Pressurization control unit for a gas-assisted injection molding machine
AssigneeNitrojection Corporation
InventorIndra R. Baxi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pressurization control unit for use in a gas assisted injection molding process includes a frame and a gas inflow conduit located on the frame. A gas pressurization device is secured to the frame and is in fluid communication with the gas inflow conduit. A gas storage device is secured to the frame and is in fluid communication with the gas pressurization device. A gas outflow conduit is located on the frame with the gas outflow conduit being in fluid communication with the gas storage device. A valve is provided in the gas outflow conduit for selectively allowing an outflow of the pressurized gas from the gas storage device. A control apparatus is located on the frame for controlling the operation of the gas pressurization device and the valve.
Claims25
A pressurization control unit for use in a gas-assisted injection molding process, comprising:
- a housing;
- a gas inflow conduit located in said housing and having one end extending to an outer periphery of said housing;
- a pump, located in said housing and in fluid communication with another end of said gas inflow conduit, for pressurizing a gas;
- a gas storage means, located in said housing and in fluid communication with said pump, for storing the pressurized gas;
- a gas outflow conduit located in said housing and having one end extending to an outer periphery of said housing, another end of said gas outflow conduit being in fluid communication with said gas storage means;
- a valve means provided in said gas outflow conduit for selectively allowing an outflow of the pressurized gas from said gas storage means;
- and,
- a first control means comprising a microprocessor, located in said housing, for directly actuating said pump and controlling an operation of said valve means.
A controller for a gas-assisted injection molding apparatus including a plastic extruder connected to a nozzle, controlled by a reciprocating shut-off pin, that selectively feeds molten thermoplastic material to a mold cavity of a mold body, the nozzle also selectively feeding a gas to the mold cavity as regulated by the controller, the controller comprising:
- a gas inlet conduit;
- a first pressure sensing means communicating with said gas inlet conduit for sensing an inlet pressure of the gas;
- a first pump in fluid communication with said gas inlet conduit for pressurizing the gas;
- a gas reservoir for storing the gas pressurized by said pump;
- a second pressure sensing means for sensing a pressure of the gas in said reservoir;
- a gas outlet conduit in fluid communication with said gas reservoir;
- a valve means in said gas outlet conduit for selectively allowing an outflow of gas from said reservoir;
- and,
- a microprocessor in operative communication with said gas inlet pressure sensing means, said gas reservoir pressure sensing means, said pump and said valve means, said microprocessor directly actuating said pump and controlling an operation of said valve means.
A pressurization control unit for use in a fluid-assisted injection molding process, comprising:
- a housing;
- a fluid inflow conduit located on said housing;
- a fluid pressurization means, located in said housing and in fluid communication with said fluid inflow conduit, for pressurizing a fluid;
- a fluid storage cylinder, located in said housing and in fluid communication with said fluid pressurization means, for storing the pressurized fluid;
- a fluid outflow conduit located on said housing, said fluid outflow conduit being in fluid communication with said fluid storage cylinder;
- a valve means provided in said fluid outflow conduit, and secured to said housing, for selectively allowing an outflow of the pressurized fluid from said fluid storage cylinder;
- and,
- a programmable microcomputer, located in said housing, for directly actuating said fluid pressurization means and for controlling an operation of said valve means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.