Method and related system for a press device

Abstract

A method (100, 200) for a pressing device is disclosed. The pressing device comprises a pressure vessel including an insulating casing, in which at least one article can be placed. The pressing device is configured to subject at least one article that is or can be placed in the insulating casing to a treatment. The method comprises heating (101) at least a part or a portion of the insulating casing using at least one heating means such that any amount of moisture present in or on at least a part or a portion of the insulating casing is reduced, prior to performing a treatment of the at least one article using the pressing device. Following heating of the at least a part or a portion of the insulating casing, a treatment of the at least one article using the pressing device is performed (102). Also disclosed is a system (90, 41; 42; 43) comprising a pressing device (90) and at least one heating means (41; 42).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of high-pressure technology, and more particularly to pressure treatment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for a press device for treating at least one article by isostatic pressing, such as hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The present invention further relates to a system associated with this method.

Background Art

[0002] Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) uses a pressure medium in the form of pressurized heated gas, for example, to achieve densification, consolidation, or joining of high-performance components and materials. HIP can be used, for example, to reduce or even eliminate porosity in a processed article, achieving 100% of the maximum theoretical density in a processed article such as a casting (e.g., a turbine blade), and providing very excellent resistance to fatigue, impact, wear, and abrasion. Further, HIP can be used in the manufacture of products by powder compression (which can be called powder metallurgy HIP, i.e., PM HIP), and it is desirable or necessary for the products to be fully or substantially fully dense and have an outer surface without pores or substantially without pores, etc. Products obtained from HIP treatment can be used, for example, in aircraft airframes, aircraft engines, automotive engines, human implants, and the marine industry. HIP offers many advantages and has become a viable and high-performance alternative and / or supplement to conventional processes such as forging, casting, and machining. Articles to be subjected to pressure treatment by HIP can be placed in the loading compartment or loading chamber of a heat-insulated pressure vessel. The treatment cycle can include loading the article, treating the article, and removing the article. Several articles can be treated simultaneously. The treatment cycle can be divided into several stages, i.e., stages such as a pressing stage, a heating stage, and a cooling stage. After loading the article into the pressure vessel, it can then be sealed, and subsequently, a pressure medium (comprising an inert gas such as an argon-containing gas, etc.) is introduced into the pressure vessel and its loading compartment. Then, the pressure and temperature of the pressure medium are increased, whereby the article is exposed to the increased pressure and increased temperature for a selected period of time. In turn, the increase in the temperature of the pressure medium, which can cause an increase in the temperature of the article, is brought about by a heating element or furnace placed in the furnace chamber of the pressure vessel. The pressure, temperature, and treatment time can depend, for example, on the desired or required material properties of the article to be treated, the specific application field, and the required quality of the article to be treated. The pressure in HIP can be in the range, for example, from 200 bar to 5000 bar, such as from 800 bar to 2000 bar.The temperature in HIP can be in the range from, for example, 800 °C to 2000 °C, or even from 300 °C to 3000 °C.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] Any impurities in the pressure medium used in isostatic pressing such as HIP, for example, impurities in the form of water, nitrogen or oxygen, can have a harmful effect on the article to be treated, especially on materials that are highly reactive to these impurities, for example, articles made of so-called superalloys. The impurities can react chemically with the surface of the article and form a surface layer having chemical properties different from those of the original material of the article. Such a surface layer can comprise, for example, oxides and / or nitrides, for example, chromium oxide, aluminum oxide and / or titanium nitride. Such a surface layer can have an adverse effect on the surface properties of the article, which can be harmful to the material properties of the article such as toughness, strength, fatigue and corrosion properties. Such a surface layer can also have an adverse effect on any subsequent process steps in manufacturing, such as a surface coating process. Such a surface layer can change the color of the article and can hereinafter be referred to as discoloration (on the article). Such a surface layer or discoloration may have to be removed from the article. The removal of discoloration(s) from the article increases the number of operations required to process the article and thereby, in some cases, can increase the costs associated with the processing.

[0004] During processing, the impurities present in the pressure medium can diffuse into the article instead of, or in addition to, forming a surface reaction, and thus can change the chemical properties of the material of the article. Even such a slight change in chemical properties can have an adverse effect on the properties of the article.

[0005] In view of the above, of interest to the present invention is to provide a method for reducing the amount of impurities, or even avoiding any impurities, in the pressure medium used in a pressing device for isostatic pressing, such as HIP, for processing.

[0006] Of further interest to the present invention is to provide a method for keeping relatively low the costs associated with processing, for example, isotropic pressure pressing such as HIP.

[0007] To address at least one of these interests and other interests, a method and an apparatus according to independent claims are provided. Preferred embodiments are defined by dependent claims.

[0008] The inventors have found that one of the main reasons for any discoloration on the article to be treated, or in some cases even the main reason, is water vapor (or steam) in the pressure medium, which can originate from moisture present in or on the so-called mantle of the press device. Other reasons may include water vapor that may already be present in the pressure medium when supplying the pressure medium to the pressure device (e.g., from a pressure medium source), and water vapor that can originate from moisture present in or on the article(s) to be treated. The mantle can be arranged or can be arranged inside the pressure vessel of the press device. The mantle may in some cases be called a heat-insulating casing. The mantle is arranged such that the pressure medium can enter and exit the interior of the mantle. The interior of the mantle comprises one or more cavities arranged to accommodate the article(s) to be treated. The one or more cavities may be called loading compartments. The mantle may have a heat-insulating wall, for example, a heat-insulating outer wall. The mantle may be removably arranged on the press device such that, for example, for placing, replacing, or removing the article(s) into / from the interior of the mantle, the mantle can be removed from the press device at least temporarily. Before carrying out the treatment using the press device, the mantle can be arranged outside the pressure vessel, where the mantle can be exposed to the ambient air for a long period of time (e.g., for several hours or overnight), for example, at the location where the press device is installed. - For example, during such a long period of time when the mantle is arranged outside the pressure vessel and exposed to the ambient air - moisture originating from the ambient air may tend to accumulate in or on the heat-insulating material that can be contained in the mantle (e.g., on its outer wall), and furthermore, the inventors have found that the accumulation of moisture in or on the heat-insulating material that can be contained in the mantle can be one of the main reasons for the accumulation of moisture in the pressure vessel, or in some cases even the main reason. When there is a high level of humidity in the ambient air, even during a short period of time (e.g., during the time it takes to open the pressure vessel, remove the article treated by the press device, and load a new article to be treated by the press device), there can be a significant accumulation of moisture originating from the ambient air in or on the heat-insulating material that can be contained in the mantle.There can also be an accumulation of moisture in or on another or other parts of the mantle. Also, the accumulation of moisture in or on the mantle can occur not only when the mantle is temporarily disposed outside the pressure vessel, but also, in some cases, when the mantle is to be disposed within the pressure vessel and the pressure vessel is open for a long period of time (e.g., for several hours or overnight). If, prior to performing a process using a pressing apparatus, a significant amount of moisture is present in or on the heat-insulating casing of the pressing apparatus, the moisture can cause an accumulation of water vapor in the pressure medium used in the pressing apparatus for performing the process (e.g., at the start of the process). If the proportion of water vapor in the pressure medium during the process is sufficiently high, the water vapor in the pressure medium can cause an undesired surface layer (discoloration) to be formed on the article being processed. This problem generally becomes more pronounced as the pressure (within the pressure vessel) at which the process is performed is higher. Generally, the higher the pressure at which the process is performed, the smaller the proportion of water vapor in the pressure medium must be in order for a coating not to be formed on the article being processed. This problem also depends on the material of the article being processed. For each material, and given a specific pressure at which the process is performed, there can be a threshold proportion of water vapor in the pressure medium above which a coating is formed on the article being processed. It has been found by the inventors that different materials can have different threshold proportions of water vapor in the pressure medium above which a coating is formed on the article being processed. For example, the following materials are ordered according to the ascending threshold proportions of water vapor in the pressure medium above which a coating is formed on the article being processed: nickel-based alloys, stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chrome, steel. Thus, a coating can be more easily formed on an article being processed in the case of, for example, nickel-based articles, such as articles made from nickel-based alloys containing chromium and / or aluminum, than in the case of steel-based articles. The fact that for each material, and given a specific pressure at which the process is performed, there can be a threshold proportion of water vapor in the pressure medium above which a coating is formed on the article being processed is illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic graph of the proportion C of water vapor in the pressure medium at atmospheric pressure as a function of the pressure P at which the process is performed for different types of materials.Each of the graphs in FIG. 1, denoted by c1, c2, c3, c4, and c5, is for a different material. In FIG. 1, the pressure P at which the process is carried out is shown on the horizontal axis, and the proportion C of water vapor in the pressure medium at atmospheric pressure is shown on the vertical axis. According to one example, the graphs c1, c2, c3, c4, and c5 represent a nickel-based material, stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chromium, and steel, respectively. The position in FIG. 1 where each one of the graphs c1, c2, c3, c4, and c5 intersects the vertical dashed line represents, for the nickel-based material, stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chromium, and steel, respectively, at a pressure of 1000 bar by way of example, the threshold proportion of water vapor in the pressure medium above which a coating is formed on the article to be treated.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for a pressing device is provided. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system is provided. The method and system according to the first and second aspects of the present invention are generally directed to heating the mantle or the insulating casing before carrying out the treatment using the pressing device so that any moisture that may be present in or on the mantle or the insulating casing is reduced.

[0010] The press device according to the first aspect of the present invention may include a pressure vessel, which may be arranged to hold a pressure medium therein during use of the press device. The pressure vessel may include end caps. The pressure vessel may include a first end cap and a second end cap. For example, when the pressure vessel is arranged upright (e.g., such that the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel follows the vertical direction), the first end cap and the second end cap may be referred to as the upper end cap or the upper end cap and the lower end cap. The press device may include a heat-insulating casing arranged within the pressure vessel. The heat-insulating casing may at least partially surround a furnace chamber. The heat-insulating casing may be arranged such that the pressure medium can enter and exit the furnace chamber. The heat-insulating casing may include a heat-insulating portion that can at least partially surround the furnace chamber and a housing that can at least partially surround the heat-insulating portion. A processing area arranged to accommodate at least one article may be at least partially defined by the furnace chamber. The press device may be configured to subject at least one article to processing. The heat-insulating casing may include at least one pressure medium guiding path, which may be formed between at least a part of the housing and at least a part of the heat-insulating portion. The at least one pressure medium guiding path may be arranged to guide the pressure medium exiting the furnace chamber towards the end cap such that the pressure medium exiting the at least one pressure medium guiding path is guided close to the inner surface of the wall of the pressure vessel during use of the press device.

[0011] The method according to the first aspect of the present invention may include heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means such that any moisture content present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced before using the press device to carry out the processing of at least one article. The method according to the first aspect of the present invention may include, subsequent to heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, carrying out the processing of at least one article using the press device.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system is provided. The system may comprise a pressing device. The pressing device according to the second aspect of the present invention may be the same as or similar to the pressing device according to the first aspect of the present invention. Accordingly, the pressing device according to the second aspect of the present invention may comprise a pressure vessel, which may be arranged to hold a pressure medium therein during use of the pressing device. The pressure vessel may comprise end caps. The pressing device may comprise a heat-insulating casing arranged within the pressure vessel. The heat-insulating casing may at least partially surround a furnace chamber. The heat-insulating casing may be arranged such that the pressure medium can enter and exit the furnace chamber. The heat-insulating casing may comprise a heat-insulating portion that can at least partially surround the furnace chamber and a housing that can at least partially surround the heat-insulating portion. A processing area arranged to accommodate at least one article may be at least partially defined by the furnace chamber. The pressing device may be configured to subject at least one article to processing. The heat-insulating casing may comprise at least one pressure medium guiding path, which may be formed between at least a part of the housing and at least a part of the heat-insulating portion, respectively. At least one pressure medium guiding path may be arranged to guide the pressure medium exiting the furnace chamber towards the end caps such that the pressure medium exiting at least one pressure medium guiding path is guided in proximity to the inner surface of the wall of the pressure vessel during use of the pressing device.

[0013] The system according to the second aspect of the present invention may comprise at least one heating means. The at least one heating means may be configured to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing such that any moisture content present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced before performing the processing of at least one article using the pressing device.

[0014] The pressing device according to the second aspect of the present invention may be configured to perform the processing of at least one article using the pressing device subsequent to heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing.

[0015] In the context of the present application, the treatment (of at least one article) using a press device may involve, for example, a pressure treatment and / or a temperature (heat) treatment. The pressure treatment may include heating or heat treatment after, before, or in parallel with an increase in the pressure within a pressure vessel. In the context of the present application, the term "treatment" should be understood to encompass one or more press stages, heating stages, holding stages, pumping stages, vacuum stages, and / or cooling stages of a treatment cycle that can be carried out by a press device.

[0016] The methods and systems according to the first and second aspects of the present invention are generally directed to heating a heat-insulating casing so that any moisture that may be present in or on the heat-insulating casing is reduced - before carrying out a treatment using a press device - before carrying out a treatment of at least one article using a press device - By heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing so that any amount of moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced, the amount of any impurities in the pressure medium used in the press device can be reduced or, in some cases, even eliminated. For example, by heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, water and / or another or other liquids can be released, evaporated, and / or diffused from one or more surfaces of the heat-insulating casing. By heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing can be dried. In the context of the present application, moisture should be understood as water or other liquids that are diffused in small amounts as vapor within a solid such as a heat-insulating material that may be contained in a mantle, within a porous medium, or condensed on the surface.

[0017] For example, by heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, any moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing can be released from one or more surfaces of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing. Molecules of water and / or another substance can be bound to one or more surfaces of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing by physical adsorption. By heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, molecules of water and / or another substance bound to one or more surfaces of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing can be released from the one or more surfaces, because the force that binds the molecules of water and / or another substance to one or more surfaces of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing generally weakens as the temperature rises. The resulting gaseous-phase water (e.g., water vapor) and / or other gases can then be removed from the heat-insulating casing. The gaseous-phase water and / or other gases resulting from the release of any moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing can be removed from the heat-insulating casing, for example, by actively drawing them out (e.g., sucking them out or exhausting them) from the heat-insulating casing and / or from a pressure vessel (e.g., from the heat-insulating casing or the pressure vessel). Drawing out the gaseous-phase water and / or other gases resulting from the release of any moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing from the heat-insulating casing or the pressure vessel can be carried out, for example, by performing one or more vacuum stages of, for example, a processing cycle of the pressure vessel, or one or more vacuum purges. For example, two or more vacuum stages or vacuum purges, such as three or four or six or more, can be carried out.

[0018] Accordingly, by heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, any moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing can be released from one or more surfaces of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing. Subsequent to heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing and prior to performing the treatment of at least one article using the pressing device, the gas resulting from the release of any moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing can be withdrawn from the heat-insulating casing or from the pressure vessel. The gas resulting from the release of any moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing can be composed of water in the gas phase, or by another gas, or by a mixture of water in the gas phase and another or other gases.

[0019] Before carrying out the treatment of at least one article using a pressing device, at least one heating means is used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing so that any moisture present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced. As a result, in the pressure medium used in the pressing device during the treatment, the accumulation of water vapor can be completely eliminated or only a very small amount of water vapor accumulation can exist. Thereby, the problem of forming an undesirable surface layer (discoloration) on the article to be treated can be alleviated or completely avoided. Also, any harmful chemical reactions that can occur in the pressure vessel during the treatment due to the excessive presence of water vapor in the pressure medium used in the pressing device during the treatment can be reduced or eliminated. Any such harmful chemical reactions can damage components within the pressure vessel or components of the pressure vessel, such as temperature sensors (e.g., thermocouples (plural possible)) and / or associated wiring, etc., within the furnace chamber or components of the furnace chamber. Therefore, before carrying out the treatment of at least one article using a pressing device, at least one heating means is used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing so that any moisture present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced, and the lifespan of components within the pressure vessel or of the pressure vessel can be relatively long. This can be particularly beneficial for heat-insulating casings made at least partially of carbon-based materials such as graphite.

[0020] As described above, before performing the treatment of at least one article using a press device, by heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing so that any moisture present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced, any impurities / water vapor in the pressure medium used in the press device during the treatment can be reduced or eliminated. This can facilitate or enable reusing a relatively large proportion of the pressure medium used in the press device during the treatment in one or more subsequent treatments. For example, a relatively large proportion of the pressure medium used in the press device during a treatment cycle can be reused in one or more subsequent treatment cycles. After the treatment cycle is completed, the pressure medium can be withdrawn from the pressure vessel, and then the pressure vessel can be opened to remove the article(s) to be treated. The pressure medium withdrawn from the pressure vessel can be directed into a pressure medium reservoir in fluid communication with the pressure vessel. As described above, any impurities / water vapor in the pressure medium used in the press device during the treatment cycle can be relatively small or negligible (i.e., the purity of the pressure medium can be relatively high), so the pressure medium withdrawn from the pressure vessel and directed into the pressure medium reservoir can be easily used in the pressure vessel in subsequent treatment cycles. To further increase the purity of the reused pressure medium, a suitable filter can be disposed between the pressure vessel and the pressure medium reservoir such that the pressure medium withdrawn from the pressure vessel passes through this filter on its way to the pressure medium reservoir. Such reuse of the pressure medium can help reduce the overall pressure medium consumption. Such reuse of the pressure medium can be particularly beneficial for a heat-insulating casing made at least partially of a carbon-based material such as graphite. The pressure medium reused from the treatment cycle can, in some cases, be reused in another type of pressure vessel or press device.For example, after the processing cycle is completed in a press device having a pressure vessel with a heat-insulating casing made at least in part of a carbon-based material such as graphite, the pressure medium is withdrawn from this pressure vessel and subsequently reused, at least in part, in a press device having a pressure vessel with a heat-insulating casing made of another type of material, such as molybdenum for example.

[0021] Preheating - i.e., heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, which is carried out before using the press device to carry out the processing of at least one article - may, in some cases, be preceded, for example, by carrying out one or more vacuum stages of the processing cycle of the pressure vessel.

[0022] In the context of the present application, the vacuum stage of the processing cycle means, in some cases, a stage of the processing cycle (e.g., an initial stage of the processing cycle) that includes evacuating air and / or any other gas from the interior of the pressure vessel by means of one or more vacuum pumps after inserting the article(s) to be processed into the pressure vessel.

[0023] With reference to the method and system according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the heat-insulating casing mentioned above may alternatively be referred to as a mantle.

[0024] As mentioned above, in the context of the present application, the term "processing" should be understood as encompassing one or more pressing stages, heating stages, holding stages, pumping stages, vacuum stages, and / or cooling stages of the processing cycle that can be carried out by the press device. Some of the stages of the processing cycle may be carried out simultaneously or during overlapping time periods.

[0025] Using at least one heating means to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing such that any moisture present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced can be carried out, for example, such that any moisture present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing does not exceed a certain (e.g., selected or predetermined) threshold level of the moisture content in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing.

[0026] Furthermore, using at least one heating means to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing such that any moisture present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced can be carried out, for example, to ensure that any water vapor concentration in the pressure medium used in the pressing device during processing does not exceed a certain (e.g., selected or predetermined) threshold concentration level. To do so, it may be necessary to consider that water vapor can be present in the pressure medium when supplying the pressure medium to the pressure device (e.g., from a pressure medium source), and that water vapor can be generated from moisture that can be present in or on the article(s) being processed. The water vapor concentration in the pressure medium when supplying the pressure medium to the pressure device (when the pressure medium can be in a pressure medium source separate from the pressure vessel, for example) can be (about) 2 ppm in some situations.

[0027] To confirm that any moisture present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing has been reduced (e.g., such that it does not exceed a certain threshold level of the moisture content in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing) and / or that any water vapor concentration in the pressure medium used in the pressing device during processing does not exceed a certain (e.g., selected or predetermined) threshold concentration level, a moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor can be used. In addition to using a moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor, for example, a gas chromatograph can be used.

[0028] A moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor) may be configured to directly or indirectly sense the amount of moisture in the pressure medium used within the pressure vessel during processing. The moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor) may be configured to indirectly sense the amount of moisture by sensing some quantity / quantities from which the moisture amount is derived or can be derived. The moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor) may be configured to directly or indirectly sense, for example, the amount of moisture in the pressure medium within the heat-insulating casing (e.g., within the furnace chamber, within the loading section included in the furnace chamber, or inside the heat-insulating portion of the heat-insulating casing) during processing. For this purpose, the moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor) may be disposed within the heat-insulating casing (e.g., within the furnace chamber, within the loading section included in the furnace chamber, or inside the heat-insulating portion of the heat-insulating casing). However, the moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor) may also be disposed in another or other locations. For example, a pressure medium diversion device may be provided, which may be configured to divert a portion of the pressure medium from a space, for example, within the heat-insulating casing (e.g., within the furnace chamber), to a pressure medium analysis device that may be outside the pressure vessel. The pressure medium analysis device may include, for example, a humidity sensor and / or an oxygen sensor and / or a device for analyzing the composition (e.g., chemical composition) of the pressure medium diverted by the pressure medium diversion device. The pressure medium analysis device may additionally exhibit one or more other capabilities, such as the ability to sense radiation, for example. The ability to sense radiation may be useful, for example, when the article(s) being processed includes a container (e.g., a capsule or a can) holding a radioactive substance, in which case a possible leak in the container may be sensed by the pressure medium analysis device. The pressure medium diversion device may include one or more pressure medium conduits or ducts.The analysis of the pressure medium diverted from a part or portion of the pressure vessel, for example, from the space within the insulation casing, can be carried out not only in conjunction with preheating - i.e., heating at least a part or portion of the insulation casing, which is carried out before carrying out the treatment of at least one article using a press device - as described herein, but rather, it should be understood that such analysis can be carried out independently of such preheating. For example, such analysis can be carried out during one or more selected stages of the treatment cycle, for example, during the pressing stage of the treatment cycle. The analysis of the composition (e.g., chemical composition) of the pressure medium diverted from a part or portion of the pressure vessel, for example, from the space within the insulation casing, can be carried out repeatedly (e.g., continuously) in order to monitor the composition of the pressure medium over a selected time period. This can facilitate or make it possible to ensure that the pressure medium within a part or portion of the pressure vessel has a certain (e.g., desired or required) composition over a selected time period. As one possible application, the analysis of the composition of the pressure medium diverted from a part or portion of the pressure vessel (e.g., from the space within the insulation casing) can be carried out to determine or monitor any level of carbon in the pressure medium in relation to (e.g., during) a case hardening process (including a carburizing process) as disclosed in WO2016 / 150490A1.

[0029] Alternatively or in addition, a moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor) can be configured to directly or indirectly sense the amount of moisture in the pressure medium in another part of the pressure vessel, for example, in the space near or at the end cap, during processing.

[0030] The sensor can be provided, for example, in a press device. The sensor is configured to sense the moisture content in the pressure medium within the insulating casing during processing, in order to ensure that the concentration of any water vapor in the pressure medium within the insulating casing during processing does not exceed a certain threshold concentration level. The sensor can comprise, or be constituted by, a moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor), as described above.

[0031] The pressure medium used in a press device (e.g., its pressure vessel) can comprise, for example, a gas, such as an inert gas like argon gas.

[0032] The insulating casing can be made from one or more of various materials.

[0033] For example, the insulating casing, or at least its insulating portion and housing, can be made of metal (e.g., made of a material consisting of one or more metals and / or metal alloys). In some cases, the insulating casing, or at least the insulating portion and its housing, can be made entirely, or substantially entirely, of a material consisting of one or more metals and / or metal alloys. In the case of a metal insulating casing, when temporarily placed outside the pressure vessel over a long time period (e.g., for several hours or overnight), the accumulation of moisture in or on the insulating casing can be relatively less compared to insulating casings of other materials.

[0034] The insulating casing can comprise, for example, one or more ceramic fiber materials such as Saffil manufactured by Unifrax (https: / / www.unifrax.com), the polycrystalline alumina fiber material of MAFTEC, Superwool, and / or one or more other types of ceramic materials, or any combination thereof. For example, the interior of the insulating portion of the insulating casing, or the material(s) constituting the insulating portion, can comprise, or be constituted by, one or more ceramic fiber materials.

[0035] It should be understood that the heat-insulating casing may comprise a different or other type of material than those described above. For example, the heat-insulating casing may alternatively or additionally comprise a steel-based material or element, a molybdenum-based material or element, and / or a carbon-based material or element such as, for example, graphite and carbon fiber blanket or the like. According to another example, the heat-insulating casing may alternatively or additionally comprise titanium or a titanium-based material, and / or tungsten or a tungsten-based material.

[0036] Heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means may be carried out in different ways. For example, a heating element such as an electric heating element may be used.

[0037] At least one heating element that may be operable to generate heat at a selected output may be used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing at the selected output of the at least one heating element and during a selected time period. Thus, heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means may comprise using at least one heating element that may be operable to generate heat at a selected output to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing at the selected output of the at least one heating element and during a selected time period. The output and time period of the at least one heating element may be selected such that any moisture content present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced (e.g., does not exceed a certain threshold level of the moisture content in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing).

[0038] Thus, the at least one heating means may comprise at least one heating element, such as, for example, at least one electric heating element.

[0039] The desired or required output of the at least one heating element may be achieved by controlling the current level of the current supplied to the at least one heating element.

[0040] At least one heating element that can be included in at least one heating means or that can constitute at least one heating means can be, for example, an additional and / or separate heating element(s) dedicated to preheating - i.e., heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, which is carried out before carrying out the treatment of at least one article using a pressing device.

[0041] Alternatively or in addition, at least one heating element that can be included in at least one heating means or that can constitute at least one heating means can be constituted by an existing heating element(s) within a pressure vessel that can be used to carry out isostatic pressing such as HIP. As will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, the furnace chamber can comprise, for example, a furnace for heating a pressure medium within the pressure vessel, i.e., a heater or heating element, during the pressing stage of the treatment cycle. At least one heating element that can be included in at least one heating means or that can constitute at least one heating means can be constituted, for example, by the furnace, e.g., by any heater or heating element of the furnace of the furnace chamber. In the context of the present application, the term "furnace" refers to an element or means for providing heating, while the term "furnace chamber" refers to the area or region within which the furnace, and optionally the loading section and any articles, can be located.

[0042] At least one heating element can be used to heat at least a part of the heat-insulating portion and / or at least a part of the housing so that any moisture content present in at least a part of the heat-insulating portion and / or at least a part of the housing is reduced, at a selected output of the at least one heating element and for a selected time period.

[0043] At least one heating element can be arranged, for example, within or inside a heat-insulating casing. For example, at least one heating element can be arranged inside the heat-insulating portion of the heat-insulating casing. Additionally or alternatively, at least one heating element can be arranged (e.g., coupled thereto) on the inner surface of the heat-insulating portion of the heat-insulating casing. Each or any heating element can comprise, for example, one or more metallic resistive heating elements in the form of one or more wires, strips and / or ribbons, which can be arranged (e.g., embedded) within the material(s) constituting the heat-insulating portion. The one or more resistive heating elements can be made of one or more alloys. The advantage of a configuration in which at least one heating element is arranged within the heat-insulating casing is that the outer surface of the heat-insulating casing can be kept at a relatively low temperature even during or after operating at least one heating element. This can facilitate any manual handling of the heat-insulating casing, as will be further explained below, for example, when heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is carried out while the heat-insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel and the heat-insulating casing has to be (re)positioned or loaded into the pressure vessel in order to carry out a process using a pressing device.

[0044] One or more temperature sensors (e.g., one or more thermocouples) can be provided at each or any heating element to ensure that the material(s) constituting the heat-insulating portion or heating element(s) is not exposed to a temperature exceeding any maximum allowable temperature to which the material(s) constituting the heat-insulating portion or heating element(s) is permitted to be exposed by the operation of the heating element(s).

[0045] As described above, the desired or required output of at least one heating element can be achieved by controlling the current level of the current supplied to the at least one heating element. The current level of the current supplied to the at least one heating element can be restricted or adjusted based on the pressure level within the pressure vessel. This is because, especially at very low pressures within the pressure vessel, the temperature of the at least one heating element can become very high, and the property (e.g., conductivity) of the material(s) included in or constituting the heat-insulating portion where the at least one heating element can be embedded can change in an undesirable manner. For example, any electrical insulator for any heating strip, wire, or the like of the at least one heating element can change in an undesirable manner when overheated. By restricting or adjusting the current level of the current supplied to the at least one heating element based on the pressure level within the pressure vessel, any such undesirable change in the property of the material(s) included in or constituting the heat-insulating portion can be reduced or even avoided. This also applies, for example, to a furnace within a furnace chamber (e.g., any heating element(s) of the furnace). For example, the material properties of any heating strip or wire of the furnace or the isolator for the heating element(s) of the furnace can change in an undesirable manner when overheated. Thus, alternatively or additionally, the current level of the current supplied to the furnace or the heating element(s) of the furnace can be restricted or adjusted based on the pressure level within the pressure vessel. The restriction on the current level of the current supplied to the furnace or the heating element(s) of the furnace can be based on the temperature of the furnace or the heating element(s) of the furnace, and the temperature can be determined based on the electrical resistance of the furnace or the heating element(s) of the furnace. The furnace within the furnace chamber will be further described below with reference to the figures.

