Controller for at least one heater utilized in an injection molding system and an associated method of use

• US 7,418,992 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2006
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Limited
• Inventors: Pilavdzic, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Kerns; Kevin P
• Application Number:
  US11/384,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20070216054A1
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• Field of Search: 164/154.1, 164/154.8, 164/312, 425/547, 425/143
• US Class Current: 164/154.1
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/7604 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76274 runners, nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76518 Energy, power
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76531 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76752 runners, nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2945/76929 Controlling method
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/14598 Coating tubular articles
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/2737 Heating or cooling means therefor B29C45/7331 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/78 of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means

Abstract

A controller for at least one heater utilized in an injection molding system, which includes a regulated voltage supply that is electrically connected to the at least one heater utilized in an injection molding system, at least one sensor operatively associated with at least one heater and utilized in an injection molding system, at least one digital signal processor that is operatively connected to the at least one heater utilized in an injection molding system, the regulated voltage supply and the sensor operatively associated with the at least one heater utilized in an injection molding system based on feedback from the at least one sensor.

Claims

1. A temperature controller for at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system, the temperature controller comprising:

a regulated voltage supply that is electrically connected to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system;

at least one temperature sensor being positioned relative to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system; and

at least one digital signal processor being operatively connected to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system, the at least one digital signal processor being configured to connect with the at least one temperature sensor, and being configured to connect with the regulated voltage supply, the at least one digital signal processor being configured for regulating temperature of the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system based on feedback being received from the at least one temperature sensor, wherein the at least one digital signal processor increases reliability of the at least one heater by;

(i) increasing a duty cycle associated with the at least one heater, the duty cycle being a ratio of active time that the at least one heater is on to a total time that the at least one heater is on and off, and (ii) reducing a temperature excursion associated with the duty cycle of the at least one heater.

2. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one output switching stage electrically connected to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system and the regulated voltage supply, wherein the at least one output switching stage varies at least one of voltage and frequency to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system through at least one of pulse width modulation and zero crossing detection.

3. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 2, further comprising at least one trigger control module that transmits command signals to the at least one output switching stage, wherein the at least one trigger control module is electrically connected to the at least one digital signal processor and the regulated voltage supply.

4. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one controller interface that is electrically connected to the at least one digital signal processor.

5. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one current sensor that is electrically connected to the at least one digital signal processor.

6. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one voltage sensor that is electrically connected to the at least one digital signal processor.

7. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor, which is electrically connected to the at least one digital signal processor, to provide input, wherein the sensor selected from the group consisting of a material state change sensor, a pressure sensor, a resistance shift sensor, a capacitance sensor, an inductance sensor, a material phase change sensor, a permeability sensor, a density sensor, a viscosity sensor, a shear feedback sensor, a material flow sensor, a polymerization response sensor, a strain sensor, a stress sensor, and a transformation function sensor.

8. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 1, wherein the regulated voltage supply is capable of receiving alternating current voltage in a range from about 110 Volts to about 600 Volts in a frequency range from about 50 Hz to about 400 Hz in at least one phase.

9. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one digital signal processor utilizes zero crossing time proportioning control and phase fired voltage control.

10. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one digital signal processor utilizes control features selected from the group consisting of automatic tuning, PII feedback loop, feed forward, slope control, or cut back.

11. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 1, further including a voltage filtering stage that is electrically connected to the regulated voltage supply to smooth rectified voltage coming from the regulated voltage supply.

12. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 4, wherein the at least one controller interface further includes an electronic display.

13. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 1, further comprising a digital communications module that is connected to a computer network.

14. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 13, wherein the computer network includes a global computer network.

15. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 13, further comprising a wireless interface device that is in electronic communication with the digital communications module.

16. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 15, wherein the wireless interface device is configured to communicate with a wireless device selected from the group consisting of a hand-held unit, a radio frequency controlled unit, a personal digital assistant, a portable processor or a radio frequency link over power wire communication.

