Extruder vent flow sensor

A programmable logic controller (PLC) for controlling an extruder, the extruder having an extruder vent to which a vent attachment is mounted, the vent attachment having a vent attachment port configured to release gases from the extruder vent, the PLC including a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions thereon that, when executed, configure the PLC to:

• monitor a temperature probe communicatively coupled to the PLC, the temperature probe having a free end located in the vent attachment port;
• control a cooling system for cooling a region of the vent attachment adjacent the temperature probe so as to reduce an operating temperature of the region and of the temperature probe, the operating temperature being below that of material flowing out of the extruder vent;
• determine a rate of temperature change of the temperature probe;
• and
• generate an indication of vent flow in response to determining the rate of temperature change exceeds a predetermined threshold rate.

A system to mitigate vent flow into a vent attachment on an extruder vent of an extruder, the vent attachment having a vent attachment port configured to release gases from the extruder vent, the system comprising:

• a temperature probe having a free end and a fastened end, the free end located in the vent attachment port, the fastened end being communicatively coupled to a programmable logic controller (PLC);
• a cooling jacket configured to cool a region of the vent attachment adjacent the temperature probe so as to reduce an operating temperature of the region and of the temperature probe, the operating temperature being below that of material when it flows out of the extruder vent;
• and
• the PLC configured to determine a rate of temperature change of the temperature probe exceeding a predetermined threshold rate that indicates presence of the material in the vent port.