High temperature/high pressure vessel

In a high temperature/high pressure vessel for treating a workpiece placed in the interior of the vessel at a high temperature and a high pressure wherein piano wire is wound under tension round an outer periphery of a cylindrical body to apply a compressive residual stress to the cylindrical body and axial openings of the cylindrical body are tightly closed with upper and lower lids so that the lids can be disengaged from the openings, the cylindrical body is constituted as a two-layer cylindrical body comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder which is fitted on the inner cylinder through plural spacers arranged along an outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder, allowing cooling water flow paths to be formed each between adjacent such spacers so as to extend from one end side to an opposite end side of the tow-layer cylindrical body. In this high temperature/high pressure vessel, vessel packings can be cooled effectively, the piano wire is not wet with cooling water, and the internal space of the vessel can be utilized effectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improvement of a high temperature/high pressure vessel used for an HIP (hot isostatic pressing) apparatus and more particularly to a high temperature/high pressure vessel with piano wire wound under tension round an outer periphery of a cylindrical body of the vessel.

2. Description of the Related Art

For pressure sintering of various powdery materials such as powdered metals and ceramics, for removing internal defects of cast products and sintered products, and for diffusion bonding, an HIP apparatus which utilizes a synergistic effect of a high isotropic pressure and a high temperature within a high pressure vessel is adopted in various industrial fields. The HIP apparatus is composed of a high temperature/high pressure vessel (with a heat insulating layer and a heater disposed in the interior thereof) into which a high pressure gas is sealed, an upper lid and a lower lid for closing upper and lower openings, respectively, of the vessel, and a press frame which bears an axial force acting on the upper and lower lids. As known examples of a high temperature/high pressure vessel used in such an HIP apparatus and with a refrigerant flow path formed in a cylindrical body thereof there are mentioned those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,189 (prior art 1) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,009 (prior art 2).

From the standpoint of cooling effect, the thinner the cylindrical body, the better. However, in point of strength, it is impossible to thin the cylindrical body beyond a certain level. Therefore, in the prior art 1, particularly in the case of a large-sized high temperature/high pressure vessel, it is difficult to effectively cool portions where vessel packings are disposed. As a result of the temperature of the vessel packings becoming high, the life thereof becomes short, thus causing an increase of running cost. Moreover, if the prior art 1 is of a construction wherein piano wire is wet with cooling water, the piano wire rusts, causing breaking of the wire; besides, a fatigue life of the piano wire becomes shorter. In case of a thin plate being interposed between a rod-like spacer and piano wire, the thin plate undergoes shrinkage deformation due to winding of the piano wire and there is a fear that the sealing function of a seal which prevents the permeation of cooling water may be lost.

In the prior art 2, a cooling jacket is mounted in the interior of a high pressure vessel, so that the size of a heater installed within the same vessel becomes smaller and so does the size of a workpiece. In other words, it is necessary to increase the size of the high pressure vessel, which causes an increase of cost and is therefore not desirable from the economic point of view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a high temperature/high pressure vessel capable of cooling vessel packings effectively, capable of preventing piano wire from being wet with cooling water, and further capable of utilizing an internal space of the vessel effectively.

A first means which the present invention has adopted for solving the above-mentioned problems is a high temperature/high pressure vessel for treating a workpiece placed in the interior of the vessel at a high temperature and a high pressure, the vessel comprising a cylindrical body, with piano wire wound under tension round an outer periphery of the cylindrical body, and lid members which tightly close axial openings of the cylindrical body so as to be disengageable from the openings. The cylindrical body comprises an inner cylinder, plural spacers arranged along an outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder, and an outer cylinder fitted on the inner cylinder through the spacers. Cooling water flow paths extending from one end side to an opposite end side of the cylindrical body are formed each between adjacent such spacers.

The high temperature/high pressure vessel of the first means constructed as above is superior to the prior art 1 in the following points.{circle around (1)} High pressure sealing rings (high pressure packings) can be cooled more effectively than in the prior art 1, resulting in the life thereof being prolonged, and thus there accrues an advantage in point of running cost of an HIP apparatus which uses the high temperature/high pressure vessel.{circle around (2)} Unlike the prior art 1, piano wire is not wetted with cooling water, that is, piano wire does not rust which would cause breaking of the wire, and therefore a fatigue life of the piano wire can be prolonged.{circle around (3)} There does not occur such a deformation of an inner cylinder caused by winding of piano wire as in the prior art 1 wherein a thin plate is interposed between rod-like spacers and piano wire. Thus, there does not occur a deformation-based loss of the sealing function of sealing rings which are for preventing the permeation of cooling water.

