Other

Eastman-Kodak Company

Buja, Frederick J.

Frederick J Buja

Alan B Miller

James J Wenskus, Jr

William H Sherwood

Disclosed are systems and methods for enabling the acquisition of physiological parameters of a mammal or other specimen using thermo-mechanical responses (e.g., temperature, pressure and alternatively acceleration, pulse, position). In accordance with one example embodiment, a monitoring device for wired and/or wireless sensors is used to acquire a series of sensor signals that are attached to achieve the physiological measurements of a mammal vital signs is provided. The device includes a Temperature-Pressure (T-P) sensor configured to attach to respiration, vascular pressure and audio points of the mammal in a manner suitable for obtaining the acquired individual sensor electrical signal. The sensor system is configured to attach to alternative locations of the specimen in a manner suitable for obtaining electrical signals in communication with a signal receiver and transmitter. Physiological parameters, such as those associated with vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, etc.), can be obtained using the monitoring device and associated sensors.

System and method employing a thermocouple junction for monitoring of physiological parameters

Disclosed is a multi-variable sensor and systems and methods for its use to sense process changes or variations. The sensor is employed to concurrently sense a plurality of parameters (e.g., temperature and pressure) for a process.

Sensor for measurement of temperature and pressure for a cyclic process

Disclosed are systems and methods for the use of a micro-bead EMF junction in the sensing and control of an injection molding process, whereby the improved junction is able to reliably sense and indicate temperature and pressure changes in a molding process.

System for monitoring temperature and pressure during a molding process

The present invention is a method and apparatus for controlling a mold flow process using inner (impinge) and/or edge temperature sensors, wherein articles processed in a constraining mold cavity, having a constant melt &ldquo;shrink&rdquo; quality, can be obtained even with fluctuations in resin &ldquo;melt&rdquo; properties (flowability). At least one temperature-dependent output or &ldquo;trigger&rdquo; signal is sampled, and the level of the signal (e.g., temperature) initiates at least one step in the molding cycle. Using a sampling circuit, thermal waveforms are obtained from thermal sensor array data such that if a sequence of melt temperature set-point trigger times fluctuates outside control limits, then the process melt-flow is judged as a hotter/faster melt-flow or cooler/slower melt-flow injection process.

Method and apparatus for controlling a mold melt-flow process using temperature sensors

Apparatus for operating an injecting molding process utilizing an acceptable part and process window for an injection molding machine having a pair of separable mold elements forming a mold cavity with a part-line therebetween, means for opening and closing the mold elements, and means for introducing a moldable material into the mold cavity at a first pressure and for exerting a second pressure on the moldable material as it cures in the cavity. The apparatus includes means for generating an acceptable part and process window for the machine by operating the machine by closing the mold elements, means for introducing a moldable material into the mold cavity, and measuring the separation of the mold elements resulting from the introduction of the moldable material into the mold cavity. At least one operating parameter is incrementally changed over a plurality of molding cycles until unacceptable parts are produced to generate minimum part-line and time values for that machine and process. At least one operating parameter is incrementally changed over a plurality of molding cycles until unacceptable parts are produced to generate maximum part-line and time values. Then, an acceptable part and process window is generated utilizing the minimum and maximum part-line and time values.

Apparatus for operating an injection molding process utilizing an

An injection molding apparatus utilizing an injection molding machine having a pair of separable mold elements forming a mold cavity therebetween and arranged for separation for the removal of the molded product, means for opening and closing the mold elements, and injection means for injecting the moldable material into the mold cavity at a first pressure and for exerting a second pressure on the moldable material as it cures in the cavity. The apparatus provides data acquisition and application in the operation of the injection machine. The apparatus includes means for measuring the separation of the mold elements during the injection of the moldable material, and means for causing the injection pressure from the first pressure to the second pressure upon detecting a predetermined separation known to produce an acceptable product. Means is provided for maintaining the second pressure until the thermoplastic material has cured. The mold is then opened and the cured product is ejected. Means is provided for detecting and accumulating the maximum separation of the mold elements during a plurality of mold cycles while producing acceptable product. Then, a value for the separation of the mold elements is selected based on the maximum measurements accumulated, and means is provided for substituting the new value for use during subsequent cycles to improve product quality for the predetermined separation previously used.

