The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 09, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 03, 1999
Ralph Vining, Fort Wayne, IN (US);
Raymond F Decker, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Robert D Carnahan, Park City, UT (US);
D Matthew Walukas, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Robert Kilbert, Racine, WI (US);
Charles VanSchilt, Calgary, CA;
Rich Newman, Gladwin, MI (US);
Thixomat, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for processing feed stock into a thixotropic state. The apparatus includes a barrel with first, second and nozzle sections. The first, second and nozzle sections are connected together and include surfaces that cooperatively defining a central passageway through the barrel. The first section is constructed of a first material, the second end section is constructed of a second material and the nozzle is constructed of a third material. The first material exhibits a greater resistance to thermal fatigue and thermal shock than the second material while the nozzle section includes a bushing which inhibits heat transfer to the die, precluding excessive molding pressures and cycle times. The apparatus also includes a preheater for preheating the feed stock before entry into the barrel, a thermal gradient monitoring system, a novel robust nozzle construction, and a two-stage embodiment of the apparatus.