METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MELT PRESSURE REGULATION
First Claim
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1. A self-regulating valve, comprising:
- a body having a flow channel for conveying melt between an inlet and an outlet;
a valve pin having a distal end that is adapted to communicate with the flow channel to control the melt flowing therethrough, the distal end of the valve pin being adapted to receive a proximally-directed dynamic force that is proportional to a melt pressure of the melt at the outlet of the flow channel, and the valve pin being adapted to receive a distally-directed control force that is effective to move the valve pin in response to imbalances between the control force and the dynamic force thereby regulating a melt pressure at the outlet.
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Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for controlling melt pressure in an apparatus that processes molten material. In one exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices utilize a self-regulating valve that is effective to regulate a melt pressure through a melt flow channel. In particular, the valve can be adapted to maintain an equilibrium between a control force applied to a control member and a dynamic force applied to the control member by the melt pressure of a melt flowing through a melt flow channel.
85 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A self-regulating valve, comprising:
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a body having a flow channel for conveying melt between an inlet and an outlet;
a valve pin having a distal end that is adapted to communicate with the flow channel to control the melt flowing therethrough, the distal end of the valve pin being adapted to receive a proximally-directed dynamic force that is proportional to a melt pressure of the melt at the outlet of the flow channel, and the valve pin being adapted to receive a distally-directed control force that is effective to move the valve pin in response to imbalances between the control force and the dynamic force thereby regulating a melt pressure at the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for controlling melt pressure, comprising:
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a body having an inlet and an outlet with a flow channel extending therebetween;
a control member movably coupled to the body and adapted to receive a dynamic force proportional to a melt pressure of a melt flowing through the flow channel; and
an actuator adapted to apply a control force to the control member in response to the dynamic force, wherein differentials between the control force and the dynamic force cause movement of the control member until the control force and the dynamic force equilibrate, thereby regulating the melt pressure through the flow channel in the body. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for controlling melt pressure at an outlet port of an apparatus having an inlet and an outlet port, the method comprising:
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positioning a portion of a self-regulating control member within a melt flow channel such that the control member receives a dynamic force proportional to a melt pressure at the outlet of the flow channel; and
applying a control force to the control member in response to deviations in the dynamic force to regulate a melt pressure at the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification