Thermal translator device

Abstract

A thermal translator device providing improved performance and faster expansion response, is described. Also described is an extrusion apparatus including a plurality of thermal translator devices operatively arranged for thermally actuated, localized action upon the lip. The thermal translator device includes a thermal energy source disposed within a structural member. The thermal energy source and the structural member are an integral unit. Also described is an extrusion apparatus including tie rods for a support assembly otherwise without support.

We claim:  
     
       1. Apparatus comprising a translator device comprising a thermal energy source disposed within a thermally responsive structural member in operative bearing association with a force responsive member for displacement of said force responsive member through axially-directed mechanical force, said thermal energy source and said thermally responsive structural member being inseparably utilized, and said thermally responsive structural member being a bearing column. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said structural member comprises concentric tubes. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said thermal energy source is a resistance heater, wherein an axially movable elongated member is disposed between said translator device and said force responsive member, and wherein said thermal energy source is substantially the same length as said structural member. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said structural member is a swaged tubular member. 
     
     
       5. An extrusion apparatus comprising a lip forming an exit opening having a gap which extends along the width of said apparatus, and means for automated, localized adjustment of thickness of a web exiting from said gap; said automated adjustment means comprising a translator device comprising a thermal energy source disposed within a thermally responsive structural member in operative bearing association with said lip for displacement of said lip through axially-directed mechanical force, said thermal energy source and said thermally responsive structural member being inseparably utilized, and said thermally responsive structural member being a bearing column. 
     
     
       6. The extrusion apparatus of claim  5 , wherein said automated adjustment means further comprises an axially movable elongated member having an operating end in bearing contact with said lip, and an opposite end with which a lip end of said translator device is in contact. 
     
     
       7. The extrusion apparatus of claim  6 , further comprising a body portion having a throughbore in which a portion of said elongated member reciprocally moves, wherein in a first position, said opposite end of said elongated member extends out of said throughbore for said contact by said lip end. 
     
     
       8. The extrusion apparatus of claim  5 , wherein said structural member comprises concentric tubes. 
     
     
       9. The extrusion apparatus of claim  5 , wherein said thermal energy source is a resistance heater wire wrapped around an insulating core. 
     
     
       10. The extrusion apparatus of claim  5 , wherein said structural member is a swaged tubular member. 
     
     
       11. The extrusion apparatus of claim  6 , wherein said thermal energy source is substantially the same length as said structural member. 
     
     
       12. The extrusion apparatus of claim  5 , wherein said structural member comprises steel. 
     
     
       13. An extrusion apparatus comprising a lip forming an exit opening having a gap which extends along the width of said apparatus; means for automated, localized adjustment of thickness of a web exiting from said gap, comprising a plurality of lip adjustment members in operative bearing association with said lip for displacement of said lip; a support assembly comprising a plurality of bores for receiving said lip adjustment members; and a plurality of spaced apart tie rods that tie said support assembly to a body portion of said apparatus, said support assembly being otherwise without support. 
     
     
       14. The extrusion apparatus of claim  13 , wherein said lip adjustment members are thermal translator devices. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim  13 , wherein said lip adjustment members comprise lip ends and ends opposite thereto, said opposite ends being disposed in said bores. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim  1 , wherein said structural member comprises steel. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim  13 , wherein said tie rods are spaced apart vertically and horizontally relative to one another.  
     
     
       18. The apparatus of claim  13 , wherein said body portion comprises a stroke- limiting wall leading to a plurality of throughbores, and said stroke - limiting wall limits the stroke of said lip adjustment members in the lip direction.    
     
     
       19. The apparatus of claim  13 , wherein said support assembly comprises a block comprising said plurality of bores.  
     
     
       20. An extrusion apparatus comprising a lip forming an exit opening having a gap which extends along the width of said apparatus; a plurality of lip gap- controlled assemblies for automated, localized adjustment of thickness of a web exiting from said gap, comprising a plurality of lip adjustment members in operative bearing association with said lip for displacement of said lip; a support assembly comprising a plurality of bores for receiving said lip adjustment members, said support assembly being spaced apart from said body portion; and a plurality of spaced apart tie rods that tie said support assembly to a body portion of said apparatus, said support assembly being otherwise without support.    
     
     
       21. The apparatus of claim  20 , wherein said tie rods are spaced apart vertically and horizontally relative to one another.  
     
     
       22. The apparatus of claim  20 , wherein said body portion comprises a stroke- limiting wall leading to a plurality of throughbores, and said stroke - limiting wall limits the stroke of said lip adjustment members in the lip direction.    
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim  20 , wherein said support assembly comprises a block comprising said plurality of bores.  
     
     
       24. An extrusion apparatus comprising a body portion comprising a stroke- limiting wall leading to a plurality of throughbores, and a lip forming an exit opening having a gap which extends along the width of said apparatus; an assembly for automated, localized adjustment of thickness of a web exiting from said gap, comprising a plurality of translator devices comprising thermal energy sources disposed within thermally responsive structural members, in operative bearing association with said lip for displacement of said lip, wherein said stroke - limiting wall limits the stroke of said translator devices in the lip direction; a support assembly comprising a plurality of bores for receiving said plurality of translator devices, said support assembly being spaced apart from said body portion; and a plurality of spaced apart tie rods that tie said support assembly to said body portion, said support assembly being otherwise without support.    
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim  24 , wherein said tie rods are spaced apart vertically and horizontally relative to one another.  
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim  24 , wherein said support assembly comprises a block comprising said plurality of bores.  
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim  24 , wherein said translator devices are in contact with elongated members and said elongated members are in contact with said lip, wherein each of said elongated members has an axial portion which reciprocally moves within its respective throughbore, and wherein said translator devices contact said stroke- limiting wall at the end of said stroke in the lip direction.