Gas-tight extruder system for processing materials in a sealed chamber

Abstract

A gas-tight extruder system for extruding material in a glovebox. The system has a modular design of a barrel holder and a drive module for drafting the extruder screws of the barrel mounted on different sides of the adapter flange. The barrel holder is removably inserted into the glovebox / isolator through a hole on the wall of the glovebox. The system includes a service access that formed by an opening of the barrel holder aligned with an opening on the glovebox's floor for servicing the components contained in the barrel holder. The barrel holder contains one or more temperature control modules that are thermally coupled to a wall of the barrel holder. The shaft of the extruder has a gas-tight seal provided by a space formed between two shaft sealing rings. The extruder includes a bracket enables single hand operation is used for mounting the barrel to the extruder.

Description

Docket No. TP387964 WO 1GAS-TIGHT EXTRUDER SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING MATERIALS IN A SEALED CHAMBERFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present description relates generally to methods and systems for extruding materials in a hermetically sealed chamber.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0002] In some examples, a gas-tight extruder system, comprises a barrel mounted on one side of an adapter flange; a drive module mounted on the opposite side of the adapter flange, wherein the drive module drives at least a shaft of the extruder; and a chamber with an opening on a wall of the chamber, wherein the barrel is removably inserted into the opening, and the opening is hermetically sealable with the adapter flange.

[0003] In some examples, a gas-tight extruder system, comprises a barrel for extruding a material within a sealed chamber; a barrel holder in thermal contact with the barrel for controlling a temperature of the barrel, and the interior of the barrel holder is hermetically sealed from an environment within the sealed chamber, wherein the barrel holder includes an opening overlapping with an opening on a wall or a floor of the sealed chamber; and at least one temperature control module positioned inside the barrel holder.

[0004] In some examples, a barrel holder of an extruder, comprises one or more temperature control modules positioned within the barrel holder, each of the one or more temperature control modules is thermally coupled to a wall of the barrel holder for controlling a temperature of the barrel, wherein the temperature control module includes a temperature sensor, a heating and cooling block, and a first spring for pressing the heating and cooling block against the wall of the barrel holder.

[0005] In some examples, a shaft sealing assembly for providing sealing to a shaft of an extruder, comprises a shaft mount within which the shaft is rotatably mounted; a first shaft sealing ring and a second sealing ring around the shaft for providing a gas-tight sealing; and a spacer ring positioned between the first shaft sealing ring and the second shaft sealing ring for providing a space around the shaft, wherein a gas channel within the shaft mount fluidically connects to the space.Docket No. TP387964 WO 1

[0006] In some examples, a bracket for mounting a barrel to an extruder, comprises a bracket front; a bracket top rotatably coupled to the bracket front; a bracket rear rotatably coupled to the bracket top; and a bracket bottom rotatably coupled to the bracket rear, wherein the bracket bottom has a flat inner surface, and an inner surface of at least one of the bracket front, the bracket top, and the bracket rear forms a sloped trench.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a standalone extruder.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view the extruder of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates the extruder of FIG.1 before being assembled with a sealed enclosure.

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a gas-tight extruder system including the extruder of FIG. 1 assembled with the sealed enclosure.

[0011] FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the gas-tight extruder system of FIG.4.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a zoomed-in view of a part of FIG. 5.

[0013] FIG. 7A shows a barrel holder mounted on the adapter flange.

[0014] FIG. 7B is a bottom view of the barrel holder.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the barrel holder and various components within.

[0016] FIG. 9A illustrates an assembled temperature control module.

[0017] FIG. 9B is an exploded view of the temperature control module of FIG. 9A.

[0018] FIG. 9C illustrates a part of the components of the temperature control module.

[0019] FIG. 9D is a semi-transparent view of a heating and cooling block among some other components of the temperature control module.

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates the shaft sealing assembly.

[0021] FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of the shaft sealing assembly.

[0022] FIG. 11B shows a section of FIG. 11 A.

[0023] FIG. 12A is a front view of a cooling flange insert.

[0024] FIG. 12B is a rear view of the cooling flange insert of FIG. 12 A.Docket No. TP387964 WO 1

[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates a semi-transparent view of the barrel holder, the shaft sealing assembly, and the cooling flange insert mounted to the adapter flange.

[0026] FIG. 14A is a semi-transparent view of the cooling flange insert and shafts feedthrough insert mounted on the adapter flange.

[0027] FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 14A.

[0028] FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a gas passage for the gas-tight sealing of the shaft.

[0029] FIG. 16A illustrates an embodiment of a bracket in a closed position.

[0030] FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the bracket of FIG. 16A, which clamped a barrel with the shaft sealing assembly.

[0031] FIG. 17 A is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 16A in an open position and mounted on the barrel.

[0032] FIG. 17B is an exploded view of the bracket of FIG. 16 A.

[0033] FIG. 18A shows a closed bracket of FIG. 16A which locks the barrel to the extruder

[0034] FIG. 18B is a closed-up view of FIG. 18 A, showing the bracket in the open position.

[0035] FIG. 19 A is a side view of a bracket according to another embodiment in an open position and mounted on the barrel.

[0036] FIG. 19B is an exploded view of the bracket of FIG. 19 A.

[0037] FIG. 20 A shows a closed bracket of FIG. 19 A relative to the barrel and barrel holder mounted on the adapter flange.

[0038] FIG. 20B is a closed-up view of FIG. 20A, showing the opened bracket.

[0039] FIG. 21 A, FIG. 21B, FIG. 21C, FIG. 21D, FIG. 21E, and FIG. 21F illustrate a process of unclamping the bracket of FIG. 16 A.

[0040] FIG. 22A illustrates one example of bracket in the closed position.

[0041] FIG. 22B illustrates the bracket of FIG. 22A coupled to the extruder.

[0042] FIG. 23 A illustrates one example of bracket in the closed position.

[0043] FIG. 23B illustrates the bracket of FIG. 23A coupled to the extruder.

[0044] Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONDocket No. TP387964 WO 1

[0045] In certain applications, materials are extruded within a gas-tight sealed chamber to separate materials from the ambient environment. The sealed chamber may be filled with a protective gas, such as an inert gas. In one example, the sealed chamber is a glovebox that is over pressured comparing to the ambient environment, so that the protective gas prevents reaction of the material with oxygen and / or water in the air. In another example, the sealed chamber is an incubator that is under pressured comparing to the ambient environment, to prevent the materials leaking from the enclosure.

[0046] The chamber is a gas-tight enclosure with multiple gloves attached to it. The gloves allow a user to access components positioned within the chamber without breaking the gas-tight seal. The interior of the chamber may be of the same or different gas pressure or gas composition comparing to the environment outside of the chamber. The environment inside of the chamber is referred as the chamber environment. The environment outside of the chamber is referred as the room environment. These environments are characterized by one or more of parameters including the gas type, the gas pressure, the humidity, and the temperature. The chamber may be a glovebox, an incubator or a laminar flow cabinet.

[0047] To extrude the material in the chamber, the entire or a partial of the extruder may be positioned within the chamber. The extruder may include a barrel, a barrel holder for supporting the barrel and controlling barrel temperature, an extruder drive module for driving the extruder screw, a control and display module for operating the extruder. Positioning the entire extruder inside the chamber can lead to significant difficulty in servicing the extruder. In the event of failure or maintenance of any part of the extruder, the user / operator need to either service the part inside the chamber or removing the part outside the chamber. Servicing the part within the chamber is cumbersome, and taking the part outside the chamber may require decontaminating the part and break the chamber environment. Further, some electrical parts of the extruder, such as the cartridges heaters and temperature sensors in the barrel holder, are designed and certificated under ambient air conditions. Under a different environment, such as under argon, these electrical parts may cause electrical security issue and have reduced lifetime. Extruder that partially located inside the chamber has some parts mounted inside the chamber, and other parts connected to the parts inside the chamber via sealed tubes, hoses, wires and mechanical components. This configuration is expensive and fragile. Further, the extruder cannot be easily tested or operated outside of the chamber without disassembling the connected parts.Docket No. TP387964 WO 1

[0048] To solve these issues, a gas-tight extruder system for processing materials within a chamber is disclosed herein. The gas-tight extruder system has a modular design that is optimized for testing and assembling. Further, the gas-tight extruder system is designed to easily operate and service the parts without affecting the chamber environment. The gas-tight extruder system includes temperature control module for efficient cooling and heating, and gas shaft sealing that facilitates extruding in either over or under pressured chamber environment. The gas-tight extruder system also includes a single-hand operated bracket for locking the barrel to the rest of the extruder system.

[0049] In one aspect, a gas-tight extruder system includes an adapter flange, a barrel mounted on one side of the adapter flange, a drive module mounted on the opposite side of the adapter flange, and a chamber with an opening on a wall of the . The barrel is removably inserted into the opening of the chamber. The opening is hermetically sealed by the adapter flange when the barrel holder is inserted. By positioning the barrel within the chamber and the drive module outside of the chamber, the drive module may be serviced and adjusted outside of the chamber, without breaking the chamber environment.

[0050] The barrel may be mounted on a barrel holder. The barrel holder encloses at least one temperature control module to control the temperature of the material extruding from the barrel. The drive module includes one or more actuators for rotating the shaft coupled to the barrel. The adapter flange may be a flat panel.

[0051] The barrel and the barrel holder can be removably inserted into the opening of the chamber with the barrel, the barrel holder, and the drive module all mounted on the adapter flange. As such, the extruder can operate independently, both outside and inside the glovebox, without dismounting the barrel or the barrel holder from the drive module. This enables one to test and adjust the extruder in the room environment before assembling it with the chamber.

[0052] The gas-tight extruder system includes a housing for enclosing the drive module. The adapter flange may be fixed to the housing. The barrel and / or the barrel holder may be removably inserted into the chamber by sliding the housing relative to the chamber. As such, the barrel and / or the barrel holder may be easily inserted in or removed out of the chamber.

[0053] The gas-tight extruder system also includes a cooling flange insert with a gas input for flowing a gas to the shaft for providing a gas-tight sealing of the shaft. The cooling flange insert optionally include inlet and outlet for the cooling medium to cool the shaft. The cooling flange insert is mounted on the same side as the drive module relative to the adapter flange. ByDocket No. TP387964 WO 1 keeping the inlet and outlet of the gas and cooling medium outside of the chamber in the gastight extruder system, additional tubing and sealing through the chamber wall are avoided.

[0054] In an assembled gas-tight extruder system, at least part of the casing / housing of the barrel holder is within the chamber. The environment within the casing of the barrel holder is referred as the barrel holder environment. The interior of the barrel holder is hermetically sealed from the interior of the chamber. That is, the barrel holder environment is separated from the chamber environment. As such, the components within the barrel holder, such as the temperature sensor, may operate under the barrel holder environment, different from the chamber environment and / or the room environment. In one example, the components within the barrel holder may operate in an environment similar to the room environment, under which they were certified, while materials are extruded under argon in the glovebox environment.

[0055] The casing of the barrel holder includes an opening aligned with a second opening on a wall or a floor of the chamber when the barrel holder is inserted in the chamber. The user can service the components within the barrel holder via the opening of the barrel holder, without breaking the chamber environment.

[0056] In one aspect, a gas-tight extruder system includes a barrel for extruding a material within a chamber, a barrel holder in thermal contact with the barrel for controlling the temperature of the barrel. The interior of the barrel holder is hermetically sealed from the chamber environment. The barrel holder includes an opening overlapping with an opening on a wall or a floor of the chamber. At least one temperature control module is positioned inside the barrel holder. The temperature control module includes at least one temperature sensor. As such, the components within the barrel holder, such as the temperature sensor, may operate under the barrel holder environment, different from the chamber environment. The temperature control module can be serviced via the opening of the barrel holder and the opening on the wall or the floor of the chamber.

[0057] The gas-tight extruder system may further include a door covering the overlapped opening of the barrel holder and opening of the wall or the floor of the chamber.

[0058] The barrel may be a split barrel that includes an upper barrel and a lower barrel. By removing the upper barrel from the lower barrel, the extruder screw(s) are exposed. The gastight extruder system may include a plurality of temperature control modules positioned along the length of the split barrel. As such, it is possible to control the temperature of different sections of the barrel.Docket No. TP387964 WO 1

[0059] In one example, the wall of the barrel holder is in direct contact with at least a wall of the barrel. In another example, the barrel holder is sealed with a thermal transfer plate that is in direct contact with at least a wall of the barrel. The temperature control module is in direct contact with the thermal transfer plate. In yet another example, the barrel holder is sealed with a wall of the barrel. As such, the barrel is fixedly mounted on the barrel holder.

[0060] In one aspect, a barrel holder for an extruder includes one or more temperature control modules positioned within the barrel holder, the one or more temperature control modules thermally coupled to a wall of the barrel holder for controlling a temperature of a barrel. The temperature control module includes a temperature sensor, a heating and cooling block, and a first spring for pressing the heating and cooling block against the wall of the barrel holder. The first spring ensures physical contact of the heating and cooling block with the barrel holder's wall even when there is movement (vertical and / or translational) and / or deformation of the wall due to temperature change. By having one heating and cooling block for both heating and cooling, the temperature control module is more compact and efficient comparing to using separate blocks for cooling or heating.

[0061] The wall that the heating and cooling block is pushed against may be a thermal transfer plate. The thermal transfer plate may further seal the interior of the barrel holder from the glovebox environment. In another example, the barrel is directly and fixedly mounted on the barrel holder, without the thermal transfer plate. The wall that the heating and cooling block is pushed against is a wall of the barrel. The wall of the barrel also seals the barrel holder from the chamber environment.

[0062] The heating and cooling block may include an internal cooling channel embedded within the heating and cooling block for flowing a cooling medium. The heating and cooling block further includes at least one hole in the body of block for receiving a cartridge heater. The distance between the cooling channel and the wall of the barrel holder is substantially the same as a distance between the hole and the wall of the barrel holder. As such, the thermal conduction time from the cooling channel to the barrel is the same as the thermal conduction time from the cartridge heater to the barrel, so that the heating and cooling efficiencies (or transfer time) provided by the temperature control module are the same.

[0063] The barrel holder may further include a second spring for pressing the temperature sensor against the wall of the barrel holder for measuring the surface temperature. In oneDocket No. TP387964 WO 1 example, the second spring presses the temperature sensor against the wall of the barrel holder through a through hole of the heating and cooling block.

[0064] A barrel, such as a split barrel may be mounted onto the barrel holder. The barrel is in direct contact with the wall of the barrel holder. The wall of the barrel holder, as well as the wall of the barrel which is in contact with the wall of the barrel holder, may both be flat to facilitate maximum heat transfer. In one example, the barrel's bottom surface is in direct contact with the top surface of the barrel holder. The barrel holder can further support the barrel. Multiple temperature control modules may be positioned along the surface of the barrel holder for control the temperature of different sections of the barrel. In another example, the barrel’s bottom surface is permanently fixed to the barrel holder and provides hermetical sealed the barrel holder from the chamber environment. The temperature control modules and the temperature sensor are in direct contact with the barrel’s bottom surface.

[0065] Depending on the application and operating parameters, pressure differences among the internal of the barrel (such as the conveyor channel within which the extruder screw is positioned), the chamber environment, and the extruder drive module (under ambient pressure), materials or gases may leak from one part of the system to another. To address this issue, a gas-tight shaft seal is provided around the shaft.

[0066] In one aspect, a shaft sealing assembly for providing gas-tight sealing to a shaft of an extruder includes a shaft mount within which the shaft is rotatably mounted; a first shaft sealing ring and a second sealing ring around the shaft for providing a gas-tight sealing; and a spacer ring positioned between the first shaft sealing ring and the second shaft sealing ring for providing a space around the shaft, wherein a gas channel within the shaft mount fluidically connects to the space. As such, inert gas may be flown into the space to provide a substantially constant pressure. The gas channel is the only channel fluidically connected to the space. The constant pressure may either higher or lower than the pressure external to the extruder. The gas causes a pressure difference across the shaft sealing ring and increase the sealing effect by increasing the pressure of the sealing ring exerted against the shaft and the shaft mount. The sealing ring may be a C-ring. Further, by creating a substantially constant pressure without gas flow in the space around the shaft, the usage of the inert gas may be reduced.

[0067] At least a part of the extruder may be positioned in a chamber, and a gas pressure in the space can be adjusted based on a pressure within the chamber for providing sufficientDocket No. TP387964 WO 1 sealing. The shaft sealing assembly may include one or more wall insert rings for providing gas-tight seal between the shaft mount and a wall of the chamber.

[0068] A cooling flange may be coupled to the shaft sealing assembly, wherein the cooling flange include a cooling channel for flowing a cooling medium. The cooling flange provides active cooling to reduce the temperature load due to wear and friction at the shaft. The cooling flange may further include a gas connection fluidically connected to the gas channel.

[0069] The extruder barrel is often coupled to the rest of the extruder with a standard triclamp clamp connection according to ISO 2852, EN ISO 1127 or DIN32676. The tri-clamp usually consists of two semi-circular terminals with internal surface fitting the flange sockets / adapters. By tightening the clamp, the terminals press against two attached flange sockets and lock the two flanges together. To remove the clamp, the two terminals must be folded out over the outer contour of the round flange socket to release the positive fit between the flange and the tri-clamp. This requires large clearance around the barrel at the joints. Further, attaching and removing the tri-clamp requires two hands, so that the released clamp does not fall off from the extruder. The fall-off parts may scratch the rest of the extruder, cause damage to the part, and / or put the user at risk. It is also cumbersome to pick up the fall-off parts inside the chamber.

[0070] In one aspect, a bracket for mounting a barrel to an extruder includes a bracket front, a bracket top, a bracket rear rotatably coupled to the bracket top, and a bracket bottom rotatably coupled to the bracket rear. The bracket front may be ratably coupled to the bracket top or the bracket bottom. The bracket bottom has a flat inner surface, and an inner surface of at least one of the bracket front, the bracket top, and the bracket rear forms a sloped trench. The side walls of the sloped trench can press the barrel against of the shaft mount to achieve secure connection and sealing. In some examples, the sloped trench is V-shaped. By rotationally connecting the parts of the bracket, the space required for locking and removing the bracket is reduced. The flat inner surface of the bottom bracket allows it to be smoothly inserted into a hole under the barrel and stay connected to the extruder when securing and releasing the bracket. In some examples, the barrel is a split barrel.When the bracket front is rotatably coupled to the bracket top, the bracket bottom can be inserted into a hole locates under a lower barrel of the split barrel.

[0071] When the bracket is in the closed / locked position, the bracket front is engaged with the bracket bottom. The bracket top, the bracket rear, the bracket bottom, and the bracket frontDocket No. TP387964 WO 1 form a rectangle. The rectangular shape matches the outlines of the adapters of the barrel and the shaft mount. The flat inner surface of the bracket bottom is in direct contact with a flat surface of the barrel when the barrel is mounted to the extruder. The bracket disclosed herein can be operated (locked and / or unlocked) with a single hand.

[0072] The figures below show example embodiments of the gas-tight extruder system. The sealed chamber is shown and referred to as a glovebox for an example. The glovebox may be replaced by other sealed chambers such as the isolator or the incubator.

[0073] FIG.l and FIG. 2 show the assembled and exploded view of extruder 102, respectively. The extruder 102 includes a housing 104, and a barrel holder 110 coupled to the housing 104. As shown in FIG. 1, the barrel 116 can be removably mounted to the barrel holder 110. The electronics 204 for controlling the operation of the extruder, and the extruder drive module 202 for driving the extruder screw inside the barrel, are enclosed in the housing 104. The side opening 114 of the barrel holder 110 is coupled to one side of the adapter flange 106, while the extruder drive module 202 is coupled to the other side of the adapter flange 106. The adapter flange 106 is fixed to the side of housing 104. The bottom 108 of barrel holder has an opening that is overlapped with an opening on the floor of a glove box. The housing 104 may be mounted on casters so that the entire extruder 102 can slide one the floor. As such, the barrel holder can be inserted into the opening of the glovebox by sliding the entire extruder against the glovebox. A user input / output 112 may be coupled or integrated into the housing 104 for receiving user input and / or displaying information to the user.