Apparatus for data acquisition and application in an injection molding

An injection molding method utilizing an injection molding machine having a pair of separable mold elements forming a mold cavity therebetween and arranged for separation for the removal of the molded product, means for opening and closing the mold elements, and injection means for injecting a moldable material into the mold cavity at a first pressure and for exerting a second pressure on the moldable material as it cures in the cavity. The method relates to data acquisition and application in the operation of the injection machine and includes the steps of closing the mold elements, injecting a moldable material into the mold cavity at the first pressure, measuring the separation of the mold elements during the injection of the moldable material, changing the injection pressure from the first pressure to the second pressure upon detecting a predetermined separation known to produce an acceptable product. The second pressure is maintained until the thermoplastic material has cured, and the mold is opened and the cured product is ejected. The maximum separation of the mold elements is detected and accumulated from a plurality of mold cycles while producing acceptable product. Then, a value for the separation of the mold elements is selected based on the maximum measurements accumulated, and the selected value of the separation is substituted for the predetermined separation for use during subsequent cycles to improve product quality.

Method of data acquisition and application for an injection molding

A molding machine having a pair of separable mold elements forming a mold cavity therebetween is arranged for separation along a part-line. Means is provided for controlling the molded product which comprises means for measuring the separation of the mold elements resulting from the introduction of the moldable material into the mold cavity. Means is provided for detecting a predetermined separation of the mold elements, and means is provided for changing the pressure from the first pressure to the second pressure in response to the detection. The separation measuring means is arranged to measure the separation of the mold elements following changing the pressure. Means is provided for sensing when the separation of the mold elements stops increasing and for determining whether the cessation occurs within a predetermined cessation window. Means is provided to generate a signal if the cessation is not within the window to indicate that the cycle has exceeded the product limit. If the cessation is within the window, the second pressure is maintained until the material has cured.

Apparatus for precision volumetric control of a moldable material in an

A method of operating an injection molding machine having a pair of separable mold elements forming a mold cavity therebetween with means for opening and closing the mold elements with means for introducing a moldable material into the mold cavity at a first pressure and for exerting a second pressure on the moldable material as it cures in the cavity. The method controls the molded product and comprises the steps of closing the mold elements and introducing a moldable material into the mold cavity. The separation of the mold elements is measured during the injection of the moldable material and a predetermined separation of the mold elements is detected. Upon detecting the predetermined separation the pressure is changed from the first pressure to the second pressure and the separation of the mold elements is continued. Measurement of mold element separation is continued and the cessation of the increase in the separation of the mold elements is detected. A determination is made whether or not the cessation occurs within a predetermined separation window. If the cessation is not within the window a signal is generated to indicate that the cycle has exceeded the product limit. If the cessation is within the window then the cycle is continued and the second pressure is maintained until the moldable material has cured. The mold is then opened.

Method of precision volumetric control of a moldable material in an

This machine has a turret which rotates about a horizontal axis on a frame that is movable into and out of a loading position adjacent a rotary extruder. The turret comprises a tubular shaft, a plurality of axially spaced, circular plates secured to the shaft coaxially thereof, and a plurality of identical, radially projecting panels that are secured in registering radial slots in the circular plates. A separate mold is mounted in the angular space between each pair of adjacent panels, and comprises a stationary section fixed to one of the circular plates for rotation therewith, and a movable section mounted for reciprocation by a collapsible linkage into and out of a closed position against the associated stationary section. As each mold rotates past the loading station the associated linkage closes the movable mold section, a supply of molten molding material is then fed by the extruder to an axial bore in the stationary section of the mold, a hydraulically actuated ram then enters the now-loaded bore and forces the molding material into a cavity in the mold, the ram is then withdrawn, and thereafter the mold sections are separated and the molded part is ejected from the turret. The size of the turret can readily be increased or decreased merely by changing the overall sizes of the panels and the associated supporting plates.

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Rochester, NY, United States of America

Frederick J Buja