Melt pressure measurement and the like
First Claim
1. A melt pressure measurement device for measuring the pressure of a melted substance useful in cooled state for forming solid objects, the device comprising a probe for insertion through an aperture in a wall of a melt-containing vessel, the probe having a pressure-deflectable end surface for contact with pressurized melt, pressure-resistant securing means associated with said device for fixing the device in the wall with the end surface of the probe exposed for contact with the melt in a non-flow obstructive relationship, and a seal surface on said probe between said end of the probe and the securing means, for cooperative sealing action with a mating sealing means associated with the wall to prevent exposure of said melt to said securing means, and pressure detection means internal of the probe, responsive to deflection of the end surface of the probe, for detecting pressure of said melt, said pressure detection means comprising a temperature-compensated capacitive sensor, one plate of the capacitor defined by the end surface of the probe exposed to the melt, the opposite plate of said capacitor mounted within the probe, a capacitive gap being defined by the space between said end surface and said opposite plate, and electronic circuitry within a portion of the probe remote from the melt-exposed end of the probe and connected to said capacitor in a manner to compensate for change of temperature effects on the capacitor and to generate an output signal proportional to said melt pressure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention features a melt pressure measurement device for measuring the pressure of a melted substance useful in cooled state for forming solid objects. The device comprises a probe for insertion through an aperture in a wall of a melt-containing vessel, with the probe having a pressure-deflectable end surface for contact with pressurized melt. The probe has pressure-resistant securing means for fixing the probe in the wall with the end surface of the probe exposed for contact with the melt in a non-flow obstructive relationship. A seal surface on the probe between the end of the probe and the securing means provides cooperative sealing action with a mating sealing means associated with the wall to prevent exposure of the melt to the securing means. The probe also has pressure detection means internal of the probe, responsive to deflection of the end surface of the probe, for detecting pressure of the melt. The pressure detection means comprises a temperature-compensated capacitive sensor, with one plate of the capacitor defined by the end surface of the probe exposed to the melt and the opposite plate of the capacitor mounted within the probe. A capacitive gap is defined by the space between the end surface and the opposite plate. The probe also has electronic circuitry within a portion of the probe remote from the melt-exposed end of the probe and connected to the capacitor in a manner to compensate for change of temperature effects on the capacitor and to generate an output signal proportional to the melt pressure.
78 Citations
31 Claims
- 1. A melt pressure measurement device for measuring the pressure of a melted substance useful in cooled state for forming solid objects, the device comprising a probe for insertion through an aperture in a wall of a melt-containing vessel, the probe having a pressure-deflectable end surface for contact with pressurized melt, pressure-resistant securing means associated with said device for fixing the device in the wall with the end surface of the probe exposed for contact with the melt in a non-flow obstructive relationship, and a seal surface on said probe between said end of the probe and the securing means, for cooperative sealing action with a mating sealing means associated with the wall to prevent exposure of said melt to said securing means, and pressure detection means internal of the probe, responsive to deflection of the end surface of the probe, for detecting pressure of said melt, said pressure detection means comprising a temperature-compensated capacitive sensor, one plate of the capacitor defined by the end surface of the probe exposed to the melt, the opposite plate of said capacitor mounted within the probe, a capacitive gap being defined by the space between said end surface and said opposite plate, and electronic circuitry within a portion of the probe remote from the melt-exposed end of the probe and connected to said capacitor in a manner to compensate for change of temperature effects on the capacitor and to generate an output signal proportional to said melt pressure.
- 11. A melt pressure measurement device for measuring the pressure of a melted substance useful in cooled state for forming solid objects, the device comprising a probe for insertion through an aperture in a wall of a melt-containing vessel, the probe having a pressure-deflectable end surface for contact with pressurized melt, pressure-resistant securing means associated with said device for fixing the device in the wall with the end surface of the probe exposed for contact with the melt in a non-flow obstructive relationship, and a seal surface on said probe between said end of the probe and the securing means, for cooperative sealing action with a mating sealing means associated with the wall to prevent exposure of said melt to said securing means, and pressure detection means internal of the probe, responsive to deflection of the end surface of the probe, for detecting pressure of said melt, said pressure detection means comprising a temperature-compensated capacitive sensor, one plate of the capacitor defined by the end surface of the probe exposed to the melt, the opposite plate of said capacitor mounted within the probe, a capacitive gap being defined by the space between said end surface and said opposite plate, and electronic circuitry remote from the melt-exposed end of the probe and connected to said capacitor in a manner to compensate for change of temperature effects on the capacitor and to generate an output signal proportional to said melt pressure, said circuitry including means mounted within a portion of the probe to generate a signal proportional to the capacitance of said capacitive sensor.
- 29. A melt processing machine associated with means to provide heated, pressurized melt within the machine, said melt useful in cooled state for forming solid objects, the machine including a wall for confining said pressurized melt, a probe for insertion through an aperture in the melt-confining wall of the machine, the probe having a pressure-deflectable end surface for contact with pressurized melt, pressure-resistant securing means associated with said probe for fixing the probe in the wall with the end surface of the probe exposed for contact with the melt in a non-flow obstructive relationship, and a seal surface on said probe between said end of the probe and the securing means, for cooperative sealing action with a mating sealing means associated with the wall to prevent exposure of said melt to said securing means, and pressure detection means internal of the probe, responsive to deflection of the end surface of the probe, for detecting pressure of said melt, said pressure detection means comprising a temperature-compensated capacitive sensor, one plate of the capacitor defined by the end surface of the probe exposed to the melt, the opposite plate of said capacitor mounted within the probe, a capacitive gap being defined by the space between said end surface and said opposite plate, and electronic circuitry within a portion of the probe remote from the melt-exposed end of the probe and connected to said capacitor in manner to compensate for change of temperature effects on the capacitor and to generate an output signal proportional to said melt pressure.
Specification