System of a pressure intensifier unit, method for controlling the same and associated computer program, and press device comprising said system - Patents.com

Abstract

A system comprising a plurality of pressure intensifier units (10, 20, 30, 40) configured to increase the pressure in a pressure vessel (2), each pressure intensifier unit (10, 20, 30, 40) comprising at least one first chamber (13, 14) and a body (15a, 15b, 15c) controllably movable back and forth at an adjustable speed by an actuation mechanism (17, 18a, 18b) within a second chamber (16) between a first end position and a second end position. A control and / or processing unit (3) is configured to control the actuation mechanisms (17, 18a, 18b) of the pressure intensifier units (10, 20, 30, 40) to perform the pressure intensification phase. During at least a part of this phase, the bodies (15a, 15b, 15c) of at least some of the intensifier units (10, 20, 30, 40) are in a first end position and a second end position at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some of the intensifier units (10, 20, 30, 40). A method for controlling a system of intensifier units (10, 20, 30, 40) and an associated computer program, as well as a press apparatus (1), preferably an isostatic press, comprising such a system are also claimed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of high pressure technology, and in particular to pressure treatment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and a method therein, the system comprising a plurality of pressure intensifier units, each configured to increase pressure in a pressure vessel for holding a pressure medium by injecting a pressure medium into the pressure vessel. The system and method are generally directed to controlling the operation of the pressure intensifier units. [Background technology]

[0002] The articles to be subjected to pressure treatment by isostatic pressing, such as cold isostatic pressing (CIP), warm isostatic pressing (WIP), or hot isostatic pressing (HIP), may be positioned in a pressure vessel configured to hold a pressure medium therein. The treatment cycle may comprise loading the articles into the pressure vessel, closing and sealing the pressure vessel, treating the articles in the pressure vessel, opening the pressure vessel, and removing the articles from the pressure vessel. Several articles may be treated simultaneously. The treatment cycle may be divided into several parts or stages. After loading the articles into the pressure vessel, the pressure vessel is then sealed, followed by the introduction of a pressure medium (e.g., comprising water) into the pressure vessel, such that the pressure in the pressure vessel is subsequently increased to a certain pressure level, which may be referred to as a pressurization stage, during which the articles may be exposed to the increased pressure for a selected period of time. The treatment cycle may comprise a heating stage, during which the pressure medium is heated, for example, to achieve its desired or required temperature. The heating stage may be performed simultaneously with the pressurization stage, before the pressurization stage, or after the pressurization stage. Exposing the articles to the increased pressure in the pressure vessel for a selected period of time may be referred to as the pressurization phase of the treatment cycle. After the pressurization phase, and prior to opening the pressure vessel to remove the articles, the pressure in the pressure vessel is generally reduced to a sufficiently low level by withdrawing pressure media from the pressure vessel. This may be referred to as the depressurization or depressurization phase. The treatment cycle may further comprise a cooling phase. Depending on the type of isostatic press used (e.g., whether the isostatic press is configured to perform CIP, WIP, or HIP), a cooling phase may not be necessary, however.

[0003] Depending on the application, it may be desirable or even necessary to achieve pressures in the pressure vessel as high as 6000 bar or even higher. To increase the pressure in the pressure vessel during the pressurization stage, a pump, such as a hydraulic pump, may be used to introduce a pressure medium into the pressure vessel to increase the pressure in the pressure vessel. However, such a pump may not be capable of generating pressures as high as 6000 bar in the pressure vessel and may only be practically utilized to generate (much) lower pressures in the pressure vessel. This may be due, for example, to the fact that the construction materials used in such pumps may not be capable of withstanding the desired pressure levels, at which the mechanical stresses on the pump's components, such as valves and piping, may be harmfully high, so that the components may break after a relatively short time of use of the pump. Therefore, such pumps are often used to generate pressure in the pressure vessel up to a pressure level that the pump can safely withstand, which is then further pressurized by another device capable of withstanding the desired pressure level. Such another device may be constituted by a so-called pressure intensifier. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Although such intensifiers may be designed to be able to withstand very high pressure levels, the moving parts of the intensifier may still be subject to significant wear due to the high pressures to which they may be exposed when the desired pressure level is as high as 6000 bar. Furthermore, at such very high pressure levels, there may be relatively large vibrations caused by the moving parts of the intensifier, by pressure fluctuations of the pressure medium entering the pressure vessel, and by the operation of any hydraulic mechanisms of the intensifier, which may result in noise levels that may impair the working environment for operators of the apparatus that includes the intensifier, such as an isostatic press.

[0005] In view of the above, it is an interest of the present invention to provide a means for reducing wear on moving parts of a pressure intensifier or other components of the pressure intensifier exposed to high pressures, particularly when the pressure intensifier is used to achieve pressures in a pressure vessel as high as 6000 bar or even higher.

[0006] A further interest of the present invention is to provide a means for reducing noise or perceived noise harmonics arising from any vibrations caused by moving parts of the intensifier, by pressure level fluctuations in the pressure medium flow injected from the intensifier into the pressure vessel, and from the operation of any hydraulic mechanisms of the intensifier, particularly when the intensifier is used to achieve pressures in the pressure vessel as high as 6000 bar or even higher.

[0007] In order to address at least one of these and other concerns, a system and a method therein are provided as set forth in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a system. The system comprises a plurality of pressure intensifier units. Each pressure intensifier unit is configured to increase a pressure in a pressure vessel for holding a pressure medium by introducing a pressure medium into the pressure vessel. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises an inlet configured to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium, for example from a pressure medium source. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises an outlet configured to be connected to the pressure vessel for introducing the pressure medium into the pressure vessel. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises at least one first chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, respectively, and configured to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium received at the inlet. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises a body controllably movable within the second chamber (e.g. of the pressure intensifier unit) along a path back and forth between a first end position and a second end position. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises an actuation mechanism configured to controllably move the body back and forth between the first end position and the second end position at an adjustable speed, the actuation mechanism being controllable with respect to positioning of the body at least along at least a portion of the path. For each pressure intensifier unit, the at least one first chamber, the body, and the second chamber are configured such that at least one movement of the body between the first end position and the second end position causes any pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to be forced to the outlet and out of the pressure intensifier unit.

[0009] The system comprises at least one control and / or processing unit, which is configured to control the actuation mechanisms of the intensifier units such that each of the bodies has a selected position in the corresponding second chamber relative to the position(s) of the other one or more bodies in the corresponding second chamber(s) of the other one or more bodies, and then to perform an intensification stage. The intensification stage comprises controlling, for each intensifier unit, the actuation mechanism to repeatedly move the body back and forth between a first end position and a second end position while adjusting the speed (of the body) to reach a selected speed, thereby repeatedly forcing the pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to an outlet, out of the intensifier unit and into the pressure vessel. The selected positions of the bodies and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit are such that during at least a portion of the intensification stage, the bodies of at least some of the intensifier units are in the first end position and the second end position at different times, and / or the speed is the same for at least some of the intensifier units.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method in a system is provided. The system comprises a plurality of pressure intensifier units. Each pressure intensifier unit is configured to increase a pressure in a pressure vessel for holding a pressure medium by introducing a pressure medium into the pressure vessel. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises an inlet configured to continuously or continuously receive a pressure medium, for example from a pressure medium source. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises an outlet configured to be connected to the pressure vessel for introducing the pressure medium into the pressure vessel. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises at least one first chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, respectively, and configured to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium received at the inlet. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises a body controllably movable within the second chamber (e.g. of the pressure intensifier unit) along a path back and forth between a first end position and a second end position. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises an actuation mechanism configured to controllably move the body back and forth between the first end position and the second end position at an adjustable speed, the actuation mechanism being controllable with respect to positioning of the body at least along at least a portion of the path. For each pressure intensifier unit, the at least one first chamber, the body, and the second chamber are configured such that at least one movement of the body between the first end position and the second end position causes any pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to be forced to the outlet and out of the pressure intensifier unit.

[0011] A method according to a second aspect of the invention comprises controlling the actuation mechanisms of the intensifier units such that each of the bodies has a selected position in the corresponding second chamber relative to the position(s) of the other one or more bodies in the corresponding second chamber(s) of the other one or more bodies. The method then comprises carrying out a pressure intensification stage, which comprises controlling the actuation mechanism to move the body for each intensifier unit repeatedly back and forth between a first end position and a second end position while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, thereby repeatedly forcing the pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to an outlet, out of the intensifier unit and into the pressure vessel. The selected positions of the bodies and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit are such that during at least a portion of the pressure intensification stage, the bodies of at least some of the intensifier units are in the first end position and the second end position at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some of the intensifier units.

[0012] For each or any intensifier unit, the actuation mechanism being controllable with respect to positioning the body at least along at least a portion of the path may mean that the actuation mechanism is controllable with respect to moving the body at least to or towards a first end position, or to or towards a second end position.

[0013] The pressure vessel may be included in a press apparatus that may be suitable for treating at least one article, for example, by isostatic pressing, such as cold isostatic pressing (CIP), warm isostatic pressing (WIP), or hot isostatic pressing (HIP), by pressure generated by a pressure medium.

[0014] The increase in pressure in the pressure vessel, for example by a pressure intensifier unit injecting a pressure medium into the pressure vessel during said pressure intensification step, may be performed after pressurization of the pressure vessel using a pump, such as a hydraulic pump, to introduce a pressure medium into the pressure vessel. For example, pressurization of the pressure vessel using a pump, such as a hydraulic pump, to introduce a pressure medium into the pressure vessel may be performed first to reach a certain pressure level of pressure in the pressure vessel, for example about 20 bar. Then, the increase in pressure in the pressure vessel, for example by a pressure intensifier unit injecting a pressure medium into the pressure vessel, and said pressure intensification step may be performed to reach a (much) higher pressure level of pressure in the pressure vessel, for example up to 6000 bar or even higher.

[0015] As explained above, the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units is controlled such that, prior to said intensification stage, each of the bodies has a selected position in the corresponding second chamber relative to the position(s) of the other body(s) in the corresponding second chamber(s) of the other body(s), and during a subsequent intensification stage, for each intensifier unit, the actuation mechanism is controlled to repeatedly move the body back and forth between the first and second end positions while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, the selected positions of the bodies and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit being such that, during at least a portion of the intensification stage, the bodies of at least some of the intensifier units are in the first and second end positions at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some of the intensifier units.

[0016] From this, the system and method according to the first and second aspects of the invention respectively can ensure that during the intensification phase at least some, possibly all, bodies of the intensifier units are in the first and second end positions at different times. In other words, during the intensification phase, not all bodies of the intensifier units are in their end positions at the same time during their respective movements back and forth between the first and second end positions, or even possibly none of the bodies are in those end positions at all. It has been found by the inventors that this can facilitate or make it possible to keep relatively small any pressure level fluctuations of the pressure medium flow entering the pressure vessel from the intensifier. This may then facilitate or enable any vibrations of the body, and possibly of other components of the system in which the intensifier unit or the intensifier is included, to be kept relatively small during the intensification phase, which may in turn result in less stress and wear on the body, and possibly also less stress and wear on the intensifier unit or other components of the system in which the intensifier is included, as well as a more harmonious sound resulting from the operation of the intensifier unit, which may lead to a better working environment for operators of the apparatus in which the intensifier is included, such as an isostatic press.

[0017] By the speed possibly being the same for at least some or possibly all of the intensifier units, it can be ensured that the time between successive changes of the direction of the body at the end positions is the same or substantially the same for at least some or all of the intensifier units. In other words, the changes of the direction of the body at the first and second end positions of the body of the intensifier units can be well distributed over time and may not occur simultaneously for different intensifier units. This may further facilitate or make it possible to keep any vibrations of the body, and possibly of other components of the intensifier units, relatively small during the intensification phase.

[0018] With less stress and wear on the body, and potentially also on other components of the intensifier unit, the system, and therefore any device in which it may be included, such as a press device, may operate for a longer period of time before potentially having to be taken out of operation for maintenance, replacement, or repair. The system may be included, for example, in a press device for treating one or more articles by isostatic pressing. With less need to take the system out of operation for maintenance, replacement, or repair, the cost of using the press device to treat articles may be reduced.

[0019] Also, by not all the bodies of the intensifier units being in their end positions at the same time during their respective movements back and forth between the first and second end positions during the intensification phase, or even possibly not having any bodies at all, the overall flow of pressure medium into the pressure vessel (i.e. the combined flow of pressure medium from all of the intensifier units into the pressure vessel) may be relatively stationary or even over time. In other words, there may be relatively small variations over time in the overall flow of pressure medium from the intensifier units into the pressure vessel compared to the average flow level of the pressure medium flow. This is generally desirable when increasing the pressure in the pressure vessel by means of an intensifier. By keeping any such variations relatively small, the vibrations of the bodies, and possibly also of other components of the intensifier units or the system in which the intensifier is included, may be kept relatively small.

[0020] Where the pressure medium comprises or consists of water, each or any of the plurality of pressure intensifier units may include at least one pressure intensifier, such as, for example, an H2O Jet Intensifier pump manufactured by H2O Jet Inc., a HYPERTRON® High Pressure Pump manufactured by BFT, a STREAMLINE PRO® pump manufactured by KMT Waterjet Systems, or a HyperJet® Intensifier Pump manufactured by Flow Waterjet. Alternatively or in addition, each or any of the plurality of pressure intensifier units may include, for example, at least one compressor.

[0021] Means may be provided for supplying the working medium to or extracting the working fluid from the components of the intensifier units. For each intensifier unit, such means may comprise, for example, a source and a sink of working medium (e.g. hydraulic fluid) in fluid communication with the second chamber via a control valve. The control valve may be configured to controllably supply the working medium to at least a portion of the second chamber and to drain the working medium from at least a portion of the second chamber, thereby causing a movement of the body in the second chamber and possibly controlling the direction of the movement of the body in the second chamber. The controllable supply of the working medium to at least a portion of the second chamber and the drainage of the working medium from at least a portion of the second chamber may be performed, for example, by an electrohydraulic servo valve and / or a pump for the working medium. The control valve may comprise or be constituted, for example, by a solenoid-operated directional control valve and / or a hydraulically-operated directional control valve.

[0022] According to an example, for each or any of the intensifier units, the body may comprise or be constituted by, for example, a piston unit. For each or any of the intensifier units, the second chamber may comprise or be constituted by, for example, a piston unit chamber. For each or any of the intensifier units, the actuation mechanism may comprise a source and a sink of hydraulic fluid in fluid communication with the piston unit chamber, for example, via a control valve. The control valve may be configured to cause movement of the piston unit in the piston unit chamber, and possibly control the direction of movement of the piston unit in the piston unit chamber, by controllably supplying and exhausting hydraulic medium to and from at least a portion of the piston unit chamber. However, it should be understood that such realization or implementation of the intensifier unit(s) is according to an example and other ways of realizing or implementing the intensifier unit(s) are possible.

[0023] As explained above, for each intensifier unit, the actuation mechanism may be controlled to repeatedly move the body back and forth between a first end position and a second end position while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed. In some cases, the selected speed may be the same for all intensifier units. Said controlling of the actuation mechanism for each intensifier unit to repeatedly move the body back and forth between a first end position and a second end position while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed (which control is included in the intensification stage) may be performed simultaneously for each intensifier unit.

[0024] For each or any of the intensifier units, the controllable supply of the working medium to at least a portion of the second chamber and the discharge of the working medium from at least a portion of the second chamber may be performed, for example, by a pump for the working medium. The pump may be driven using a motor. The motor may be, for example, a frequency-controlled motor. The motor may be adjustable so as to allow adjusting the speed at which at least a portion of the second chamber with the working medium is supplied with the working medium and the speed at which the working medium is discharged from at least a portion of the second chamber. From this, by adjusting (the operation of) the motor, for each or any of the intensifier units, the body may be controllably moved back and forth between a first end position and a second end position, adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed. Each intensifier unit may be individually controlled. For example, there may be a separate pump for the working medium for each intensifier unit and possibly also a separate motor for each intensifier unit to drive the corresponding pump for the working medium. However, it is also possible that one motor drives the pump for the working medium for several intensifier units.

[0025] In the context of the present application, the speed of movement of the body of the intensifier may not mean the instantaneous speed of the body, but the average speed of the body during its movement between the first and second end positions, possibly taken over a period of time during which the body moves back and forth between the first and second end positions several times. In some cases, the speed of movement of the body of the intensifier may refer to the number of times per unit time the body moves back and forth between the first and second end positions, i.e. the frequency of the back and forth movement of the body. For each or any of the intensifier units, the body may be controllably moved back and forth between the first and second end positions, for example, while adjusting the average speed of the body during its movement between the first and second end positions, as described above, to reach a selected speed, or while adjusting the frequency of the back and forth movement of the body, also as described above, to reach a selected speed. Hence, instead of the speed of movement of the intensifier body one can, without any loss of generality, for example refer to the average speed of movement of the intensifier body, or the frequency of back and forth movement of the intensifier body.

[0026] Said controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units such that each of the bodies has a selected position in a corresponding second chamber relative to a position(s) of the other one or more bodies in the corresponding second chamber(s) of the other one or more bodies may comprise, for example, controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit based on a position of the body of a selected one of the intensifier units such that the other one or more bodies have a selected position in their respective second chamber relative to a position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units. The selected one of the intensifier units may be or may have been selected, for example, based on a previous intensification stage or based on measurement data indicative of the pressure medium input capacity of the intensifier unit obtained from a previous intensification stage.

[0027] A selected one of the intensifier units may optionally be referred to as a "master" intensifier unit, in the sense that all other intensifier units are controlled relative to the selected one of the intensifier units.

[0028] The measurement data may be based on or derived from a previous boosting stage by measurements performed during the previous boosting stage.

[0029] For example, the selected one of the pressure intensifier units may be selected or may have been selected based on measurement data indicating which of the pressure intensifier units has the lowest pressure medium input capacity. The selected one of the pressure intensifier units may be selected or may have been selected as one of the pressure intensifier units or as the one of the pressure intensifier units with the lowest pressure medium input capacity.

[0030] For each or any of the intensifier units and during the intensification phase, the pressure medium input capacity of the intensifier unit can be controlled depending on the pressure reached in the pressure vessel. For example, for each or any of the intensifier units and during the intensification phase, the higher the pressure reached in the pressure vessel, the lower the pressure medium input capacity of the intensifier unit can be.

[0031] For each or any of the intensifier units, the pressure medium input capacity of the intensifier unit can be influenced by the speed at which the body can be moved back and forth between the first and second end positions. As mentioned, the speed can be adjustable, and for each or any of the intensifier units, the actuation mechanism can be controlled to repeatedly move the body back and forth between the first and second end positions, adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed. However, while during said control of the actuation mechanism, the selected speed of the intensifier unit is attempted to be reached, the actual speed that can actually be reached by said control of the actuation mechanism may differ somewhat from the respective selected speed. The reason for this may be due to any change in the friction resistance in the intensifier unit, for example in the sealings, which may be caused by heat and / or pressure to which the intensifier unit may be exposed. Another reason may be any internal leaks in the intensifier unit and / or in any means for supplying or extracting working medium to or from the intensifier unit. Such means may for example comprise, for each or any of the intensifier units, a hydraulic mechanism that may be configured to cause a movement of the body in the second chamber and possibly control the direction of the movement of the body in the second chamber by controllably supplying hydraulic medium to at least a portion of the second chamber and draining hydraulic medium from at least a portion of the second chamber. Such supply and drain capacity of working medium (e.g. hydraulic medium) may vary due to any internal leakage in the intensifier unit and / or in any means for supplying working medium to or extracting working fluid from the intensifier unit. The risk of such internal leakage may be higher the higher the pressure to which the intensifier unit is exposed. Yet another reason may be wear of components of the intensifier unit. There may be other reasons as well.

[0032] As indicated above, during a (or the) intensification stage, for each or any of the intensifier units, the actuation mechanism may be controlled to repeatedly move the body back and forth between a first end position and a second end position, adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed. For each or any of the intensifier units, the selected speed may be changed during the intensification stage, thereby adjusting or controlling the pressure medium input capacity of the intensifier unit, which may be done, for example, depending on the pressure reached in the pressure vessel. From this, the selected speed for each or any of the intensifier units may not be constant during the intensification stage. For example, as the pressure in the pressure vessel increases during the intensification stage (e.g. as a result of the pressure generated in the pressure vessel increasing during the intensification stage), the selected speed for each or any of the intensifier units may be smaller.

[0033] As mentioned, a selected one of the intensifier units may be referred to as a "master" intensifier unit, in the sense that all other intensifier units are controlled relative to the selected one of the intensifier units.

[0034] Said controlling of the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units based on the position of the body of a selected one of the intensifier units, such that the other one or more bodies have selected positions in their respective second chambers relative to the position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units, may be performed in different ways: for each intensifier unit, the actuation mechanism may be controllable with respect to the direction of movement of the body along the path. Said controlling of the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units based on the position of the body of a selected one of the intensifier units, such that the other one or more bodies have selected positions in their respective second chambers relative to the position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units, may for example be performed by performing the following actions i), ii), iii) and iv) for each intensifier unit other than the selected one of the intensifier units, namely: The method may include one or more of: i) controlling an actuating mechanism of the intensifier unit to momentarily hold or delay the body to reach a selected position relative to the position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units; ii) controlling an actuating mechanism of the intensifier unit to momentarily reduce a speed of movement of the body to reach the selected position relative to the position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units; iii) controlling an actuating mechanism of the intensifier unit to momentarily increase a speed of movement of the body to reach the selected position relative to the position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units; and iv) controlling an actuating mechanism of the intensifier unit to change a direction of movement of the body to reach the selected position relative to the position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units.

[0035] The hold or delay according to action i) above may, at least in some cases, last for a time period of about 1 ms to 100 ms, particularly if the booster unit is configured according to a linear booster, and the hold or delay according to action i) above may last for a time period longer than 100 ms, particularly if the booster unit is configured according to a combination of different types of boosters.

[0036] The momentary holding or delay of the body may be performed, for example, when the body reaches a first end position or a second end position.

[0037] In order to achieve that one or more other bodies have a selected position in their respective second chambers relative to the position of the body of a selected one of the intensifier units, said control of the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units may need to be performed during an extended period of time during which the body of each intensifier unit is moved multiple times between the first and second end positions while one or more of the above-mentioned actions i), ii), iii), and iv) are being performed. For example, for each or any of the intensifier units, any of the above-mentioned actions i), ii), and iii) may be performed at least once during each time the body moves from the first end position to the second end position or vice versa (which may be referred to as a single stroke), or at least once during each time the body moves from the first end position to the second end position and back to the first end position or vice versa (which may be referred to as a double stroke).

[0038] As mentioned, means may be provided for supplying a working medium to the intensifier unit or extracting a working fluid from the intensifier unit. For each intensifier unit, such means may comprise, for example, a source and sink of working medium (e.g. hydraulic fluid) in fluid communication with the second chamber via a control valve. The control valve may be configured to controllably supply the working medium to at least a portion of the second chamber and to drain the working medium from at least a portion of the second chamber, thereby causing a movement of the body in the second chamber and possibly controlling the direction of the movement of the body in the second chamber. The controllable supply of the working medium to at least a portion of the second chamber and the drainage of the working medium from at least a portion of the second chamber may be performed, for example, by an electrohydraulic servo valve and / or a pump for the working medium. The control valve may comprise or be constituted, for example, by a solenoid-operated directional control valve and / or a hydraulically-operated directional control valve.

[0039] Any combination of at least two of the above-mentioned operations i) to iv) may be used. For example, said controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units based on the position of the body of a selected one of the intensifier units, such that one or more other bodies have a selected position in their respective second chambers relative to the position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units, may be performed by controlling, for each intensifier unit other than the selected one of the intensifier units, the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit to momentarily hold or delay the body for a certain time, and subsequently changing the direction of movement of the body to reach the selected position relative to the position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units.

[0040] As stated, for each or any of the intensifier units, the pressure medium input capacity of the intensifier unit may be influenced by the speed at which the body can be moved back and forth between the first and second end positions. The speed at which the body can be moved back and forth between the first and second end positions may be determined by means of determining the average time required for the body to move between the first and second end positions (and knowledge of the length of the path the body travels in the second chamber back and forth between the first and second end positions). The selected one of the intensifier units may be the intensifier unit with the maximum average time (or, in other words, the "slowest" intensifier unit).

