifold, each actuator having a housing and heat convectors mounted in an arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of one of the actuators of theFIG. 1 assembly. -
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front view as seen along lines 5-5 ofFIG. 2 .FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view taken alonglines 5A-5A ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 5B is a front view similar toFIG. 5 but showing the heat convector and actuator in use with clamping plate installed. -
FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional side view taken alonglines 5C-5C ofFIG. 5B . -
FIG. 5D is a front view similar toFIG. 5B but showing heat pipes alternatively and additionally mounted vertically in the heat transmitter elements and actuator body. -
FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional side view taken alonglines 5E-5E ofFIG. 5D . -
FIG. 5F is a front view similar toFIG. 5D but with additional heat pipes mounted horizontally to the heat transmitter elements. -
FIG. 5G is a cross-sectional side view taken alonglines 5G-5G ofFIG. 5F . -
FIG. 5H is a front view similar toFIG. 5 but showing rods formed integrally with the upper heat transmitter element. -
FIG. 5I is a cross-sectional side view taken along lines 5I-5I ofFIG. 5H . -
FIG. 5J is a front view similar toFIG. 5H but showing heat pipes embedded within the rods and upper heat transmitter element. -
FIG. 5K is a cross-sectional side view taken alongline 5K-5K ofFIG. 5J . -
FIG. 5L is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the distal and proximal heat conductive component members of a cooling device according to the invention having a spring loadable interconnection comprised of one or series of stacked leaf, belleville, flat wire wave, conical or disc washer springs that serve as a spring between the distal and proximal members. -
FIG. 6 is a front view similar toFIG. 5 but showing the slidable rods affixed to the lower heat transmitting element. -
FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional side view taken alonglines 6A-6A ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an actuator having a single cooling device mounted to a side wall of the actuator where the cooling device comprises aproximal base 504 and a distal plate member that is spring loadably mounted on the base with thedistal plate 502 in slidable engagement contact with a surface of the housing of the actuator. -
FIG. 8 is a side view ofFIG. 7 additionally showing a top clamp plate with the distal plate member in spring loaded engagement therewith. -
FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of an actuator having two cooling devices mounted to two separate side walls of the actuator where the cooling devices comprise aproximal base 504 and adistal plate member 502 that is spring loadably mounted on the base 504 with the distal plates being 502 in slidable engagement contact with a surface of the housing of the actuator. -
FIG. 10 is a side view ofFIG. 9 additionally showing a top clamp plate with thedistal plate members 502 of the heat transmissive members in spring loaded engagement therewith. -
FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an actuator having four separate cooling devices mounted to four separate side walls of the actuator where the cooling devices each comprise aproximal base 504 and adistal plate member 502 that is spring loadably mounted on the base 504 with the distal plates being 502 in slidable engagement contact with a surface of the housing of the actuator. -
FIG. 12 is a side view ofFIG. 11 additionally showing a top clamp plate with thedistal plate members 502 of the heat transmissive members in spring loaded engagement therewith. -
FIG. 13 is is a top perspective view an actuator in thermal communication with a heated manifold of an injection molding system with two separate cooling devices mounted to sides of the actuator where each cooling device comprises a proximal base and a distal plate spring loadably mounted on the base with the plates in slidable engagement contact with a surface of the actuator and further with a third cooling device mounted to a side wall of the actuator where the third cooling device comprises a proximal base and a distal plate spring loadably mounted on the base with the distal plate in spring loaded arrangement to move side-to-side as opposed to upstream downstream. -
FIG. 14 is a side view ofFIG. 13 additionally showing a top clamp plate assembled together with the actuator and cooling devices with thedistal plate members 502 of the heat transmissive members of the cooling devices in spring loaded engagement with the top clamp plate. -
FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of an actuator in thermal communication with a heated manifold of an injection molding system with a single cooling device attached to the actuator where the cooling device comprises one exemplary configuration of a unitary body of metal material attached at a proximal base ormember end 504 to the actuator having adistally extending arm 502 of one configuration, the distally extending arm of the unitary body being engageable at a distal end surface with a top clamp plate when the system is assembled such that a distal end surface of the distally extending arm deforms under spring force to maintain the distal end surface of the arm in compressed contact with the top clamp plate. -
FIG. 16 is a side view of theFIG. 15 embodiment showing the actuator assembled together with a top clamp plate and the distal arm member in spring loaded compressed engagement with the top clamp plate. -
FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of an actuator in thermal communication with a heated manifold of an injection molding system with a single cooling device attached to the actuator where the cooling device comprises another exemplary configuration of a unitary body of metal material attached at a proximal base ormember end 504 to the actuator having adistally extending arm 502 of another configuration, the distally extending arm of the unitary body being engageable at a distal end surface with a top clamp plate when the system is assembled such that a distal end surface of the distally extending arm deforms under spring force to maintain the distal end surface of the arm in compressed contact with the top clamp plate. -
FIG. 18 is a side view of theFIG. 17 embodiment showing the actuator assembled together with a top clamp plate and the distal arm member in spring loaded compressed engagement with the top clamp plate. -
FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of an actuator in thermal communication with a heated manifold of an injection molding system with a single cooling device attached to the actuator where the cooling device comprises another exemplary configuration of a unitary body of metal material attached at a proximal base ormember end 504 to the actuator having adistally extending arm 502 of another configuration, the distally extending arm of the unitary body being engageable at a distal end surface with a top clamp plate when the system is assembled such that a distal end surface of the distally extending arm deforms under spring force to maintain the distal end surface of the arm in compressed contact with the top clamp plate. -
FIG. 20 is a side view of theFIG. 19 embodiment showing the actuator assembled together with a top clamp plate and the distal arm member in spring loaded compressed engagement with the top clamp plate. -
FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the invention showing an actuator in thermal communication with a heated manifold of an injection molding system with four separate cooling devices that each comprise a rod or tube spring loadably mounted within a complementary precision formed receiving bore drilled in body of the housing of the actuator, the rods or tubes being adapted for slidable engagement contact against an internal surface of the precision formed receiving bores. -
FIG. 22 is a side view of theFIG. 21 embodiment showing the actuator assembled together with a top clamp plate and the rods or tubes being in spring loaded compressed engagement with the top clamp plate. -
FIG. 23 is a front view of theFIG. 21 embodiment showing the actuator assembled together with a top clamp plate and the rods or tubes being in spring loaded compressed engagement with the top clamp plate. -
FIG. 24 is a side view of another embodiment of the invention showing a cooling device comprised of an assembly of a distal heat transmissive plate member assembled together with a spring loading mechanism, the assembly being that is readily mountable to or between the actuator and a top clamp plate such that when the top clamp plate and the actuator and the assembly are assembled together into operating configuration, the distal heat transmissive plate member is spring loadably engaged against the top clamp plate and heat transmissively engaged with a proximal heat transmissive base member that is mounted to the actuator housing. -
FIG. 25A is a top perspective view of an actuator assembled together with another embodiment of a pair of cooling devices comprised of sliding rods and a sliding block mounted within a base attached to the actuator. -
