Patent ID: 9162384
Filing Date: 2015-10-20
Classification: B29C,B29K

Abstract:
1. A hot runner nozzle comprising: a hot runner nozzle body having a nozzle melt channel therethrough and having a nozzle body head portion; a nozzle heater coupled to the hot runner nozzle body; a nozzle tip having an outer surface and an nozzle tip melt channel, wherein the nozzle tip is made from a sintered metal matrix composite (MMC) powder material, the nozzle tip having a first coefficient of thermal conductivity and a first coefficient of thermal expansion at an operating temperature window between about 100 degrees C. and about 400 degrees C. provided by the nozzle heater, and wherein the nozzle tip is removably coupled to the hot runner nozzle body; a tip seal surrounding the nozzle tip and having an inner surface and an outer surface and is made from a sintered ceramic-based powder material, the tip seal having a second coefficient of thermal conductivity lower than the first coefficient of thermal conductivity and a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is at least equal to or lower than the first coefficient of thermal expansion at an operating temperature window between about 100 degrees C. and about 400 degrees C. provided by the heater, wherein the tip seal is removably coupled to the nozzle tip, and wherein the tip seal is configured to form a seal with a mold component having a mold gate adjacent to the nozzle tip; a seal retainer, wherein the seal retainer contacts both the nozzle tip and the tip seal, wherein the seal retainer is spaced from the mold component, and wherein the seal retainer is positioned onto the nozzle tip and removably couples the tip seal to the nozzle tip, and controls a first seal between the nozzle tip and the tip seal; and wherein the tip seal and seal retainer are separate components.