[0046] The press device can be equipped with a pressure medium flow generator, which can be configured to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path. The pressure medium flow generator can, for example, comprise or be constituted by one or more fans and / or ejectors. Simultaneously or subsequently to using at least one heating element to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, the pressure medium flow generator can be operated to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path. By operating the pressure medium flow generator to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path, simultaneously or subsequently to using at least one heating element to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, at least one article being processed and, optionally, also other components within the pressure vessel can also be heated and dried. For example, the heat-insulating casing and the bottom heat-insulating part (which will be further described below with reference to the figures) can be heated and dried, and this bottom heat-insulating part may or may not be considered as part of the heat-insulating casing. Also, since the heat generated by at least one heating element can be transported by the heated pressure medium passing through at least one pressure medium induction path of the heat-insulating casing as the heated pressure medium flows through the heat-insulating casing, it can facilitate or enable the heating of a relatively large part or portion of the heat-insulating casing without the need for a large number of heating elements. For example, there can be a flow of heated pressure medium into the heat-insulating casing (e.g., into the material(s) constituting the heat-insulating part, or into the space(s) or void(s) within the heat-insulating part) through one or more holes or openings that can be formed within at least one pressure medium induction path of the heat-insulating casing. According to one example, at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, such as the heat-insulating part, can have a layered structure having an outer layer, an intermediate layer (or several intermediate layers), and an inner layer, with the intermediate layer being arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer, and the heat-insulating material being arranged between the intermediate layer and the inner layer. The heat-insulating material can, for example, be sandwiched between the intermediate layer and the inner layer.Each or any of the outer layer, the intermediate layer, and the inner layer can be made of, for example, steel or a steel-based material, molybdenum or a molybdenum-based material, and / or carbon or a carbon-based material such as, for example, graphite. According to one example, the outer layer and the intermediate layer can be made of steel, and the inner layer can be made of molybdenum. The heat insulating material can be composed of, or can include, for example, one or more ceramic fiber materials such as sapphire, the polycrystalline alumina fiber material of MAFTEC, superwool, and / or one or more other types of ceramic materials, or any combination thereof. Between the outer layer and the intermediate layer, and / or between the intermediate layer and the inner layer, a spacer including, for example, so-called angle irons can be provided to space the layers apart from each other. At least one pressure medium induction path of the heat insulating casing can be between the outer layer and the intermediate layer. One or more holes or openings can be provided in the intermediate layer. Therefore, when the pressure medium flow generator is operated to generate a flow of the pressure medium in at least one pressure medium induction path of the furnace chamber and the heat insulating casing, a flow of the heated pressure medium into the heat insulating material can exist.

[0047] Different positions of at least one heating element are possible. For example, at least one heating element can be arranged in a part of at least one pressure medium induction path. Alternatively or additionally, at least one heating element can be arranged in a part of the furnace chamber.

[0048] The heat insulating casing can be removably arranged in the pressure vessel such that the heat insulating casing can be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily. For example, the heat insulating casing can be removed from the pressure vessel to place or replace articles in the furnace chamber before performing the treatment of the articles (plural) using a pressing device, or to take out the articles (plural) from the furnace chamber after completing the treatment of the articles (plural) using a pressing device.

[0049] Heating at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casing can be performed while the heat insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel.

[0050] For example, the heat-insulating casing can be removed from the pressure vessel, and heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element can be carried out while the heat-insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel. Subsequent to carrying out the heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element, the heat-insulating casing can be disposed within the pressure vessel.

[0051] Thus, carrying out the heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element can comprise removing the heat-insulating casing from the pressure vessel, carrying out the heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element while the heat-insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel, and subsequent to carrying out the heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element, disposing the heat-insulating casing within the pressure vessel.

[0052] As described above, different positions of at least one heating element are possible. In some cases, at least one heating element may not be disposed within the heat-insulating casing. For example, subsequent to removing the heat-insulating casing from the pressure vessel, the heat-insulating casing may be placed within the container, which may be arranged to accommodate the heat-insulating casing. At least one heating element may be disposed within or on the container such that when the heat-insulating casing is placed within the container, at least one heating element can be used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing. Heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element may be carried out while the heat-insulating casing is placed within the container. Subsequent to heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element, the heat-insulating casing may be removed from the container. Subsequently to this, the heat-insulating casing may be disposed within the pressure vessel. The container may be included in, for example, a furnace chamber (which may be different from and separate from the furnace chamber of the pressure vessel) or may be constituted by this furnace chamber, which may include or may constitute a furnace that may include at least one heating element. The container may include, for example, a support structure arranged to support the heat-insulating casing subsequent to the heat-insulating casing being removed from the pressure vessel for placing, replacing, or removing articles (s) within / from the furnace chamber. The container may additionally be arranged to support, for example, one or more further components such as the base of the furnace, which may be removably arranged within the pressure vessel such that the one or more further components can be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily. The base of the furnace will be further described below with reference to the figures. The base of the furnace may alternatively be referred to as a bottom heat-insulating portion. The bottom heat-insulating portion, i.e., the base of the furnace, may or may not be regarded as part of the heat-insulating casing. The bottom heat-insulating portion may or may not be removed from the pressure vessel together with the heat-insulating casing. When the bottom heat-insulating portion is removed from the pressure vessel together with the heat-insulating casing, the bottom heat-insulating portion may be supported within or by the container together with the heat-insulating casing after they have been removed from the pressure vessel.

[0053] As described below with reference to the figures, the furnace chamber may include a loading basket configured to hold the article(s) to be processed. The loading basket may be disposed on the bottom heat insulating portion.

[0054] In some cases, the bottom heat insulating portion can be removed from the pressure vessel, while the heat insulating casing cannot be removed from the pressure vessel. To place, replace, or remove the article(s) in the furnace chamber, when the loading basket is disposed on the bottom heat insulating portion, it may be sufficient to remove the bottom heat insulating portion (and thus the loading basket as well) from the pressure vessel with the heat insulating casing remaining inside the pressure vessel. Once the bottom heat insulating portion and the loading basket are removed from the pressure vessel, the article(s) can be placed in, replaced, or removed from the loading basket. Subsequently, the bottom heat insulating portion and the loading basket can be reinserted into the pressure vessel.

[0055] The advantage of using a container as described above, in which at least one heating element is disposed inside or on the container so that when the heat insulating casing is placed in the container, the at least one heating element can be used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casing, is that the structure of the heat insulating casing can be made less complex compared to using a configuration having at least one heating element included in at least one heating means disposed inside the heat insulating casing. When using a container as described above, the need for the heating element(s) inside the heat insulating casing for preheating (i.e., heating at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casing that is carried out before performing the processing of at least one article using a pressing device) can be reduced or eliminated altogether.

[0056] The heat-insulating casing and, optionally, also the bottom heat-insulating part or the furnace base can also be supported in the container over a long time period (e.g., for several hours or overnight). In order to reduce the amount of moisture accumulating in or on the heat-insulating casing during a long time period, the container can be made of a material (s) that has a relatively low tendency to oxidize in ambient air. Alternatively or additionally, in order to reduce the amount of moisture accumulating in or on the heat-insulating casing during a long time period, the container can be closed and the interior of the container can be pressurized with a gas, preferably an inert gas such as argon gas. Thus, the container can be arranged such that it can optionally be closed (with the heat-insulating casing therein) and such that its interior can be pressurized with a gas. The amount of gas used to pressurize the interior of the container should be sufficient to ensure that no air or moisture transport from the outside to the inside of the container can occur or only very little transport can occur.

[0057] As described above, the press device can comprise a pressure medium flow generator, which can be configured to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path. The heated pressure medium can be introduced into the pressure vessel. The pressure medium flow generator can be operated to generate a flow of heated pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path for a selected time period. The heated pressure medium can contain an amount of thermal energy such that at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is heated so that any amount of moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced by the transfer of thermal energy from the heated pressure medium to at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing during the passage of the heated pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path and for the selected time period. The selected time period can be in the range of, for example, 5 to 30 minutes, for example, 10 to 30 minutes, or 15 to 20 minutes.

[0058] Accordingly, heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means may comprise introducing the heated pressure medium into the pressure vessel and operating a pressure medium flow generator to generate a flow of the heated pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path during a selected time period.

[0059] The temperature of the heated pressure medium is preferably in the range of (about) 50°C to (about) 400°C, more preferably in the range of (about) 100°C to (about) 400°C, or (about) 100°C to (about) 300°C. However, the temperature of the heated pressure medium can be lower than 50°C or higher than 400°C. For example, the temperature of the heated pressure medium in the vicinity of or within at least one pressure medium induction path of the heat-insulating casing (e.g., the upper part of the heat-insulating casing) can be in the range of (about) 50°C to (about) 400°C, more preferably in the range of (about) 100°C to (about) 400°C, or (about) 100°C to (about) 300°C.

[0060] The heated pressure medium may comprise, for example, a recycled pressure medium. The heated pressure medium may be, for example, that which has been used in the press device during an opportunity before the process using the press device. Thus, the at least one heating means may alternatively or additionally comprise a heated pressure medium such as, for example, a recycled pressure medium, i.e., a pressure medium that has been used in the press device during an opportunity before the process using the press device. After the process using the press device, all or at least a part of the pressure medium in the pressure vessel can be removed from the pressure vessel by methods known in the art and, optionally, stored in a pressure medium container. As a result of using the pressure medium in the press device during an opportunity before the process (for example, including one or more press stages, heating stages, and optionally, holding stages), the pressure medium may have a relatively high temperature. Alternatively or additionally, the recycled pressure medium can be heated, for example, using any method known in the art before reintroducing it into the pressure vessel. Such recycling of the pressure medium can help reduce overall pressure medium consumption.

[0061] A certain (e.g., selected) portion of the amount of the pressure medium that has been used in the press device during an opportunity before the process using the press device can be reused as the (heated) pressure medium introduced into the pressure vessel to effect heating of at least a part or a portion of the heat-insulating casing. For example, the amount of the pressure medium corresponding to the pressure in a pressure vessel of about 40 bar that has been used in the press device during an opportunity before the process can be reused in this way.

[0062] The pressure vessel can be, for example, cylindrical or substantially cylindrical. On the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessel, a flow path, conduit or tube, etc. can be provided, and these flow paths, conduits or tubes can be arranged, for example, in a connected state with the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessel, and can be arranged parallel to the axial direction of the pressure vessel and / or extend helically or spirally around the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessel. A coolant or cooling medium for cooling the wall of the pressure vessel can be supplied into the flow path, conduit or tube, whereby the wall of the pressure vessel can be cooled to protect the wall from the accumulation of harmful heat during the operation of the pressure vessel or the pressing device. The coolant in the flow path, conduit or tube can comprise, for example, water, but other or different types of coolants are also possible. Prestressing means can be provided on the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessel and, optionally, on any flow path, conduit and / or tube for the coolant, etc. The prestressing means can be provided, for example, in the form of one or more bands, preferably in several layers, wound multiple times around the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessel and, optionally, also around any flow path, conduit and / or tube for the coolant, etc. that can be provided thereon. The prestressing means can be arranged to exert a radially compressive force on the pressure vessel. The prestressing means can accommodate the radial forces acting on the pressure vessel and, optionally, also the axial forces.

[0063] Such prestressing means can facilitate or enable the outer wall(s) of the pressure vessel to have a relatively small thickness. Without such prestressing means, the outer wall(s) of the pressure vessel may need to have a greater thickness to withstand the radial forces acting on the pressure vessel and, in some cases, the axial forces. A pressure vessel having an outer wall(s) with a relatively large thickness without such prestressing means may be referred to as a monoblock pressure vessel. It should be understood that such prestressing means are optional and not essential, and that a pressure vessel may or may not be provided with such prestressing means (for example, a pressure vessel may or may not be a monoblock pressure vessel).

[0064] As indicated above, a cooling medium circuit may be provided on the outer surface of the wall of the pressure vessel. The cooling medium circuit may extend along at least a portion of the outer surface of the pressure vessel. The cooling medium circuit may be configured to circulate a cooling medium, i.e., a coolant, therein. The cooling medium may be heated, and the heated cooling medium may be circulated within the cooling medium circuit for a selected time period. Heating the cooling medium is the transfer of thermal energy from the heated cooling medium to the wall of the pressure vessel during the circulation of the heated cooling medium within the cooling medium circuit for a selected time period, - whereby thermal energy is transferred to the interior of the pressure vessel - and may be carried out such that the amount of thermal energy includes that which heats at least a part or portion of the insulating casing so that any moisture present in at least a part or portion of the insulating casing is reduced. Thus, heating at least a part or portion of the insulating casing using at least one heating means may comprise, for example, heating the cooling medium and circulating the heated cooling medium within the cooling medium circuit for a selected time period.

[0065] Accordingly, at least one heating means may, alternatively or additionally, comprise a heated cooling medium in any cooling medium circuit provided on the outer surface of the wall of the pressure vessel. The cooling medium may comprise, for example, water, but alternatively or additionally, another or other types of cooling media may be used.

[0066] The maximum temperature of the allowable / feasible cooling medium may depend on the choice of material of the wire of any prestressing means, as described above. The higher the temperature of the heated cooling medium, the shorter the time required to reduce any moisture content present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing so as not to exceed a certain (e.g., selected or predetermined) threshold level of the moisture content in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing.

[0067] The pressure medium may comprise one or more gases. For example, as described above, the pressure medium may comprise an inert gas such as argon gas. One or more getter materials or purifying agents may be disposed within the pressure vessel so as to be exposed to the pressure medium during the processing of at least one article using the pressing device. The one or more getter material purifying agents may be configured to capture or remove particles (e.g., molecules) of one or more selected gases from the pressure medium. The one or more selected gases may comprise, for example, water vapor.

[0068] The use of a getter material within the pressure vessel may be useful in ensuring that the concentration of any water vapor in the pressure medium used in the pressing device during processing does not exceed a certain (e.g., selected or predetermined) threshold concentration level, if preheating - i.e., heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, which is carried out before carrying out the processing of at least one article using the pressing device - is not sufficient to ensure that the moisture content in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing does not exceed a certain threshold level.

[0069] In the context of the present application, a getter material is, in principle, capable of physically and / or chemically capturing and removing reactive gas molecules from the gas phase within a pressure vessel and maintaining the reactive gas molecules adsorbed or chemically bonded to the getter material such that the reactive gas molecules cannot dissociate from the getter material and recombine into the gas phase (e.g., the pressure medium) when not during the processing of at least one article using at least a pressing device. A getter material means any material(s) in any shape(s) or form(s) capable of the above. In the context of the present application, reactive gas molecules can be gas molecules that can form a coating on an article being processed during processing using a pressing device. For example, an oxygen-containing gas such as water vapor can form an oxide on the article.

[0070] The getter material(s) can comprise, for example, Ti (titanium), such as a Ti tip or Ti foil, and can include or be composed of a plurality of Ti elements or particles. Ti-based getter materials can be particularly useful for removing oxygen-containing gases from the gas phase within a pressure vessel. However, other getter material(s) can be used as an alternative or in addition.

[0071] The getter material(s) within the pressure vessel can be provided, for example, by making at least one of the components in the pressure vessel at least partially of the getter material(s). For example, a part or portion of the furnace chamber or any element included in the furnace chamber can comprise the getter material(s). As will be described below with reference to the figures, the furnace chamber can include a loading basket configured to hold the article(s) to be processed. The loading basket can be made entirely or partially of one or more getter materials such as Ti.

[0072] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be 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 consideration of the appended claims and the description herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein.

[0073] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0074]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0075] All the drawings are schematic and not necessarily to scale. Generally, only the parts necessary to clarify the embodiments of the present invention are shown, where other parts may be omitted or merely suggested.

[0076] Next, the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. However, the present invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments of the present invention described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0077] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method 100 for a press device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The press device includes a pressure vessel arranged to hold a pressure medium therein during use of the press device. The pressure vessel includes end caps. The pressure vessel may include a first end cap and a second end cap. For example, when the pressure vessel is arranged upright (e.g., such that the longitudinal direction of the pressure vessel is along the vertical direction), the first end cap and the second end cap may be referred to as an upper or top end cap and a lower end cap. The press device includes a heat-insulating casing, which is arranged inside the pressure vessel. The heat-insulating casing at least partially surrounds a furnace chamber, and the heat-insulating casing is arranged such that the pressure medium can enter and exit the furnace chamber. The heat-insulating casing includes a heat-insulating portion that at least partially surrounds the furnace chamber and a housing that at least partially surrounds the heat-insulating portion. A processing area arranged to accommodate at least one article is at least partially defined by the furnace chamber. The press device is configured to subject at least one article to processing. The heat-insulating casing includes at least one pressure medium guiding path, which is formed between at least a part of the housing and at least a part of the heat-insulating portion. The at least one pressure medium guiding path is arranged to guide the pressure medium exiting the furnace chamber towards the end caps such that the pressure medium exiting the at least one pressure medium guiding path can be guided close to the inner surface of the wall of the pressure vessel during use of the press device.

[0078] The method 100 comprises, at 101, heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means such that any moisture content present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced before using the press device to perform processing of at least one article.

[0079] By heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing can be released from one or more surfaces of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing. Optionally, in 103, the method 100 may comprise, subsequent to heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, drawing out a gas resulting from the release of moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing from the heat-insulating casing or from the pressure vessel. Heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing may or may not continue to be carried out during the drawing out of the gas resulting from the release of moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing from the heat-insulating casing or from the pressure vessel. Drawing out a gas resulting from the release of moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing from the heat-insulating casing or from the pressure vessel can be carried out, for example, by using a pressing device to perform one or more vacuum stages of the treatment cycle.

[0080] In 102, subsequent to heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, the treatment of at least one article is carried out using a pressing device. The treatment may comprise or may be constituted by, for example, a so-called high-pressure heat treatment stage in which at least one article can be exposed to a relatively high pressure and a relatively high temperature.

[0081] Step 103 is in principle optional and can be omitted, which is indicated by the dashed line forming the element shown by 103 in FIG. 2. Thus, in the method 100, step 102 follows immediately after step 101 and step 103 can be omitted.

[0082] As in step 101 in FIG. 2, heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means can be carried out or realized in several ways, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0083] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method 200 for a press apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 includes steps 101, 102, and 103, where steps 102 and 103 are the same as or similar to steps 102 and 103 illustrated in Figure 2, respectively. Similar to step 103 illustrated in Figure 2, step 103 illustrated in Figure 3 is optional and may be omitted.

[0084] In 101 illustrated in Figure 3, before performing the processing of at least one article using the press apparatus, at least one heating means is used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing so that any moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced. According to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 3, step 101 comprises, in 104, using at least one heating element operable to generate heat at a selected output of the at least one heating element and for a selected time period to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing. The output and the time period of the at least one heating element are selected such that any moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced.

[0085] At least one heating element can be arranged, for example, within a heat-insulating casing. The pressing device can comprise a pressure medium flow generator, which can be configured to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path. The pressure medium flow generator can comprise, for example, one or more fans and / or ejectors or can be constituted by them. For example, when at least one heating element is arranged within a heat-insulating casing, it can be particularly beneficial to carry out an additional step 105 included in step 101 in FIG. 3. In 105, in order to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, simultaneously and / or subsequently to using at least one heating element, the pressure medium flow generator is operated to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path. By operating the pressure medium flow generator to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path simultaneously and / or subsequently to using at least one heating element to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, at least one article to be processed can also be heated and dried. In addition to at least one article, other components within the pressure vessel can also be heated and dried. Also, the operation in 105 can facilitate or enable heating of a relatively large part or portion of the heat-insulating casing without the need for a large number of heating elements, since the heat generated by at least one heating element can be transported via the heated pressure medium passing through the heat-insulating casing as the heated pressure medium flows through at least one pressure medium induction path of the heat-insulating casing. However, it should be understood that step 105 is optional and can be omitted, which is indicated by the dashed line forming the element shown by 105 in FIG. 3. Thus, in the method 200, step 101 can comprise only step 104 with step 105 omitted. In that case, step 103 follows immediately after step 104 or step 102 follows (since step 103 is optional and can be omitted).

[0086] As described above, at least one heating element can be disposed, for example, within a heat-insulating casing. However, different positions of the at least one heating element are possible. The at least one heating element does not necessarily have to be disposed within the heat-insulating casing, or, in some cases, may not even be disposed within the pressure vessel. For example, the heat-insulating casing can be removably disposed within the pressure vessel such that the heat-insulating casing can be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily. For example, the heat-insulating casing can be removed from the pressure vessel to place or replace an article(s) within the furnace chamber before using a pressing device to perform processing of the article(s), or to remove the article(s) from the furnace chamber after using the pressing device to complete processing of the article(s). Heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing can be performed while the heat-insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel.

[0087] An example where the heat-insulating casing is removably disposed within the pressure vessel such that the heat-insulating casing can be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily, and heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is performed while the heat-insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel is illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0088] FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a part of a method for a pressing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method of how heating at least a part or portion of a heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element can be carried out or realized. Thus, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method of how step 104 in FIG. 3 can be carried out or realized. Thus, the illustrated part of the method illustrated in FIG. 4 includes step 104, in which at least one heating element operable to generate heat at a selected output is used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing at the selected output of the at least one heating element and during a selected time period.

[0089] According to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 4, step 104 comprises, at 106, removing the heat-insulating casing from the pressure vessel.

[0090] In some cases, at 107, subsequent to removing the heat-insulating casing from the pressure vessel, the heat-insulating casing can be placed within a container arranged to receive the heat-insulating casing. At least one heating element can be arranged within or on the container such that, when the heat-insulating casing is placed within the container, at least one heating element can be used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing.

[0091] At 108, heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element is carried out while the heat-insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel.

[0092] Step 107 is optional and can be omitted, which is indicated by the dashed line forming the element shown by 107 in FIG. 4. That is, the heat-insulating casing can be removed from the pressure vessel but does not necessarily have to be placed within the container. For example, the heat-insulating casing can be placed on the floor or some other supporting surface subsequent to being removed from the pressure vessel. Thus, in FIG. 4, step 108 follows immediately after step 106 and step 107 can be omitted.

[0093] When step 107 is included, at 108, heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element while the heat-insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel can be carried out while the heat-insulating casing is placed within the container. Thus, step 108 can comprise, at 109, carrying out heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element while the heat-insulating casing is placed within the container. Step 109 is optional and can be omitted, which is indicated by the dashed line forming the element shown by 109 in FIG. 4.

[0094] At 110, subsequent to performing heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating element at 108, the heat-insulating casing is disposed within the pressure vessel.

[0095] If step 107 is included, step 110 can be preceded at 111 by removing the heat-insulating casing from the container. If step 107 is not included, step 111 can be omitted and step 108 can be followed immediately by step 110 without step 111 in between. Accordingly, step 111 is optional and can be omitted, which is indicated by the dashed line forming the element shown as 111 in FIG. 4.

[0096] According to FIG. 3 and the description related thereto, heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing so as to reduce any moisture content present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is performed using at least one heating element, but different implementations or realizations are contemplated and it should be understood that this can be applied as an alternative or addition to the use of at least one heating element. Two examples are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of which can be applied as an alternative or addition to the use of at least one heating element as described above. The examples illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be used in combination as an alternative or addition to the use of at least one heating element as described above.

[0097] FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a part of a method for a pressing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method of how heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means can be implemented or realized. Accordingly, FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method of how step 101 in FIG. 2 can be implemented or realized.

[0098] As described above, the press device may comprise a pressure medium flow generator, which may be configured to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path. At 112, the heated pressure medium is introduced into the pressure vessel. At 113, the pressure medium flow generator is operated to generate a flow of heated pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path for a selected time period. The heated pressure medium may contain an amount of thermal energy such that during passage of the heated pressure medium in the furnace chamber and at least one pressure medium induction path and during the selected time period, at least a part or portion of the heat insulation casing is heated so as to reduce any moisture content present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat insulation casing by transfer of thermal energy from the heated pressure medium to at least a part or portion of the heat insulation casing. The heated pressure medium may comprise or be constituted by, for example, the pressure medium used in the press device during an opportunity prior to a treatment using the press device (this use may have resulted in a relatively high temperature of the pressure medium), which may be heated prior to introduction into the pressure vessel. Such reuse of the pressure medium may help to reduce overall pressure medium consumption. The pressure medium used in the press device during an opportunity prior to a treatment using the press device may be stored (momentarily) in some intermediate or temporary pressure medium reservoir (such as a container, vessel, or reservoir). Alternatively or additionally, the heated pressure medium may comprise the pressure medium in some pressure medium reservoir (such as a container, vessel, or reservoir) that may be or may be made fluidly connected to the pressure vessel, which may be heated prior to introduction into the pressure vessel. Heating of the pressure medium may be effected by heat exchanger(s) and / or heater(s) arranged in or on the pressure medium passage (such as a pipe) fluidly connecting the pressure medium reservoir and the pressure vessel, for example, while the pressure medium is in the pressure medium reservoir or while the pressure medium is being induced from the pressure medium reservoir to the pressure vessel.

[0099] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a part of a method for a press apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method of how heating of at least a part or a portion of a heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means can be implemented or realized. Accordingly, FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method of how step 101 in FIG. 2 can be implemented or realized.

[0100] A cooling medium circuit may be provided on the outer surface of the wall of the pressure vessel, which may extend along at least a portion of the outer surface. The cooling medium circuit may be configured to circulate a cooling medium therein. At 114, the cooling medium is heated. At 115, the heated cooling medium is circulated within the cooling medium circuit for a selected time period. Heating the cooling medium at 114 is the transfer of thermal energy from the heated cooling medium to the wall of the pressure vessel during the circulation of the heated cooling medium within the cooling medium circuit for a selected time period, whereby thermal energy is transferred into the interior of the pressure vessel, such that at least a part or portion of the insulation casing is heated so as to reduce any moisture content present in or on at least a part or portion of the insulation casing. Heating the cooling medium may be carried out, for example, such that the temperature of the cooling medium is in the range of (about) 40°C to (about) 150°C, or (about) 40°C to (about) 120°C. It should be understood that steps 114 and 115 may be carried out in addition to steps 112 and 113, and / or any other step(s) as disclosed herein for carrying out or implementing step 101 in Figure 2. When steps 114 and 115 are carried out in addition to any other step(s) as disclosed herein for carrying out or implementing step 101 in Figure 2, heating the cooling medium may be relatively gentle, for example, such that the temperature of the cooling medium is in the range of (about) 40°C to (about) 60°C, or (about) 40°C to (about) 50°C. Heating the cooling medium may be carried out, for example, by means of an immersion heater and a pump (e.g., a pump configured to circulate the cooling medium within the cooling medium circuit). When the cooling medium is heated, it should be ensured that the temperature of the cooling medium is sufficiently reduced before any cooling step of the processing cycle is carried out, so that the cooling step is not adversely affected by the cooling medium being too hot.

[0101] Figure 7 is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a pressing device 90 and heating means 41, which will be further described below. It should be understood that the system - which is collectively referred to below by reference numerals 41 and 90 - may include additional parts, components or elements not illustrated in Figure 7.

[0102] The pressing device 90 is arranged for the treatment of at least one article by pressing, for example, isostatic pressing such as hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The pressing device 90 includes a pressure vessel, which includes a pressure cylinder 1, an upper end cover 8 and a bottom end cover 9, or more generally, (for example, when the pressure vessel is not arranged along the vertical direction) a first end cover and a second end cover, respectively. Hereinafter, the end covers 8 and 9 may be referred to as the upper (or upper side) end cover and the bottom end cover, respectively, but it should be understood that such an explanation does not limit the disclosed embodiment to a specific orientation of the pressure vessel related to, for example, the vertical direction. Rather, the pressure vessel may be arranged, for example, along the vertical direction (which may be referred to as a vertically oriented pressure vessel), or along the horizontal direction (which may be referred to as a horizontally oriented pressure vessel). Hereinafter, even if the end covers 8 and 9 may be referred to as the upper end cover and the bottom end cover, respectively, it should be understood that the terms "upper" and "bottom" do not limit the orientation of the pressure vessel in relation to, for example, the vertical direction. It should be understood that the pressure vessel - which is collectively referred to below by reference numerals 1, 8 and 9 - may include additional parts, components or elements not illustrated in Figure 7. The pressure vessel 1, 8, 9 is arranged to hold a pressure medium therein during use of the pressing device 90.

[0103] Pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 comprise a furnace chamber 18. The furnace chamber 18 is arranged within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 such that a pressure medium can enter and exit the furnace chamber 18. The furnace chamber 18 can comprise, for example, a furnace for heating the pressure medium within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9, i.e., a heater or heating element, during the heating phase and / or the pressing phase of the processing cycle. The furnace is schematically shown in FIG. 7 by reference numeral 14. Parts of the furnace 14 are illustrated as two identical elements shown by reference numeral 14 in FIG. 7. However, it should be understood that the furnace 14 can in principle be provided in any number of parts, not only two parts as illustrated in FIG. 7, but also less than two or three or more parts. According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the furnace 14 is arranged at the lower part of the furnace chamber 18. It should be understood that different configurations and arrangements of the furnace 14 are possible in relation to the furnace chamber 18, for example, within the furnace chamber 18. As an alternative or addition to the arrangement of the furnace 14 illustrated in FIG. 7, the furnace 14 can be arranged, for example, within the pressure medium guiding path 32 shown in FIG. 7 and / or within the pressure medium guiding path between components labeled 4 and 19 in FIG. 7 (a bottom insulation part and a loading section, further described below), i.e., at the upper part of the furnace chamber 18.

[0104] Any implementation of the furnace 14 related to the furnace chamber 18, for example, within the furnace chamber 18, regarding its arrangement, can be used in any one of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. In the context of the present application, the term "furnace" refers to an element or means for providing heating, while the term "furnace chamber" refers to the area or region within which the furnace, and optionally a loading section and any articles, are located. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the furnace chamber 18 may not occupy the entire internal space of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 and an intermediate space 10 inside the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 may be left around the furnace chamber 18. The intermediate space 10 forms a pressure medium guiding path 10. During operation of the pressing device 90, the temperature in the intermediate space 10 can be lower than the temperature in the furnace chamber 18, but the intermediate space 10 and the furnace chamber 18 can be at equal or substantially equal pressures.