FIG. 25B is a front right side perspective view of an assembly of a manifold, an actuator with cooling devices as inFIGS. 25A-25E and a top clamp plate configured to assemble together quickly that the actuator and cooling devices so that spring loaded rods and block of thecooling devices 500 attached to the actuator will engage with the underside of a quickly assemblable plate component of the top clamp plate. -
FIG. 25C is an exploded view of the device ofFIG. 25B . -
FIG. 25D is a cross-sectional view taken alonglines 25D-25D ofFIG. 25A . -
FIG. 25E is a cross-sectional view taken alonglines 25E-25E ofFIG. 25D . -
FIG. 25F is a cross-sectional view taken alonglines 25F-25F ofFIG. 25A . -
FIG. 25G is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 25G-25G ofFIG. 25F . - In the
FIGS. 1-3 embodiment, theapparatus 5 includes acooling device 800 that is formed having aproximal mount 803 that is mounted between the downstream end of theactuator housing 12 and theheated manifold 20. A pair of upstream extending legs 800 l extend upstream from themount 803. Thecooling device 800 is formed and adapted to form a reception aperture orrecess 800 ra that is complementary to and receives theactuator housing 12 such that the legs 800 l are disposed in close proximity to the lateralouter surfaces 12 los of theactuator housing 12. The legs 800 l are formed to have an upstream extending longitudinal length UL that disposes thedistal-most edge surface 800 a of the legs 800 l upstream beyond theupstream-most extending surface 12 u of theactuator 10 when theactuator 10 is mounted in operating format within thereception aperture 800 ra. The legs 800 l are configured to have one orspring joints 800 s along the longitudinal length UL of the legs 800 l. Spring joints 800 s are resiliently deformable such that when the legs 800 l are subject to a compressive force along the longitudinal length UL of the legs 800 l, the spring joints exert a spring force UF. The longitudinal length UL of the legs 800 l, theclamp plate 80,manifold 20,actuator housing 12 and their mounting and interconnection components are selected, arranged and formed such that when theclamp plate 80,manifold 20,actuator 10 andcooling device 800 are assembled into operating format, theundersurface 80 a of the clamp plate intimately engages with thedistal end surface 800 a under compression to cause the spring joints 800 s to exert the UF force bysurface 800 a againstsurface 80 a. Similarly, the same components are formed and arranged together with the formation and arrangement ofcooling device 500 such that the distal endmost surface 502 a ofdistal member 502 engages the undersurface 80 a ofplate 80 under compression from spring load force UF,FIG. 3 , exerted bysprings 506 ofcooling device 800 when all such components are assembled into operating format. - The term spring or spring
loadable interconnection 506 as used herein means a device that is disposed and engaged between or with the distal 502 and proximal 504 members and imparts a spring force UF therebetween at least when the apparatus is assembled and the manifold 20 is brought up to elevated operating temperature. As shown in all embodiments described herein whereindependent springs 506 such as shown inFIGS. 1-14, 21-25G are employed, such springs typically comprise one or more conventional coil, leaf, flat wire wave, Belleville or conical spring(s) having anupper end 506 u and a lower end 506 l that respectively engage via engagement surfaces 506 es against and between acomplementary engagement surfaces 502 us, 504 us of thedistal member proximal member spring 506 is compressed and thedistal member 502 is forcibly urged under the force UF of the spring when compressed in an upstream direction to compress thedistal end surface plate 80 at least when the apparatus is assembled and the manifold brought up to an elevated operating temperature. Such coil or leaf or flat wire wave or Belleville or conical spring(s) typically have a degree of resilient compression that is six or more times the degree of resilient compression of the plate springs of U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,349,244 and 8,562,336, typically having a degree of resilient or elastic compression of at least about 3 mm meaning that said coil et al. springs can be repeatedly compressed by at least about 3 mm and resiliently or elastically expand or revert back to their original uncompressed condition, length or state. - The proximal 504 and distal 502 arms or members typically comprise mechanically independent heat conductive bodies or
members loadable interconnection 506 that is typically comprised of a non-heat conductive spring, such as a coil spring as shown inFIGS. 3, 5-5K, 23, 25-25E or one or more stacked leaf, belleville, conical or disc washers 506 w or springs such as shown inFIG. 5L that act as aspring 506 between the distal and proximal members. - The spring or spring
