Multiple heat exchanger distribution apparatus

Apparatus for regulating the flow of thermoplastic material between a main conduit and a plurality of heat exchangers for controlling the temperature of thermoplastic material flowing through chambers therein, comprising:

• (a) a manifold having a main port in communication with the main conduit and a plurality of distribution ports each in communication through a distribution conduit with one of the heat exchangers, the main port in communication with the distribution ports through passageways within the manifold;
• and
• (b) means for regulating the flow of thermoplastic material through each of the distribution ports, the means including a sleeve, having a flow space therethrough, axially aligned within both the distribution port and the distribution conduit for axial movement therewithin, the distribution conduit including a plurality of orifices through the surface thereof in communication with the flow chamber for the flow of thermoplastic material therethrough, the sleeve including a main orifice through the surface thereof communicating the manifold passageway with the flow space of the sleeve and a plurality of flow orifices through the surface thereof for the flow of thermoplastic material, the flow of thermoplastic material through the distribution port regulated by communication of varying portions of the sleeve orifices with the conduit orifices by axial positioning of the sleeve.

A system for controlling the temperature of thermoplastic material, comprising:

• (a) an inlet manifold including a main port in communication with a first main conduit which receives thermoplastic material therethrough and a plurality of inlet distribution ports, the main port in communication with the inlet distribution ports through passageways within the manifold;
• (b) a discharge manifold having a main port in communication with a second main conduit which discharges thermoplastic material therethrough and a plurality of discharge distribution ports, the main port in communication with the discharge distribution ports through passageways within the discharge manifold;
• (c) a plurality of heat exchangers for controlling the temperature of the thermoplastic material, each heat exchanger having
• (i) an inlet conduit in communication with one of the inlet distribution ports,
• (ii) an discharge conduit in communication with one of the discharge distribution ports, and
• (iii) a chamber for the flow of thermoplastic material therethrough;
• and
• (d) means for regulating the flow of thermoplastic material through each inlet and each discharge port, the means including an inlet sleeve, having a flow space therethrough, axially aligned within both the inlet port and the inlet distribution conduit for axial movement therewithin, the means also including a discharge sleeve, having a flow space therethrough, axially aligned within both the discharge port and the discharge distribution conduit for axial movement therewithin, the inlet distribution conduit and the discharge distribution conduit each including a plurality of orifices through the surface thereof in communication with the flow chamber for the flow of thermoplastic material therethrough, each sleeve including a main orifice through the surface thereof communicating the manifold passageway with the flow space space of the sleeve, and a plurality of flow orifices through the surface thereof for the flow of thermoplastic material, the flow of thermoplastic material regulated by communication of varying portions of the main sleeve orifices with the conduit orifices by axial positioning of the sleeve.