[0105] The press device 90 includes a heat-insulating casing disposed within the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9. The heat-insulating casings, collectively referred to hereinafter by reference numerals 2 and 7, are arranged such that the pressure medium can enter and exit the furnace chamber 18. According to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 include a heat-insulating portion 7 that partially surrounds the furnace chamber 18 and a housing 2 that partially surrounds the heat-insulating portion 7. The heat-insulating portion 7 may alternatively be referred to as a heat-insulating layer. The heat-insulating casings 2, 7 may alternatively be referred to as a furnace mantle. The heat-insulating casings 2, 7 may further include a bottom heat-insulating portion 4. The bottom heat-insulating portion 4 may alternatively be referred to as the base of the furnace. However, in some cases, the bottom heat-insulating portion 4 may not be considered part of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7. For example, the heat-insulating portion 7 and the housing 2 may be removably arranged within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 such that they can be removed from the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 at least temporarily as an assembly or unit, while the bottom heat-insulating portion 4 may not be removably arranged within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. However, the bottom heat-insulating portion 4 may be removably arranged within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. When the bottom heat-insulating portion 4 is not removably arranged within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 and the heat-insulating portion 7 and the housing 2 are removably arranged within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9, the bottom heat-insulating portion 4 may not be considered part of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7. Otherwise, the bottom heat-insulating portion 4 may be regarded as part of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7. However, each or any of the heat-insulating portion 7, the housing 2, and the bottom heat-insulating portion 4 may be removably arranged separately within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. Therefore, it is not necessary for all of the heat-insulating portion 7, the housing 2, and the bottom heat-insulating portion 4 to be removably arranged within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 as an assembly or unit.

[0106] It should be understood that the realization or implementation form of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 illustrated in FIG. 7 and other figures is by way of example, and other realization or implementation forms of the heat-insulating casing are possible.

[0107] According to one example, the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 may have a layered structure (not shown in FIG. 7) having an outer layer, an intermediate layer (or several intermediate layers), and an inner layer, the intermediate layer being disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer, and the heat-insulating material being disposed between the intermediate layer and the inner layer. The outer layer may be constituted by the housing 2, the inner layer may define the inner surface of the heat-insulating portion 7, and the intermediate layer may define the outer surface of the heat-insulating portion 7. The heat-insulating material may be sandwiched, for example, between the intermediate layer and the inner layer. Each or any of the outer layer, the intermediate layer, and the inner layer may be made of, for example, steel or a steel-based material, molybdenum or a molybdenum-based material, and / or carbon or a carbon-based material such as, for example, graphite. According to one example, the outer layer and the intermediate layer may be made of steel, and the inner layer may be made of molybdenum. The heat-insulating material may be constituted by, for example, one or more ceramic fiber materials such as Saffil, MAFTEC's polycrystalline alumina fiber material, Superwool, and / or one or more other types of ceramic materials, or any combination thereof, or may include them. Between the outer layer and the intermediate layer and / or between the intermediate layer and the inner layer, spacers including, for example, so-called corrugated steel may be provided to space the layers apart from each other. The intermediate layer may be provided with, for example, one or more holes or openings that allow the passage of a pressure medium.

[0108] The pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 include a processing area therein. The processing area can be at least partially defined by, for example, the furnace chamber 18. For example, the processing area can be provided by or constituted by the interior of the furnace chamber 18. The processing area is arranged to accommodate the article 5 (or, in some cases, several articles) therein. According to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the loading section 19 included in the furnace chamber 18 is arranged to accommodate the article 5 therein. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the loading section 19 can be defined or formed by the interior of the loading basket. Accordingly, the loading section 19 can be defined by a loading basket configured to hold the article(s) 5. The loading basket can be fixedly arranged on the bottom heat insulating portion 4 or can be removably arranged on the bottom heat insulating portion 4 (i.e., thereby, it is arranged on the bottom heat insulating portion 4 and can subsequently be (relatively easily) removed from the bottom heat insulating portion 4). The processing area can be provided by or constituted by the interior of the loading section 19. The press device 90 is configured to subject the article 5 to processing.

[0109] It should be understood that not all elements of the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 need to be arranged to be insulated or be heat insulating. For example, the housing 2 does not necessarily need to be arranged to be insulated or be heat insulating. The heat insulating casings 2 and 7 surrounding the furnace chamber 18 are likely to save energy during the heating stage of a processing cycle in which the press device 90 is configured to subject at least one article 5 thereto. The heat insulating casings 2 and 7 can also facilitate or ensure that convection occurs in a more orderly manner. Due to the vertically elongated shape of the furnace chamber 18 in the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 can prevent the formation of temperature gradients such as horizontal temperature gradients, which can be difficult to monitor and control.

[0110] The arrows in the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 in FIG. 7 indicate an exemplary flow of the pressure medium in the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 during the use of the press device 90, for example, during the processing of the article(s) 5 using the press device 90, such as during the cooling stage of the processing cycle.

[0111] The heat-insulating casings 2 and 7 are provided with a pressure medium guiding path 11, which is formed between the part of the housing 2 and the heat-insulating part 7, respectively. The pressure medium guiding path 11 is arranged to guide the pressure medium exiting from the furnace chamber 18 towards the first end cap (for example, the upper end cap) 8 such that the pressure medium exiting from the pressure medium guiding path 11 can be guided close to the inner surface 23 of the wall(s) 22 of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 during the use of the pressing device 90. More specifically, according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the pressure medium guiding path 11 is arranged to guide the pressure medium exiting the furnace chamber 18 into the space 17 between the upper end cap 8 and the furnace chamber 18.

[0112] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the pressure medium guiding path 11 forms part of the outer convection loop. Another part of the outer convection loop comprises an intermediate space 10 inside the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 around the furnace chamber 18, which may be referred to as the pressure medium guiding path 10. The pressure medium guiding path 10 is arranged to guide the pressure medium from the space 17 between the upper end cap 8 and the furnace chamber 18 close to the inner surface 23 of the wall(s) 22 of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 to the space 16 between the bottom heat-insulating part 4 and the bottom end cap 9. Therefore, the pressure medium guiding paths 10 and 11 are in fluid communication with the furnace chamber 18 and are arranged to form at least part of the outer convection loop within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. The outer convection loop is arranged to guide the pressure medium exiting the furnace chamber 18 close to the inner surface 23 of the wall(s) 22 of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 to the space 16 between the furnace chamber 18 and the bottom end cap 9. As shown in FIG. 7, the wall(s) 22 of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 may be the outer wall(s) of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure medium can exit from the upper part of the loading compartment 19 and subsequently be guided in the pressure medium guiding path 32 between the wall of the loading compartment 19 and the heat insulating part 7. Thereafter, the pressure medium can enter the pressure medium guiding path 11 through the opening(s) 6 between the heat insulating part 7 and the housing 2. The opening(s) 6 between the heat insulating part 7 and the housing 2 can be at the height of the bottom heat insulating part 4 or approximately at the height of the bottom heat insulating part 4 as illustrated in FIG. 7. However, it should be understood that the opening(s) 6 between the heat insulating part 7 and the housing 2 can be at a position different from that illustrated in FIG. 7. This applies to any of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, such as the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the figures.

[0114] The pressure medium entering the pressure medium guiding path 11 through the opening(s) between the heat insulating part 7 and the housing 2 is guided in the pressure medium guiding path 11 towards the upper end cover 8, where it can exit from the pressure medium guiding path 11 and the heat insulating casings 2, 7 through an opening in the housing 2, for example, the central opening in the housing 2, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0115] The pressure medium guiding path defined by the space 17 partially defined by the inner surface of the upper end cover 8 and the pressure medium guiding path 10 guides the pressure medium exiting from the opening in the housing 2 close to the upper end cover 8 and close to the inner surface 23 of the wall(s) 22 of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 (for example, the wall(s) of the pressure cylinder 1 as illustrated in FIG. 7) into the space 16 between the furnace chamber 18 and the bottom end cover 9.

[0116] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, it should be understood that modifications are possible with regard to how the pressure medium is guided within pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9. For example, between the opening in housing 2 and the upper part of the heat insulation portion 7, a heat absorption element as disclosed in WO2018 / 171884A1, such as a heat absorber exemplified in the figures of WO2018 / 171884A1 and indicated by reference numeral 20, may be provided. Alternatively or additionally, a heat exchange element as disclosed in WO2019 / 149379A1, such as a heat exchange element indicated by reference numeral 170 and exemplified in the figures of WO2019 / 149379A1, may be provided at the upper end cap 8.

[0117] Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 7, the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 may be arranged such that they can be opened and closed, whereby any article within the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 can be inserted into or removed from the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9. In some cases, the heat insulation casings 2, 7 (and in some cases, the bottom heat insulation portion 4 as well) can be inserted into or removed from the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9. The arrangement of the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 such that they can be opened and closed can be realized in several different ways, as is known in the art. Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 7, one or both of the upper end cap 8 and the bottom end cap 9 may be arranged such that it or they can be opened and closed, whereby any article within the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 can be inserted into or removed from the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9. And in some cases, the heat insulation casings 2, 7 (and in some cases, the bottom heat insulation portion 4 as well) can be inserted into or removed from the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 through one or both of the upper end cap 8 and the bottom end cap 9. Accordingly, the article(s) can be loaded into and removed from the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 through one or both of the upper end cap 8 and the bottom end cap 9.

[0118] The pressure medium used in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 or the pressing device 90 may comprise, or may be constituted by, for example, a liquid or gaseous medium which may have a relatively low chemical affinity for the article(s) being processed in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. For example, the pressure medium may comprise a gas, for example, an inert gas such as argon gas.

[0119] On the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9, a flow path, a conduit or a tube, etc. (not shown in FIG. 7) may be provided, and these flow paths, conduits or tubes may be arranged, for example, in a connected state with the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9, and they may be arranged parallel to the axial direction of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 or may extend helically or spirally around the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. A coolant or a cooling medium for cooling the walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 may be supplied into the flow path, the conduit or the tube, whereby the walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 may be cooled to protect the walls from the accumulation of harmful heat during the operation of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. The coolant in the flow path, the conduit or the tube may comprise, for example, water, but other or different types of coolants are also possible. An exemplary flow of the coolant in the flow path, the conduit or the tube provided on the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 is shown in FIG. 7 by the arrows outside the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9.

[0120] As described above, prestressing means may be provided on the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessel 1 and, optionally, on any flow path, conduit and / or tube for the coolant, etc. The prestressing means (not shown in FIG. 7) may be provided, for example, in the form of one or more bands, preferably in several layers, wound around the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure cylinder 1 and, optionally, also around any flow path, conduit and / or tube for the coolant, etc. that may be provided thereon. The prestressing means may be arranged to apply a radially compressive force to the pressure cylinder 1.

[0121] As described above, the outer convection loop can be formed by at least the pressure medium induction paths 10 and 11. In a part of the outer convection loop, the pressure medium is induced in proximity to the inner surface of the upper end cover 8 and the inner surface 23 of the wall(s) 22 of the pressure vessel 1, 8, 9 or the pressure cylinder 1. The amount of thermal energy that can be transferred from the pressure medium passing in proximity to the inner surface of the upper end cover 8 and the inner surface 23 of the wall 22 of the pressure vessel 1, 8, 9 or the pressure cylinder 1 can depend on at least one of the following: the velocity of the pressure medium, the amount of the pressure medium having (direct) contact with the inner surface of the upper end cover 8 and the inner surface 23 of the wall 22 of the pressure vessel 1, 8, 9 or the pressure cylinder 1, the relative temperature difference between the pressure medium and the inner surface of the upper end cover 3 and the inner surface 23 of the wall 22 of the pressure vessel 1, 8, 9 or the pressure cylinder 1, the thickness of the upper end cover 8 and the thickness of the wall 22 of the pressure vessel 1, 8, 9 or the pressure cylinder 1, and the temperature of any flow of coolant in the flow path, conduit or tube provided on the outer surface of the wall 22 of the pressure vessel 1, 8, 9 or the pressure cylinder 1 (shown in FIG. 7 by the arrows outside the pressure cylinder 1).

[0122] In the pressure medium guiding path 10, the pressure medium guided to return toward the furnace chamber 18 enters the space 16 between the furnace chamber 18 - or the bottom heat insulating portion 4 - and the bottom end cover 9. The furnace chamber 18 can be arranged such that the pressure medium can enter the furnace chamber 18 from the space 16 and also exit the furnace chamber 18 and enter the space 16. For example, according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the furnace chamber 18 may be provided with an opening in the bottom heat insulating portion 4 to enable the pressure medium to flow into (or out of) the furnace chamber 18. Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, for example, a pressure medium guiding path 12 including a conduit 12 is arranged to extend through the bottom heat insulating portion 4, and the lower (or first) opening of the pressure medium guiding path or the conduit 12 is below the bottom heat insulating portion 4 (and in some cases, within the space 16 as in the illustrated embodiment), and the upper (or second) opening of the pressure medium guiding path or the conduit 12 is on the upper surface of the bottom heat insulating portion 4 (and in some cases, aligned with the opening in the loading section 19 as in the illustrated embodiment). The lower (or first) opening of the pressure medium guiding path or the conduit 12 may be provided with adjustable pressure medium flow rate limiting means such as one or more adjustable throttles or valves. In some cases, the upper (or second) opening of the pressure medium guiding path or the conduit 12 may be located away from the upper surface of the bottom heat insulating portion 4 and in some cases, within the furnace chamber 18 or the loading section 19. Accordingly, the pressure medium guiding path or the conduit 12 may extend into the furnace chamber 18 or the loading section 19 (not illustrated in FIG. 7).

[0123] The pressure medium guiding path 32 of the furnace chamber 18 and the pressure medium guiding path formed between the loading section 19 and the bottom heat insulating portion 4 are in fluid communication with the loading section 19 so as to partially form an inner convection loop, where the pressure medium in the inner convection loop is guided to pass through the loading section 19 and return to the loading section 19 through the pressure medium guiding path 32 of the furnace chamber 18 and the pressure medium guiding path formed between the loading section 19 and the bottom heat insulating portion 4, or vice versa. For example, during the heating stage, the direction of the pressure medium flow in the inner convection loop may depend on whether the furnace chamber is a natural convection furnace or a forced convection furnace.

[0124] According to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the press device 90 includes a pressure medium circulation flow generator 15, which is configured to provide circulation of the pressure medium in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9, where, during the circulation of the pressure medium, the pressure medium passes through the furnace chamber 18. The pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 is optional and may be omitted. According to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 includes a fan 15 or the like (or several fans or the like) for circulation of the pressure medium in the furnace chamber 18. Alternatively or additionally, the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 may include another or other types of pressure medium circulation flow generators other than a fan, such as, for example, one or more ejectors. Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 may be arranged, for example, at an opening in the loading section 19 above the bottom insulation section 4, and this opening enables the pressure medium to flow into or out of the loading section 19. The pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 may be controllable at least with respect to its operating speed. The operating speed of the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 may, for example, be the number of revolutions per minute (rpm) of the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 when the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 includes or is constituted by one or more fans, etc., but depending on the nature of the specific implementation form of the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15, another or other types of operating speeds are contemplated. The pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 may be configured to selectively control the flow rate of the pressure medium in the inner convection loop described above.