loadable interconnection 506 exerts a spring force UF,FIGS. 3, 5C, 5L, 23, 25D , between the proximal arm ormember 504 and the distal arm ormember 502 at least when theapparatus 5 is assembled and the manifold is brought to an elevated operating temperature. The spring or springloadable interconnection 506 typically hasengagement surfaces 506 es that engage against complementary opposing engagement surfaces 504 us and 502 us of proximal 504 and distal 502 members such that heat conduction betweenmembers spring 506 is substantially non-heat conductive. The spring or springloadable interconnection 506 is preferably selected to have an amount or degree of mass (typically less than about 10 grams and more typically less than about 5 grams) that renders thespring 506 substantially non-heat conductive and minimizes, enables or imparts a minimal amount of, heat conduction betweenmembers loadable interconnection 506. The mass of springloadable interconnection 506 is preferably less than about 10 and most preferably less than about 5 grams. The area of engagement or contact betweenengagement surfaces 506 es and one or both ofsurfaces 504 us or 502 us is preferably selected to be an amount or degree (typically less than about 10 square mm, typically less than about 7.5 square mm and more typically less than about 5 square mm) that renders thespring 506 substantially non-heat conductive and minimizes, enables or imparts a minimal amount of, heat conduction betweenmembers loadable interconnection 506. -
FIGS. 1-25G show aninjection molding apparatus 5 comprised of anactuator 10 having ahousing body heated manifold 20 into whichfluid injection material 102 is injected from aninjection machine 100 into and through one or moremanifold distribution channels 22 that deliver fluid downstream to a downstreamfluid delivery channel 200 such as the bore of a nozzle that terminates at its downstream end in agate 304 that communicates with thecavity 302 of amold 300. Theactuator 10 includes apiston 14 that is controllably drivable along a drive axis A in a reciprocal upstream and downstream direction together with avalve pin 17 that is interconnected to thepiston 14. Thevalve pin 17 is mounted within acomplementary receiving aperture 91 a of abushing 91, the outside surface of thepin 17 mating with an interior surface of theaperture 91 a and being slidable in an upstream and downstream direction axial A direction within theaperture 91 a of thebushing 91 such that injection fluid that flows throughchannels aperture 91 a. Thebushing 91 is fixedly mounted within the body of theheated manifold 20 viabushing screw 92 that is screwably engaged within a complementary threaded receiving aperture bored within theheated manifold 20. Thebushing 91,screw 92,actuator 10 andvalve pin 17 are all adapted and arranged such that thevalve pin 17 is controllably drivable upstream and downstream through both themanifold distribution channel 22 and thedownstream nozzle channel 200 between a downstream-most gate closed position and one or more upstream gate open positions. - As shown in the
FIGS. 1, 4 embodiment, theactuator housing 12 is typically mounted axially A upstream of and on or to theheated manifold 20. Theactuator 10 can be mounted on or to the manifold via either or both mounts orspacers 60 and a water cooled cooling device or mount 803 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,349,244, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety as if fully set forth herein. The downstreamaxially facing surface 12 d of theactuator housing 12 is also typically mounted on or to thestabilization mount 50. As shown, thecooling mount 803 andspacers 60 are mounted on or to an upstream surface of thestabilization mount 50. The downstreamaxially facing surface 12 d of theactuator housing 12 is mounted in direct heat or thermally conductive contact with one or more of themounts valve pin 17. - One or more of the
mounts heated manifold 20 through themounts lateral surface 12 ls of theactuator body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the drive axis A of theactuator 10 and valve pin 17 adistance 12 ld sufficient to prevent or substantially retard conduction of heat through ambient air or through thehousing body 12,valve pin 17 or mounts 50, 60, 803. To the extent that heat is conducted or communicated from theheated manifold 20 to thehousing body 12 such heat is conducted from thehousing body 12 to theproximal member distal member 502, 502 u and finally to thecool clamp plate 80 as described herein. - In all of the