[0074] There are no other components under the barrel holder 110. In this way, the barrel holder 110 can be removably inserted into a glovebox as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, while the rest of the extruder (such as the housing 104 and the user input / output 112) remains outside of the glovebox. The barrel holder may be removably inserted to the glovebox while the barrel holder 110 is attached to the housing 104 via the adapter flange 106. As such, the extruder can operate either with or without the glovebox assembled to it. This facilitates testing or servicing the extruder in the room environment before assembled it with the glovebox. Further, by leaving the housing 104 outside of the glovebox 302, the electronics 204 within the housing 104 can operate under the room environment, such as under ambient content / pressure and temperature.

[0075] FIG. 3 illustrates the gas-tight extruder system 314 with the extruder 102 outside of the glovebox 302. This system may be in a pre-assembled stage, when the extruder 102 is testedDocket No. TP387964 WO 1 under room environment. FIG. 4 is the gas-tight extruder system 314, with the extruder 102 assembled with the glovebox 302. The gas-tight extruder system 314 provides a contained, controlled, and airtight environment for processing and / or manufacturing materials. The material is kept under the glovebox environment, which can be either over pressured to prevent material from contacting air or under pressured to prevent harmful material leaking from the glovebox and endanger the operator. The confined internal space 312 of the glovebox 302 is defined in part by the glovebox floor 304 and glovebox walls 310. The glovebox 302 has a floor opening 306 on the glovebox floor 304, and a wall opening 308 on the glovebox wall 310. The extruder 102 can be inserted into the internal space 312 via the wall opening 308 and engaged with the glovebox 302 by securing the adapter flange 106 to the glovebox wall 310. The adapter flange 106 is hermetically sealed against the glovebox wall 310. The adapter flange 106 is flat and may be of similar shape as the wall opening 308. The adapter flange 106 hermetically seals the wall opening 308 in the assembled system. Once the extruder 102 is inserted and engaged with the glovebox 302, as shown in FIG. 4, the opening at the bottom 108 of the barrel holder 110 is aligned with the floor opening 306 of glovebox 302. The interior of the barrel holder 110 is hermetically sealed from the glovebox environment. As such, the electronics and sensors enclosed in the barrel holder 110 can be serviced via the floor opening 306 without breaking the glovebox environment.

[0076] In some examples, a plurality of gas-tight extruder systems can be linked together, so that materials from one system can be directly transferred to another system. The gas-tight extruder systems may include extruder upstream equipment(s) and / or extruder downstream equipment(s).

[0077] In some examples, more than one extruder may be mounted to a single glovebox.

[0078] The modular design of the gas-tight extruder system 314 simplifies and facilitates production and testing of the system. It enables the extruder to be tested before being assembled to the glovebox. For example, the barrel holder can be tested so that it is properly sealed before being exposed to the glovebox environment. The extruder 102 can work on its own, and also within the glovebox 302, with no adjustment to the extruder 102 itself.

[0079] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-section view of the gas-tight extruder system 314, with the extruder 102 assembled with the glovebox 302. The barrel holder 110 is hermetically sealed from the glovebox environment. A plurality of temperature control modules are positioned within the barrel holder 110 to control the heating and cooling of the barrel 116. Hoppers 506Docket No. TP387964 WO 1 are attached to the barrel 116 for feeding materials into the conveyor channel of the barrel. The temperature control modules may be serviced via the service access 502 from the bottom of the barrel holder 110, without breaking the environment internal of the glovebox or the barrel. The service access 502 is formed by the opening at the bottom 108 of the barrel holder and the floor opening 306 of the glovebox 302. In some examples, the service access 502 may be closed or sealed with a service door. If the service access 502 is hermetically sealed with the service door, the interior of the barrel holder may be under an environment (i.e. , barrel holder environment) different from the glovebox environment and the room environment.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a zoomed-in view of a part of FIG. 5. The sealing adapter 606 and sealing adapter 608 hermetically seal the bottom of the barrel holder 110 and the glovebox floor 304. The sealing adapter 602 and sealing adapter 604 hermetically seal the adapter flange 106 and the glovebox wall 310. These sealing elements provide the gas-tight sealing between the adapter flange and the glovebox’s wall. The barrel holder 110 encloses multiple temperature control modules and valves 610 for controlling the flow of the cooling medium to the temperature control modules.

[0081] FIG. 7A shows the barrel holder 110 attached to the adapter flange 106. The extruder shafts 1020 are driven by the extruder drive module 202 of FIG. 2, located within the housing 104. The shafts 1020 are extended through the adapter flange 106 into the glovebox 302. The extruder screws, positioned in the conveyor channel of the barrel, can be coupled to the shafts 1020. By rotating the shafts, the extruder screws knead and move the materials along the conveyor channel of the barrel. The top surface / wall of the barrel holder 110 is flat.

[0082] FIG. 7B shows the bottom view (in direction 704 of FIG. 7A) of the barrel holder 110 with the internal components removed. The barrel holder 110 has two openings. The bottom opening 714 locates at the bottom of the barrel holder 110. The barrel holder 110 also has a side opening 114 fixed to the adapter flange 106. The electronics within the barrel holder 110 may be connected to the electronics 204 located within the housing 104 via the side opening 114. Further, pipes for flowing the cooling medium through the temperature control modules may pass through the side opening 114.

[0083] The interior of the barrel holder 110 is sealed from glovebox environment. Moreover, the internal of the barrel holder is also sealable from the room environment by a service door (not shown) covering the service access (formed in part by bottom opening 714). For servicing the sensors and valves within the barrel holder, the user can open the service door withoutDocket No. TP387964 WO 1 affecting the glovebox environment. As such, it avoided the complex gas cleaning / treatment and decontamination of the interior of the glovebox after maintenance / service work. In addition, the components in the barrel holder (barrel segment heating, cooling, control valves and temperature measuring devices for the barrel zones) can be held under the barrel holder environment separate from the glovebox environment, as well as the room environment, so that they are protected from contamination. As such, the service life of the components (valves, heating / cooling elements, sensors) increases, and the components may operate under their specified / certified condition. For maintenance / service, the service door can be removed, and the affected components can be accessed through the service access.

