# US 10,245,760 B2 · Mould tool heat management > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,760 B2 - Document ID: US10245760B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/772,057 - Filed: 2014-03-04 - Published: 2016-01-21 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-04 - Assignees: Surface Generation Limited - Applicants: Surface Generation Limited - Inventors: Ben Halford - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245760B2 ## CPC - B29C 33/04: using liquids, gas or steam {(tyre moulds with incorporated heating or cooling means using liquids, gas or steam B29D30/0601)} - B29C 2033/042: {Meander or zig-zag shaped cooling channels, i.e. continuous cooling channels whereby a plurality of cooling channel sections are oriented in a substantial parallel direction} - 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 (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) ## Abstract A multi-layered tool for forming a working having an active thermal layer disposed between two layers of the tool which is independently controllable to add or subtract thermal energy to or from the tool. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mould tool assembly comprising: a mould layer comprising a mould face and a temperature control surface that is disposed opposite the mould face; a utilities layer configured to support the mould layer in use; a first temperature control assembly comprising a heater and a fluid conduit extending from the utilities layer to the mould layer and configured to direct heating and/or cooling fluid to the temperature control surface to heat and/or cool the mould layer; and an active thermal layer disposed between the mould layer and the utilities layer, wherein the active thermal layer comprises a fluid chamber configured to be heated and/or cooled independently of the mould layer, wherein the fluid conduit extends through the active thermal layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A mould tool assembly according to claim 1, comprising an exhaust layer, the exhaust layer being positioned between the mould layer and the utilities layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A mould tool assembly according to claim 2, wherein the active thermal layer is positioned between the exhaust layer and the utilities layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A mould tool assembly according to claim 2, wherein the active thermal layer is positioned between the exhaust layer and the mould layer. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A mould tool assembly according to claim 2, wherein the exhaust layer is an exhaust layer for the mould layer heating flow. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A mould tool assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a flow conduit from an outlet of the exhaust layer to the active thermal layer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A mould tool assembly according to claim 6, wherein the flow conduit is configured to provide flow past the periphery of the mould layer to reduce a temperature difference between the mould layer and a local environment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A mould tool assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a second temperature control assembly configured to selectively heat and/or cool the active thermal layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A mould tool assembly according to claim 8, wherein the second temperature control assembly comprises a fluid conduit for connection to a pressurised source of fluid, and a heater configured to be selectively switched on and off to provide a heating flow or cooling flow of the fluid, respectively. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A mould tool assembly according to claim 9, wherein the active thermal layer defines a further temperature control surface on a side of the fluid chamber furthest from the further layer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A mould tool assembly according to claim 10, wherein a fluid outlet of the fluid conduit of the second temperature control assembly is directed towards the second temperature control surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) A mould tool assembly according to claim 9, defining a Z axis generally perpendicular to the mould layer, wherein the second temperature control assembly is arranged to direct flow perpendicular to the Z axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A mould tool assembly according to claim 12, wherein the second temperature control assembly is at least partly positioned exterior the tool. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) A mould tool assembly according claim 8, wherein the utilities layer contains electronics for the second temperature control assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A mould tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber comprises a plurality of interconnected chambers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A mould tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber of the active layer has a first wall adjacent the mould layer, and a second wall adjacent the utilities layer and at least a region of one of the first or second walls comprises features increasing the surface area of the first or second wall over the other of the first or second wall. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A mould tool assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to detect a temperature of the fluid chamber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A mould tool assembly according to claim 17, further comprising a control system configured to maintain the temperature of the active thermal layer at a predetermined set point. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A mould tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the utilities layer contains electronics for the first temperature control assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A method of manufacturing a workpiece comprising the steps of: providing a mould tool assembly according to claim 1; and, forming a workpiece with the mould tool.