The high temperature/high pressure vessel of the first means constructed as above is superior to the prior art 2 in the following points.{circle around (1)} A cooling jacket is not installed within the high pressure vessel. Therefore, a heater installed within the high pressure vessel is not required to be smaller in size, nor is so required as to a workpiece, either. Thus, it is not necessary to make the high pressure vessel larger in size. This is economical.{circle around (2)} Unlike a cooling jacket of a two-layer construction comprising inner and outer jackets and with a refrigerant flow path formed in one of the inner and outer jackets, there is no fear of cracking in the inner and outer cylinders of the cylindrical body due to stress concentration.

In this high temperature/high pressure vessel according to the present invention, the outer cylinder may be constructed such that, after being fitted along outer peripheries of the spacers in a state of a high temperature, it shrinks and deforms as the temperature drops.

Or in this high temperature/high pressure vessel according to the present invention, the outer cylinder may be constructed such that, after being fitted along outer peripheries of the spacers, it is shrunk and deformed by winding of the piano wire therearound.

In this high temperature/high pressure vessel according to the present invention, the spacers may be constructed so as to be fixed to the outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder by means of a clamp member fitted in each of outer grooves and having a thickness not larger than the depth of the outer grooves, the outer grooves being formed in the spacers in a direction orthogonal to the spacers.

This high temperature/high pressure vessel according to the present invention may be constructed such that a cooling water supply header for the supply of cooling water to the cooling water flow paths is disposed in a watertight manner on one end side of the cylindrical body, while on an opposite end side of the cylindrical body is disposed also in a watertight manner a cooling water collecting header for the collection of cooling water flowing out from the cooling water flow paths. The cooling water supply header and the cooling water collecting header may be constructed in a removable manner. By so doing, even if there should occur leakage of cooling water due to damage of a sealing ring or due to material deterioration, the sealing ring can be replaced easily by removing such cooling water collecting header or cooling water supply header, with consequent shortening of the maintenance time permitting improvement in availability of the HIP apparatus which uses the high temperature/high pressure vessel and contribution to the reduction of maintenance cost.

Further, this high temperature/high pressure vessel according to the present invention may be constructed such that the piano wire is wound round an outer periphery of the outer cylinder through spacer pieces, with leakage water guide paths being formed transversely outwards of the spacer pieces to guide leakage water leaking from the cooling water flow paths toward an end portion of the cylindrical body, and leakage water detecting means are provided in the leakage water guide paths. By detecting leakage water with use of the leakage water detecting means, it is possible to become aware that a crack has been developed in the outer cylinder and hence possible to prevent the occurrence of a serious accident caused by cracking of the outer cylinder.

The second means which the present invention has adopted for solving the foregoing problems is a high temperature/high pressure vessel for treating a workpiece placed in the interior of the vessel at a high temperature and a high pressure, the vessel comprising a cylindrical body, lid members which tightly close axial openings of the cylindrical body so as to be disengageable from the openings, plural spacers arranged along an outer periphery surface of the cylindrical body, and cooling water pipes each interposed between adjacent such spacers and extending from one to the other end side of the cylindrical body, with piano wire being wound under tension round outer peripheries of the spacers.

The high temperature/high pressure vessel of the second means constructed as above is superior to the prior art 1 in the following points.{circle around (1)} Unlike the prior art 1, piano wire is not wetted with cooling water, that is, the piano wire does not rust which would cause breaking of the wire, and therefore a fatigue life of the piano wire can be prolonged.{circle around (2)} There does not occur such a deformation of the cylindrical body caused by winding of piano wire as in the prior art 1 wherein a thin plate is interposed between rod-like spacers and piano wire. Thus, the sealing function of sealing rings for preventing the permeation of cooling water is not lost.

The high temperature/high pressure vessel of the second means constructed as above is superior to the prior art 2 in the following points.{circle around (1)} A cooling jacket is not installed within the high pressure vessel. Therefore, a heater installed within the high pressure vessel is not required to be smaller in size, nor is so required as to a workpiece, either. Thus, it is not necessary to make the high pressure vessel larger in size. This is economical.{circle around (2)} Unlike a cooling jacket of a two-layer construction comprising inner and outer jackets and with a refrigerant flow path formed in one of the inner and outer jackets, there is no fear of cracking in the cylindrical body due to stress concentration.

This high temperature/high pressure vessel according to the present invention may be constructed such that the cooling water pipes are brought into close contact with the outer periphery surface of the cylindrical body by their deformation caused by the winding of the piano wire.

This high temperature/high pressure vessel according to the present invention may be constructed such that a heat conductive material is filled between an outer periphery surface of an inner cylinder of the cylindrical body and the cooling water pipes and also between the cooling water pipes and the spacers.

Further, in this high temperature/high pressure vessel according to the present invention, the spacers may be formed as flat bars. In this case, the flat bars used as spacers have a shape easy to obtain and therefore can contribute to the reduction of cost of the high temperature/high pressure vessel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A high temperature/high pressure vessel according to an embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described hereinunder with reference to the accompanying drawings.FIG. 1is a vertical sectional view of the high temperature/high pressure vessel as installed within a press frame andFIG. 2illustrates a part of a cross section of the high temperature/high pressure vessel.

In those figures, the reference numeral1denotes the high temperature/high pressure vessel which is installed within a press frame50removably. The high temperature/high pressure vessel1is provided with a cylindrical body2of a construction to be described later and piano wire3wound under a predetermined tension round an outer periphery surface of the cylindrical body2. An upper opening of the cylindrical body2is hermetically sealed by fitting therein of an upper lid4, the upper lid4having a high pressure sealing ring4aas a high pressure packing fitted in a sealing ring groove, while a lower opening of the cylindrical body2is hermetically sealed by fitting therein of a lower lid5, the lower lid5having a sealing ring5afitted in a sealing ring groove. In the space formed between the upper and lower lids4,5of the cylindrical body2there is disposed a cylindrical heat insulating layer21having a top lid, and inside the heat insulating layer21is disposed a heater22for treating a workpiece W. The lower lid5is composed of a lower top lid for supporting the heat insulating layer21and a lower bottom lid fitted with the lower top lid through a high pressure sealing ring and supporting the workpiece W.

The cylindrical body2is of a two-layer structure. More specifically, it comprises an inner cylinder2aand an outer cylinder2bfitted on the inner cylinder2athrough plural spacers6, the spacers6being flat bars and arranged axially along an outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder2aand spacedly at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. An axial length passing through a diametrical center of the inner cylinder21is set larger than axial length passing through a diametrical center of the outer cylinder2band is projecting from end portions of the outer cylinder2b. A cooling water collecting header7to be described later is fitted removably on the upper projecting portion of the inner cylinder2aprojecting from the upper end of the outer cylinder2b, while a cooling water supply header8to be described later is fitted removably on the lower projecting portion of the inner cylinder2aprojecting from the lower end of the outer cylinder2b. The outer cylinder2bis provided at both ends thereof with wire winding flanges2c, and the piano wire3is wound between both wire winding flanges2c.

The cooling water collecting header7is formed annularly and an inner groove serving as a cooling water chamber7ais formed circumferentially in the header7on the side where the header7is fitted on the inner cylinder2a. A sealing ring groove is formed circumferentially below the cooling water chamber7aand on the side where the header7is fitted on the inner cylinder2a, and a sealing ring7bis fitted in the sealing ring groove. Further, a sealing ring groove is formed circumferentially in a portion of the cooling water collecting header7where the header is in contact with an upper end face of the outer cylinder2b, and a sealing ring7cis fitted therein.

The cooling water supply header8is formed annularly and an inner groove serving as a cooling water chamber8ais formed in the header8on the side where the header8is fitted on the inner cylinder2a. A sealing ring groove is formed circumferentially below the cooling water chamber8aand on the side where the header8is fitted on the inner cylinder2a, and a sealing ring8bis fitted therein. Further, a sealing ring groove is formed circumferentially in a portion of the cooling water supply header8where the header8is in contact with a lower end face of the outer cylinder2b, and a sealing ring8cis fitted therein. As will be seen from the above description, the cooling water collecting header7and the cooling water supply header8are of the same construction and are fitted in the end portion of the inner cylinder2ain a mutually inverted state vertically.

The cooling water chamber7ain the cooling water collecting header7and the cooling water chamber8ain the cooling water supply header8are in communication with each other through gaps each formed between adjacent spacers6. That is, in the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1, the gaps each formed between adjacent spacers6serve as cooling water flow paths9. Therefore, cooling water flowing into the cooling water chamber8afrom a water inlet port8dwhich projects from an outer periphery of the cooling water supply header8flows through the cooling water flow paths while absorbing heat from the inner cylinder2a, then enters the cooling water chamber7ain the cooling water collecting header7, then passes through a drain port7dprojecting from an outer periphery of the header7, and is drained through a drain pipe (not shown) with a safety valve disposed therein. The cooling water is used in a circulative manner.