[0125] The press device 90 may include a pressure medium flow generator 13 disposed in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 and in fluid communication with the furnace chamber 18. For example, during the cooling stage of the processing cycle, the pressure medium flow generator 13 may be arranged to generate a transport of the pressure medium from at least the space 16 between the furnace chamber 18 and the bottom end cover 4 into the furnace chamber 18 in order to cool the pressure medium in the processing area.

[0126] According to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the pressure medium flow generator 13 comprises an ejector arrangement 13, which is only schematically illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the pressure medium from the pressure medium induction line 10 entering the space 16 is drawn into the pressure medium flow generator 13, and subsequently ejected from this flow generator 13 into the pressure medium induction line or conduit 12, which can then transport the pressure medium to the furnace chamber 18. The pressure medium flow generator 13 - for example, comprising an ejector arrangement 13 - can comprise a single-stage ejector or a multi-stage ejector (for example, a two-stage ejector such as a primary ejector and a secondary ejector, respectively indicated by reference numerals 51 and 52 as illustrated in FIG. 3 of US Patent No. 10,458,711 (B2)). A single-stage ejector means that the pressure medium flow generator 13 or the ejector arrangement 13 comprises one flow generator or ejector. A multi-stage ejector means that the pressure medium flow generator 13 or the ejector arrangement 13 comprises a plurality of flow generators or ejectors, which are arranged such that the output from at least one flow generator or ejector is input into another flow generator or ejector. The plurality of flow generators or ejectors can be arranged, for example, in series. For example, the pressure medium flow generator 13 or the ejector arrangement 13 can comprise a primary flow generator or ejector and a secondary flow generator or ejector, where the primary flow generator or ejector is arranged to draw the pressure medium from the pressure medium induction line 10 entering the space 16 into the primary flow generator or ejector. The output from the primary flow generator or ejector can be input into the secondary flow generator or ejector, and the output from the secondary flow generator or ejector can be ejected into the pressure medium induction line or conduit 12. Alternatively or additionally, the pressure medium flow generator 13 can comprise, for example, one or more fans, pumps, or the like, which can be arranged to cause a flow of the pressure medium into the pressure medium induction line or conduit 12. The pressure medium flow generator 13 or the ejector arrangement 13 can be connected to a propellant medium system (not illustrated in FIG. 7), for example, a propellant gas system, which can be arranged outside the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9.The pressure medium flow generator 13 or the ejector device 13 can be connected to the propulsion medium system via, for example, a pipe or the like extending through the bottom end cover 9 (or the second end cover). For example, any primary flow generator or ejector of the pressure medium flow generator 13 or the ejector device 13 can be connected to such a propulsion medium system. The medium from such a propulsion medium system can partially drive the pressure medium flow generator 13 or the ejector device 13. For example, the medium from such a propulsion medium system can partially drive any primary flow generator or ejector of the pressure medium flow generator 13 or the ejector device 13.

[0127] As described above, the arrows in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 in FIG. 7 indicate an exemplary flow of the pressure medium in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 during use of the press device 90, for example, during the cooling phase of the processing cycle or during the processing of the article(s) 5 using the press device 90.

[0128] Also as described above, in addition to the press device 90, the systems 41, 90 comprise heating means 41. The heating means 41 are used before carrying out the processing of the article(s) 5 using the press device 90. Before carrying out the processing of the article(s) 5 using the press device 90, there may be no flow of the pressure medium in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 (i.e., no flow of the pressure medium in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7), and the pressure medium may not even have been introduced into the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 yet.

[0129] The heating means 41 is configured to heat at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2, 7 so that any moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2, 7 is reduced before performing the treatment of the article(s) 5 using the pressing device 90. For example, by heating at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2, 7, water and / or another liquid or other liquids can be released, vaporized (e.g., evaporated), and / or diffused from one or more surfaces of the heat insulating casings 2, 7. Then, the resulting gaseous-phase water (e.g., water vapor) and / or other gases can be removed from the heat insulating casings 2, 7, for example, by performing one or more vacuum stages of the treatment cycle, which can be carried out by one or more vacuum pumps (not shown in FIG. 7), by withdrawing them (e.g., actively) from the heat insulating casings 2, 7 or the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. For example, in the heating stage of the treatment cycle, the pressure medium can be induced or pushed through the pressure medium induction path 11 by the operation of the pressure medium flow generator 13, optionally in combination with the operation of the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15.

[0130] According to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the heating means 41 includes a heating element 41 disposed within the heat insulating casings 2, 7. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the heating element 41 can be disposed within the pressure medium induction path 11. Only a part of the heating element 41 is indicated by reference numeral 41 in FIG. 7. It should be understood that the number of heating elements in FIG. 7 is illustrative, and the number of heating elements can be less than or more than that illustrated in FIG. 7. The heating element 41 can be used to heat one or more outer and / or inner surfaces of the heat insulating casings 2, 7. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element 41 can be disposed at other positions within the pressure vessels other than those illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, alternatively or additionally, the heating element 41 can be disposed within the pressure medium induction path 32.

[0131] The heating element 41 can be operable to generate heat at a selected output. The heating element 41 can be used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 at the selected output of the heating element 41 and during a selected time period. The output and time period of the heating element 41 can be selected such that any moisture content present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 is reduced. The output of the heating element 41 is selected such that a certain temperature is achieved (but in some cases, not exceeded) within the furnace chamber 18, within the pressure medium induction flow path 11 (e.g., at the heating element 41), within the space between the upper end cap 8 and the housing 2, or within the space 16. When such temperature(s) are achieved, which can be confirmed by one or more temperature sensors such as thermocouples, it can be considered that at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 is heated long enough so that any moisture content present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 never exceeds a certain (e.g., selected or predetermined) threshold level of the moisture content in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7. Thus, the heating element 41 can be used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 at a selected output of the heating element 41 and during a selected time period such that a certain temperature is achieved in one or more selected regions within the pressure vessel (e.g., within the pressure vessel or in one or more selected components of the pressure vessel), and then the operation of the heating element 41 can be stopped or interrupted.

[0132] It should be noted that additionally or alternatively, the heating means can comprise the furnace 14, and the heating element 41 can be part of the furnace. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element 41 can be arranged, for example, within the pressure medium induction path 32 as described above. The systems 41, 90 can optionally include additional heating means, which do not necessarily have to be heating elements and can be of another type.

[0133] The press device 90 is configured to use the heating element 41 to heat at least a part or a portion of the heat insulating casings 2 and 7, and then use the press device 90 to perform processing on the article(s) 5.

[0134] A moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor may be used to ensure that any moisture content present in at least a part or a portion of the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 is reduced (e.g., so as not to exceed a certain threshold level of the moisture content in at least a part or a portion of the heat insulating casings 2 and 7), and / or that the concentration of any water vapor in the pressure medium used in the press device 90 during processing does not exceed a certain (e.g., selected or predetermined) threshold concentration level.

[0135] The moisture sensor and / or the oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor) may be configured to directly or indirectly sense the moisture content in the pressure medium used in the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 during processing. The moisture sensor and / or the oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor) may be configured to indirectly sense the moisture content by sensing some quantity / quantities from which the moisture content is derived or can be derived.

[0136] The moisture sensor and / or the oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor) may be configured to directly or indirectly sense the moisture content in the pressure medium within the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 (e.g., within the furnace chamber 18, within the loading section 19, or inside the heat insulating portion 7) during processing. This makes it possible or easier to ensure that the concentration of any water vapor in the pressure medium within the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 during processing does not exceed a certain threshold concentration level.

[0137] According to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, a moisture sensor and / or an oxygen sensor (and / or any other suitable type of sensor), schematically shown at 35 in FIG. 7, may be disposed within the furnace chamber 18. However, the moisture sensor and / or the oxygen sensor 35 may, alternatively or additionally, be disposed, for example, at other locations within the furnace chamber 18 other than those illustrated in FIG. 7, or at other locations within the heat insulating casings 2, 7 (e.g., within the loading section 19, within the pressure medium induction path 11, and / or inside the heat insulating portion 7 of the heat insulating casings 2, 7), or at other locations within the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. It should be understood that the position of the moisture sensor and / or the oxygen sensor 35 (and / or any other suitable type of sensor) described herein is related to the position where the sensor senses moisture and / or oxygen (and / or another substance), which may be referred to as the measurement position. The components of the sensor (e.g., circuits, wiring, etc.) may be disposed at other locations, and in some cases, outside the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9.

[0138] Moisture sensors and / or oxygen sensors such as those illustrated in FIG. 7 may be included in any of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.

[0139] A pressure medium diversion device (not shown in FIG. 7) may be provided, which may be configured to divert a portion of the pressure medium from a space within the heat insulating casings 2, 7 (e.g., within the furnace chamber 18) to a pressure medium analysis device that may be disposed outside the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. The pressure medium analysis device (not shown in FIG. 7) may include, for example, a device for analyzing the composition (e.g., chemical composition) of the pressure medium diverted by the pressure medium diversion device. The pressure medium analysis device may also provide the function of the moisture sensor and / or the oxygen sensor 35, in which case, the moisture sensor and / or the oxygen sensor 35 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be omitted. The pressure medium diversion device may include, for example, one or more pressure medium induction paths or conduits coupled to the pressure medium analysis device, and may be disposed to extend into the furnace chamber 18 through the end cap 9 and the bottom heat insulating portion 4, for example, to enable diversion of a portion of the pressure medium from within the furnace chamber 18 to the pressure medium analysis device.

[0140] FIG. 8 is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of systems 41, 90 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The systems 41, 90 include a press device 90 and a heating means 41. The systems 41, 90 illustrated in FIG. 8 are the same as the systems 41, 90 illustrated in FIG. 7, and the same reference numerals in FIGS. 7 and 8 indicate the same or similar components having the same or similar functions. Compared with the systems 41, 90 illustrated in FIG. 7, in the systems 41, 90 illustrated in FIG. 8, the heating element 41 is disposed at different positions within the heat insulating casings 2, 7. Only a part of the heating element 41 is indicated by reference numeral 41 in FIG. 8. It should be understood that the number of heating elements in FIG. 8 is illustrative, and the number of heating elements can be less than or more than that illustrated in FIG. 8. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the heating element 41 is disposed inside the heat insulating portion 7 and can be disposed (e.g., embedded) within the material(s) constituting the heat insulating portion 7. The material(s) constituting the heat insulating portion 7 can include, for example, one or more ceramic fiber materials such as Saffil, MAFTEC's polycrystalline alumina fiber material, Superwool, and / or one or more other types of ceramic materials, or any combination thereof, or can be constituted thereby (this also applies to the heat insulating portion 7 illustrated in FIG. 7). Alternatively or additionally, the material(s) constituting the heat insulating portion 7 can include, for example, one or more graphite-based elements such as one or more graphite blankets. The heating element 41 can be used, for example, to heat at least a part or portion of the material(s) constituting the heat insulating portion 7. The systems 41, 90 can optionally include additional heating means such as a heating element disposed within the pressure medium induction path 11 as illustrated in FIG. 7, and / or heating means that need not necessarily be a heating element and can be of another type.

[0141] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, each or any heating element 41 may comprise, for example, one or more metallic resistive heating elements in the form of one or more wires and / or ribbons. One or more temperature sensors (e.g., one or more thermocouples) may be provided in each or any heating element 41 to ensure that the insulating portion 7 or the material(s) constituting the heating element(s) are not exposed to a temperature exceeding any maximum allowable temperature to which the insulating portion 7 or the material(s) constituting the heating element(s) are allowed to be exposed by the operation of the heating element(s).

[0142] As described above with reference to FIG. 4, heating at least a part or portion of the insulating casings 2, 7 may be carried out while the insulating casings 2, 7 are removed from the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. Referring to any of the disclosed embodiments, the insulating casing may be removably disposed within the pressure vessel such that the insulating casing can be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily. This may be done - other than heating at least a part or portion of the insulating casing - for example, to place or replace the article(s) within the furnace chamber before performing the treatment of the article(s) using a pressing device, or to remove the article(s) from the furnace chamber after completion of the treatment of the article(s) using a pressing device. When the insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel, or each time it is removed from the pressure vessel, the insulating casing may be placed within a container arranged to accommodate the insulating casing. The container may comprise or be constituted by a support structure arranged to support the insulating casing after the insulating casing has been removed from the pressure vessel. Embodiments of the invention using such a container are described below with reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, each of which is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a part of a system according to an embodiment of the invention, including the heating means of a pressing device and an insulating casing.

[0143] FIG. 9 is described with reference to FIG. 7 and illustrates the heat insulating casings 2, 7 as exemplified in FIG. 7, wherein the heating means including the heating element 41 is disposed within the heat insulating casings 2, 7. More specifically, according to the embodiment of the present invention exemplified in FIGS. 7 and 9, the heating element 41 is disposed within the pressure medium induction path 11 on the outer surface of the heat insulating portion 7. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element may be disposed, for example, on the inner surface of the heat insulating portion 7. It should be understood that not all of the components indicated by reference numerals in FIG. 7 are indicated by reference numerals in FIG. 9.

[0144] FIG. 9 illustrates a situation where the heat insulating casings 2, 7 are removed from the pressure vessel of the press device and placed within a container 50 arranged to accommodate the heat insulating casings 2, 7. The container 50 may comprise several interconnected parts or may be constituted by a single piece or part, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0145] As exemplified in FIG. 9, the furnace chamber 18 including the furnace 14 and the loading section 19, and the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15, which are partially surrounded by the heat insulating portion 7 of the heat insulating casings 2, 7, may also be removably arranged within the pressure vessel, whereby these components may also be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily. However, in some cases, only the heat insulating casings 2, 7 may be removably arranged within the pressure vessel, whereby only the heat insulating casings 2, 7 may be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily, although exemplified in FIG. 9, the furnace chamber 18, the furnace 14, the loading section 19, and the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 may not be removable. In addition to the heat insulating casings 2, 7, the bottom heat insulating portion 4, and in some cases, the flow generator 13 and the pressure medium induction path or conduit 12 (not shown in FIG. 9; see FIGS. 7 and 8) may also be removably arranged within the pressure vessel, whereby these components may also be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily.

[0146] Therefore, FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which heating at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 can be carried out while the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 are removed from the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9. For example, when the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 are placed in the container 50 illustrated in FIG. 9. According to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 9, heating at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 can be carried out using heating means including a heating element 41 disposed within the heat insulating casings 2 and 7, as described above with reference to FIG. 7. The heating element 41 may, in some cases, be part of a furnace. Therefore, an existing furnace in the furnace chamber 18 may, in some cases, be used to carry out preheating - i.e., heating at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 that is carried out before carrying out the treatment of the article(s) using a pressing device. Therefore, the heating element 41 does not necessarily have to be an additional and / or separate heating element(s) dedicated to preheating.

[0147] The container 50 may include or be coupled to a power supply device (e.g., a battery or a power grid), and for example, may include wiring and / or cables (not shown in FIG. 9) that may be included in the container 50 and connected to the heating element 41 to enable the conveyance of power to the heating element 41. Further, the container 50 may include, for example, wiring and / or cables for connection to one or more temperature sensors, such as one or more thermocouples or the like, that may be arranged to sense the temperature at the heating element 41.