[0041] To that end, the system may comprise at least one sensor, which may be configured for each intensifier unit to directly or indirectly sense the position of the body. For example, one sensor may be provided for each intensifier unit, and for each intensifier unit, a corresponding sensor may be configured to sense the position of the body of the intensifier unit. A sensor that may indirectly sense the position of the body may, for example, monitor the pressure of the hydraulic mechanism or the driving hydraulic pressure to sense a pressure spike when the body (e.g., a piston) hits or reaches its end position(s). The at least one sensor may be configured for each intensifier unit to sense the position of the body continuously (e.g., over the entire path). The at least one sensor may be configured for each intensifier unit to sense when (e.g., only when) the body is in the first end position or in the second end position.

[0042] The at least one control and / or processing unit may be configured to control, prior to said intensification step, for each intensifier unit, an actuation mechanism to repeatedly move the body back and forth between a first end position and a second end position during a selected time period, and to obtain from the at least one sensor values ​​indicative of a position of the body during a selected time period in a plurality of time instances. The at least one control and / or processing unit may be configured to determine an average time required for the body to move between the first end position and the second end position based on the obtained values. The at least one control and / or processing unit may be configured to compare, prior to said intensification step, the determined average times for each intensifier unit of the intensifier units to determine a maximum average time, and to control the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit based on the position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) whose determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, such that one or more other bodies have a selected position relative to the position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) whose determined average time is equal to the maximum average time. The intensification step may then be performed. From this, a selected one of the intensifier units may be the intensifier unit having the maximum average time, and that intensifier unit may be called the "master" intensifier unit in the sense that all other intensifier units are controlled relative to that intensifier unit.

[0043] It may happen that during said booster stage, the booster unit previously selected as the "master" booster unit may no longer have the maximum average time due to it having the maximum average time, and another one of the booster units may have the maximum average time instead. This may occur for example due to any change in frictional resistance in the booster unit, e.g. in the sealings, which may be caused by heat and / or pressure to which the booster unit may be exposed during the booster stage, or due to any internal leaks in the booster unit and / or in any means for supplying or extracting working medium to or from the booster unit, which may occur during the booster stage.

[0044] Thus, during the boosting phase, it may be checked whether the booster unit previously selected as the "master" booster unit should still be considered to be the "master" booster unit, and if not, a new "master" booster unit may be determined and applied, for example, for at least a portion of the remaining boosting phase. Such a check may be performed repeatedly during the boosting phase, for example continuously or continuously, or at predefined time intervals.

[0045] To that end, the at least one control and / or processing unit may, for example, be configured to obtain, for each intensifier unit, during said intensification phase, values ​​indicative of the position of the body during selected periods in a plurality of time instances from at least one sensor and to determine, based on the obtained values, the average time required for the body to move between the first end position and the second end position. The at least one control and / or processing unit may be further configured to: compare the determined average times for each of the intensifier units to determine a maximum average time; control an actuation mechanism of the intensifier units based on a position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) whose determined average time is equal to the maximum average time (which intensifier may thus be considered as a new "master" intensifier unit) such that one or more other bodies have a selected position relative to a position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) whose determined average time is equal to the maximum average time; and then control the actuation mechanism to repeatedly move the body back and forth between a first end position and a second end position while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, thereby repeatedly forcing the pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to the outlet, out of the intensifier unit, and into the pressure vessel. The selected positions of the one or more other bodies and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit may be such that, during at least a portion of the time, the bodies of at least some of the intensifier units are in the first end position and the second end position at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some of the intensifier units.

[0046] As mentioned, for each or any intensifier unit, the body may comprise or be constituted by, for example, a piston unit or piston, and the average time required for the body to move between the first end position and the second end position may be the average stroke time of the piston unit or piston.

[0047] Said controlling of the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit based on the position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) at which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time may be performed in different ways, such that one or more other bodies have a selected position relative to the position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) at which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time.

[0048] For each intensifier unit, the actuation mechanism may be controllable with respect to a direction of movement of the body along the path. Controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit based on the position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) for which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, such that one or more other bodies have a selected position relative to the position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) for which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, may include performing the following actions A), B), C) and D) for each intensifier unit other than the intensifier unit(s) for which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, namely: The method may include one or more of: A) controlling an actuating mechanism of the intensifier unit to momentarily hold the body so as to reach a selected position relative to the position of the body in the intensifier unit(s) where the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time; B) controlling an actuating mechanism of the intensifier unit to momentarily reduce a speed of movement of the body so as to reach a selected position relative to the position of the body in the intensifier unit(s) where the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time; C) controlling an actuating mechanism of the intensifier unit to momentarily increase a speed of movement of the body so as to reach a selected position relative to the position of the body in the intensifier unit(s) where the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time; and D) controlling an actuating mechanism of the intensifier unit to change a direction of movement of the body so as to reach a selected position relative to the position of the body in the intensifier unit(s) where the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time.

[0049] The hold or delay according to the above-mentioned action A) may, at least in some cases, last for a time of about 1 ms to 100 ms, especially if the booster unit is configured according to a linear booster, and the hold or delay according to the above-mentioned action A) may last for a time longer than 100 ms, especially if the booster unit is configured according to a combination of different types of boosters.

[0050] The momentary holding or delay of the body may be performed, for example, when the body reaches a first end position or a second end position.

[0051] In order to achieve that the other body or bodies have a selected position relative to the position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) for which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, said control of the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units may need to be performed during an extended period of time during which the body of each intensifier unit is moved multiple times between the first and second end positions while one or more of the above-mentioned actions A), B), C) and D) are being performed. For example, for each or any of the intensifier units, any of the above-mentioned actions A), B) and C) may be performed at least once during each time the body moves from the first end position to the second end position or vice versa (which may be called a single stroke), or at least once during each time the body moves from the first end position to the second end position and back to the first end position or vice versa (which may be called a double stroke).

[0052] As mentioned, means may be provided for supplying a working medium to the intensifier unit or extracting a working fluid from the intensifier unit. For each intensifier unit, such means may comprise, for example, a source and sink of working medium (e.g. hydraulic fluid) in fluid communication with the second chamber via a control valve. The control valve may be configured to controllably supply the working medium to at least a portion of the second chamber and to drain the working medium from at least a portion of the second chamber, thereby causing a movement of the body in the second chamber and possibly controlling the direction of the movement of the body in the second chamber. The controllable supply of the working medium to at least a portion of the second chamber and the drainage of the working medium from at least a portion of the second chamber may be performed, for example, by an electrohydraulic servo valve and / or a pump for the working medium. The control valve may comprise or be constituted, for example, by a solenoid-operated directional control valve and / or a hydraulically-operated directional control valve.

[0053] Any combination of at least two of the above-mentioned actions A) to D) may be used. For example, said controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units based on the positions of the bodies of the intensifier units whose determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, such that one or more other bodies have a selected position relative to the position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) whose determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, may be performed by controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units to hold or delay the body momentarily for a certain time for each intensifier unit other than the intensifier unit(s) whose determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, and subsequently changing the direction of movement of the body to reach a selected position relative to the position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units.

[0054] As explained above, prior to carrying out the intensification stage, the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units may be controlled based on the position of the body of a selected one of the intensifier units, such that the other body or bodies have selected positions in their respective second chambers relative to the position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units. The selected one of the intensifier units may possibly be determined based on information that may have been gathered or collected during a previous intensification stage, for example by artificial intelligence techniques.

[0055] According to one example according to such an approach, the at least one control and / or processing unit may be configured to obtain, during a pressure intensification phase (e.g. the pressure intensification phase referred to in relation to the first aspect of the invention as described above) and for each pressure intensifier unit, values ​​indicative of the position of the body during selected time periods in a plurality of time instances from at least one sensor (which may be configured for each pressure intensifier unit to sense the position of the body as described above) and to determine, based on the obtained values, a plurality of average times required for the body to move between a first end position and a second end position, the plurality of average times corresponding to respective different time periods in the pressure intensification phase. The at least one control and / or processing unit may further be configured to compare the determined average times for each pressure intensifier unit of the plurality of pressure intensifier units in order to determine the pressure intensifier unit of the plurality of pressure intensifier units for which the average time required for the body to move between the first end position and the second end position is the greatest during the pressure intensification phase. The at least one control and / or processing unit may be further configured to control the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit based on the determined position of the body of the intensifier unit such that the other one or more bodies have selected positions in their respective second chambers relative to the determined position of the body of the intensifier unit, and thereafter control the actuation mechanism to repeatedly move the bodies back and forth between the first end position and the second end position while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, thereby performing another intensification stage comprising repeatedly forcing the pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to an outlet, out of the intensifier unit and into the pressure vessel, wherein the selected positions of the other one or more bodies and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit are such that during at least a portion of the other intensification stage, at least some of the bodies of the intensifier units are in the first end position and the second end position at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some of the intensifier units.

