Blank Mold Cooling Valves for Glass Wall Thickness Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glass container forming machines face challenges in managing the temperature of the blank mold due to manual adjustments of cooling fluid flow, leading to inconsistent cooling and non-uniform elongation of glass parisons, resulting in variable wall thickness in the finished containers.
Innovation Solution
A glass forming machine with remotely controllable flow control valves for each sector of the blank mold, allowing precise adjustment of cooling fluid flow through axial cooling channels to compensate for inhomogeneous glass gobs and achieve asymmetric temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual adjustment of flow restrictors is used to control cooling fluid flow, then the cooling system can be operated with simple structure, but the temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of flow restrictors with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect mold temperature and electronically controlled valves to adjust cooling fluid flow. This substitution eliminates manual intervention and provides precise, consistent temperature control without requiring complex manual adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where temperature sensors continuously monitor the blank mold temperature, and the control system adjusts the cooling fluid flow rate based on the measured temperature deviations from the target setpoint. This closed-loop feedback ensures precise temperature control and eliminates the need for manual recalibration.
2Device complexity
If flow restrictors with step adjustments are used, then the device complexity is low, but the temperature regulation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static flow restrictors with dynamically adjustable flow control valves that can continuously vary the cooling fluid flow rate based on real-time temperature feedback. This dynamic adjustment capability allows for precise control of cooling rates and enables the system to adapt to changing thermal conditions in the mold.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous variation of the cooling fluid flow rate parameter rather than relying on discrete step adjustments. The control system can modulate the flow rate smoothly and precisely, allowing for fine-tuned temperature control and eliminating the coarse adjustments inherent in step-based flow restrictors.
3Ease of operation
If uniform cooling is applied to the blank mold, then the system operation is simple, but the glass container quality deteriorates due to non-uniform elongation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the blank mold into multiple independently controllable zones or sectors, each with its own flow control valve and temperature sensor. This allows different regions of the mold to be cooled at different rates according to the specific thermal conditions and glass gob temperature distribution in each zone, enabling precise control of local cooling rates to compensate for thermal inhomogeneity in the glass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables asymmetric cooling patterns where different sectors of the blank mold are cooled non-uniformly based on the actual thermal state of the glass gob and desired final product characteristics. This asymmetric approach allows compensation for thermal inhomogeneity in the glass and achieves more uniform elongation and wall thickness in the final glass container.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables precise temperature regulation of the blank mold, reducing glass wall thickness variations and improving the uniformity of glass containers by compensating for thermal inhomogeneity in the glass gobs.
Implementation Method 1
The blank mold may be cooled by directing a flow of cooling fluid, such as air, through axially extending cooling channels defined in the bodies of opposed mold halves
Implementation Method 2
directing a flow of cooling fluid, such as air, through axially extending cooling channels
Data Source
AI summary
A glass forming machine includes a blank mold hanger and a blank mold. The blank mold hanger includes a blank mold hanger half that supports a blank mold half and provides cooling fluid to at least one axial cooling channel defined in the blank mold half. The blank mold hanger half defines at least one cooling fluid outlet, which is in fluidic communication with the at least one axial cooling channel of the blank mold half. The blank mold hanger half additionally includes at least one flow control valve that is remotely controllable and configured to selectively adjust a flow of cooling fluid through the at least one axial cooling channel of the blank mold half. A method of cooling a blank mold is also described.