Apparatus for thermally insulating a cylindrical barrel and monitoring the temperature thereof

Abstract

An apparatus for thermally insulating a cylindrical barrel and monitoring the temperature thereof. The apparatus includes a plurality of flexible covers, each flexible cover circumnavigating the cylindrical barrel. Each of the plurality of flexible covers includes a temperature sensing element thereon.

Claims

1. An apparatus for thermally insulating a cylindrical barrel having flowable materials therethrough and for monitoring the temperature thereof, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of removable flexible covers, each of said plurality of removable flexible covers circumnavigating said cylindrical barrel, each of said plurality of removable flexible covers aligned with each other and axially aligned with said barrel; each of said removable flexible covers having a temperature sensing element thereon sensing temperature on an outside of each said cover; and each of said removable flexible covers having insulation between a pair of opposing external flexible sheets for thermally insulating, said cylindrical barrel to retain the heat characteristics inside the barrel, said pair of opposing external flexible sheets secured together at the edges thereof.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said removable flexible covers have attachment straps and attachment pads.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said attachment straps and said attachment pads include hook and loop fasteners.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said insulation material is chosen from the group consisting of ceramic fiber, glass mat and Nomex felt.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said removable flexible cover has a length of at least as long as the circumference of said barrel.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said temperature sensing element is a thermometer.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said temperature sensing element is a thermal chemical sensor which changes colors depending on the change in temperature.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said thermometer is received in a recess in said flexible cover.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said temperature sensing element is connected to an alarm to activate a signal if temperature exceeds a certain set temperature set point.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus for thermally insulating a cylindrical barrel and monitoring the temperature thereof;

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of one of the covers of the apparatus apart from the barrel; and

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an apparatus 10 for thermally insulating a cylindrical barrel and monitoring the temperature thereof. The apparatus 10 includes at least one flexible cover, to be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of the flexible covers 30, 32, 34 and 36 are shown. A greater or lesser number of covers may be used within the spirit and scope of the invention. Each of the covers 30, 32, 34 and 36, when in use, surrounds and encases a barrel 20. The covers may surround a base heater barrel or may surround cylindrical heaters or coolers surrounding the barrel. One cover 30 is shown apart from the barrel 20.

(5) The barrel 20 may include a rotating screw (not shown) to move materials therethrough. Various raw materials which are used for parts or components to be molded or manufactured may be mixed and prepared within a plastic injection and/or extrusion machine 22. In one non-limiting example, plastic beads are fed into the injection and/or extrusion machine 22 along with colorants or other additives.

(6) During the injection and/or extrusion process, the ability to maintain control over the temperature of the materials is critically important. The materials pass from the injection and/or extrusion machine 22 through the barrel 20 and into a mold or die (not shown) at the opposed end of the barrel 20.

(7) In the present embodiment, the barrel 20 is in the form of a cylinder although other embodiments, such as a square or oval cross section, are possible within the spirit or scope of the invention.

(8) The covers 30, 32, 34 and 36, when installed around the circumference of the barrel 20, are axially aligned with each other and also axially aligned with the barrel 20. The arrows 24 and 26 illustrate the direction in order to move the cover 30 to install around the barrel 20.

(9) Each cover is flexible and has a length at least as long as the circumference of the barrel. One cover 30 is shown in a top view in FIG. 2 apart from the barrel 20.

(10) Each cover 30, 32, 34 and 36 is removable and attachable to itself in order to hold the apparatus in place surrounding the barrel 20.

(11) As shown, each flexible cover 30, 32, 34 and 36 includes a pair of attachment pads 40 and 42 and a pair of attachment straps 44 and 46.

(12) The attachment pads 40 and 42 and the attachment straps 44 and 46 each have hook and loop fasteners so that when the flexible cover 30 is brought in place around the barrel 20, the flexible cover will be held in place around the barrel 20. No fasteners or other attachments are necessary to secure the cover to the barrel.

(13) Thereafter, in order to remove the cover 30, the attachment straps 44 and 46 may be separated from the attachment pads 40 and 42.

(14) FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2. Each cover 30, 32, 34 and 36 may be fabricated from a single monolithic material. Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, each cover includes a pair of opposing external flexible sheets 50 and 52 with insulation 54 therebetween. The insulation 54 may be a variety of materials including ceramic, fiber-glass mat or Nomex felt. The opposed external sheets 50 and 52 may be secured together at the edges to retain the insulation 54 therein.

(15) Each flexible cover has a temperature sensing element thereon. As seen in FIG. 1, covers 30 and 32 include a temperature sensing element in the form of a thermometer 60. Covers 34 and 36 include a temperature sensing element in the form of a thermal chemical sensor 62 which changes colors depending on a change in temperature. For example, the thermal chemical sensor 62 may normally be a green color unless a certain selected temperature is reached, in which case the sensor turns to another color, such as red.

(16) The thermometer 60 may be secured to the external sheet 50 of the cover or may be retained in a recess 64 in the flexible cover 30.

(17) The thermometer 60 may also have a transmitter therewith in order to transmit the temperature sensed to a receiver. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the temperature sensing element may be connected to an alarm to activate a sound or other signal if the temperature exceeds a certain set temperature point.

(18) Accordingly, the temperature on the outside of the cover 30 is monitored, which also provides an indirect indication of the temperature of the materials in the barrel 20. If an excess temperature is detected by the temperature sensing element, corrective action can be taken. Likewise, if a temperature below a desired range is detected, corrective action can be taken.

(19) Returning to a consideration of FIG. 1, use of a plurality of flexible covers 30, 32, 34 and 36 with a plurality of temperature sensing elements, permits detection of the axial position on the barrel of an unacceptable temperature deviation.

(20) The present invention not only assists in maintaining the heat characteristics of the barrel and the materials therein, but prevents accidental burn injury to personnel coming into contact with the barrel 20.

(21) Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention.