US3543345A - Apparatus for rapid fluid compacting - Google Patents

Apparatus for rapid fluid compacting Download PDF

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Publication number
US3543345A
US3543345A US783237A US3543345DA US3543345A US 3543345 A US3543345 A US 3543345A US 783237 A US783237 A US 783237A US 3543345D A US3543345D A US 3543345DA US 3543345 A US3543345 A US 3543345A
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United States
Prior art keywords
autoclave
pressure vessel
compacting
vessel
pressure
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Expired - Lifetime
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US783237A
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English (en)
Inventor
Charles Benjamin Boyer
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Crucible Materials Corp
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Crucible Inc
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Assigned to COLT INDUSTRIES OPERATING CORP. reassignment COLT INDUSTRIES OPERATING CORP. MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Assignors: CRUCIBLE CENTER COMPANY (INTO) CRUCIBLE INC. (CHANGED TO)
Assigned to CRUCIBLE MATERIALS CORPORATION reassignment CRUCIBLE MATERIALS CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: COLT INDUSTRIES OPERATING CORP.
Assigned to MELLON BANK, N.A. FOR THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION) AND MELLON BANK N.A., CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, THE (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION) AS AGENT reassignment MELLON BANK, N.A. FOR THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION) AND MELLON BANK N.A. SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). 1ST Assignors: CRUCIBLE MATERIALS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF DE.
Assigned to MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION, MELLON BANK, N.A. AS AGENT FOR MELLON BANK N.A. & MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION reassignment MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). 2ND Assignors: CRUCIBLE MATERIALS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF DE.
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30—PRESSES
    • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B11/00—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses
    • B30B11/001—Presses specially adapted for forming shaped articles from material in particulate or plastic state, e.g. briquetting presses, tabletting presses using a flexible element, e.g. diaphragm, urged by fluid pressure; Isostatic presses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22F—WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER; APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
    • B22F3/00—Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor ; Presses and furnaces
    • B22F3/12—Both compacting and sintering
    • B22F3/14—Both compacting and sintering simultaneously
    • B22F3/15—Hot isostatic pressing

Definitions

  • the use of an autoclave for the compaction of metal articles, and particularly tool-steel articles has not been commecrcially feasible.
  • the compacting temperature may be typically within the range of 1800 to 2200 F.
  • the powdered metal charge, prior to compacting must be heated for times on the order of five hours or longer. Obviously, if the charge is heated within the autoclave to compacting temperature, which may take about five hours, only a very few compacts could be produced by a single autoclave. Consequently, an operation such as this is not suitable for commercial production from the economic standpoint.
  • the powdered-metal charge may be heated to compacting temperature within a furnace, and when compacting temperature has been achieved the charge may be then transferred to the autoclave for compacting.
  • the production rate for each autoclave may be substantially increased over the practice of heating the charge to compacting temperature within the autoclave. This practice, however, also has not been feasible from the commercial standpoint. This resulted from the fact that by the time the powdered metal charge is transferred from the furnace and placed in the autoclave, the autoclave is sealed, and then pressurized to the required compacting pressure, the powdered metal charge has cooled to a temperature less than that required for satisfactory compacting.
  • Another, more specific, object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for rapidly compacting powderedmetal charges by providing for quick (typically one minute or less) pressurization of the autoclave for compacting.
  • Another more specific object of the invention is to provide for rapid compacting in an autoclave by providing fast-acting apparatus for closing and sealing the autoclave upon loading of the powdered-metal charge therein.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus permitting rapid fluid-pressure compacting of powdered-metal charges in an autoclave by the combination of an arrangement for quickly closing and sealing the autoclave with an arrangement for quickly pressurizing the autoclave after a powdered-metal charge has been loaded and the autoclave has been scaled.
  • FIG. 1 is an assembly view of one embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the present invention in elevation and partial section;
  • FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the plug closure in sealing position;
  • FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the plug closure used with the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of the plug closure of FIG. 3.
  • the apparatus of the invention embodies a pressure vessel, or autoclave, that is adapted to receive a powdered-metal charge that has been heated to an elevated temperature, on the order of for example 1800 to 2200 F., and is contained within a metal container for compacting.
  • a plug is provided as a top closure for the pressure vessel. The plug is housed at a position above and offset from the open top of the autoclave. Means are provided for quickly moving the plug from this offset position to a position in axial alignment with the autoclave after a charge of powdered metal has been placed therein for com-pacting.
  • the plug When the plug is in axial alignment with the autoclave top, means are provided for quickly moving it axially into closed, sealing engagement with the autoclave.
  • the autoclave may be quickly sealed against the atmosphere immediately upon loading of a powdered-metal charge for compacting.
  • the autoclave Upon scaling in the manner above described, the autoclave is quickly pressurized (typically one minute or less) by the introduction of high-pressure fluid thereto, which immediately compacts the powderedmetal charge therein to a density typically of percent or more.
  • quick pressurization is achieved by having an auxiliary or storage pressure vessel. Prior to loading the autoclave, the storage vessel is pumped to a high fluid pressure. Highvolume valving means are provided between the storage vessel and the autoclave.
  • the valving means are operated to quickly transfer the high-pressure fluid from the storage vessel to the autoclave.
  • the conventional pumping of the autoclave to achieve the required high fluid pressure and the long times required for this pumping operation are eliminated. Therefore, the autoclavepressurizing operation, which typically may take an hour or more if pumping is used, may now be achieved within one minute or less.
  • an autoclave assembly designated generally with the numeral 10.
  • the autoclave assembly has an elongated cylindrical pressure vessel 12 with a fixed lower closure 14 supporting a base pedestal 16 upon which a container (not shown) filled with powdered metal to be compacted is supported.
  • the top of the pressure vessel 12 has an opening 18.
  • a liner member 20 which is preferably constructed from a temperature-resistant steel.
  • the liner 20 is preferably readily removable.
  • the inside diameter of the pressure vessel may be varied in accordance with the size of the charge being compacted. This serves to minimize heat loss from the charge.
  • Near the top of the pressure vessel 12 there are two axially aligned horizontal drillings '21, which extend through the pressure vessel walls. Above the drillings and adjacent the top surface of the pressure vessel are two parallel rods 22. Connected to the rods 22 are sliders 24 that slidably or movably support a housing 26 on the rods 22. Within the housing 26 there is suspended, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plug 27.
  • the plug is connected at its top surface at 28 to a ram 30 that is connected for actuation to a conventional hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement 31.
  • the housing 26, with the plug 27 suspended therein, is moved to a position atop the pressure vessel 12 by the action of ram 32 as part of a hydraulic piston-cylinder arrangement 34.
  • the piston-cylinder arrangement 34 is actuated to extend ram 32 and thus move the housing horizontally, or to the left, as viewed in FIG.
  • ram 30 is actuated by its associated hydraulic pistoncylinder arrangement to push the plug 27 axially into sealing engagement within the pressure vessel.
  • the lower portion of the plug 27 is provided with an annular notch 36 to which is attached a sealing ring 38.
  • the sealing ring 38 seats and seals against the top surface 40 of the pressure vessel liner 20.
  • the openings 20 in the pressure vessel walls are aligned with a similar diameter horizontal drilling 42 through the plug 27.