[0056] Hence, according to the approach described above, information for each intensifier unit regarding the average time required for the body to move between a first end position and a second end position, corresponding to different time periods during the intensification stage, can be collected or gathered during the intensification stage, which information can then be used to determine which intensifier unit should be the "master" intensifier unit in another subsequent intensification stage.

[0057] As mentioned, the fact that during the intensification phase, one of the amplifier units of the multiple intensifier units may have the maximum average time required for the intensifier body to move between the first and second end positions may be due, for example, to any change in friction resistance in the intensifier unit or any internal leakage in the intensifier unit and / or in any means for supplying or extracting working medium to or from the intensifier unit, which may occur during the intensification phase. However, other factors may (for example, in addition) affect which of the multiple intensifier units has the maximum average time required for the intensifier body to move between the first and second end positions at a certain time instance during the intensification phase or during a certain part of the intensification phase. Such other factors may include the pressure level in the pressure vessel at said time instance or during said part of the intensification phase.

[0058] The at least one control and / or processing unit may include or be configured by, for example, one or more of any suitable central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller, programmable logic controller (PLC), digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., or any combination thereof. The at least one control and / or processing unit may optionally be capable of executing software instructions stored, for example, in a computer program product in the form of a memory. The memory may be, for example, any combination of read-write memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory may comprise a persistent storage device, which may be, for example, a magnetic memory, an optical memory, a solid-state memory, or a remotely mounted memory, or any combination thereof.

[0059] According to a third aspect of the inventive concept there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors provided in at least one control and / or processing unit in a system according to the first aspect of the invention, cause the at least one control and / or processing unit to perform a method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0060] According to a fourth aspect of the inventive concept there is provided a processor readable medium having a computer program borne thereon, the computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors provided in at least one control and / or processing unit in a system according to the first aspect of the invention, cause the at least one control and / or processing unit to perform a method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0061] Each or any of the one or more processors may comprise, for example, a CPU, microcontroller, PLC, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, etc., or any combination thereof. The processor-readable storage medium may include, for example, a digital versatile disk (DVD) or a floppy disk, or any other suitable type of processor-readable means or processor-readable (digital) medium, such as, but not limited to, a memory, such as, for example, a non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive, a compact disk (CD), a flash memory, a magnetic tape, a universal serial bus (USB) memory device, a zip drive, etc.

[0062] According to a sixth aspect of the inventive concept, there is provided a pressing apparatus. The pressing apparatus comprises a pressure vessel, a pressure medium source, and a system according to the first aspect of the invention. The pressure medium source is configured to be in selective fluid communication with the pressure vessel via an intensifier unit of the system such that pressure medium can be delivered from the pressure medium source to the pressure vessel via the intensifier unit. Each intensifier unit is configured to receive pressure medium from the pressure medium source at an inlet of the intensifier unit and increase the pressure in the pressure vessel by injecting the pressure medium into the pressure vessel. For each intensifier unit, at least one first chamber of the intensifier unit is configured to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium received at the inlet of the intensifier unit from the pressure medium source.

[0063] The press apparatus may, for example, comprise or be configured by an isostatic press apparatus, which may be configured to treat at least one article when placed in the pressure vessel by isostatic pressing, such as CIP, WIP, or HIP.

[0064] Further objects and advantages of the present invention are described below by way of exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that the present invention relates to all possible combinations of the features described in the claims. Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the appended claims and description herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein.

[0065] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0066] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pressing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a pressing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pressing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0067] The drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally show only those parts necessary to explain embodiments of the invention; other parts may be omitted or may merely be suggested.

[0068] The present invention will now be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are illustrated. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments of the invention set forth herein, but rather these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0069] 1 is a schematic diagram of a pressing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pressing apparatus 1 comprises a pressure vessel 2, a pressure medium source 4 and a system including components indicated by the reference numerals 3, 10, 20, 30, 40 and which will be further described below.

[0070] The pressure vessel 2 is for holding a pressure medium. The press apparatus 1 may, for example, comprise or be constituted by an isostatic press apparatus configured to treat at least one article (not shown in FIG. 1 ) when placed in the pressure vessel 2 by isostatic pressing, such as cold isostatic pressing (CIP), warm isostatic pressing (WIP), or hot isostatic pressing (HIP).

[0071] The system comprises a number of pressure intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40. Each pressure intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 is configured to increase the pressure in the pressure vessel 2 by injecting a pressure medium into the pressure vessel 2. It should be understood that the number of pressure intensifier units illustrated in Fig. 1, i.e. 4, is according to an example and the system can in principle include any number of pressure intensifier units, such as 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 or 15 or more.

[0072] The pressure medium source 4 is configured to be in selective fluid communication with the pressure vessel 2 via the pressure intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 such that pressure medium can be delivered from the pressure medium source 4 to the pressure vessel 2 via the pressure intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0073] Each intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 is configured to receive pressure medium from a pressure medium source 4 at an inlet 11, 21, 31, 41 of the intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40, respectively, and to increase the pressure in the pressure vessel 2 by injecting the pressure medium into the pressure vessel 2. Each intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 is configured to output pressure medium at an outlet 12, 22, 32, 42 of the intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40, respectively.

[0074] Each of the inlets 11, 21, 31, 41 of the respective booster units 10, 20, 30, 40 is configured to receive the pressure medium continuously or successively, for example, from the pressure medium source 4. Each of the outlets 12, 22, 32, 42 is configured to be connected to the pressure vessel 2 for introducing the pressure medium into the pressure vessel 2.

[0075] In FIG. 1, the lines with arrows represent pressure medium guiding passages including, for example, conduits, pipes, etc. for guiding the pressure medium, and the arrows indicate the direction of the flow in the pressure medium guiding passages.

[0076] FIG. 1 suggests that each booster unit 10, 20, 30, 40 is connected to a separate inlet of the pressure vessel 2, but this is not essential. For example, all of the booster units 10, 20, 30, 40 can be connected to the same inlet of the pressure vessel 2, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a press device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The press device 1 illustrated in FIG. 4 is configured in the same manner as the press device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, except that the booster units 10, 20, 30, 40 are connected to the same inlet of the pressure vessel 2. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the pressure medium guiding passages from each booster unit 10, 20, 30, 40 can merge into a single pressure medium guiding passage coupled to the pressure vessel 2. The technical advantages associated with the embodiments of the present invention as described above can become more prominent in a situation as illustrated in FIG. 4. For M booster units, there are pressure medium guiding passages from each booster unit, and two or more of the pressure medium guiding passages are merged such that the flow from the booster units enters the pressure vessel 2 via N pressure medium guiding passages coupled to the pressure vessel 2, where N and M are positive integers, N < M, M ≧ 2, and N ≧ 1. FIG. 4 illustrates the case where M = 4 and N = 1. However, according to other embodiments of the present invention, N ≦ M. Such an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 where M = N = 4.

[0077] 1 and 4 suggest that each intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 is connected to the pressure medium source 4 via a separate pressure medium guiding passage, but this is not necessary. For example, a single pressure medium guiding passage could be connected at one end to the pressure medium source 4 and divided at the other end into four pressure medium guiding passages, each connected to a corresponding one of the pressure intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0078] As will be explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 2, each pressure intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 comprises at least one first chamber in fluid communication with the inlet 11, 21, 31, 41 and outlet 12, 22, 32, 42, respectively, and configured to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium received at the inlet 11, 21, 31, 41. Furthermore, each pressure intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 comprises a body controllably movable within the second chamber along a path back and forth between a first end position and a second end position. Furthermore, each pressure intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 comprises an actuation mechanism configured to controllably move the body back and forth between the first end position and the second end position at an adjustable speed, and which is controllable with respect to at least the positioning of the body along the path. For each pressure intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40, at least one first chamber, body, and second chamber are arranged such that at least one movement of the body between a first end position and a second end position forces any pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to an outlet 12, 22, 32, 42 and out of the pressure intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0079] The system comprises at least one control and / or processing unit. According to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG.