In this embodiment 1, the spacers6are deformed along the outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder2aby the following method. Spacer fixing flanges are fitted in both-end openings of the inner cylinder2aand, using fixing pins or bolts for example, end portions of the spacers6are fixed to the spacer fixing flanges at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder2a. Then, the outer cylinder2bis fitted on outer peripheries of the spacers6thus fixed to the inner cylinder2aand piano wire3is wound round an outer periphery of the outer cylinder2b, allowing the spacers6to be deformed along the outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder2adue to shrinkage of the outer cylinder2b.

After the end of winding of the piano wire, the fixing pins or bolts are removed and at the same time the spacer fixing flanges are removed. According to this method, heating energy for the outer cylinder2bis not necessary and therefore the number of working steps is reduced. Thus, this method is superior in point of shortening of the delivery period and energy saving in comparison with the method wherein the outer cylinder2bis heated for shrink fitting.

It is a vessel support structure10that engages outer faces of end portions of the wire winding flanges2cand enclose the whole of the piano wire3. The vessel support structure10holds the high temperature/high pressure vessel1.

A description will now be given of the operation of the high temperature/high pressure vessel1constructed as above. For treating the workpiece W in the high temperature/high pressure vessel1, the vessel is cooled with cooling water. More specifically, when cooling water containing a rust preventive agent is fed from the water inlet port8dinto the cooling water chamber8ain the cooling water supply header8, the cooling water is equally distributed by the cooling water chamber8a, flows into the cooling water flow paths9, and flows from below to above through the cooling water flow paths9while undergoing heat exchange, whereby the inner cylinder2aand the outer cylinder2bof the cylindrical body2are cooled effectively.

The cooling water which has become high in temperature by heat exchange flows into the cooling water collecting header7and is drained to the exterior through the drain port7d.

As described above, the cylindrical body2of the high temperature/high pressure vessel1according to this embodiment 1 is of a double construction comprising the inner cylinder2aand the outer cylinder2b, the inner cylinder2abeing smaller in wall thickness than the cylindrical body2. Therefore, the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1 is superior to the prior art 1 in the following points.{circle around (1)} The high pressure sealing rings4aand5acan be cooled more effectively than in the prior art 1 and their lives are prolonged, so that there accrues an advantage in point of running cost of HIP apparatus which uses the high temperature/high pressure vessel1.{circle around (2)} Unlike the prior art 1, piano wire3is not wetted with cooling water, that is, piano wire3does not rust which would cause breaking of the wire, and therefore a fatigue life of the piano wire3can be prolonged.{circle around (3)} There does not occur such a deformation of the inner cylinder2acaused by winding of piano wire3as in the prior art 1 wherein a thin plate is interposed between rod-like spacers and piano wire. Thus, there does not occur a deformation-based loss of the sealing function of sealing rings which are for preventing the permeation of cooling water.

The high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1 is superior to the prior art 2 in the following points.{circle around (1)} A cooling jacket is not installed within the high pressure vessel. Therefore, a heater installed within the high pressure vessel is not required to be smaller in size, nor is so required as to a workpiece, either. Thus, it is not necessary to make the high pressure vessel larger in size. This is economical.{circle around (2)} Unlike a cooling jacket of a two-layer construction comprising inner and outer jackets and with a refrigerant flow path formed in one of the inner and outer jackets, there is no fear of cracking in the inner and outer cylinders of the cylindrical body due to stress concentration.

Besides, in the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1, both cooling water collecting header7and cooling water supply header8are constructed removably as noted earlier.

Therefore, even if there should occur the leakage of cooling water due to damage of sealing rings or material deterioration, the sealing rings can be replaced easily by removing the cooling water collecting header7and the cooling water supply header8, whereby the maintenance time is shortened. Consequently, it is possible to improve the availability of HIP apparatus which uses the high temperature/high pressure vessel1and contribute to the reduction of maintenance cost.

In the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1, moreover, even if there should occur cracking of the inner cylinder2a, there is no fear of breakage of the entire cylindrical body2, but the safety valve disposed in the drain pipe connected to the drain port7doperates, so that the occurrence of cracking of the inner cylinder2acan be detected easily. Further, if the outer cylinder2bis cracked, cooling water will leak out, so the occurrence of cracking in the outer cylinder2bcan be known easily by detecting such leaking cooling water.