FIGS. 4-25G embodiments, thecooling device 500 comprises a heat transmitter that is comprised of a distal arm or member orassembly member 504, the distal arm ormember 502 or assembly being mounted by a spring loadable interconnection orengagement 506 to or with a proximal base ormember member member surface 12 ls, 12 si of thehousing body 12 that is spaced laterally 12 ld away from the axis A of theactuator 10 andvalve pin 17. The location of the mounting of theproximal member member 504 is spaced laterally apart from contact with the axially mounted actuator mounts 50, 60, 803 that are directly mounted in close adjacency to and in thermal communication with theheated manifold 20 and on which theproximal end 12 d of theactuator housing 12 is directly axially A mounted. - The distal arm or
member 502 is preferably comprised of a highly thermally conductive material and has adistal end surface 502 a that is adapted to compressibly engage against an undersurface 80 a of theclamp plate 80 under a spring load from the springloadable interconnection 506 between thedistally extending arm 502 and the proximal base ormember 504 when all components of thesystem 5 are fully assembled and the heated manifold is brought up to an elevated operating temperature. Thesystem 5 can be adapted and arranged such that thedistal end surface 502 a is not engaged under a compressive force when the system is in a cold non operating condition when thesystem 5 is initially assembled before the manifold 20 is heated to operating temperature or when thesystem 5 is shut down and allowed to return to room temperature after the manifold 20 has been heated up to operating temperature. - Thus the
system 5 is preferably adapted and arranged such that compressive force betweendistal end surface 502 a and thesurface 80 a of theclamp plate 80 occurs only when thesystem 5 includingmanifold 20 is brought up to normal elevated operating temperature. In theFIGS. 4-14 and 21-25G embodiments where thedistal arm 502 orrod 502 r comprises a heat conductive independent body that is independent of and mounted on an independentcompressible spring body 506, the degree of upstream and downstream movement Q along or substantially parallel to the axis A, ranges from 0 mm when thesystem 5 is in a cold or room temperature condition up to a maximum of about 3 mm when thesystem 5 is brought up to normal elevated operating temperature (such as between about 150 and 450 degrees F.). Similarly, in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 13, 14 where thearm 502 is arranged and adapted for lateral L movement relative to the axial direction A of theactuator 10, the degree of lateral movement Q′,FIG. 14 , ranges from 0 mm when thesystem 5 is in a cold or room temperature condition up to a maximum of about 3 mm when thesystem 5 is brought up to normal elevated operating temperature. Theindependent spring body 506 in theFIGS. 1-14, 21-24 embodiments is resilient such that after being compressed Q by up to about 3 mm when the system is at operating temperature, theindependent spring body 506 will return back to its original uncompressed or non-compressed axial spring length or state when the system returns to room temperature. - In the
FIGS. 15-20 embodiments where theheat transmitting device 500 comprises a unitary orintegral body distal arm 502 along or substantially parallel to the axis A, ranges from 0 mm when thesystem 5 is in a cold or room temperature condition up to a maximum of about 0.5 mm when thesystem 5 is brought up to normal elevated operating temperature (such as between about 150 and 450 degrees F.). Thespring 506 in theFIGS. 15-20 embodiments that is integral with the bodies ofarm 502 andbase 504, is resilient such that after being compressed Q″ by up to about 0.5 mm when the system is at operating temperature, theintegral spring body 506 will return back to its original uncompressed or non-deformed axial length or state when the system returns to room temperature. - The
arm 502 has an exterior or proximally disposedsurface 502 b for making contact with and receiving heat from the actuatorhousing body components exterior arm surface 502 b and a laterally disposedcomplementary mating surface 12 ls, 12 as of thehousing body 12. Thearm 502 transmits heat received via theproximal surface 502 b to thedistal end surface 502 a and in turn to the relativelycool clamp plate 80 via compressed engagement betweensurface 502 a and a complementary undersurface 80 s of theclamp plate 80. - In the
FIGS. 5-14, 24-25G embodiments, thearm actuator housing 12 by transmission of heat through rods ortubes 507 which in turn receive heat from thebase member 504 which itself receives heat from theactuator housing 12 by intimate compressed engagement with an exterior laterally disposed surface 12 l of thehousing 12. The laterally disposed actuator surface 12 l of thehousing 12 is spaced alateral distance 12 ld away from the drive axis A of thevalve pin 17 because thevalve pin 17 comes into direct thermal contact with theheated injection fluid 102. Thus theheat transmission device 500 is disposed in a laterally spaced position away from thevalve pin 17 and the valve pin axis A such that thebase 504 is removed from direct thermal contact or thermal communication with the axis or thevalve pin 17. In such embodiments, theproximal base member 504 is rigidly attached to the lateral actuator surface 12 l such as via a bolt or screw 504 s such that acomplementary surface 504 b of thebase member 504 is engaged in intimate heat conductive contact with the lateral disposedsurface 121 that is spaced laterally 12 ld from the axis. - Similarly in the
FIGS. 21-23 embodiments, thebase 504 of therods 502 r are engaged with a laterally disposedactuator surface 12 si that is spaced alateral distance 12 ld away from the drive axis A of thevalve pin 17. Thus theheat transmission rods 502 r are disposed in a laterally spaced position away from themounts valve pin 17 and axis A such that thebase 504 of therods 502 r is removed from direct or closely adjacent thermal contact or communication with the axis A or thevalve pin 17. - In the
FIGS. 21-23 embodiments, theactuator 10 comprises ahousing body FIGS. 1-20, 24 embodiments, the proximal base ormember 504 of thecooling device 500 is mounted to thehousing body 12 of theactuator 10 in an arrangement where thedistal end surface 502 a of the distal arm ormember 502 makes compressed contact with the clamp plate surface 80 a such that theend surface 502 a moves or travels some distance relative to theactuator housing arm 502 is mounted. Thearm 502 anddistal engagement surface 502 a is movable via thecompressible spring 506 a toward and away from theactuator 10. - Similarly in the
FIGS. 21-23 embodiment, the distally extending arm or rod ortube 502 r is movable toward and away from theactuator housing 12 via acompressible spring 506 a. The thermallyconductive rods 502 r are mounted toproximal guides 504 which are in turn mounted to theactuator housing body 12. As shown, therods 502 r are slidably disposed within complementary receiving apertures or bores 12 bo bored into thehousing body 12. Therods 502 r have anexterior surface 502 b that are slidably engaged with aninterior surface 12 si, 12 asi of thehousing bodies housing bodies rods 502 r which in turn transmit heat to theclamp plate 80 via compressed contact betweensurface 502 a andsurface 80 a. Up and down movement of therods 502 r within theapertures 12 bo occurs with thesurfaces - Similarly in the
FIGS. 1-20 embodiments, the coolingdevices 500 are mounted and arranged such that the proximally disposedarm surfaces 502 b are maintained in slidable engaged contact with the complementary housing body surfaces 12 ls, 12 as, thesurfaces 502 b receiving heat from thehousing bodies clamp plate 80 via compressed contact betweensurfaces - In the
FIGS. 15-20 embodiments, the distal arm ormember 502 and proximal base ormember 504 are formed as a singleunitary body 503 of highly conductive metal. The spring load in suchunitary bodies 503 is created via deformation of theunitary bodies 503 such that when theclamp plate 80,mold 300, manifold 20,actuator 10 andcooling device 503 are all assembled together, theunitary body 503 resiliently deforms under compression to travel to adifferent position 502 d relative to theactuator housing 12 to which thebody 503 is mounted and relative to the original position 502 o that the unitary body was disposed in prior to surface 502 a making contact withsurface 80 a. Theunitary body 503 has an inherent resilience or inherent spring such that when the body is moved to thedeformed position 502 d the inherent spring or resilience within thebody 503 causes thedistal end surface 502 a to remain under forcible compressed contact with the undersurface 80 a of theclamp plate 80. - In the
FIGS. 13-14 embodiment, anothercooling device 505 according to the invention is shown where thedistally extending arm 502 moves radially toward and away from theactuator housing bodies cooling device 505 arrangement can be provided for exploiting the side-to-side or radial movement SS that theactuator 10 travels relative to theclamp plate 80 when the system is assembled in a cooled state and then subsequently the manifold 20 is heated to an elevated temperature. The heating of the manifold 20 subsequent to assembly of all of theclamp plate 80,mold 300, manifold 20,actuator 10 andcooling devices clamp plate 80. Such side-to-side or radial movement SS in the left or lateral direction L relative to the drive axis A of the actuator can be accounted for prior to assembly such that thedistal end surface 502 a can be brought into compressed contact with thecomplementary mating surface 80 a of the clamp plate with resilient compression being maintained by thespring 506 a disposed between the proximal base ormember 504 and the heat transmission plate orelement 502. As with the above-described embodiments, thesurface 502 a travels toward and away from thehousing bodies - The