[0080] The control and / or processing unit 3 is configured to control the operation of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40, in particular to control the actuation mechanisms of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40. To that end, the control and / or processing unit 3 may be connected to the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40, e.g. individually to each of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40. Such a connection may for example be implemented or realised by any wireless and / or wired means as known in the art. Such a connection may be a communication connection that may enable the at least one control and / or processing unit 3 to communicate with the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 and / or any other components in the system 3, 10, 20, 30, 40 or in the press apparatus 1 via wired and / or wireless communication means or techniques, for example via any suitable wired and / or wireless communication means or techniques as known in the art, to transmit messages, instructions, data, commands, etc. from the at least one control and / or processing unit 3 to the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 and / or any other components in the system 3, 10, 20, 30, 40 or in the press apparatus 1, and possibly vice versa.

[0081] The control and / or processing unit 3 may be configured to control the operation of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 individually, in particular the actuation mechanisms of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 individually.

[0082] The control and / or processing unit 3 is configured to control the actuation mechanisms of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 such that each of the bodies has a selected position in the corresponding second chamber relative to the position(s) of the other one or more bodies in the corresponding second chamber(s) of the other one or more bodies, and thereafter perform the intensification phase. The intensification stage comprises, for each intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40, controlling the actuation mechanism to repeatedly move the body back and forth between a first end position and a second end position while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, thereby repeatedly forcing the pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to the outlets 12, 22, 32, 42, out of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 and into the pressure vessel 2, wherein the selected position of the body and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 is such that, during at least a portion of the intensification stage, the bodies of at least some, and possibly all, of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 are in the first end position and the second end position at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some, and possibly all, of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40.

[0083] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a press apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that FIG. 2 is highly schematic and is intended to illustrate the working principle of one or more embodiments of the present invention. The press apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2 is similar to the press apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. However, in FIG. 2, only one of the intensifier units, namely the intensifier unit 10, is illustrated, and the other intensifiers are not shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates the intensifier unit 10 in more detail than FIG. 1. It should be understood that any other intensifier units that may be included in the press apparatus 1, such as, for example, each or any of the intensifier units 20, 30, 40 illustrated in FIG. 1, may be configured similarly or the same as the intensifier unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pressure intensifier unit 10 comprises an inlet 11 configured to continuously or continuously receive pressure medium from a pressure medium source 4, and an outlet 12 configured to be connected to the pressure vessel 2 for inputting pressure medium thereto.

[0085] The pressure intensifier unit 10 comprises two first chambers 13, 14 in fluid communication with the inlet 11 and the outlet 12, respectively. The first chambers 13, 14 are configured to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium received at the inlet 11.

[0086] 2, most of the arrowed lines represent pressure medium guiding passages, e.g. comprising conduits, piping etc. for guiding the pressure medium, the arrows indicating the direction of flow in the pressure medium guiding passages. The first chambers 13, 14 are arranged to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium received at the inlet 11 by the pressure medium guiding passages 5, 6, 7 and 8.

[0087] The intensifier unit 10 comprises bodies 15a, 15b, 15c which are controllably movable within the second chamber 16 along a path back and forth between a first end position and a second end position. According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 2, the intensifier unit 10 comprises a housing 19, e.g. including or constituted by a cylinder, and the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c are axially displaceable within the housing 19 along a longitudinal or central axis of the housing 19.

[0088] Further, according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, the first end position may be defined as the position that the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c have in the second chamber 16 when the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c are moved as far as possible to the left side of the figure, and the second end position may be defined as the position that the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c have in the second chamber 16 when the bodies are moved as far as possible to the right side of the figure.

[0089] Although bodies 15a, 15b, 15c are illustrated in FIG. 2 as being made up of different pieces attached to one another, it should be understood that bodies 15a, 15b, 15c may be formed as a single component or piece.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 2, bodies 15a, 15b, 15c may be sized or dimensioned relative to the interior of housing 19 such that bodies 15a, 15b, 15c slide on the inner surface of housing 19 as bodies 15a, 15b, 15c move within second chamber 16 along a path back and forth between first and second end positions.

[0091] The intensifier unit 10 comprises an actuation mechanism configured to controllably move the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c back and forth between first and second end positions at an adjustable speed and that is controllable with respect to at least the positioning of the bodies along the path. As will be further explained below, the first chamber 13, the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c and the second chamber 16 are configured such that movement of the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c at least once between the first and second end positions forces any pressure medium in the first chamber 13 to the outlet 12 and out of the intensifier unit 10.

[0092] According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the actuation mechanism comprises means for supplying or extracting working medium to or from the second chamber 16, comprising a working medium source and sink 17 in fluid communication with the second chamber 16 via a control valve (not shown in Fig. 2). The actuation mechanism may for example be a hydraulic mechanism and the working medium may thus be a hydraulic medium such as hydraulic oil. The control valve may for example comprise or consist of a solenoid operated directional control valve and / or a hydraulically operated directional control valve. The control valve may be configured to controllably supply the working medium to a portion of the second chamber 16 (e.g., the leftmost portion of the second chamber 16 in FIG. 2) and to discharge the working medium from a portion of the second chamber 16 (e.g., the rightmost portion of the second chamber 16 in FIG. 2) thereby causing a movement of the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c in the second chamber 16 and possibly controlling the direction of the movement of the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c in the second chamber 16. To that end, the source and sink 17 of the working medium may be connected with the portion of the second chamber 16, for example, via working medium guiding passages 18a and 18b for guiding the working medium. The arrows on the elements 18a and 18b indicate the possible directions of flow of the working medium in the working medium guiding passages 18a and 18b. For this reason, according to an embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2, the actuation mechanism may further comprise actuating medium guiding passages 18a and 18b, referred to in the following by the reference numbers 17, 18a, 18b. The controllable supply of the actuating medium to the portion of the second chamber 16 and the discharge of the actuating medium from the portion of the second chamber 16 may be performed, for example, by an electrohydraulic servo valve and / or a pump for the actuating medium (not shown in Fig. 2), which may be considered as part of the actuation mechanism 17, 18a, 18b. For example, according to an embodiment of the invention also illustrated in Fig. 2, the body 15a, 15b, 15c may be constituted by a piston or a piston unit, the second chamber 16 may be constituted by a piston (unit) chamber, and the actuation mechanism 17, 18a, 18b may comprise a source and a sink of hydraulic fluid (for example hydraulic oil) in fluid communication with the piston chamber via a control valve.A control valve (not shown in FIG. 2) may be configured to controllably supply hydraulic medium to and exhaust hydraulic medium from a portion of the piston chamber to cause movement of the piston within the piston chamber, and optionally control the direction of movement of the piston within the piston chamber.

[0093] By supplying an amount of working medium to one part of the second chamber 16 (e.g. the leftmost part of the second chamber 16 in FIG. 2) while simultaneously discharging an amount of working medium from another part of the second chamber 16 (e.g. the rightmost part of the second chamber 16 in FIG. 2), the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c are axially displaced within the housing 19 along the longitudinal or central axis of the housing 19. Depending on the direction of movement of the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c during the axial displacement of the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c, any pressure medium in either the first chamber 13 or the first chamber 14 is discharged into the pressure medium guiding passage 7 or 8 and can then be guided to the outlet 12 via the pressure medium guiding passage 51 or the pressure medium guiding passage 52. When any pressure medium in one of the first chambers 13 and 14 is discharged, the other of the first chambers 13 and 14 can be filled with pressure medium supplied from the inlet 11 via the pressure medium guiding passage 5 or 6. The amount of working medium discharged from the other part of the second chamber 16 can correspond to the amount of working medium supplied to that part of the second chamber 16. The body 15a, 15b, 15c can then be axially displaced in the housing 19 along the longitudinal or central axis of the housing 19 in the other direction by supplying an amount of working medium to the part of the second chamber 16 previously discharged and simultaneously discharging an amount of working medium from the other part of the second chamber 16. Thereby, any pressure medium in the other of the first chambers 13 and 14 can be discharged into the pressure medium guiding passage 7 or 8 and then guided to the outlet 12 via the pressure medium guiding passage 51 or 52.