A high temperature/high pressure vessel according to an embodiment 1a of the present invention will be described below with reference toFIG. 3which is a vertical sectional view showing a part of an upper portion and the vicinity thereof of the vessel. In this embodiment 1a, the same components and those having the same functions as in the embodiment 1 will be identified by the same reference numerals. However, as to a cooling water collecting header and a cooling water supply header, both are completely the same in construction, provided both are assembled in a mutually inverted state vertically. Therefore, as to the header construction, reference will be made below to only the water collecting header as an example.

In the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment1a, an inner cylinder2aand an outer cylinder2bof a cylindrical body2are equal in axial length. A cooling water collecting header7is formed annularly, and in the interior thereof is circumferentially formed an inner groove serving as a cooling water chamber7awhich opens to an end face side of the inner and outer cylinders2a,2b. Two sealing ring grooves are formed circumferentially below the cooling water chamber7aand on the side where the header7is in contact with both inner and outer cylinders2a,2b, and sealing rings7band7care fitted in the sealing ring grooves respectively.

In the high temperature/high pressure vessel1constructed as above, the inner and outer cylinders2a,2bof the cylindrical body2and spacers6are assembled in the following manner. As to the cylindrical body2, plural spacers6are arranged axially along an outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder2aand at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction so that outer grooves6aformed in the spacers6in a direction orthogonal to the spacers face outward. Then, a clamp member6bhaving a thickness not larger than the depth of the outer grooves6ais fitted in each of the outer grooves to clamp and fix the spacers6to the inner cylinder2a. Further, the outer cylinder2bheated to a predetermined temperature is fitted on outer peripheries of the spacers6thus fixed to the inner cylinder2a.

In this case, the outer cylinder2bshrinks as the temperature drops and the spacers6formed as flat bars are curved so as to follow the profile of the outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder2a. By adopting such a method, a spacer material of an easily available shape is employable and it is not necessary to form the spacers6beforehand so as to follow the outer periphery profile of the inner cylinder2a. Thus, it is possible to make contribution to the reduction of cost of the high temperature/high pressure vessel. Further, by winding the piano wire3round the outer cylinder2bthere accrues an effect such that a large compressive residual stress can be applied to the inner cylinder2ain comparison with a mere winding of the piano wire3.

As in the first embodiment, for deforming the spacers6so as to follow the outer periphery profile of the inner cylinder2a, there also may be adopted a method wherein the outer cylinder2bis fitted on the spacers6fixed to the inner cylinder2a, thereafter the piano wire3is wound round the outer periphery of the outer cylinder2b, and the spacers6are allowed to shrink so as to follow the outer periphery profile of the inner cylinder2adue to shrinkage of the outer cylinder2b. According to this method, heating energy for the outer cylinder2bis not needed and the number of working steps is reduced. Thus, this method is advantageous in point of shortening of the delivery period and energy saving over the foregoing method wherein the outer cylinder2bis heated.

Since the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1a is of a construction wherein cooling water flows through cooling water flow paths each formed between adjacent ones of the spacers6which are interposed between the inner cylinder2aand the outer cylinder2b, thereby cooling the cylindrical body2effectively, there can be obtained the same effects as in the embodiment 1.

A high temperature/high pressure vessel according to an embodiment 1b of the present invention will be described below with reference toFIG. 4which is a vertical sectional view of an upper portion and the vicinity thereof of the vessel. In this embodiment1b, the same components and those having the same functions as in the embodiment 1 will be identified by the same reference numerals. As to a cooling water collecting header and a cooling water supply header, both are completely the same in construction, provided both are assembled in a mutually inverted state vertically. Therefore, as to the header construction, reference will be made below to only the cooling water collecting header as an example.

In the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment1b, as in the embodiment 1, an axial length of an inner cylinder2aof a cylindrical body2is set larger than that of an outer cylinder2b. A cooling water collecting header7is formed annularly, and in the interior thereof is circumferentially formed an inner groove serving as a cooling water chamber7awhich opens to an outer periphery surface side of the inner cylinder2a. Above the cooling water chamber7ais formed a sealing ring groove circumferentially and a sealing ring7bwhich is in close contact with the outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder2ais fitted in the sealing ring groove. Likewise, below the cooling water chamber7ais formed a sealing ring groove circumferentially and a sealing ring7cwhich is in close contact with an outer periphery surface of the outer cylinder2bis fitted in the sealing ring groove.