17. A temperature controller for at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system, the temperature controller comprising:

a regulated voltage supply that is electrically connected to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system;

at least one first sensor from the group consisting of a temperature sensor being positioned relative to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system, a current sensor utilized in the injection molding system and a voltage sensor utilized in the injection molding system;

at least one second sensor from the group consisting of a material state change sensor, a pressure sensor, a resistance shift sensor, a capacitance sensor, an inductance sensor, a material phase change sensor, a permeability sensor, a density sensor, a viscosity sensor, a shear feedback sensor, a material flow sensor, a polymerization response sensor, a strain sensor, a stress sensor and a transformation function sensor; and

at least one digital signal processor that is operatively connected to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system, the regulated voltage supply, the at least one first sensor utilized in the injection molding system and the at least one second sensor utilized in the injection molding system,

the at least one digital signal processor being configured for regulating temperature of the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system based on feedback being received from the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor wherein the at least one digital signal processor increases reliability of the at least one heater by;

(i) increasing a duty cycle associated with the at least one heater, the duty cycle being a ratio of active time that the at least one heater is on to a total time that the at least one heater is on and oft, and (ii) reducing a temperature excursion associated with the duty cycle of the at least one heater.

18. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system according to claim 17, further comprising at least one output switching stage electrically connected to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system and the regulated voltage supply, wherein the at least one output switching stage varies at least one of voltage and frequency to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system through at least one of pulse width modulation and zero crossing detection.

19. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 18, further comprising at least one trigger control module that transmits command signals to the at least one output switching stage, wherein the at least one trigger control module is electrically connected to the at least one digital signal processor and the regulated voltage supply.

20. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 17, further comprising at least one controller interface that is electrically connected to the at least one digital signal processor.

21. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 20, wherein the at least one controller interface further includes an electronic display.

22. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 17, further comprising a digital communications module that is connected to a computer network.

23. The temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system according to claim 22, further comprising a wireless interface device that is in electronic communication with the digital communications module.

24. A temperature controller for at least one heater being utilized in an injection molding system, the temperature controller comprising:

a regulated voltage supply that is electrically connected to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system;

at least one first sensor from the group consisting of a temperature sensor being positioned relative to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system, a current sensor utilized in the injection molding system and a voltage sensor utilized in the injection molding system;

at least one second sensor from the group consisting of a material state change sensor, a pressure sensor, a resistance shift sensor, a capacitance sensor, an inductance sensor, a material phase change sensor, a permeability sensor, a density sensor, a viscosity sensor, a shear feedback sensor, a material flow sensor, a polymerization response sensor, a strain sensor, a stress sensor and a transformation function sensor;

at least one digital signal processor that is operatively connected to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system, the regulated voltage supply, the at least one first sensor utilized in the injection molding system and the at least one second sensor utilized in the injection molding system;

at least one output switching stage electrically connected to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system and the regulated voltage supply, wherein the at least one output switching stage varies at least one of voltage and frequency to the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system through at least one of pulse width modulation and zero crossing detection;

at least one trigger control module that transmits command signals to the at least one output switching stage and the at least one trigger control module is electrically connected to the at least one digital signal processor and the regulated voltage supply; and

at least one controller interface that is electrically connected to the at least one digital signal processor,

the at least one digital signal processor being configured for regulating temperature at the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system based on feedback being received from the at least one first sensor and the at least one second sensor, wherein the at least one digital signal processor increases reliability of the at least one heater by;

(i) increasing a duty cycle associated with the at least one heater, the duty cycle being a ratio of active time that the at least one heater is on to a total time that the at least one heater is on and off, and (ii) reducing a temperature excursion associated with the duty cycle of the at least one heater.

25. A temperature controller for at least one heater being utilized with at least one injection molding equipment being associated with an injection molding system, the temperature controller comprising;

a voltage rectifier and regulator module being configured to rectify a supply voltage, to regulate the supply voltage, and to convert the supply voltage into a DC voltage supply;

a voltage filtering and feedback stage being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the voltage filtering and feedback stage being configured to output an improved DC voltage supply;

at least one output switching stage being electrically connected with the voltage filtering and feedback stage, the at least one output switching stage being electrically connected with a respective one of the at least one heater, the at least one output switching stage being configured to convert the improved DC voltage supply into a heater voltage supply to be applied to a respective one of the at least one heater;

a trigger control module being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the trigger control module being electrically connected with the at least one output switching stage, the trigger control module being configured to control the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the at least one output switching stage;

at least one sensor being positioned relative to a respective one of the at least one heater, the at least one sensor being configured to measure temperature of the at least one heater; and

a digital signal processor, including;

inputs being electrically coupled with the at least one sensor, the inputs being electrically coupled with a measured voltage being associated with the voltage filtering and feedback stage; and

outputs being electrically coupled with the trigger control module,

the digital signal processor being configured to generate a command signal in response to receiving and processing the inputs, the digital signal processor issuing the command signal to the trigger control module, and the trigger control module controlling the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the at least one output switching stage in compliance with the command signal in response to receiving the command signal from the digital signal processor, and wherein the digital signal processor increases reliability of the at least one heater by;

(i) increasing a duty cycle associated with the at least one heater, the duty cycle being a ratio of active time that the at least one heater is on to a total time that the at least one heater is on and off, and (ii) reducing a temperature excursion associated with the duty cycle of the at least one heater.