[0094] From this, the first chamber 13, the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c and the second chamber 16 are configured such that at least one movement of the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c between a first end position and a second end position causes any pressure medium in the first chamber 13 to be forced to the outlet 12 and out of the intensifier unit 10. Although this has been described with reference to a specific example, a person skilled in the art will recognize in light of the above description that different configurations of the first chambers 13, 14, the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c and the second chamber 16 are possible to achieve at least one movement of the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c between a first end position and a second end position causes any pressure medium in the first chambers 13, 14 to be forced to the outlet 12 and out of the intensifier unit 10. For example, according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 2, the intensifier unit may be configured according to a double-acting single-stage linear intensifier such as the H2O Jet Intensifier pump manufactured by H2O Jet Inc., the HYPERTRON® High Pressure Pump manufactured by BFT, the STREAMLINE PRO® pump manufactured by KMT Waterjet Systems, or the HyperJet® Intensifier Pump manufactured by Flow Waterjet, but this is according to an example and is not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention, and it should be understood that the present invention also encompasses intensifiers having multiple stages (i.e., two or more stages) and / or intensifiers that are not necessarily linear, as well as similar devices having the same or similar operating principles, such as compressors, for example.

[0095] It should be understood that the intensifier unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 may include one or more additional components, which are not shown in FIG. 2. For example, the intensifier unit 10 may include one or more check valves in the pressure medium guiding passages 5, 6, 51, and 52 to prevent the pressure medium from passing from one of the first chambers 13 and 14 to the other. The intensifier unit 10 may also include at least one sensor that may be configured to sense the position of the body 15a, 15b, 15c. The at least one sensor may be configured to sense the position of the body 15a, 15b, 15c continuously (e.g., throughout the entire path). In some cases, the at least one sensor may be configured to sense when (e.g., only when) the body 15a, 15b, 15c is in the first end position or the second end position.

[0096] It should be understood that the realization or implementation of the intensifier unit 10 as described above with reference to Fig. 2 is according to an example, and other ways of realizing or implementing the intensifier unit(s) are possible. For example, although the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c are described above as being constituted by pistons or piston units, the bodies (e.g., part 15a) may (e.g., instead) include a membrane, and thus the intensifier unit 10 may be a membrane-based intensifier unit. Furthermore, the actuation mechanism may not necessarily be a hydraulic mechanism as described above with reference to Fig. 2, but may instead (or additionally) be based on, for example, a rotary direct drive or another type of direct drive.

[0097] Each of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 illustrated in Fig. 1 may be configured similarly or identically to the intensifier unit 10 illustrated in Fig. 2. With further reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the control and / or processing unit 3 may be configured to control the actuation mechanisms 17, 18a, 18b of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 such that each of the bodies 15a, 15b, 15c has a selected position in the corresponding second chamber 16 relative to the position(s) of the other bodies 15a, 15b, 15c in the corresponding second chamber(s) 16 of the other bodies 15a, 15b, 15c, and thereafter perform the intensification phase. The intensification stage may comprise controlling, for each intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40, the actuating mechanism 17, 18a, 18b to repeatedly move the body 15a, 15b, 15c back and forth between a first end position and a second end position, adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, thereby repeatedly forcing the pressure medium in the first chamber 13, 14 to the outlet 12, 22, 32, 42, out of the intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 and into the pressure vessel 2; The selected positions of 5b, 15c and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 are such that during at least a portion of the intensification phase, at least some, possibly all, bodies 15a, 15b, 15c of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40 are in the first end position and the second end position at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some, possibly all, of the intensifier units 10, 20, 30, 40. With further reference to Fig. 1, for each intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40, each of the first chambers 13, 14 of the intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 is configured to continuously or continuously receive pressure medium received at the inlets 11, 21, 31, 41 of the intensifier unit 10, 20, 30, 40 from the pressure medium source 4.

[0098] FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a method 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method 100 is a method in a system comprising a plurality of pressure intensifier units. Each pressure intensifier unit is configured to increase the pressure in a pressure vessel for holding a pressure medium by introducing a pressure medium into the pressure vessel. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises an inlet configured to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium, e.g., from a pressure medium source. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises an outlet configured to be connected to the pressure vessel for introducing the pressure medium into the pressure vessel. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises at least one first chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, respectively, and configured to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium received at the inlet. Each pressure intensifier unit comprises a body controllably movable within a second chamber (e.g., of the pressure intensifier unit) along a path back and forth between a first end position and a second end position. Each intensifier unit comprises an actuation mechanism configured to controllably move the body back and forth between first and second end positions at an adjustable speed, the actuation mechanism being controllable with respect to positioning of the body at least along the path. For each intensifier unit, the at least one first chamber, the body, and the second chamber are configured such that movement of the body at least once between the first and second end positions forces any pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to the outlet and out of the intensifier unit.

[0099] The method 100 comprises, at 101, controlling the actuation mechanisms of the intensifier units such that each of the bodies has a selected position in a corresponding second chamber relative to the position(s) of the other body(s) in the corresponding second chamber(s) of the other body(s). The method 100 then comprises, at 102, performing a pressure intensification stage. The pressure intensification stage comprises, for each intensifier unit, controlling the actuation mechanism to repeatedly move the body back and forth between a first end position and a second end position while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, thereby repeatedly forcing the pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to an outlet, out of the intensifier unit and into the pressure vessel. The selected positions of the bodies and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit are such that during at least a portion of the pressure intensification stage, the bodies of at least some of the intensifier units are in the first end position and the second end position at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some, possibly all, of the intensifier units.

[0100] In conclusion, a system is disclosed that includes a plurality of intensifier units configured to increase a pressure in a pressure vessel. Each intensifier unit includes an inlet, an outlet configured to be connected to the pressure vessel, at least one first chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, respectively, a body controllably movable in the second chamber along a path back and forth between a first end position and a second end position, and an actuation mechanism configured to controllably move the body back and forth between the first end position and the second end position at an adjustable speed. The control and / or processing unit is configured to control the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units such that each of the bodies has a selected position in the corresponding second chamber relative to the position(s) of the other one or more bodies in the corresponding second chamber(s) of the other one or more bodies, and then to perform the intensification stage.

[0101] While the present invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such illustrations should be considered as exemplary or illustrative and not restrictive, and the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the appended claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: a plurality of pressure intensifier units (10, 20, 30, 40), each configured to increase the pressure in a pressure vessel (2) for holding a pressure medium by injecting the pressure medium into said pressure vessel; Each pressure intensifier unit comprises an inlet (11, 21, 31, 41) configured to receive pressure medium continuously or continuously, an outlet (12, 22, 32, 42) configured to be connected to the pressure vessel for inputting pressure medium to the pressure vessel, at least one first chamber (13, 14) in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, respectively, and configured to receive the pressure medium received at the inlet continuously or continuously, and a body (15a, 15b, 15c) controllably movable within a second chamber (16) along a path back and forth between a first end position and a second end position. 15c), and an actuation mechanism (17, 18a, 18b) configured to controllably move the body back and forth between the first and second end positions at an adjustable speed and controllable with respect to positioning of the body along at least a portion of the path, wherein at least one of the first chambers, the body and the second chambers are configured such that movement of the body at least once between the first and second end positions forces any pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to the outlet and out of the pressure intensifier unit, the system further comprises at least one control and / or processing unit (3) configured to perform a pressure intensification stage comprising controlling the actuation mechanisms of the intensifier units such that each of the bodies has a selected position in the corresponding second chamber relative to a position(s) of one or more other bodies in corresponding second chamber(s) of the other one or more bodies, and then controlling the actuation mechanism for each intensifier unit to repeatedly move the body back and forth between the first and second end positions while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, thereby repeatedly forcing pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to the outlet, out of the intensifier unit and into the pressure vessel, the selected positions of the bodies and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit being such that during at least a portion of the pressure intensification stage the bodies of at least some of the intensifier units are in the first and second end positions at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some of the intensifier units.

2. said controlling the actuation mechanism of the pressure intensifier unit such that each of the bodies has a selected position in a corresponding second chamber relative to a position(s) of one or more other bodies in a corresponding second chamber(s) of the other one or more bodies; 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: controlling the actuation mechanism of the pressure intensifier unit based on a position of the body of the selected one of the pressure intensifier units such that one or more other bodies have selected positions in their respective second chambers relative to a position of the body of the selected one of the pressure intensifier units, the selected one of the pressure intensifier units being selected based on measurement data indicative of the pressure medium input capacity of the pressure intensifier unit obtained based on a previous pressure intensification stage.