[0084] FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the barrel 116 and barrel holder 110. The extruder screw 802 is positioned within the conveyor channel 818 of barrel 116. A plurality of temperature control modules 902 are enclosed within the barrel holder 110 for controlling the temperature of the barrel 116. Herein, each of the temperature control module 902 includes a single copper block 810 for both cooling and heating. The copper block functions as a cooling and heating block. The cooling and heating block is constructed using copper for faster heat conduction and better heat distribution. Other heat conduction materials may also be used. Multiple heat conducting modules are spaced along the length of the barrel. Each of the cooling / heating block is thermally coupled to the barrel. Herein, the top surface of the copper block 810 is in direct contact with the top wall of the barrel holder, which is formed with a thermal transfer plate 816. The thermal transfer plate 816 also provide gas-tight seal for the barrel holder 110 from the glovebox environment. The barrel 116 is a split barrel consisting of an upper barrel 812 and a lower barrel 814. The upper barrel 812 is removably mounted to the lower barrel 814. By removing the upper barrel 812 from the lower barrel 814, the conveyor channel 818, and the extruder screw 802 positioned within, can be exposed.

[0085] In some examples, the thermal transfer plate 816 may be omitted. The lower barrel 814 may be directly mounted onto the barrel holder, and the bottom of the lower barrel 814 provides the hermetic sealing for the barrel holder. The temperature control modules 902 are in direct contact with the bottom of the lower barrel 814.

[0086] FIG. 9 A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C and FIG. 9D show the construction of a temperature control module 902. FIG. 9A is an assembled temperature control module. FIG. 9B is an exploded view of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C shows part of the temperature module in an exploded view.Docket No. TP387964 WO 1FIG. 9D is a semi-transparent view of the copper block showing the internal cooling channel. The cooling medium can be selected from water, oil or air, with or without coolant additives.

[0087] Each temperature control module includes a heating and cooling block (e.g., copper block 810) and a temperature sensor 910. Cooling lines 808 are fluidically connected to the internal cooling channels 914 embedded in the copper block 810. Cooling medium may flow through the cooling line 808 for cooling the copper block 810, as shown by arrows 908. The internal cooling channel 914 runs parallel to the top surface 924 of copper block 810. The flow of the cooling medium to the temperature control module may be controlled by one or more corresponding valves (not shown in FIGS. 9A-9D) positioned within the barrel holder 110. The copper block 810 include two holes 912. Each of the holes 912 can receive one cartridge heater 906 for heating the copper block 810. Spring 920 presses the copper block 810 against the wall (e.g., thermal transfer plate 816 of FIG.8) of the barrel holder 110, so that the copper block 810 is in direct constant physical contact with the wall of the barrel holder 110 for heating and cooling the barrel 116. The copper block 810 includes a through hole allowing the temperature sensor 916 to feed through. The temperature sensor spring 918 pushes the temperature sensor 910 against the wall of the barrel holder 110.

[0088] Each temperature control module provides both heating and cooling to the barrel via a single heating and cooling block (such as the copper block 810). Specifically, the heating and cooling block is cooled by the cooling medium flowing in the internal cooling channel of the heating and cooling block; and heated by the cartridge heater inserted into the holes of the heating and cooling block. The location of the heating and cooling sources (the internal cooling channel and the hole for the cartridge heater) are both close to the barrel. The barrel is thermally coupled to the heating and cooling block. As such, the barrel may be effectively cooled and heated. The distance of the heating or cooling source to the barrel are substantially the same, so that the barrel may be cooled and heated with the same thermal conduction time. For example, the distances from the internal cooling channel 914 and the holes 912 to the thermal transfer plate 816 are the same. Comparing to separate, stacked, blocks for either heating and cooling, herein, the single unit and integrated heating and cooling block can avoid unnecessary thermal transitions between the heating blocks, such as heat transfer from a cooling block to the barrel via a heating block stacked between the cooling block and the barrel. Further, the single unit design is easier to service.Docket No. TP387964 WO 1

[0089] FIG. 10 shows the exploded and the assembled view of the shaft sealing assembly 1026. The two parallel shafts 1020 for driving the extruder screws are sealed by a sealing package consisting of three shaft sealing rings (1012, 1028, and 1030). The shaft sealing rings may be C-rings (or C-seals) wherein the cross-section of the ring may increase (or inflate) with pressure difference across the ring. The shaft sealing rings are kept at a distance from each other along the shaft by spacers (spacer ring 1014 and spacer ring with gas compensation 1016). A gas is provided from gas channel 1104 in the shaft mount 1006 so that a gas pressure is applied in the space between the second shaft sealing ring 1028 and the third shaft sealing ring 1030, near the spacer ring with gas compensation 1016, which inflates the sealing rings and thus making the sealing rings pressing more reliably against the shafts and the shaft mount to achieve increased sealing. A pair of shafts 1020 feed through the shaft mount 1006 and into the glovebox. For each shaft 1020, the shaft sealing assembly 1026 provides a spacer ring 1014 and a spacer ring with gas compensation 1016 sandwiched among the three shaft sealing rings. The first shaft sealing rings 1012, spacer ring 1014, spacer ring with gas compensation 1016, second shaft sealing ring 1028, spacer ring with gas compensation 1016, third shaft sealing ring 1030, and a plain bearing bushing 1018 are sequentially mounted to a shaft mount 1006 via the top mounting brackets 1004 and screws 1002. The barrel positioning pin 1008 aligns the barrel 116 relative to the shaft sealing assembly 1026. The wall insert rings 1022 provide sealing between the shaft sealing assembly 1026 and adapter flange 106, as well as the sealing for the gas channel 1104 in the shaft mount 1006. -

[0090] FIG. 11A is a partial cross-section view of the shaft sealing assembly 1026. The shaft sealing assembly 1026 is mounted on the adapter flange 106. The shaft mount 1006 has an adapter 1110 for coupling the barrel to the shaft mount 1006. FIG. 1 IB shows section 1102 of FIG. 11 A. FIGS. 12A and 12B show gas being introduced along a gas channel 1104 within the shaft mount 1006, into space 1106 around the shaft 1020, near the spacer ring with gas compensation 1016. There is no gas outlet connecting to space 1106. As such, space 1106 may be maintained to be over-pressured. There is no or minimal gas flow in the space 1106. As such, gas consumption for providing the shaft sealing is reduced. The over pressure gas sealing increases the force of the sealing rings to the rotation shaft and improve the sealing of them. Further, the overpressure sealing ensures that no gas of the glovebox and / or room atmosphere can pass the sealings. In one example, argon is used for gas sealing. The overpressure inert gas system can protect the highly oxygen reactive material processed in the glovebox. The gasDocket No. TP387964 WO 1 sealing may also prevent the transport of room air external to the glovebox from entering the glovebox. For example, it prevents oxygen from the extruder drive module traveling along the high-speed shafts and entering the final product. In some examples, other types of gas, such as nitrogen, or a combination of different gases may be used for gas sealing. In some examples, the space 1106 may be under pressured or under vacuum. In this case, the sealing rings may be arranged differently so that they can be inflated by the pressure different across them and provide increased sealing force.

