Patent ID: 6497239
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: B01J,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
An inverted pressure vessel system with shielded closure mechanisms for conducting automated industrial processes under elevated pressure and temperature, comprisinga pressure chamber with an underside loading port, a vertically movable pedestal arranged directly below said pressure chamber for opening and closing said loading port, the top of said pedestal functioning as the floor of said pressure chamber when said pedestal is raised to a closed position and as a loading platform when said pedestal is lowered to an open position, means for moving said pedestal between said open position and said closed position, means for locking said pedestal in a sealing relationship with said pressure vessel so as to define a process volume within which to conduct processes when said pedestal is in said closed position, means for shielding said means for moving and said means for locking from exposure to said top of said pedestal and said pressure chamber, means for controlling pressure within said pressure chamber when closed and sealed, and means for controlling temperature within said pressure chamber when closed and sealed.