3. For each intensifier unit, the actuation mechanism is optionally further controllable with respect to a direction of movement of the body along the path, and the controlling of the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit based on a position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units such that one or more other bodies have selected positions in their respective second chambers relative to a position of the body of the selected one of the intensifier units comprises, for each intensifier unit other than the selected one of the intensifier units: controlling the actuation mechanism of the pressure intensifier unit to momentarily hold the body to reach the selected position relative to a position of the body of the selected one of the pressure intensifier units; controlling the actuation mechanism of the pressure intensifier unit to momentarily reduce a speed of the movement of the body relative to a position of the body of the selected one of the pressure intensifier units to reach the selected position; controlling the actuation mechanism of the pressure intensifier unit to momentarily increase the speed of the movement of the body relative to a position of the body of the selected one of the pressure intensifier units to reach the selected position; controlling the actuation mechanism of the pressure intensifier unit to change the direction of the movement of the body relative to a position of the body of the selected one of the pressure intensifier units to reach the selected position; The system of claim 2 , comprising one or more of:

4. and for each intensifier unit, at least one sensor configured to sense a position of the body; The at least one control and / or processing unit may, prior to the boosting step, for each booster unit: controlling the actuation mechanism to repeatedly move the body back and forth between the first and second end positions during a selected period of time; obtaining values ​​indicative of a position of the body during the selected time period at a plurality of time instances from at least one of the sensors; determining an average time required for the body to move between the first end position and the second end position based on the obtained values; and wherein prior to the boosting step, the at least one control and / or processing unit is further configured to: comparing the determined average times for each one of the intensifier units to determine a maximum average time; controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit(s) based on the position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) at which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, such that one or more other bodies have a selected position relative to the position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) at which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, and then performing the intensification stage; The system of claim 1 , further configured to:

5. The at least one control and / or processing unit may, during the boosting stage, for each booster unit: obtaining values ​​indicative of a position of the body during selected time periods among a plurality of time instances from at least one of the sensors; determining an average time required for the body to move between the first end position and the second end position based on the obtained values; and wherein at least one of the control and / or processing units is configured to: comparing the determined average times for each one of the intensifier units to determine a maximum average time; controlling the actuation mechanism of the pressure intensifier unit(s) based on the position of the body of the pressure intensifier unit(s) where the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time such that one or more other bodies have a selected position relative to the position of the body of the pressure intensifier unit(s) where the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time, and then controlling the actuation mechanism to repeatedly move the body back and forth between the first end position and the second end position while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, thereby repeatedly forcing the pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to the outlet, out of the pressure intensifier unit, and into the pressure vessel. and wherein the selected positions of one or more other bodies and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit are such that, during at least a portion of time, the bodies of at least some of the intensifier units are in the first end position and the second end position at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some of the intensifier units.

6. for each intensifier unit, the actuation mechanism is optionally further controllable with respect to a direction of movement of the body along the path, and the controlling of the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit based on a position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) for which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time such that one or more other bodies have selected positions relative to a position of the body of the intensifier unit(s) for which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time includes, for each intensifier unit other than the intensifier unit(s) for which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time: controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit(s) to momentarily hold the body to reach the selected position relative to a position of the body in the intensifier unit(s) where the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time; controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit(s) to momentarily reduce the speed of the movement of the body to reach the selected position relative to a position of the body in the intensifier unit(s) at which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time; controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit(s) to momentarily increase the speed of the movement of the body to reach the selected position relative to a position of the body in the intensifier unit(s) at which the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time; controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit(s) to change the direction of movement of the body to reach the selected position relative to a position of the body in the intensifier unit(s) where the determined average time is equal to the maximum average time; The system according to claim 4 or 5, comprising one or more of the following:

7. and for each intensifier unit, at least one sensor configured to sense a position of the body; The at least one control and / or processing unit may, during the boosting stage, for each booster unit: obtaining values ​​indicative of a position of the body during selected time periods among a plurality of time instances from at least one of the sensors; determining a plurality of average times required for the body to move between the first end position and the second end position based on the obtained values; wherein the plurality of averaging times correspond to respective ones of the different time periods during the boosting phase, and wherein the at least one control and / or processing unit is configured to: comparing the determined average times for each of the pressure intensifier units to determine the pressure intensifier unit of the plurality of pressure intensifier units for which the average time required for the body to move between the first and second end positions during the pressure intensification phase is greatest; performing another intensification step comprising controlling the actuation mechanism of the intensifier unit based on the determined position of the body of the intensifier unit such that one or more other bodies have selected positions in their respective second chambers relative to the determined position of the body of the intensifier unit, and then controlling the actuation mechanism to repeatedly move the bodies back and forth between the first end position and the second end position while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, thereby repeatedly forcing pressure medium in the first chamber(s) out of the intensifier unit and into the pressure vessel to the outlet; and wherein the selected positions of one or more other bodies and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit are such that during at least a portion of another intensification stage, the bodies of at least some of the intensifier units are in the first end position and the second end position at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some of the intensifier units.

8. 8. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein for each intensifier unit, the body comprises or is constituted by a piston unit, the second chamber comprises or is constituted by a piston unit chamber, and the actuation mechanism causes movement of the piston unit within the piston unit chamber by controllably supplying and expelling hydraulic medium to and from at least a portion of the piston unit chamber, optionally comprising a source and sink of hydraulic fluid in fluid communication with the piston unit chamber via a control valve configured to control a direction of the movement of the piston unit within the piston unit chamber.

9. A method (100) in a system comprising a plurality of pressure intensifier units, each pressure intensifier unit configured to increase a pressure in a pressure vessel for holding a pressure medium by introducing a pressure medium into the pressure vessel, each pressure intensifier unit having an inlet configured to continuously or continuously receive a pressure medium, an outlet configured to be connected to the pressure vessel for introducing pressure medium into the pressure vessel, at least one first chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, respectively, and configured to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium received at the inlet, and a first end position and a second end position. and an actuation mechanism configured to controllably move the body back and forth between the first and second end positions at an adjustable speed and controllable with respect to positioning of the body at least along at least a portion of the path, wherein at least one of the first chamber, the body and the second chamber are configured such that movement of the body at least once between the first and second end positions causes any pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to be forced to the outlet and out of the pressure intensifier unit, the method comprising: performing a pressure intensification stage (102) comprising controlling (101) the actuation mechanism of the intensifier units such that each of the bodies has a selected position in a corresponding second chamber relative to a position(s) of one or more other bodies in corresponding second chamber(s) of the other one or more bodies, and then controlling (102) for each intensifier unit the actuation mechanism to repeatedly move the body back and forth between the first and second end positions while adjusting the speed to reach a selected speed, thereby repeatedly forcing pressure medium in the first chamber(s) to the outlet, out of the intensifier unit and into the pressure vessel, wherein the selected positions of the bodies and / or the selected speed for each intensifier unit are such that, during at least a portion of the pressure intensification stage, the bodies of at least some of the intensifier units are in the first and second end positions at different times and / or the speed is the same for at least some of the intensifier units.

10. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more processors comprised in at least one control and / or processing unit (3) in a system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, cause said at least one control and / or processing unit to perform the method according to claim 9.

11. A press device (1), comprising: A pressure vessel (2); A pressure medium source (4), A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. the pressure medium source is configured to be in selective fluid communication with the pressure vessel via the intensifier unit of the system such that pressure medium can be delivered from the pressure medium source via the intensifier unit to the pressure vessel; A press apparatus, wherein each pressure intensifier unit is configured to receive pressure medium from the pressure medium source at the inlet (11, 21, 31, 41) of the pressure intensifier unit and to increase the pressure in the pressure vessel by injecting pressure medium into the pressure vessel, and for each pressure intensifier unit, at least one first chamber (13, 14) of the pressure intensifier unit is configured to continuously or continuously receive the pressure medium received at the inlet of the pressure intensifier unit from the pressure medium source.

12. 12. The pressing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pressing apparatus comprises or is configured to treat at least one article when placed in the pressure vessel by isostatic pressure application.

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