[0148] Accordingly, according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 9, following the removal of the heat insulating casings 2, 7 from the pressure vessel, the heat insulating casings 2, 7 can be placed in the container 50. Using the heating element 41, heating at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2, 7 is carried out while the heat insulating casings 2, 7 are placed in the container 50. Following the implementation of heating at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2, 7 using the heating element 41, the heat insulating casings 2, 7 can be removed from the container 50, and subsequently, the heat insulating casings 2, 7 can be arranged in the pressure vessel. Then, processing of the article(s) using the pressing device can be carried out.

[0149] As an alternative or in addition, the heating element 41 can be arranged on the inner surface of the heat insulating portion 7. In that case, one or more flow generators (for example, one or more fans or the like) are provided and used to transfer the heat generated by any heating element arranged on the inner surface of the heat insulating portion 7 into the pressure medium guiding path 11.

[0150] FIG. 10 is described with reference to FIG. 8 and illustrates the heat insulating casings 2, 7 as exemplified in FIG. 8, where the heating means including the heating element 41 is arranged inside the heat insulating casings 2, 7. More specifically, according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 10, the heating element 41 is arranged inside the heat insulating portion 7 and can be arranged (for example, embedded) within the material(s) constituting the heat insulating portion 7. It should be understood that not all of the components indicated by reference numerals in FIG. 8 are indicated by reference numerals in FIG. 10.

[0151] Similar to FIG. 9 exactly, FIG. 10 illustrates the situation where the heat insulating casings 2, 7 are removed from the pressure vessel of the pressing device and placed in the container 50 arranged to accommodate the heat insulating casings 2, 7. The container 50 can comprise several interconnected parts as shown in FIG. 10 or can be constituted by a single piece or part.

[0152] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the furnace chamber 18 including the furnace 14 and the loading section 19, which is partially surrounded by the heat-insulating portions 7 of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7, and the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 can also be removably arranged within the pressure vessel, whereby these components can also be removed from the pressure vessel, at least temporarily. However, in some cases, only the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 can be removably arranged within the pressure vessel, whereby only the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 can be removed from the pressure vessel, at least temporarily, although illustrated in FIG. 10, the furnace chamber 18, the furnace 14, the loading section 19, and the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 may not be removable. In addition to the heat-insulating casings 2, 7, the bottom heat-insulating portion 4, and in some cases, the flow generator 13 and the pressure medium induction path or conduit 12 (not shown in FIG. 10; see FIGS. 7 and 8) can also be removably arranged within the pressure vessel, whereby these components can also be removed from the pressure vessel, at least temporarily.

[0153] Accordingly, FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 can be carried out while the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 are removed from the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9, for example, when the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 are placed within the container 50 illustrated in FIG. 10. According to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 10, heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 can be carried out using heating means including a heating element 41 arranged inside the heat-insulating portion 7, as described above with reference to FIG. 8.

[0154] The container 50 may include or be coupled to a power supply device (e.g., a battery or a power grid), and for example, may include wiring and / or cables (not shown in FIG. 10) that can be included in the container 50 and connected to the heating element 41 to enable power to be conveyed to the heating element 41. Further, the container 50 may include, for example, wiring and / or cables for connection to one or more temperature sensors, such as one or more thermocouples or the like, that may be arranged to sense the temperature at the heating element 41.

[0155] Thus, according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 10, subsequent to removing the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 from the pressure vessel, the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 can be placed within the container 50. Heating at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 using the heating element 41 is carried out while the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 are placed within the container 50. Subsequent to carrying out heating of at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 using the heating element 41, the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 can be removed from the container 50, and subsequent thereto, the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 can be disposed within the pressure vessel. Then, processing of the article(s) using the pressing device can be carried out.

[0156] FIG. 11 is described with reference to FIG. 7 and illustrates heat insulating casings 2 and 7 similar to the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 illustrated in FIG. 7. However, in contrast to the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 described with reference to FIG. 7 and illustrated in FIG. 7, the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 illustrated in FIG. 11 do not (although they can) include any heating means (e.g., heating element) disposed within the heat insulating casings 2 and 7. It should be understood that not all of the components indicated by reference numerals in FIG. 7 are indicated by reference numerals in FIG. 11. Also, the article 5 illustrated in FIG. 7 is not illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0157] Similar to FIGS. 9 and 10 exactly, FIG. 11 illustrates the situation where the heat insulating casings 2 and 7 are removed from the pressure vessel of the pressing device and placed within the container 50 arranged to accommodate the heat insulating casings 2 and 7. The container 50 can comprise several interconnected parts or can be constituted by a single piece or part, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0158] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the furnace chamber 18, which includes the furnace 14 and the loading section 19 and is partially surrounded by the heat-insulating portions 7 of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7, and the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 can also be removably arranged within the pressure vessel, whereby these components can also be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily. However, in some cases, only the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 can be removably arranged within the pressure vessel, whereby only the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 can be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily, as illustrated in FIG. 11, but the furnace chamber 18, the furnace 14, the loading section 19, and the pressure medium circulation flow generator 15 may not be removable. In addition to the heat-insulating casings 2, 7, the bottom heat-insulating portion 4, and in some cases, the flow generator 13 and the pressure medium induction path or conduit 12 (not shown in FIG. 11; see FIGS. 7 and 8) can also be removably arranged within the pressure vessel, whereby these components can also be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily.

[0159] According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 11, the heating means comprises a heating element 42 arranged in the container 50 such that when the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 are placed within the container 50, the heating element 42 can be used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7. According to an embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 11, the heating element 42 is arranged inside a plurality of side walls (or one side wall) of the container 50. Only a part of the heating element 42 is indicated by reference numeral 42 in FIG. 11. It should be understood that the number of heating elements in FIG. 11 is illustrative and the number of heating elements can be less than or more than that illustrated in FIG. 11.

[0160] According to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 11, the container 50 may have lid means (for example, provided with a lid) 51, which can open or close the container 50, and can also close the container 50 when the heat insulating casings 2, 7 are placed inside the container 50. The container 50 may include or be coupled to, for example, a power supply device (for example, a battery or a power grid) for delivering power to the heating element 42. Further, the container 50 may include wiring and / or cables for connection to one or more temperature sensors, such as one or more thermocouples or the like, which may be arranged to sense the temperature in the heating element 42, for example.

[0161] Thus, according to an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 11, subsequent to removing the heat insulating casings 2, 7 from the pressure vessel, the heat insulating casings 2, 7 can be placed inside the container 50. Heating at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2, 7 using the heating element 42 is carried out while the heat insulating casings 2, 7 are placed inside the container 50. Subsequent to carrying out heating of at least a part or portion of the heat insulating casings 2, 7 using the heating element 42, the heat insulating casings 2, 7 can be removed from the container 50, and subsequent to this, the heat insulating casings 2, 7 can be placed inside the pressure vessel. Then, processing of the article(s) using the pressing device can be carried out.

[0162] FIG. 12 is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a pressing device 90 and a heating means 43, and will hereinafter be referred to as the system 43, 90. The system 43, 90 illustrated in FIG. 12 is similar to the system 41, 90 illustrated in FIG. 7, and the same reference numerals in FIGS. 7 and 12 indicate the same or similar components having the same or similar functions. However, it should be understood that not all of the components indicated by reference numerals in FIG. 7 are indicated by reference numerals in FIG. 12. Compared with the system 41, 90 illustrated in FIG. 7, the system 43, 90 illustrated in FIG. 12 does not include (but may include) any heating element 41.

[0163] Similar to FIG. 7 exactly, the arrows in pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 in FIG. 12 indicate an exemplary flow of the pressure medium in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 during the processing of the article(s) 5 using, for example, the press device 90, such as during the cooling stage of the processing cycle. Before the processing of the article(s) 5 using the press device 90 is carried out, there may be no flow of the pressure medium in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 (for example, no flow of the pressure medium in the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 as indicated by the arrows in pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 in FIG. 12), and the pressure medium may not even have been introduced into the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 yet.

[0164] The heating means 43 in the systems 43, 90 illustrated in FIG. 12 is constituted by a cooling medium circuit 43 provided on the outer surface of the walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. The cooling medium circuit 43, which is only very schematically illustrated in FIG. 12, may extend along at least a part of the outer surface. The cooling medium circuit 43 may include, for example, one or more flow paths, conduits or tubes, etc., and may be arranged to be in a connected state with the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. The cooling medium circuit 43 may be arranged to extend parallel to the axial direction of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 as shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively or additionally, the cooling medium circuit 43 may extend helically or spirally around the outer surface of the outer wall of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9, for example.

[0165] The cooling medium circuit 43 can be configured to circulate a cooling medium therein. An exemplary flow of the cooling medium within the cooling medium circuit 43 provided on the outer surfaces of the walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 is shown in FIG. 12 by the arrows outside the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9. Although not shown in FIG. 12, the cooling medium circuit 43 can additionally provide a flow of the cooling medium on (and / or through) one or more of the end caps 8, 9. The cooling medium can comprise, for example, water, although other or alternative types of cooling medium are possible. The cooling medium can be configured to cool the walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 to protect the walls from the accumulation of harmful heat during operation of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 or the press apparatus (e.g., during processing or a processing cycle). Preheating - i.e., heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 that is carried out before performing the processing of the article(s) using the press apparatus - can be effected by the cooling medium circuit 43. Specifically, heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 that is carried out before performing the processing of the article(s) using the press apparatus can comprise heating the cooling medium and circulating the heated cooling medium within the cooling medium circuit 43 for a selected time period. Heating the cooling medium is the transfer of thermal energy from the heated cooling medium to the walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 during the circulation of the heated cooling medium within the cooling medium circuit 43 for a selected time period, whereby the thermal energy is transferred into the interior of the pressure vessels, such that at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 is heated such that any moisture content present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 is reduced.

[0166] Accordingly, the heating means for effecting preheating can comprise the cooling medium within the cooling medium circuit 43 provided on the outer surfaces of the walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9, and this cooling medium is heated.

[0167] Heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casings 2, 7 by the cooling medium circuit 43 can preferably be combined with the heating element 41 (and / or the furnace 14) and / or the heating element 42, etc., and any other means for performing preheating disclosed herein, as described with reference to any of FIGS. 2 to 11.

[0168] On the outer surface of the outer walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9, and optionally on the cooling medium circuit 43, prestressing means 45 can be provided. The prestressing means is only very schematically illustrated in FIG. 12. The prestressing means 45 can be provided, for example, in the form of one or more bands, preferably in several layers, wound around the outer surface of the outer walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 and, optionally, around the cooling medium circuit 43 as shown in FIG. 12, in the form of a wire (e.g., made of steel) wound multiple times. The prestressing means 45 can be arranged to apply a radially compressive force to the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9.

[0169] Heating the cooling medium can be carried out, for example, such that the temperature of the cooling medium is in the range of (about) 40°C to (about) 150°C, or (about) 40°C to (about) 120°C. When the prestressing means is provided in the form of a wire wound multiple times to form one or more bands around the outer surface of the outer walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 and around the cooling medium circuit 43, it may be desirable or necessary for the cooling medium not to exceed a certain temperature. This is because any relaxation of the wire of the prestressing means can depend on the temperature of the wire and the tension of the wire due to winding the wire around the outer surface of the outer walls of the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 and around the cooling medium circuit 43.

[0170] Each or either of the cooling medium circuit 43 and the prestress 45 can be implemented in any of the embodiments of the present invention described herein.

[0171] Figure 13 is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a pressing device 90 and a heating means 41, and hereinafter will be referred to as systems 41 and 90. The systems 41 and 90 illustrated in FIG. 13 are the same as the systems 41 and 90 illustrated in FIG. 7, and the same reference numerals in FIGS. 7 and 13 indicate the same or similar components having the same or similar functions. Compared with the systems 41 and 90 illustrated in FIG. 7, the systems 41 and 90 illustrated in FIG. 13 additionally include one or more getter materials schematically shown at 36 in FIG. 13, and the one or more getter materials are disposed in the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9. The pressure medium may include one or more gases, and the getter material(s) 36 is disposed in the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9 so as to be exposed to the pressure medium during the processing of the article(s) 5 using the pressing device 90. The getter material(s) 36 is configured to capture or remove particles of one or more selected gases from the pressure medium. The one or more selected gases may include water vapor. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the getter material(s) 36 may be disposed, for example, at one end (e.g., the upper end) of the loading section 19. However, other positions of the getter material(s), such as the other end (e.g., the lower end) of the loading section 19, etc. are contemplated. The getter material(s) may be disposed, for example, at one or both ends of the loading section 19. The getter material(s) may be disposed, for example, within one or more pressure medium-permeable holders such as cartridges, which may be suspended or attached within the loading section 19 by attachment means such as screws or the like. The getter material(s) 36 may comprise or be composed of Ti, for example, a plurality of Ti elements or particles, such as Ti chips or Ti foils. The Ti-based getter material may be particularly useful for removing oxygen-containing gases from the gas phase within the pressure vessels 1, 8, and 9. However, other getter material(s) may be used as an alternative or in addition.

[0172] As illustrated in FIG. 13, as an alternative or in addition to providing getter material(s) 36 as a separate component in pressure vessels 1, 8, 9, one or more of the components within pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 may be made, at least in part, of getter material(s). For example, a part or portion of the furnace chamber 18, or some element included in the furnace chamber 18, may comprise getter material(s). As described above, the loading compartment 19 may be defined or formed by the interior of a loading basket. According to one example, the loading basket may be made entirely or in part of a getter material(s) such as Ti.

[0173] As an alternative or in addition, the loading basket may be arranged to receive a holder or fixture for the getter material(s).

[0174] The getter material(s) 36 may be replaced after a certain number of processing cycles have been performed using a pressing device 90. As an alternative or in addition, the getter material(s) 36 may be purified or regenerated, for example, by removing the getter material(s) 36 from the pressure vessels 1, 8, 9 and subjecting the getter material(s) 36 to treatment in a vacuum furnace, such as by subjecting the getter material(s) 36 to a vacuum treatment, after a certain number of processing cycles have been performed using a pressing device 90. The getter material(s) 36 may be purified or regenerated, as an alternative or in addition, by performing one or more vacuum stages of a processing cycle. Purifying or regenerating the getter material(s) 36 may be less costly compared to replacing the getter material(s) 36.

[0175] One or more getter materials may be implemented in any of the embodiments of the invention described herein.

[0176] In conclusion, a method for a pressing device is disclosed. The pressing device comprises a pressure vessel including a heat-insulating casing, in which at least one article can be arranged. The pressing device is configured to subject at least one article to treatment. The method comprises heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means so that any moisture present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced before implementing the treatment of at least one article using the pressing device. Subsequent to heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, the treatment of at least one article is implemented using the pressing device. Also disclosed is a system comprising the pressing device and at least one heating means.

