Patent ID: 6601819
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A cooling probe for use with a mold section provided with an elongate blind passage extending axially from an external opening into a region of the mold to be cooled, the cooling probe comprising:an axially elongated spool having a fixed end adapted to be sealingly coupled to the mold section external opening, an axially spaced apart free end, and a central portion therebetween provided with an outer peripheral surface defining an axially spaced apart inlet region and outlet region, this spool central region further having an internal cavity which forms at least in part a fluid inlet passageway and a fluid outlet passageway, the spool central passageway having an inlet port extending between the outer peripheral surface and an internal cavity fluid inlet passageway and an outlet port extending between the outer peripheral surface outlet region and the internal cavity fluid outlet passageway; an inlet tube axially aligned with the spool, having a fixed end extending into the spool internal cavity and affixed to the spool in fluid communication with the fluid inlet passageway, and a free end for insertion into the elongate blind passageway in the mold section to be cooled; an inlet swivel fitting having a tubular section sealingly, pivotally, coaxially cooperating with the outer peripheral surface inlet region and having an inlet connector in fluid communication with the inlet port; an outlet swivel fitting having a tubular section sealingly, pivotally coaxially cooperating with the outer peripheral surface outlet region and having an outlet connector in fluid communication with the outlet port; wherein the inlet and outlet swivel fittings may be rotated relative to the spool while maintaining fluid communication between the inlet connector and the fluid inlet passageway and the outlet connector and the fluid outlet passageway.