FIGS. 1-12 embodiments showcooling device 500 arrangements where thedistal arm 502 is adapted to move back and forth along a path of travel that is generally upstream and downstream or generally parallel to the drive axis A of the actuator orvalve pin 17 - With reference to
FIGS. 5-6A , theproximal base member 504 is heat transmissively interconnected to or engaged with thedistal member 502 via aheat transmissive rod 507, the downstream end of which 507 d is slidably mounted within a complementary precision bore 504 pb that is drilled within thedistal mount member 502 such that thedownstream end 507 d of therod 507 is engaged in heat transmissive intimate contact with aninterior surface 504 pbs of thebore 504 pb. In such an embodiment, theupstream end 507 us of therod 507 is screwably connected to thedistal member 502 into a complementary aperture withindistal member 502 such that when themember 502 travels through Q thedownstream end 507 d is slidably moved along the path of travel Q together with movement ofdistal member 502. - In an alternative embodiment as shown in
FIGS. 6, 6A , the upstream ends 507 u of the heattransmissive rods 507 can conversely be slidably mounted withincomplementary bores 502 pb provided indistal member 502 such that the exterior surface of theupstream end 507 u of therod 507 is slidably and heat transmissively engaged against theinterior surface 502 pbs of thebore 502 pb. In such an embodiment thedownstream end 507 d of therod 507 is screwably connected toproximal mount member 504 such that when themember 502 travels through Q theupstream end 507 u is slides along theinterior surface 502 pbs of thebore 502 pb asmember 502 travels through the path of travel Q. - Thus, the rods or
tubes member 504 and the distal arm ormember 502 and rigidly interconnected to the other of the proximal base ormember 504 and the distal arm ormember 502. - In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 5H, 5I , therods 507 ir are formed integrally together with and as a part of the body of thedistal member 502, theoutside surface 507 os of therods 507 ir being engaged and slidable against theinterior surface 504 pbs of the receiving bores 504 pb within the proximal mounts 504. As shown, thedistal member 502 is spring loaded byspring 506 that disposed between the distal 502 and proximal 504 heat transmissive members. - In another embodiment of the invention,
FIGS. 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G one or the other of the distal 502 and proximal 504 members can have one or more highly heat conductive tube members that contain a heatconductive fluid members tubes 507 can comprise and be adapted to contain a heat conductive fluid such astube 517 r shown inFIGS. 5D, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5J, 5K . Such heatconductive tubes actuator housing 12, theproximal member 504 and the distal member. An example of the structure and configuration of such heat conductive tubes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,279, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. - Similarly, such heat
conductive tubes 517 ah can be embedded within the body of theactuator housing 12 as shown inFIG. 5F, 5G in the same manner as described above where thetubes members - With reference to
FIGS. 25A-25G theactuator 12 of theapparatus 5 has a pair of cooling devices each having abase member 504 aa. One of the twocooling devices 500 hascylindrical slots 504 pb, 504 pba that receive a complementary rod shapedmember 507 m comprised of anupper rod portion 507 u connected to alower rod portion 507 d. The upper 507 u and lower 507 d portions ofrod member 507 m,FIGS. 25F, 25G are connected to each other and are both respectively slidably mounted within thecomplementary slots 504 pb, 504 pba for upstream and downstream movement UD. The configuration of the upper and lower 507 u, 507 d rod portions of therod 507 m is adapted so that theoutside surfaces 507 us, 507 ds of therod 507 m are in slidable heat conductive engagement with theinside surfaces 504 pbs, 504 pbsa of thebase member 504 aa. Thebase member 504 aa is mounted in heat conductive engagement with the outside surface ofactuator housing 12. Thebase