[0177] While the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration should be considered to be illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive, and the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and achieved by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a consideration of the drawings, this disclosure, and the appended claims. In the appended claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does 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 advantageously used. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope. The matters described in the claims of the patent application at the time of filing are appended as they are below. [1] A method (100; 200) for a press device, wherein the press device comprises a pressure vessel arranged to hold a pressure medium therein during use of the press device, the pressure vessel comprising an end cap, the press device further comprising a heat-insulating casing arranged within the pressure vessel, the heat-insulating casing at least partially surrounding a furnace chamber and being arranged such that the pressure medium can enter and exit the furnace chamber, the heat-insulating casing comprising a heat-insulating portion at least partially surrounding the furnace chamber and a housing at least partially surrounding the heat-insulating portion, a processing area arranged to accommodate at least one article being at least partially defined by the furnace chamber, the press device being configured to subject the at least one article to processing, the heat-insulating casing comprising at least one pressure medium guiding path formed between at least a part of the housing and at least a part of the heat-insulating portion, the at least one pressure medium guiding path being arranged to guide the pressure medium exiting the furnace chamber towards the end cap such that the pressure medium exiting the at least one pressure medium guiding path can be guided close to the inner surface of the wall of the pressure vessel during use of the press device, the method comprising heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means so that any moisture content present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced (101) before carrying out the processing of the at least one article using the press device; subsequent to heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, carrying out the processing of the at least one article using the press device (102); A method comprising. [2] By heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is released from one or more surfaces of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing. The method, subsequent to heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing and prior to performing the treatment of the at least one article using the pressing device, further comprises drawing out (103) a gas resulting from the release of moisture present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing from the heat-insulating casing or from the pressure vessel. The method according to [1]. [3] Heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means comprises using the at least one heating element operable to generate heat at the selected output of the at least one heating element and for a selected time period to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing. The output and the time period of the at least one heating element are selected such that any moisture content present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced. The method (200) according to [1] or [2]. [4] The at least one heating element is used to heat at least one of the at least part of the heat-insulating portion or the at least part of the housing at the selected output of the at least one heating element and for the selected time period such that any moisture content present in or on at least a part of the heat-insulating portion or at least a part of the housing is reduced. The method according to [3]. [5] The at least one heating element is arranged inside or within the heat-insulating casing. The method according to [3] or [4]. [6] The pressing device comprises a pressure medium flow generator configured to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and the at least one pressure medium induction path. The method (200) In order to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing, simultaneously or subsequent to using at least one heating element, operate the pressure medium flow generator so as to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and the at least one pressure medium induction path (105). The method according to [5], further comprising this. [7] The method according to [5] or [6], wherein the at least one heating element is disposed inside the heat-insulating portion. [8] The method according to any one of [5] to [7], wherein the at least one heating element is disposed in at least a part of the at least one pressure medium induction path. [9] The method according to any one of [5] to [8], wherein the at least one heating element is disposed in at least a part of the furnace chamber.

[10] The heat-insulating casing is removably disposed in the pressure vessel such that the heat-insulating casing can be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily. Implementing the heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using the at least one heating element (104) includes removing the heat-insulating casing from the pressure vessel (106), while the heat-insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel, implementing the heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using the at least one heating element (108), subsequent to implementing the heating of at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using the at least one heating element, disposing the heat-insulating casing in the pressure vessel (110), The method according to any one of [3] to [9], comprising this.

[11] Subsequent to removing the heat-insulating casing from the pressure vessel, further comprising placing the heat-insulating casing in a container arranged to accommodate the heat-insulating casing (107). The at least one heating element is disposed in or on the container such that when the heat-insulating casing is placed in the container, the at least one heating element can be used to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing. The method includes While the heat-insulating casing is placed in the container, heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is carried out using the at least one heating element (109); Subsequent to carrying out heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using the at least one heating element, the heat-insulating casing is removed from the container (111), and subsequent to this, the heat-insulating casing is disposed in the pressure vessel (110); The method according to

[10] , further comprising this.

[12] The press device includes a pressure medium flow generator configured to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and the at least one pressure medium induction path, and heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means (101) is introducing heated pressure medium into the pressure vessel (112); operating the pressure medium flow generator so as to generate a flow of the heated pressure medium in the furnace chamber and the at least one pressure medium induction path during a selected time period (113), and includes The heated pressure medium contains an amount of thermal energy such that at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is heated so that any moisture content present in or on at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced by transfer of thermal energy from the heated pressure medium to at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing during passage of the heated pressure medium in the furnace chamber and the at least one pressure medium induction path and during the selected time period. The method according to any one of [1] to

[11] .

[13] The method according to

[12] , wherein the heated pressure medium comprises the pressure medium used in the press device during an opportunity prior to the treatment using the press device.

[14] On an outer surface of a wall of the pressure vessel, a cooling medium circuit extending along at least a part of the outer surface is provided. The cooling medium circuit is configured to circulate a cooling medium therein, and heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means (101) is heating the cooling medium (114); circulating the cooling medium heated within the cooling medium circuit during a selected time period (115). Heating the cooling medium is carried out such that the heated cooling medium transfers thermal energy from the heated cooling medium to the wall of the pressure vessel during circulation of the heated cooling medium within the cooling medium circuit during the selected time period, whereby thermal energy is transferred into the interior of the pressure vessel, and such that the at least part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is heated by an amount of thermal energy such that any moisture content present in the at least part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced. The method according to any one of [1] to

[13] .

[15] A system (90, 41; 42; 43) comprising a press device (90), wherein the press device (90) is during use of the press device, a pressure vessel (1, 8, 9) comprising an end cap (8) arranged to hold a pressure medium therein, a heat-insulating casing (2, 7) arranged within the pressure vessel, the heat-insulating casing at least partially surrounds a furnace chamber (18) and is arranged such that the pressure medium can enter and exit the furnace chamber. The heat-insulating casing comprises a heat-insulating portion (7) that at least partially surrounds the furnace chamber and a housing (2) that at least partially surrounds the heat-insulating portion. A processing area arranged to accommodate at least one article (5) is at least partially defined by the furnace chamber, the press device is configured to process the at least one article, and the heat-insulating casing comprises at least one pressure medium guiding path (11) formed between at least a part of the housing and at least a part of the heat-insulating portion. The at least one pressure medium guiding path is arranged to guide the pressure medium exiting the furnace chamber towards the end cap such that the pressure medium exiting the at least one pressure medium guiding path can be guided close to the inner surface (23) of the wall (22) of the pressure vessel during use of the press device, the system is Before carrying out the treatment of the at least one article using the press device, at least one heating means (41; 42; 43) is further provided which is configured to heat at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing so that any moisture present in at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced. The system, wherein the press device is configured to carry out the treatment of the at least one article using the press device subsequent to heating at least a part or portion of the heat-insulating casing.

[16] The pressure medium comprises one or more gases, and one or more getter materials (36) are arranged in the pressure vessel so as to be exposed to the pressure medium during the treatment of the at least one article using the press device, and the one or more getter materials are configured to capture or remove particles of one or more selected gases from the pressure medium, and the one or more selected gases include water vapor, the system according to

[15] .

[17] The system according to

[15] or

[16] , further comprising a sensor (35) configured to sense the moisture content in the pressure medium within the heat-insulating casing during the treatment.

[18] The system according to

[17] , wherein the sensor is configured to sense the moisture content in the pressure medium within the furnace chamber.

Claims

1. A method (100; 200) for a press device, wherein the press device comprises a pressure vessel arranged to hold a pressure medium therein during use of the press device, the pressure vessel comprising end caps, the press device further comprising a heat-insulating casing arranged within the pressure vessel, the heat-insulating casing at least partially surrounding a furnace chamber and being arranged such that the pressure medium can enter and exit the furnace chamber, the heat-insulating casing comprising a heat-insulating portion at least partially surrounding the furnace chamber and a housing at least partially surrounding the heat-insulating portion, a processing area arranged to accommodate at least one article being at least partially defined by the furnace chamber, the press device being configured to subject the at least one article to processing, the heat-insulating casing comprising at least one pressure medium guiding path formed between at least a part of the housing and at least a part of the heat-insulating portion, the at least one pressure medium guiding path being arranged to guide the pressure medium exiting the furnace chamber towards the end caps such that the pressure medium exiting the at least one pressure medium guiding path can be guided close to the inner surface of the wall of the pressure vessel during use of the press device, the method comprising: heating at least a part of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means (101) such that any moisture present in or on at least a part of the heat-insulating casing is reduced before the press device is used to perform the processing of the at least one article, wherein by heating at least a part of the heat-insulating casing, moisture present in or on at least a part of the heat-insulating casing is released from one or more surfaces of the at least a part of the heat-insulating casing; subsequent to heating at least a part of the heat-insulating casing and before the press device is used to perform the processing of the at least one article; drawing off (103) a gas resulting from the release of moisture present in or on at least a part of the heat-insulating casing from the heat-insulating casing or from the pressure vessel; using the press device to perform the processing of the at least one article (102); A method comprising the above steps.

2. Using at least one heating means to heat at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing, comprises using at least one heating element operable to generate heat at the selected output of the at least one heating element and for a selected time period to heat at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing (104), wherein the output and the time period of the at least one heating element are selected such that any moisture present in or on at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing is reduced, the method (200) according to claim 1. **Claim 3** The at least one heating element is used to heat at least one of at least a portion of the heat-insulating portion or at least a portion of the housing at the selected output of the at least one heating element and for the selected time period such that any moisture present in or on at least a portion of the heat-insulating portion or at least a portion of the housing is reduced, the method according to claim 2. **Claim 4** The at least one heating element is disposed within or inside the heat-insulating casing, the method according to claim 2 or 3. **Claim 5** The pressing device comprises a pressure medium flow generator configured to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and the at least one pressure medium induction path, The method (200) operates the pressure medium flow generator to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and the at least one pressure medium induction path simultaneously or subsequent to using the at least one heating element to heat at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing (105) further comprising the method according to claim 4. **Claim 6** The at least one heating element is disposed inside the heat-insulating portion, the method according to claim 4 or 5. **Claim 7** The at least one heating element is disposed in at least a part of the at least one pressure medium induction path, the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6. **Claim 8** The at least one heating element is disposed in at least a part of the furnace chamber, the method according to any one of claims 4 to 7. **Claim 9** The heat-insulating casing is removably disposed within the pressure vessel such that the heat-insulating casing can be removed from the pressure vessel at least temporarily, and performing the heating of at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing using the at least one heating element (104) comprises removing the heat-insulating casing from the pressure vessel (106); while the heat-insulating casing is removed from the pressure vessel, performing the heating of at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing using the at least one heating element (108); subsequent to performing the heating of at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing using the at least one heating element, disposing the heat-insulating casing within the pressure vessel (110); The method according to any one of claims 2 to 8, comprising the above.

10. Subsequent to removing the heat-insulating casing from the pressure vessel, further comprising placing the heat-insulating casing within a container arranged to receive the heat-insulating casing (107), wherein the at least one heating element is arranged within or on the container such that when the heat-insulating casing is placed within the container, the at least one heating element can be used to heat at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing, and the method comprises while the heat-insulating casing is placed within the container, performing the heating of at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing using the at least one heating element (109); subsequent to performing the heating of at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing using the at least one heating element, removing the heat-insulating casing from the container (111), and subsequent to this, disposing the heat-insulating casing within the pressure vessel (110); The method according to claim 9, further comprising the above.

11. The press device comprises a pressure medium flow generator configured to generate a flow of pressure medium in the furnace chamber and the at least one pressure medium induction path, and performing the heating of at least a portion of the heat-insulating casing using at least one heating means (101) comprises introducing heated pressure medium into the pressure vessel (112); Operating the pressure medium flow generator (113) to generate a flow of the pressure medium heated in the furnace chamber and the at least one pressure medium induction path during a selected time period. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the heated pressure medium contains an amount of thermal energy such that, during passage of the heated pressure medium in the furnace chamber and the at least one pressure medium induction path and during the selected time period, at least a portion of the heat insulating casing is heated by transfer of thermal energy from the heated pressure medium to at least a portion of the heat insulating casing, so that any moisture present in or on at least a portion of the heat insulating casing is reduced. **Claim 12** The method according to claim 11, wherein the heated pressure medium comprises a pressure medium used in the press device during an opportunity before a process using the press device. **Claim 13** On an outer surface of the wall of the pressure vessel, a cooling medium circuit is provided extending along at least a portion of the outer surface. The cooling medium circuit is configured to circulate a cooling medium therein. Heating at least a portion of the heat insulating casing (101) using at least one heating means comprises heating the cooling medium (114); and circulating the heated cooling medium in the cooling medium circuit during a selected time period (115). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein heating the cooling medium is carried out such that the heated cooling medium contains an amount of thermal energy such that, during circulation of the heated cooling medium in the cooling medium circuit during the selected time period, transfer of thermal energy from the heated cooling medium to the wall of the pressure vessel causes at least a portion of the heat insulating casing to be heated so that any moisture present in or on at least a portion of the heat insulating casing is reduced. **Claim 14** A system (90, 41; 42; 43) comprising a press device (90), wherein the press device (90) comprises a pressure vessel (1, 8, 9) with an end cap (8) arranged to hold a pressure medium therein during use of the press device. a heat-insulating casing (2, 7) disposed within the pressure vessel; the heat-insulating casing at least partially surrounds a furnace chamber (18) and is arranged such that a pressure medium can enter and exit the furnace chamber. The heat-insulating casing includes a heat-insulating portion (7) that at least partially surrounds the furnace chamber and a housing (2) that at least partially surrounds the heat-insulating portion. A processing area arranged to accommodate at least one article (5) is at least partially defined by the furnace chamber. the pressing device is configured to process the at least one article, and the heat-insulating casing includes at least one pressure medium guiding path (11) formed between at least a part of the housing and at least a part of the heat-insulating portion. The at least one pressure medium guiding path is arranged to guide the pressure medium exiting the furnace chamber towards the end cap such that the pressure medium exiting the at least one pressure medium guiding path can be guided close to the inner surface (23) of the wall (22) of the pressure vessel during use of the pressing device. The system further includes at least one heating means (41; 42; 43) configured to heat at least a part of the heat-insulating casing so that any moisture present in or on at least a part of the heat-insulating casing is reduced before the pressing device is used to perform the processing of the at least one article. By heating at least a part of the heat-insulating casing, the moisture present in or on at least a part of the heat-insulating casing is released from one or more surfaces of the at least a part of the heat-insulating casing. The pressing device subsequent to heating at least a part of the heat-insulating casing and before using the pressing device to perform the processing of the at least one article, draws out (103) the gas generated from the release of moisture present in or on at least a part of the heat-insulating casing from the heat-insulating casing or from the pressure vessel, and is configured to use the pressing device to perform the processing of the at least one article A configured system.

15. The pressure medium comprises one or more gases, and one or more getter materials (36) are arranged within the pressure vessel such that, during processing of the at least one article using the press apparatus, the getter material(s) is / are exposed to the pressure medium, the one or more getter materials being configured to capture or remove particles of one or more selected gases from the pressure medium, the one or more selected gases including water vapor, the system of claim 14.

16. The system according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising a sensor (35) configured to sense a moisture content in the pressure medium within the heat-insulating casing during processing.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a moisture content in the pressure medium within the furnace chamber.

Images