26. An injection molding system, comprising;

at least one injection molding equipment;

at least one heater being utilized with a respective one of the at least one injection molding equipment; and

a temperature controller for the at least one heater being utilized with the at least one injection molding equipment being associated with the injection molding system, the temperature controller including;

a voltage rectifier and regulator module being configured to rectify a supply voltage, to regulate the supply voltage, and to convert the supply voltage into a DC voltage supply;

a voltage filtering and feedback stage being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the voltage filtering and feedback stage being configured to output an improved DC voltage supply;

at least one output switching stage being electrically connected with the voltage filtering and feedback stage, the at least one output switching stage being electrically connected with a respective one of the at least one heater, the at least one output switching stage being configured to convert the improved DC voltage supply into a heater voltage supply to be applied to a respective one of the at least one heater;

a trigger control module being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the trigger control module being electrically connected with the at least one output switching stage, the trigger control module being configured to control the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the at least one output switching stage;

at least one sensor being positioned relative to a respective one of the at least one heater, the at least one sensor being configured to measure temperature of the at least one heater; and

a digital signal processor, including;

inputs being electrically coupled with the at least one sensor, the inputs being electrically coupled with a measured voltage being associated with the voltage filtering and feedback stage; and

outputs being electrically coupled with the trigger control module,

the digital signal processor being configured to generate a command signal in response to receiving and processing the inputs, the digital signal processor issuing the command signal to the trigger control module, and the trigger control module controlling the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the at least one output switching stage in compliance with the command signal in response to receiving the command signal from the digital signal processor, and wherein the digital signal processor increases reliability of the at least one heater by;

(i) increasing a duty cycle associated with the at least one heater, the duty cycle being a ratio of active time that the at least one heater is on to a total time that the at least one heater is on and off, and (ii) reducing a temperature excursion associated with the duty cycle of the at least one heater.

27. A temperature controller for a heater being utilized with an injection molding equipment being associated with an injection molding system, the temperature controller comprising;

a voltage rectifier and regulator module being configured to rectify a supply voltage, to regulate the supply voltage, and to convert the supply voltage into a DC voltage supply;

a voltage filtering and feedback stage being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the voltage filtering and feedback stage being configured to output an improved DC voltage supply;

an output switching stage being electrically connected with the voltage filtering and feedback stage, the output switching stage being electrically connected with the heater, the output switching stage being configured to convert the improved DC voltage supply into a heater voltage supply to be applied to the heater;

a trigger control module being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the trigger control module being electrically connected with the output switching stage, the trigger control module being configured to control the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the output switching stage;

a sensor being positioned relative to the heater, the sensor being configured to measure temperature of the heater; and

a processor, including;

inputs being electrically coupled with the sensor, the inputs being electrically coupled with a measured voltage being associated with the voltage filtering and feedback stage; and

outputs being electrically coupled with the trigger control module,

the processor being configured to generate a command signal in response to receiving and processing the inputs, the processor issuing the command signal to the trigger control module, and the trigger control module controlling the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the output switching stage in compliance with the command signal in response to receiving the command signal from the processor.

28. The temperature controller of claim 27, wherein the digital signal processor is configured for regulating temperature of the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system based on feedback being received from the at least one sensor, wherein the digital signal processor increases reliability of the at least one heater by:

(i) increasing a duty cycle associated with the at least one heater, the duty cycle being a ratio of active time that the at least one heater is on to a total time that the at least one heater is on and off, and (ii) reducing a temperature excursion associated with the duty cycle of the at least one heater.

29. An injection molding system, comprising;

an injection molding equipment;

a heater being utilized with the injection molding equipment; and

a temperature controller for the heater being utilized with the injection molding equipment being associated with the injection molding system, the temperature controller including;

a voltage rectifier and regulator module being configured to rectify a supply voltage, to regulate the supply voltage, and to convert the supply voltage into a DC voltage supply;

a voltage filtering and feedback stage being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the voltage filtering and feedback stage being configured to output an improved DC voltage supply;

an output switching stage being electrically connected with the voltage filtering and feedback stage, the output switching stage being electrically connected with the heater, the output switching stage being configured to convert the improved DC voltage supply into a heater voltage supply to be applied to the heater;

a trigger control module being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the trigger control module being electrically connected with the output switching stage, the trigger control module being configured to control the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the output switching stage;

a sensor being positioned relative to the heater, the sensor being configured to measure temperature of the heater; and

a processor, including;

inputs being electrically coupled with the sensor, the inputs being electrically coupled with a measured voltage being associated with the voltage filtering and feedback stage; and

outputs being electrically coupled with the trigger control module,

the processor being configured to generate a command signal in response to receiving and processing the inputs, the processor issuing the command signal to the trigger control module, and the trigger control module controlling the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the output switching stage in compliance with the command signal in response to receiving the command signal from the processor.

