Intelligent hydraulic manifold used in an injection molding machine
AssigneeHusky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
InventorsChristopher Choi, Ian Crookston
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for controlling a hydraulic actuator in an injection molding machine, where the hydraulic actuator moves in a linear or rotary manner to effect movement of an injection molding device, such as a mold clamp. A microcontroller is locally disposed adjacent to the actuator or the hydraulic fluid distribution manifold to cause the actuator to drive the device. The microcontroller is electrically coupled to the system control processor. This distributed control architecture increases system processing throughput, enhances reliability, and permits easier upgrades/repair. Preferably, the microcontroller is mounted on the manifold and controls all of the actuators supplied from that manifold.
Claims16
Apparatus configured for controlling a hydraulic actuator in an injection molding machine having a system control processor performing overall process control of the injection molding machine, said apparatus comprising:
- a microcontroller configured to control the operation of a hydraulic control valve that regulates a supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator to control movement thereof, the microcontroller being remotely located from the system control processor and responsive to command signals from the system control processor, the command signals received by the microcontroller being configured to cause local control of the hydraulic control valve, said microcontroller generating control signals for communication to the hydraulic control valve in response to the command signals;
- a communications link configured to connect said microcontroller to the system control processor and to the hydraulic control valve, the communication link being configured to carry bi-directional communications;
- a sensor configured to monitor the hydraulic actuator and send, in response to an operational condition of the hydraulic actuator, feedback signals to the microcontroller;
- and
- a memory associated with the microcontroller and configured to store a control program, said command signals, and said and feedback signals, said memory also being configured to store operating characteristics of at least one of said hydraulic control valve and said hydraulic actuator,
- said microcontroller being configured to use the stored operating characteristics locally in said control program to generate control signals that perform closed-loop control of the hydraulic actuator.
A method of controlling a hydraulic actuator in an injection molding machine having (i) a system control processor, and (ii) a hydraulic control valve that regulates a supply of hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic actuator, comprising the steps of:
- storing in a microcontroller, which is disposed remotely from the system control processor, a control program for controlling a movement of the hydraulic actuator;
- storing in the microcontroller characteristic information corresponding to at least one of (i) the hydraulic control valve, and (ii) the hydraulic actuator;
- providing to the microcontroller, and storing in a memory coupled to the microcontroller, feedback signals from at least one sensor which senses a performance characteristic associated with the hydraulic actuator;
- providing to the microcontroller, and storing in said memory, command signals from the system control processor;
- said microprocessor using (i) said stored control program, (ii) said stored characteristic information, (iii) said stored command signals, and (iv) said stored feedback signals, to calculate control signals to control the hydraulic control valve;
- and
- said microcontroller transmitting said control signals to the hydraulic control valve to cause movement of the hydraulic actuator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.