  • a pin 44 is supported on rollers 46 in axial alignment with openings 21 in the pressure vessel and 42 in the plug.
  • the diameter of the pin 44 is substantially the same as that of openings 21 and 42.
  • the end of the pin 44 opposite that of the pressure vessel is connected as at 48 to a ram 50 of piston-cylinder arrangement 52.
  • the piston-cylinder arrangement 52 With the plug in the closed position within the pressure vessel, the piston-cylinder arrangement 52 is actuated to extend the ram 50, and in this manner move the pin 44 through the openings 21 in the autoclave wall and the drilling 42 through the plug. In this manner, the plug 27 is locked in sealing engagement in the closed position in the pressure vessel.
  • the apparatus for this purpose includes an auxiliary or storage vessel 54 connected to a fluid pump 56, which is adapted to fill said vessel 54 with high-pressure fluid, such as helium gas.
  • the vessel 54 is connected to the pressure vessel via high-pressure lines 58 having highpressure valves 60, and to a vent valve 59 via highpressure line 61.
  • the lines 58 extend into the pressure vessel via drillings 62 in the pressure vessel lower fixed closure 14.
  • the vent valve 59 and the valves 60 are closed during pressuring of the storage vessel 54. This operation is completed prior to the loading of the pressure vessel 20 with the powdered-metal charge to be compacted.
  • valves 60 Upon loading and sealing of the pressure vessel, the valves 60 are opened and high-pressure fluid from the storage vessel 54 is immediately transferred to the pressure vessel, which causes the powdered-metal charge therein to be compacted. The valves are then closed. After compacting, vent valve 59 is opened to exhaust the autoclave, the pin 44 is withdrawn, the plug 27 is lifted upwardly and out of the pressure vessel and into the housing 26. The housing 26 is then moved along the rods 22 to its position offset from the pressure vessel top, which is the position shown in FIG. 1. The compact may now be removed from the pressure vessel and the vessel is ready to receive another charge for compacting. A typical overhead crane may be used to load and unload workpieces with respect to the pressure vessel.
  • a multiplicity of furnaces will be located adjacent the pressure vessel.
  • the furnaces will be used to simultaneously heat a number of powdered-metal charges to compacting temperature, and in this manner as one charge is removed from the pressure vessel a second charge, which has been previously heated to compacting temperature, may be immediately removed from a furnace and placed in the pressure vessel for compacting.
  • the pressure vessel may if desired be operated on a substantially continuous basis.
  • a plurality of auxiliary or storage pressure tanks may be employed so that repressurizing of the autoclave for compacting need not await the pumping-up of a single storage vessel.
  • a particularly significant feature of the apparatus of the present invention is the utilization of means for quickly pressurizing the vessel or autoclave upon loading.
  • Prior, known fluid-pressure compacting devices require times of from one-half hour to several hours to acquire the needed pressures to compact powdered metals, such as tool steel powders. These excessive times render fluidpressure compacting inapplicable to modern production techniques due to the inefficiency of time consumption per autoclave load.
  • By utilizing a valve between storage vessel 54 and pressure vessel 12 (or a multiplicity of such valves in conduits communicating with a multiplicity of such storage vessels 54 and a pressure vessel 12), it is possible to raise the pressure within autoclave 12 by evening out the pressure between one or more such storage vessels and the pressure vessel or autoclave in 10 minutes or less. This rapid time period renders the apparatus and process practical from a production standpoint.
  • the term quickly pressurized as it applies to the release of pressure from one or more storage vessels (such as vessel 54) to a pressure vessel (such as autoclave 12) shall mean a time period of 10 minutes or less or it shall mean apparatus capable of effecting such a release of pressure within such a time period.
  • a valve known as P/N 4010-3119 (50,000 p.s.i. yoke valve air to close assembly, replaceable seat) manufactured by Autoclave Engineers, Inc. of Erie, Pa. may be used as the valve 60.
  • P/N 4010-3119 50,000 p.s.i. yoke valve air to close assembly, replaceable seat
  • other commercially available valves capable of effecting the required rapid pressure release (10 minutes or less) may also be utilized in the apparatus of the present invention.
  • Apparatus for producing compacted articles from fully preheated powdered "metal charges comprising a first pressure vessel, a fluid-tight closure for said vessel, said closure being selectively positionable between an open and closed fluid-tight position, a second pressure vessel, a fluid pump connected to pressurize said second pressure vessel by introduction thereto of fluid under pressure, and valving means interposed between said first vessel and said second vessel for permitting fluid flow from said second vessel, upon pressurization thereof, to
  • said first vessel whereby said first vessel may be quickly pressurized.
  • said fluid-tight closure is selectively positionable between an open and closed fluid-tight position by means for moving said closure along a substantially horizontal plane to a position above and in axial alignment with a top opening in said first pressure vessel, means for moving said closure axially to a closed position within said first vessel opening, and means for securing said closure in the closed fluid-tight position, whereby pressurization of said vessel is permitted.
  • said means for moving said closure includes a housing, means for supporting said closure Within said housing in a vertical position, a horizontal way extending over said top opening in said first pressure vessel, means slidably connecting said housing to said way, and means for sliding said housing along said way to a position wherein said closure is in axial alignment with said top opening.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Press Drives And Press Lines (AREA)
  • Pressure Vessels And Lids Thereof (AREA)
US783237A 1968-12-12 1968-12-12 Apparatus for rapid fluid compacting Expired - Lifetime US3543345A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US78323768A 1968-12-12 1968-12-12