30. The injection molding system of claim 29, wherein the digital signal processor is configured for regulating temperature of the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system based on feedback being received from the at least one sensor, wherein the digital signal processor increases reliability of the at least one heater by:

(i) increasing a duty cycle associated with the at least one heater, the duty cycle being a ratio of active time that the at least one heater is on to a total time that the at least one heater is on and off, and (ii) reducing a temperature excursion associated with the duty cycle of the at least one heater.

31. A temperature controller for a heater being utilized with an injection molding equipment being associated with an injection molding system, the temperature controller comprising;

a voltage rectifier and regulator module being configured to rectify a supply voltage, to regulate the supply voltage, and to convert the supply voltage into a voltage supply;

a voltage filtering and feedback stage being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the voltage filtering and feedback stage being configured to output an improved voltage supply;

an output switching stage being electrically connected with the voltage filtering and feedback stage, the output switching stage being electrically connected with the heater, the output switching stage being configured to convert the improved voltage supply into a heater voltage supply to be applied to the heater;

a trigger control module being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the trigger control module being electrically connected with the output switching stage, the trigger control module being configured to control the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the output switching stage;

a sensor being positioned relative to the heater, the sensor being configured to measure temperature of the heater; and

a processor, including;

inputs being electrically coupled with the sensor and with a measured voltage being associated with the voltage filtering and feedback stage; and

outputs being electrically coupled with the trigger control module,

the processor being configured to generate a command signal in response to receiving and processing the inputs, the processor issuing the command signal to the trigger control module, and the trigger control module controlling the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the output switching stage in compliance with the command signal in response to receiving the command signal from the processor.

32. The temperature controller of claim 31, wherein the digital signal processor is configured for regulating temperature of the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system based on feedback being received from the at least one sensor, wherein the digital signal processor increases reliability of the at least one heater by:

(i) increasing a duty cycle associated with the at least one heater, the duty cycle being a ratio of active time that the at least one heater is on to a total time that the at least one heater is on and off, and (ii) reducing a temperature excursion associated with the duty cycle of the at least one heater.

33. An injection molding system, comprising;

an injection molding equipment;

a heater being utilized with the injection molding equipment; and

a temperature controller for the heater, the temperature controller including;

a voltage rectifier and regulator module being configured to rectify a supply voltage, to regulate the supply voltage, and to convert the supply voltage into a voltage supply;

a voltage filtering and feedback stage being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the voltage filtering and feedback stage being configured to output an improved voltage supply;

an output switching stage being electrically connected with the voltage filtering and feedback stage, the output switching stage being electrically connected with the heater, the output switching stage being configured to convert the improved voltage supply into a heater voltage supply to be applied to the heater;

a trigger control module being electrically connected with the voltage rectifier and regulator module, the trigger control module being electrically connected with the output switching stage, the trigger control module being configured to control the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the output switching stage;

a sensor being positioned relative to the heater, the sensor being configured to measure temperature of the heater; and

a processor, including;

inputs being electrically coupled with the sensor and with a measured voltage being associated with the voltage filtering and feedback stage; and

outputs being electrically coupled with the trigger control module,

the processor being configured to generate a command signal in response to receiving and processing the inputs, the processor issuing the command signal to the trigger control module, and the trigger control module controlling the voltage rectifier and regulator module and the output switching stage in compliance with the command signal in response to receiving the command signal from the processor.

34. The injection molding system of claim 33, wherein the digital signal processor is configured for regulating temperature of the at least one heater being utilized in the injection molding system based on feedback being received from the at least one sensor, wherein the digital signal processor increases reliability of the at least one heater by:

(i) increasing a duty cycle associated with the at least one heater, the duty cycle being a ratio of active time that the at least one heater is on to a total time that the at least one heater is on and off, and (ii) reducing a temperature excursion associated with the duty cycle of the at least one heater.