Method and injection molding manifold adapted for leak detection during injection molding
AssigneeIncoe Corporation
InventorsChristian Striegel, Scott Greb, Anton Joerg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An injection molding hot runner system adapted for leak detection during injection molding includes a manifold and a housing surrounding the manifold, wherein the manifold and the housing are spaced apart defining one or more pockets, the manifold comprises at least one junction point establishing a connection to a component attached to the manifold, wherein at the at least one junction point a sensor is located in the pocket, wherein the sensor is configured to indicate a leak when getting in contact with the molten plastic due to a leak at the junction point.
Claims21
Injection molding hot runner system adapted for leak detection during injection molding, wherein the hot runner system comprises a manifold and a housing surrounding the manifold, wherein the manifold and the housing are spaced apart defining one or more pockets, the manifold comprises one or more junction points establishing a connection to a component attached to the manifold, wherein at the at least one junction point area a sensor is located in the pocket, wherein the sensor is configured to indicate a leak, upon contact with the molten plastic due to a leak at the junction point;
- wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor that is insulated to reduce the temperature influence of the housing or manifold;
- and
- wherein the temperature sensor is located between an upper and a lower insulation.
An injection molding hot runner system adapted for leak detection during injection molding, wherein the hot runner system comprises a manifold and a housing surrounding the manifold, wherein the manifold and the housing are spaced apart defining one or more pockets, wherein a nozzle assembly extends from the manifold via the pocket through a bore of the housing, the nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle heater located in the bore, wherein a sensor is located in the bore in which the nozzle heater extends to detect leaking plastic pressed through the bore;
- and
- wherein the sensor is located on/in the nozzle heater or at the upper end of the nozzle heater.
An injection molding hot runner system adapted for leak detection during injection molding, wherein the hot runner system comprises a manifold and a housing surrounding the manifold, wherein the manifold and the housing are spaced apart defining one or more pockets, wherein a nozzle assembly extends from the manifold via the pocket through a bore of the housing, the nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle heater located in the bore, wherein a sensor is located in the bore in which the nozzle heater extends to detect leaking plastic pressed through the bore;
- and
- wherein the sensor is located in a groove on an outer shell of the nozzle heater.
An injection molding hot runner system adapted for leak detection during injection molding, wherein the hot runner system comprises a manifold and a housing surrounding the manifold, wherein the manifold and the housing are spaced apart defining one or more pockets, wherein a nozzle assembly extends from the manifold via the pocket through a bore of the housing, the nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle heater located in the bore, wherein a sensor is located in the bore in which the nozzle heater extends to detect leaking plastic pressed through the bore;
- wherein the sensor is a mechanical sensor upon contact with the molten plastic is configured to indicate a leak;
- and
- wherein the mechanical sensor is a wire configured to break upon contact with the molten plastic.
An injection molding hot runner system adapted for leak detection during injection molding, wherein the hot runner system comprises a manifold and a housing surrounding the manifold, wherein the manifold and the housing are spaced apart defining one or more pockets, wherein a nozzle assembly extends from the manifold via the pocket through a bore of the housing, the nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle heater located in the bore, wherein a sensor is located in the bore in which the nozzle heater extends to detect leaking plastic pressed through the bore;
- wherein the sensor is a mechanical sensor upon contact with the molten plastic is configured to indicate a leak;
- and
- wherein the mechanical sensor has the form of a tube located around the nozzle assembly, configured to get pushed by molten plastic and configured to indicate a relocation.
An injection molding hot runner system adapted for leak detection during injection molding, wherein the hot runner system comprises a manifold and a housing surrounding the manifold, wherein the manifold and the housing are spaced apart defining one or more pockets, wherein a nozzle assembly extends from the manifold via the pocket through a bore of the housing, the nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle heater located in the bore, wherein a sensor is located in the bore in which the nozzle heater extends to detect leaking plastic pressed through the bore;
- and
- wherein the sensor is a mesh around the nozzle assembly changing electrical or mechanical or optical behavior upon contact with molten plastic.
An injection molding hot runner system adapted for leak detection during injection molding, wherein the hot runner system comprises a manifold and a housing surrounding the manifold, wherein the manifold and the housing are spaced apart defining one or more pockets, wherein a nozzle assembly extends from the manifold via the pocket through a bore of the housing, the nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle heater located in the bore, wherein a sensor is located in the bore in which the nozzle heater extends to detect leaking plastic pressed through the bore;
- and
- wherein the sensor is an optical sensor comprising a fibre optic having grooves, which when covered by molten plastic interrupt or reduce light passing through the fibre optic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.