[0091] To protect the shaft sealing from excessive overheating due to high speed (e.g., over 1000 rpm) shaft rotation or due to increased force through the pressured sealings, as well as to increase the service life of the seals and plain bearing bushings, the shaft sealing assembly 1026 is actively cooled with a cooling medium to maintain the optimum operating temperature. The active cooling can also reduce the heat transfer from the hot extruder screws to the sealing construction. This avoids heat built up in the shaft sealing due to high process temperature, which may destroy the sealing package.

[0092] FIG. 12A is a semi-transparent front view of a cooling flange insert 1202 for actively cooling the shaft sealing assembly 1026. The cooling flange insert 1202 includes a holder 1206 for receiving the shaft sealing assembly 1026. The cooling flange insert 1202 includes two positioning holes 1204. The cooling channel 1208 embedded within the cooling flange insert 1202 is arranged in a meander shape, around the holder 1206, to ensure heat exchange through a large surface area and long heat exchange zones. The cooling medium flows into the cooling channel 1208 via coolant inlet 1212 and flows out of the cooling channel 1208 via the coolant outlet 1214. The coolant inlet and outlet can be switched. The cooling flange insert 1202 also provides a gas connection 1210 for providing gas into the gas channel 1104 and to the space 1106, to provide the gas sealing. The gas connection 1210 only flows gas into the shaft sealing assembly 1026, without gas outlet from the shaft sealing assembly 1026.

[0093] FIG. 12B shows the cooling flange insert 1202 viewing from direction 1216 of FIG. 12A.

[0094] FIG. 13 is a semi-transparent view of the shaft sealing assembly 1026 and cooling flange insert 1202 mounted to the adapter flange 106. The barrel holder 110 is also mounted to the adapter flange 106, from an opposite side of the adapter flange comparing to the cooling flange insert. The shafts 1020 feed through the shaft sealing assembly 1026 and can be coupled to the extruder screws in the barrel.Docket No. TP387964 WO 1

[0095] FIG. 14A is a semi-transparent view of the cooling flange insert and shafts feedthrough insert mounted on the adapter flange, viewed from direction 1302 of FIG. 13. The cooling medium can flow through the cooling channel 1208 via coolant inlet 1212 and coolant outlet 1214. The gas is fed into the gas channel 1104 via gas connection 1210 for providing the gas sealing.

[0096] FIG. 14B is a cross-section view in the direction 1402 shown in FIG. 14A. The shafts 1020 go through the adapter flange 106.

[0097] FIG. 15 illustrates the gas flow for the shaft sealing via gas connection 1210. The gas flows inside the cooling flange insert 1202 sequentially along the gas channel 1104 through the sealing spacer ring with gas compensation 1016 to the pressurized space 1106 support the sealing.

[0098] The system shown in FIGS. 11-15 can be actively cooled by the cooling medium and also actively sealed with gas (such as Argon, Nitrogen, or other inert gases). A gas-tight seal may introduce higher wear, as the higher contact forces cause greater friction and cause the seal to heat up. This disadvantage has been eliminated by the actively applied cooling.

[0099] In some examples, the pressure of the gas in the shaft sealing system is adjusted based on the pressure in the glovebox. The gas pressure is set so that the sealing rings are inflated and provided sufficient sealing force, which reduces wear and increases the service life. The same gas used in the glovebox can be used for providing the shaft sealing to prevent environment change within the glovebox.

[0100] In some examples, the gas pressure around the shaft is regulated based on specific application to counteract the various pressures in the conveyor channel.

[0101] The gas-sealing shaft and the active cooling systems can be used individually or in combination, depending on the specific application. In one example, the active cooling system is used for standard applications, without a gas-pressure shaft seal, in order to dissipate the friction temperature in shaft feedthroughs and / or provide a thermically stop of the process temperature through the screws to the extruder drive module. In another example, the gaspressure shaft seal package could also be fitted to slow-rotating shafts (e.g. dosing screws) without the active cooling such as in a low process temperature compounder application like granulation process. This is because low heating and wear are expected due to the low speed, but an increased tightness is still required in a glovebox application.Docket No. TP387964 WO 1

[0102] In some examples, instead of a parallel twin-screw extruder shown here, the gassealing and active cooling system can be adapted to other types of extruders such as the conical twin-screw extruders or single-screw extruders.

[0103] In some examples, other forms of the cooling channel are also conceivable, the form used here is to realize a cooling section as long as possible in a compact installation space in order to be able to absorb as much heat as possible.

[0104] For the sealing by means of the gas-pressure shaft sealing package presented here, at least two opposing shaft sealing rings are necessary; the first, front shaft sealing ring (first shaft sealing ring 1012) could be omitted in case of lack of space. The first shaft sealing ring blocks the pressure from the extruder screw side such as the overpressure within the glovebox or during the cleaning of the barrel with a cleaning medium like water.

[0105] FIG. 16A shows an example of bracket 1602 for coupling the barrel 116 to the shaft mount 1006 that is mounted to the adapter flange 106. The closed bracket has a rectangular shape. That is, the bracket is formed by four straight posts (bracket top 1702, bracket rear 1712, bracket bottom 1714, and bracket front 1710). The bracket front 1710 is rotatably coupled to the bracket top 1702. The bracket top 1702 is rotatably coupled to the bracket rear 1712. The bracket rear 1712 is rotatably coupled to the bracket bottom 1714. By locking the bracket front 1710 with the bracket bottom 1714 via the wing screw 1604, the bracket is closed. The surfaces of the bracket front 1710, bracket top 1702, bracket rear 1712, and bracket bottom 1714 that facing the interior of the rectangular are inner surfaces. The inner surfaces of the bracket are compressed against the adapter of the barrel and the adapter of the shaft mount to lock the barrel to the shaft mount. The inner surface 1608 of bracket bottom 1714 is flat. At least one of the 1610 of bracket rear 1712, inner surface 1612 of bracket top 1702, and inner surface 1614 of bracket front 1710 forms a sloped trench for engaging the adapters of the barrel and the shaft mount.