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US3543345A true US3543345A (en) 1970-12-01

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US783237A Expired - Lifetime US3543345A (en) 1968-12-12 1968-12-12 Apparatus for rapid fluid compacting

Country Status (6)

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US (1) US3543345A (de)
AT (1) AT313033B (de)
DE (1) DE1961702C3 (de)
FR (1) FR2026018A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1286650A (de)
SE (1) SE362595C (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3806303A (en) * 1971-11-29 1974-04-23 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Closures for pressure vessels
US3869233A (en) * 1973-05-11 1975-03-04 Nat Forge Co Apparatus for rapid isostatic pressing
US4414028A (en) * 1979-04-11 1983-11-08 Inoue-Japax Research Incorporated Method of and apparatus for sintering a mass of particles with a powdery mold
US4693863A (en) * 1986-04-09 1987-09-15 Carpenter Technology Corporation Process and apparatus to simultaneously consolidate and reduce metal powders

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS59155661A (ja) * 1983-02-22 1984-09-04 Kobe Steel Ltd 高圧加圧装置
DE3530741C1 (de) * 1985-08-28 1993-01-14 Avesta Nyby Powder AB, Torshälla Verfahren zur Herstellung pulvermetallurgischer Gegenstaende
RU2151026C1 (ru) * 1999-11-10 2000-06-20 Губенко Лев Анатольевич Изостат для обработки материалов в жидкости

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3172153A (en) * 1961-10-11 1965-03-09 David G Loomis Apparatus for molding powdered materials
US3478920A (en) * 1968-10-14 1969-11-18 Hahn & Clay Pressure vessel closure

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3172153A (en) * 1961-10-11 1965-03-09 David G Loomis Apparatus for molding powdered materials
US3478920A (en) * 1968-10-14 1969-11-18 Hahn & Clay Pressure vessel closure

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3806303A (en) * 1971-11-29 1974-04-23 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Closures for pressure vessels
US3869233A (en) * 1973-05-11 1975-03-04 Nat Forge Co Apparatus for rapid isostatic pressing
US4414028A (en) * 1979-04-11 1983-11-08 Inoue-Japax Research Incorporated Method of and apparatus for sintering a mass of particles with a powdery mold
US4693863A (en) * 1986-04-09 1987-09-15 Carpenter Technology Corporation Process and apparatus to simultaneously consolidate and reduce metal powders

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AT313033B (de) 1974-01-25
DE1961702B2 (de) 1974-02-21
FR2026018A1 (de) 1970-09-11
SE362595B (de) 1973-12-17
DE1961702C3 (de) 1974-09-19
GB1286650A (en) 1972-08-23
DE1961702A1 (de) 1970-10-29
SE362595C (sv) 1981-05-18

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Owner name: COLT INDUSTRIES OPERATING CORP.

Free format text: MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:CRUCIBLE CENTER COMPANY (INTO) CRUCIBLE INC. (CHANGED TO);REEL/FRAME:004120/0308

Effective date: 19821214

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Owner name: CRUCIBLE MATERIALS CORPORATION, PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:COLT INDUSTRIES OPERATING CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004194/0621

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Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:COLT INDUSTRIES OPERATING CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004194/0621

Effective date: 19831025

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Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUCIBLE MATERIALS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004490/0452

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Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUCIBLE MATERIALS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004490/0452

Effective date: 19851219

Owner name: MELLON FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUCIBLE MATERIALS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004490/0410

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Owner name: MELLON BANK, N.A. AS AGENT FOR MELLON BANK N.A. &

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CRUCIBLE MATERIALS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004490/0410

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