HIP Pressure Vessel Cooling Rate Control for Uniform Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hot isostatic pressing (HIP) methods lack flexibility in controlling the cooling rate, leading to uneven temperature variations and internal stresses in treated articles.
Innovation Solution
A method and pressing arrangement that utilizes a controllable pressure medium supplying device to adjust the cooling rate based on real-time temperature measurements, allowing for flexible adaptation to different requirements and reducing temperature variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cooling rate is increased to reduce cooling time, then productivity is improved, but temperature uniformity deteriorates causing internal stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling process is divided into multiple phases with different cooling rates. A first cooling rate is applied during an initial cooling phase, and a second cooling rate is applied during a subsequent cooling phase. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both rapid cooling (for productivity) and controlled cooling (for temperature uniformity) at different stages of the cooling process.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cooling rate is controlled flexibly to reduce temperature variations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling rate is made dynamic and adjustable during the cooling process. The system transitions from a first cooling rate to a second cooling rate based on process requirements. This dynamic control enables flexible adaptation to different cooling scenarios, achieving temperature uniformity without requiring overly complex control mechanisms.
3Loss of time
If rapid cooling is applied to increase productivity, then cooling time is reduced, but internal stresses increase affecting reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies a first cooling rate during an initial cooling phase to rapidly reduce temperature and minimize cooling time. Then, it transitions to a second cooling rate during a subsequent phase to control temperature uniformity and reduce internal stresses. This preliminary rapid cooling followed by controlled cooling achieves both time efficiency and reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables controlled and uniform cooling of articles in HIP, reducing internal stresses and facilitating homogeneous cooling by adjusting the cooling rate to meet specific conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature of the pressure medium in another region is lower than the temperature of the pressure medium in the treatment region during at least part of the cooling phase such that by transport of pressure medium during the cooling phase from the other region to the treatment region, the temperature of the pressure medium in the treatment region decreases
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a pressing arrangement is disclosed. The pressing arrangement comprises a pressure vessel arranged to hold pressure medium therein during use of the pressing arrangement, the pressure vessel including a treatment region therein, wherein the treatment region is arranged to accommodate at least one article. The pressing arrangement comprises at least one controllable pressure medium supplying device configured to transport pressure medium during a cooling phase from another region in the pressing arrangement to the treatment region, wherein the temperature of the pressure medium in the other region is lower than the temperature of the pressure medium in the treatment region during at least part of the cooling phase. The method includes adjusting at least one operational parameter of the at least one controllable pressure medium supplying device, to adjust the pressure medium supplying rate thereof.