[0106] FIG. 16B is a top cross-sectional view showing the bracket 1602 locked the barrel 116 with the shaft mount 1006 of the shaft sealing assembly, viewing against direction 704 of FIG. 7A. The shaft mount 1006 is mounted to the adapter flange 106. By coupling the bracket 1602 to the barrel 116, the shafts 1020 extended through the shaft mount 1006 are coupled to the twin extruder screws 1606 housed within the conveyor channel 1616 of barrel 116, so that the extruder screw 1606 can be rotatably driven by the shaft 1020. The bracket 1602 is locked by operating wing screw 1604. Both the bracket rear 1712 and the bracket bottom 1714 have innerDocket No. TP387964 WO 1 surfaces 1610 and 1614 that are in the sloped trench shape. The adapter 1618 of the barrel and the adapter 1110 of the shaft mount 1006 each has a protruding rim that fits together in the sloped trench. The walls of the sloped trench can press against the adapters when the bracket is closed. By locking the bracket 1602 with the wing screw 1604, the bracket exerts pressure to the adapters and pushing the barrel and the shaft mount against each other.

[0107] FIG. 17A is a side view of the bracket 1602 viewing from direction 712 of FIG. 7A. The bracket 1602 is in an open position. The bracket bottom 1714 has a flat inner surface and is inserted into a hole located underneath the barrel 116.

[0108] FIG. 17B is an exploded view of the bracket 1602. The bracket rear 1712 and bracket front 1710 is rotatably coupled to the bracket top 1702 via the rods 1704. The bracket bottom 1714 is rotatably coupled to the 1712 via the insert 1706. The bracket bottom 1714 has a flat inner surface that can be inserted between the barrel 116 and top surface (such as the thermal transfer plate) of the barrel holder 110. The flat surface ensures that the opened bracket 1602 can be attached to the extruder in the unlocked state without other support. As such, the user can operate the bracket 1602 to lock or unlock the barrel 116 to the shaft mount 1006 with a single hand, which facilitates the user to operate the extruder in the glovebox via the gloves. The bracket 1602 securely lock the barrel 116 against the shaft mount 1006 via the bracket front 1710 by rotating / inserting the wing screw 1604.

[0109] FIG. 18A shows the bracket 1602 couples the barrel with the shaft mount, in a closed / locked position. FIG. 18B shows the bracket 1602 in an open position.

[0110] FIG. 19 A shows another example bracket 1902 in an open position for coupling the barrel 116 to the shaft mount.

[0111] FIG. 19B shows an assembled bracket 1902 and its parts in an exploded view. Similar to bracket 1602, bracket 1902 forms a rectangular shape when locked, to facilitate single- handed operation (locking / unlocking). The rectangular shape of the locked bracket 1902 is formed by the bracket top 1908, the bracket rear 1918, the bracket bottom 1910, and the bracket front 1912. The bracket top 1908 is rotatably coupled to the bracket rear 1918 by a rod 1906. The bracket rear 1918 is rotatably coupled to the bracket bottom 1910 by a rod 1906. The bracket bottom 1910 is rotatably coupled to the bracket front 1912 via the insert 1904. The eye bolt 1916 is rotatably coupled to bracket top 1908 via the insert 1904. The bracket 1902 can be locked by operating the wing nut 1914 to insert the eye bolt 1916 into the notch of the bracket front 1912. The inner surface of the bracket bottom 1910 is flat. At least one of the innerDocket No. TP387964 WO 1 surfaces of the bracket top 1908, bracket rear 1918, and bracket front 1912 has a trench shape adapted to couple the adapters of the barrel and the shaft mount.

[0112] FIG. 20 A shows the bracket 1902 positioned between the barrel 116 and the top of the barrel holder 110(such as the thermal transfer plate 816 of FIG. 8), in a closed / locked position, which coupled the barrel 116 to the adapter flange 106. FIG. 20B shows the bracket 1902 in a mounted open position.

[0113] FIGS. 21A - 21F show the process of unlocking and removing the bracket 1602 that couples the barrel 116 to the shaft mount. From the locked position shown in FIG. 21 A, the user can hold the wing screw 1604 with one hand, rotating and lifting the wing screw 1604 as shown sequentially in FIG. 21B, FIG. 21C, FIG. 21D, and FIG. 21E. Finally, the bracket 1602 can be removed by pulling the bracket bottom 1714 away from the barrel 116, as shown in FIG. 21F.

[0114] FIGS. 22 A - 22F show the process of unlocking and removing the bracket 1602 that couples the barrel 116 to the shaft mount. From the locked position shown in FIG. 21 A, the user can hold the wing screw 1604 with one hand, rotating and lifting the wing screw 1604 as shown sequentially in FIG. 21B, FIG. 21C, FIG. 21D, and FIG. 21E. Finally, the bracket 1602 can be removed by pulling the bracket bottom 1714 away from the barrel 116, as shown in FIG. 21F.

[0115] FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B show another example of bracket 2202. Bracket 2202 includes bracket front 2210, bracket top 2204, bracket rear 2206, and bracket bottom 2208, which form a rectangular shaped in the closed position shown in FIG. 22A. The bracket 2202 can be locked by operating bracket latch 2212, which engages the bracket bottom 2208 with the bracket front 2210. FIG. 22B shows bracket 2202 that locks the barrel 116 with extruder.

[0116] FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B show another example of bracket 2302. Bracket 2302 includes bracket front 2310, bracket top 2304, bracket rear 2306, and bracket bottom 2308, which form a rectangular shaped in the closed position shown in FIG. 23A. The bracket 2302 can be locked by operating bracket knob 2312, which engages the bracket top 2304 with the bracket front 2310.

[0117] Different from bracket 1602, bracket 1902, 2202 and 2302 cannot be inserted into the hole located underneath the barrel 116, because in these brackets, the bracket bottom is rotatably coupled to the bracket front. Therefore, bracket 1902, 2202, and 2302 need to be positioned over the barrel holder 110 before assembling the barrel 116 to the barrel holder 110.

Claims

Docket No. TP387964 WO 1CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A gas-tight extruder system, comprising: a barrel mounted on one side of an adapter flange; a drive module mounted on an opposite side of the adapter flange, wherein the drive module drives at least a shaft of the extruder; and a chamber with an opening on a wall of the chamber, wherein the barrel is removably inserted into the opening, and the opening is hermetically sealable with the adapter flange.

2. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 1, wherein an internal of the chamber is hermetically sealed from a room environment.

3. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 2, wherein the barrel is removably inserted into the opening without disassembling the barrel or the drive module from the adapter flange.

4. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 3, wherein the barrel is mounted on a barrel holder.

5. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 4, wherein the barrel and the barrel holder are removably inserted into the opening with the barrel, the barrel holder, and the drive module fixedly mounted on the adapter flange.

6. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 1, wherein the barrel is a split barrel.

7. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 1, wherein the adapter flange is a flat panel.

8. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 1, wherein the shaft extends through the adapter flange via a shaft sealing assembly.

9. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 8, further includes a cooling flange insert mounted on a same side as the drive module relative to the adapter flange, and wherein the cooling flange insert includes a gas input for flowing a gas towards the shaft for providing gas-tight sealing of the shaft.Docket No. TP387964 WO 110. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 4, wherein the barrel holder includes an opening aligned with a second opening on the wall or a floor of the chamber when the barrel holder is inserted in the chamber.

11. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 10, wherein components within the barrel holder are hermetically sealed from an environment within the chamber.

12. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 11, wherein the components within the barrel holder include at least one temperature control module.

13. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 4, further including a housing enclosing the drive module, and the housing is positioned outside of the chamber when the barrel holder is removably inserted into the chamber.

14. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 13, wherein the barrel holder is removably inserted into the chamber by sliding the housing relative to the chamber.

15. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 13, further including a user input / output coupled to the housing.

16. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 1, wherein the chamber is a glovebox, an isolator, or a laminar flow cabinet.

17. A gas-tight extruder system, comprising: a barrel for extruding a material within a sealed chamber; a barrel holder in thermal contact with the barrel for controlling a temperature of the barrel, and an interior of the barrel holder is hermetically sealed from an environment within the sealed chamber, wherein the barrel holder includes an opening overlapping with an opening on a wall or a floor of the sealed chamber; and at least one temperature control module positioned inside the barrel holder.

18. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 17, wherein the temperature control module includes at least a temperature sensor.Docket No. TP387964 WO 119. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 17, wherein the barrel is a split barrel, and the gastight extruder system includes a plurality of temperature control modules positioned along the split barrel.

20. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 17, wherein the temperature control module is accessible from an external of the sealed chamber via the opening of the barrel holder and the opening on the wall or the floor of the sealed chamber.

21. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 17, wherein the barrel holder is hermetically sealed from the environment within the sealed chamber by a heat transfer plate in direct contact with a surface of the barrel.

22. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 21, wherein the temperature control module is in direct contact with the heat transfer plate.

23. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 17, wherein the barrel holder is hermetically sealed from the environment within the sealed chamber by an external surface of the barrel.

24. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 23, wherein the temperature control module is in direct contact with the external surface of the barrel.

25. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 17, further comprising a door covering the overlapped opening of the barrel holder and opening of the wall or the floor of the sealed chamber.

26. The gas-tight extruder system of claim 17, wherein the interior of the barrel holder is hermetically sealed from the barrel.

27. A barrel holder of an extruder, comprising: one or more temperature control modules positioned within the barrel holder, each of the one or more temperature control modules is thermally coupled to a wall of the barrel holder for controlling a temperature of the barrel, wherein the temperature control module includes a temperature sensor, a heating and cooling block, and a first spring for pressing the heating and cooling block against the wall of the barrel holder.Docket No. TP387964 WO 128. The barrel holder of claim 27, wherein the wall of the barrel holder is a thermal transfer plate, and the heating and cooling block is in direct contact with the thermal transfer plate.

29. The barrel holder of claim 28, wherein the barrel is removably mounted to the barrel holder.

30. The barrel holder of claim 27, wherein the wall of the barrel holder is formed by a surface of the barrel.

31. The barrel holder of claim 27, wherein the heating and cooling block includes an internal cooling channel for flowing a cooling medium and at least one hole for receiving a cartridge heater, and a distance between the cooling channel and the wall of the barrel holder is substantially the same as a distance between the hole and the wall of the barrel holder.

32. The barrel holder of claim 27, wherein the barrel holder further includes a second spring for pressing the temperature sensor against the wall of the barrel holder for measuring a temperature of the wall.

33. The barrel holder of claim 32, wherein the heating and cooling block includes a through hole, and the second spring presses the temperature sensor against the wall of the barrel holder through the through hole.

34. The barrel holder of claim 27, wherein the barrel is a split barrel, and the wall of the barrel holder is flat.

35. The barrel holder of claim 27, wherein the barrel holder includes multiple temperature control modules aligned along the barrel.

36. A shaft sealing assembly for providing sealing to a shaft of an extruder, comprising: a shaft mount within which the shaft is rotatably mounted; a first shaft sealing ring and a second sealing ring around the shaft for providing a gastight sealing; and a spacer ring positioned between the first shaft sealing ring and the second shaft sealing ring for providing a space around the shaft, wherein a gas channel within the shaft mount fluidically connects to the space.Docket No. TP387964 WO 137. The shaft sealing assembly of claim 36, wherein the gas channel fluidically connects the space with a gas source.

38. The shaft sealing assembly of claim 36, wherein the space is either over pressured or under pressured comparing to a pressure external to the extruder.

39. The shaft sealing assembly of claim 36, wherein at least a part of the extruder is positioned a sealed chamber, and a gas pressure in the space is adjusted based on a pressure within the sealed chamber.

40. The shaft sealing assembly of claim 39, wherein the shaft sealing assembly includes at least a wall insert ring for providing seal between the shaft mount and a wall of the sealed chamber.

41. The shaft sealing assembly of claim 36, wherein the gas channel is the only channel fluidically connected to the space.

42. The shaft sealing assembly of claim 36, wherein there is substantially no gas flow of a gas in the space.

43. A cooling flange coupled to the shaft sealing assembly of claim 36, wherein the cooling flange include a cooling channel for flowing a cooling medium.

44. The cooling flange of claim 43, further includes a gas connection fluidically connected to the gas channel.

45. A bracket for mounting a barrel to an extruder, comprising: a bracket front; a bracket top; a bracket rear rotatably coupled to the bracket top; and a bracket bottom rotatably coupled to the bracket rear, wherein the bracket bottom has a flat inner surface, and an inner surface of at least one of the bracket front, the bracket top, and the bracket rear forms a sloped trench.

46. The bracket of claim 45, wherein the bracket top is rotatably coupled to the bracket front, and the bracket front is engaged with the bracket bottom when the bracket is in a locked position.Docket No. TP387964 WO 147. The bracket of claim 45, wherein the bracket bottom is rotatably coupled to the bracket front, and the bracket front is engaged with the bracket top when the bracket is in a locked position.

48. The bracket of claim 46 or 47, wherein the bracket top, the bracket rear, the bracket bottom, and the bracket front form a rectangle when the bracket is in the locked position.

49. The bracket of claim 45, wherein an internal surface of the bracket bottom is indirect contact with a flat surface of the barrel when the barrel is mounted to the extruder.

50. The bracket of claim 46, wherein the bracket bottom is operatively coupled to the barrel by slidingly inserting the bracket bottom in a hole under the barrel.

51. The bracket of claim 50, where the barrel is a split barrel including an upper barrel and a lower barrel, and the hole locates under the lower barrel.

52. The bracket of claim 45, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the bracket front, the bracket top, and the bracket rear forms a sloped trench includes the inner surface of at least one of the bracket front, the bracket top, and the bracket rear is V-shaped.

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