PLASTICIZING CYLINDER WITH INTEGRATED HEAT PIPES

Abstract

A plasticizing cylinder for processing plasticizable material includes a pressure jacket, at least one heating element disposed at one area of the pressure jacket, and at least one cooling element disposed at another area of the pressure jacket. Extending within a wall of the pressure jacket between the area of the heating element and the area of the cooling element is a plurality of heat pipes, with each heat pipe having at least one section constructed with a capillary structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a plasticizing cylinder according to the present invention, showing in greater detail on a right hand side a portion of the plasticizing cylinder, taken along the line I-I in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the plasticizing cylinder, taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1.

Claims

1. A plasticizing cylinder for processing plasticizable material, comprising: a pressure jacket;at least one heating element disposed at one area of the pressure jacket;at least one cooling element disposed at another area of the pressure jacket; anda plurality of heat pipes extending within a wall of the pressure jacket between the area of the heating element and the area of the cooling element, each said heat pipe having at least one section constructed with a capillary structure.

2. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 1, wherein at least some of the heat pipes have at least one section which is constructed with a lattice structure to form the capillary structure in an area of an inner wall surface of the heat pipes.

3. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 1, wherein the heat pipes are each formed by a recess or a bore extending in the pressure jacket between the area of the heating element and the area of the cooling element.

4. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 2, wherein the at least one section is formed in a recess or bore extending in the pressure jacket between the area of the heating element and the area of the cooling element.

5. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 1, wherein the capillary structure forms at least one fluid connection between a condensation side and an evaporation side of the heat pipes.

6. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 5, wherein the capillary structure in the heat pipes is arranged such that at least a portion of a heating fluid is forced to flow from the condensation side back to the evaporation side.

7. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 1, wherein the lattice structure is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, ceramics, composites, and any combination thereof.

8. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 7, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, brass, copper, bronze, steel, and alloys.

9. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 7, wherein the plastic is selected from the group consisting of PVC, polyurethane, and a combination thereof.

10. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 6, wherein the heating fluid is a medium selected from the group consisting of water, water with additive, and coolant.

11. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor disposed in an area of the pressure jacket and selected from the group consisting of pressure sensor and temperature sensor.

12. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 1, wherein the pressure jacket has an end zone formed with at least one annular groove which is in fluid communication with the heat pipes.

13. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 1 for use in the plasticization of plastics and/or rubber for making an injection-molded part or an extruded part.

14. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 1, wherein the pressure jacket is made of two parts and includes an outer tube having an inner wall surface formed with grooves, and an inner tube to close the grooves to thereby form the heat pipes.

15. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 1, further comprising an insulation in coaxial surrounding relationship to the pressure jacket.

16. The plasticizing cylinder of claim 15, wherein the insulation is made of glass wool or glass braiding.