15-01-2015 дата публикации
Номер: US20150017273A1
Apparatus () for injection of fluid into extrusion system components such as a preconditioner () or extruder () is provided, preferably as a composite assembly including a fluid injection valve () and an interconnected static mixer section (). Alternately, use may be made of the fluid injection valve () or static mixer section () alone. The invention greatly simplifies the fluid injection apparatus used in extrusion systems, while giving more efficient absorption of thermal energy with a minimum of environmental contamination, and the ability to inject multiple streams into the extrusion systems. 1. An extruder for processing comestible materials , comprising:an elongated, tubular barrel having a comestible materials inlet and a restricted orifice die outlet, said barrel having at least one fluid passageway therethrough presenting an innermost injection opening in communication with the interior of the barrel;at least one elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw within said barrel and operable to move comestible materials within said barrel from said inlet toward and through said restricted orifice die outlet, said comestible materials thereby being subjected to increasing levels of temperature, pressure, and shear; andapparatus for the injection of fluid into said barrel, comprising an injector valve operably coupled with said fluid passageway in order to permit selective injection of fluid into the housing during processing of comestible materials therein, said injector valve including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an apertured, rotatable ball valve structure permitting selective control of the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet to and through the fluid outlet, said apparatus further including an elongated static mixer having a mixed fluid outlet operably coupled with said injector valve in order to deliver a mixed fluid to said injector valve fluid inlet.2. (canceled)3. The extruder of claim 2 , said static mixer including an elongated casing ...
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