Apparatus for controlling melt flow in a melt distribution network
View Patent ↗According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling melt flow through a portion of the melt distribution network. A flow control device is provided. The flow control device comprises a body defining: a mixer configured to be positioned in a conduit for providing a path of flow for melt such that the mixer traverses substantially the whole cross-section of the path of flow; a temperature control portion associated with the mixer for actively controlling temperature of the mixer.
1. A flow control device comprising:
a body defining:
a mixer configured to be positioned in a portion of a melt distribution network for providing a path of flow for melt such that the mixer traverses substantially the whole cross-section of the path of flow;
a temperature control portion associated with the mixer for actively controlling temperature of the mixer; said temperature control portion being integral with said mixer;
a control entity, being in communication and under control of a computing apparatus, when in use; the control entity being configured to control a temperature setting in both directions, under control of the computing apparatus, when in use.
2. The flow control device of claim 1 , wherein said control entity of the temperature control portion is responsive to a control signal.
3. The flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the melt distribution network is a coupler for fluidly connecting a first level sub-network and a second level sub-network of the melt distribution network.
4. The flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the melt distribution network is a portion of the melt distribution network where melt flow branches off.
5. The flow control device of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the melt distribution network is a portion of the melt distribution network selected from a list of:
a first level main distribution runner;
a plurality of fluid connectors;
a first level secondary distribution runner;
a coupling interface;
a second level main distribution runner;
a coupling interface;
a fluid connector;
a fluid connector ( 242 b );
a second level secondary distribution runner;
a second level secondary distribution runner; and
a connector.
6. The flow control device of claim 1 , wherein said mixer comprises a first mixer portion and a second mixer portion coupled together by a retainer.
7. The flow control device of claim 1 , wherein said mixer comprises at least one mixer portion.
8. A melt distribution network comprising:
a network of runners for providing a path of flow between a melt inlet and a plurality of melt outlets;
a flow control device disposed within a portion of the network of runners, the flow control device comprising a body defining:
a mixer configured to be positioned within the portion of the network of runners such that the mixer traverses substantially the whole cross-section of the path of flow;
a temperature control portion associated with the mixer for actively controlling temperature of the mixer;
said temperature control portion being integral with said mixer;
a control entity, being in communication and under control of a computing apparatus, when in use; the control entity being configured to control a temperature setting in both directions, under control of the computing apparatus, when in use.
9. The melt distribution network of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the network of runners is located upstream from the plurality of melt outlets.
10. The melt distribution network of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the network of runners is located upstream from the plurality of melt outlets and downstream from the melt inlet.
11. The melt distribution network of claim 8 , wherein said control entity of the temperature control portion is responsive to a control signal.
12. The melt distribution network of claim 8 , wherein said temperature control portion is integral with said mixer.
13. The melt distribution network of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the network of runners is a coupler for fluidly connecting a first level sub-network and a second level sub-network of the melt distribution network.
14. The melt distribution network of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the network of runners is a connector for fluidly connecting a first level sub-network and a second level sub-network of the melt distribution network.
15. The melt distribution network of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the network of runners is a portion of the melt distribution network where melt flow branches off.
16. The melt distribution network of claim 8 , wherein the portion of the network of runners is a portion of the melt distribution network selected from a list of:
a first level main distribution runner;
a plurality of fluid connectors;
a first level secondary distribution runner;
a coupling interface;
a second level main distribution runner;
a coupling interface;
a fluid connector;
a fluid connector;
a second level secondary distribution runner;
a second level secondary distribution runner; and
a connector.
17. The melt distribution network of claim 8 , wherein said mixer comprises a first mixer portion and a second mixer portion coupled together by a retainer.
18. The melt distribution network of claim 8 , wherein said mixer comprises at least one mixer portion.