Actuator mount system

In an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold and a mold, a system for mounting an actuator to the manifold and the clamp plate, the system comprising:

• a mount comprised of a thermally conductive material having first and second heat conductive surfaces disposed between the clamp plate and the actuator, the actuator being mounted in thermal communication with the first conductive surface and the clamp plate being in mounted in thermal communication with the second conductive surface;
• the actuator being mounted in thermal communication with the manifold;
• the mount being adjustably mounted to the actuator such that the second conductive surface can be adjusted in position toward and away from the actuator;
• the mount including a spring disposed between a body surface of the actuator and the mount, the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the mount being assembled together in an arrangement wherein the spring is loaded urging the second conductive surface of the mount into compressed engagement with the clamp plate.

In an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold and a mold, a system for mounting an actuator to the manifold and the clamp plate, the system comprising:

• a mount comprised of a thermally conductive material having first and second heat conductive surfaces disposed between the clamp plate and the actuator, the actuator being mounted in thermal communication with the first conductive surface and the clamp plate being mounted in thermal communication with the second conductive surface and in substantial thermal isolation from the heated manifold;
• the actuator being mounted to the manifold;
• the second conductive surface of the mount being urged into contact with the clamp plate under a spring force exerted between the actuator and the mount;
• the mount being adjustably mounted to the actuator such that the second conductive surface can be adjusted in position toward and away from the actuator;
• and,
• wherein the clamp plate is cooled.

In an injection molding apparatus comprising a clamp plate, a heated manifold and a mold, a system for mounting an actuator to the manifold and the clamp plate, the system comprising:

• a mount comprised of a thermally conductive material having first and second heat conductive surfaces disposed between the clamp plate and the actuator, the actuator being mounted in thermal communication with the first conductive surface and the clamp plate being mounted in thermal communication with the second conductive surface and in substantial thermal isolation from the heated manifold;
• the actuator being mounted to the manifold;
• the second conductive surface of the mount being urged into contact with the clamp plate under a spring force exerted between the actuator and the mount;
• the mount including a spring disposed between a body surface of the actuator and the mount, the clamp plate, the mold, the manifold, the actuator and the mount being assembled together in an arrangement wherein the spring is loaded urging the second conductive surface of the mount into compressed engagement with the clamp plate;
• and,
• wherein the clamp plate is cooled.

A method of mounting an actuator that drives a valve pin in an injection molding system comprising a manifold, a mold and a clamp plate, the method comprising:

• mounting the clamp plate to the mold in thermal isolation from the manifold;
• cooling the clamp plate;
• mounting the actuator in thermal communication with the manifold;
• heating the manifold;
• forming a heat transfer mount having a spring, a first conductive surface and a second conductive surface;
• assembling the clamp plate, the manifold, the actuator and the mold together such that the first conductive surface of the heat conductive mount is disposed in contact with a heat conductive surface of the actuator, the second conductive surface of the heat conductive mount is disposed in heat conductive contact with the clamp plate and the spring is disposed between a body surface of the actuator and the mount and the spring is compressed to urge the second conductive surface of the mount into thermally conductive contact with the clamp plate.