member 504 aa is mounted such that it is spaced 12 ls alateral distance 12 ld from the axis A of thevalve pin 17 andhousing 12 whereby thesurface 12 ls and thebase member 504 aa are laterally spaced apart from direct heat conductive communication with theheat manifold 20. Therod 507 m is mounted such that therod 507 m is spring load biased viaspring 506 which exerts upstream directed force UF to urge thedistal end surface 507 a of therod 507 m into contact heat conductive engagement with asurface 80 a of thetop clamp plate 80. As in embodiments described above,rods actuator housing 12, theproximal member 504, the walls of thetube 507 m and theclamp plate 80. As with proximalheat conducting member 502, in such an embodiment where therods distal end surface 507 a of the rod or tube engages asurface 80 a under compression via a spring load fromspring 506 or otherwise. - Similarly with reference to
FIGS. 25D, 25E the other cooling device of theFIGS. 25A-25G embodiment comprises abase member 504 aa in which a rectangular shaped distal arm ormember 502 is slidably mounted in a complementarily shapedslot 504 sb. The rectangular arm ormember 502 is connected torods 507 having alower rod member 507 d that are slidably received withincomplementary slots 504 pb. The outside surfaces 507 ds of thelower rod 507 d portion,FIG. 25E are in slidable heat conductive engagement with theinside surfaces 504 pbs of thebase member 504 aa. The distal rectangularheat conducting member 502 is slidably received within thecomplementary receiving aperture 504 sb such that theoutside surface 502 s ofdistal arm 502 is in slidable heat conductive engagement with theinside surface 504 is of theslot 504 sb. Theoutside surface 502 s of thedistal arm 502 is also preferably mounted such thatsurface 502 s is in slidable heat conductive engagement with theoutside surface 12 as of theupstream actuator member 12 a andsurface 12 ls. Thebase member 504 aa is mounted in heat conductive engagement with theoutside surface 12 ls ofactuator housing 12. Theslidable mounting rod rod 507 is spring load biased viaspring 506 which exerts upstream directed force UF to urge thedistal end surface 502 a of thedistal arm 502 into heat conductive engagement with asurface 80 a of thetop clamp plate 80. -
FIGS. 25A-25C show an assembly of theFIG. 25A actuator 10 with the pair of coolingdevices 500 attached to the actuator housing together with a manifold 20 and atop clamp plate 80. Thetop clamp plate 80 is formed with a receivingaperture 80 ra for insertion of theactuator 10 and cooling device subassembly that enables the actuator to be mounted on the manifold 20 and surrounded by the top clamp plate as shown. The upstream end of thetop clamp plate 80 has arecess 80 r formed in a complementary configuration to aplate 80 p that is insertable within therecess 80 r in an upstream position relative to theactuator housing 12 and its attachedcooling devices 500 such that the distal end surfaces 502 a of the heattransmissive rods 507 m and theheat transmissive block 502,FIGS. 25A-25G , engage the undersurface 80 a of theclamp plate 80 p under spring loaded compression. Theplate 80 p is readily attachable to and detachable from the upstream end surface of theclamp plate 80 via screws or bolts 80 t after theactuator 10 with attachedcooling devices 50 has been inserted in the receivingaperture 80 ra and mounted on themanifold 20.
Claims (8)
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US10543629B2 (en) | 2014-12-11 | 2020-01-28 | Inglass S.P.A. | Method and apparatus for injection molding of plastic materials |
AT517390A1 (en) | 2015-07-03 | 2017-01-15 | Sonderhoff Engineering Gmbh | Dosing device for liquid plastic |
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US10946555B2 (en) | 2017-10-17 | 2021-03-16 | Autodesk, Inc. | Conformal cooling molds with lattice structures for injection molding |
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IT201800003490A1 (en) * | 2018-03-13 | 2019-09-13 | Inglass Spa | PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING EQUIPMENT |
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US6343925B1 (en) | 2000-04-14 | 2002-02-05 | Husky Injection Molding Systems, Ltd. | Hot runner valve gate piston assembly |
WO2009052611A1 (en) | 2007-10-22 | 2009-04-30 | Mold-Masters (2007) Limited | Injection molding apparatus |
CN102770257B (en) | 2010-03-25 | 2015-11-25 | 圣万提注塑工业有限公司 | Actuator mount system |
WO2015183332A1 (en) | 2013-05-29 | 2015-12-03 | Synventive Molding Solutions, Inc. | Actuator cooling apparatus and method |
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US10639835B1 (en) | 2020-05-05 |
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