Patent ID: 7393198

Claim:
A molding system, comprising: a melt pathway being configured to convey a molding material; and a viscous-drag sensor being configured to move along the melt pathway, the viscous-drag sensor including: a pathway blockage being movable along the melt pathway, the pathway blockage being movable along a first direction to further open the melt pathway, and the pathway blockage being movable along a second direction to further close the melt pathway; and an actuator being coupled with the pathway blockage, the actuator biasing the pathway blockage to vary the melt pathway while the molding material drags along and moves the pathway blockage, and responsive to the pathway blockage sensing a viscous-drag force, the pathway blockage acts to: (i) further open the melt pathway if a viscosity of the molding material is high, and (ii) further close the melt pathway if the viscosity of the molding material is low.