Since the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1b is of a construction wherein cooling water flows through cooling water flow paths each formed between adjacent ones of spacers5which are interposed between the inner and outer cylinders2a,2b, thereby cooling the cylindrical body2effectively, there can be obtained the same effects as in the embodiment 1.

A high temperature/high pressure vessel according to an embodiment 1c of the present invention will be described below with reference toFIG. 5which is a vertical sectional view showing a part of an upper portion and the vicinity thereof of the vessel. In this embodiment 1c, the same components and those having the same functions as in the embodiment 1b will be identified by the same reference numerals. However, as to a cooling water collecting header and a cooling water supply header, both are completely the same in construction, provided both are assembled in a mutually inverted state vertically. As to the header construction, therefore, reference will be made below to only the cooling water collecting header as an example.

A difference between a cooling water collecting header7used in the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1c and the cooling water collecting header7in the previous embodiment 1b resides in whether a leakage water detecting port for detecting the leakage of cooling water is present or not. More specifically, two sealing ring grooves are formed circumferentially above a cooling water chamber7ain the cooling water header7and sealing rings7bwhich are in close contact with an outer periphery surface of an inner cylinder2aare fitted in the two sealing ring grooves respectively. Likewise, two sealing ring grooves are formed circumferentially below the cooling water chamber7aand sealing rings7cwhich are in close contact with an outer periphery surface of an outer cylinder2bare fitted in the two sealing ring grooves respectively.

A leakage water detecting port7efor detecting the leakage of cooling water from the sealing ring7blocated on the cooling water chamber7aside is formed between the sealing ring grooves with the sealing rings7bfitted therein and extends into communication with an outer periphery surface of the cooling water collecting header7. Likewise, a leakage water detecting port7ffor detecting the leakage of cooling water from the sealing ring7clocated on the cooling water chamber7aside is formed and extends into communication with the outer periphery surface of the cooling water collecting header7.

Since the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1c is of a construction wherein cooling water flows through cooling water flow paths each formed between adjacent ones of spacers6which are interposed between the inner and outer cylinders2a,2b, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the previous embodiment 1b. Additionally, there also is obtained an effect such that by detecting the cooling water flowing out of the leakage water detecting ports7eand7fit is possible to surely know when the sealing rings7band7clocated on the cooling water chamber7aare to be replaced. That is, by replacing the sealing rings7band7cupon detection of cooling water leakage it is possible to minimize the wetting of piano wire3with cooling water.

A high temperature/high pressure vessel according to an embodiment 1 d of the present invention will be described below with reference toFIG. 6which is a vertical sectional view showing an upper portion and the vicinity thereof of the vessel. In this embodiment 1d, the same components and those having the same functions as in the embodiment 1 will be identified by the same reference numerals. However, as to a cooling water collecting header and a cooling water supply header, both are completely the same in construction, provided both are assembled in a mutually inverted state vertically. Therefore, as to the header construction, reference will be made below to only the water collecting header as an example.

A cooling water collecting header7used in a high temperature/high pressure vessel according to this embodiment 1d is of the same construction as the cooling water collecting header7used in the high temperature/high pressure vessel of the embodiment 1a except that a sealing ring2dis disposed in the portion where a wire winding flanges2cis fitted on the outer cylinder2b.

Since the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1 d is of a construction wherein cooling water flows through cooling water flow paths each formed between adjacent ones of spacers6which are interposed between inner and outer cylinders2a,2b, thereby cooling the cylindrical body2effectively, it is possible to obtain the same effects as in the embodiment 1b. Additionally, even if the sealing function of the sealing ring7cwhich is in contact with an end face of the outer cylinder2bbecomes deteriorated and cooling water present in the cooling water chamber7aleaks out from the sealing ring7c, the entry of cooling water into the winding portion of piano wire3can be prevented by the sealing ring2d. Consequently, the piano wire3can be surely prevented from being wet with cooling water.

A high temperature/high pressure vessel according to an embodiment 1 e of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.7(a) which is a vertical sectional view showing a part of a lower portion and the vicinity thereof of the vessel and FIG.7(b) which illustrates a part of a cross section of the vessel. In this embodiment 1e, the same components and those having the same functions as in the embodiment 1 will be identified by the same reference numerals. However, as to a cooling water collecting header and a cooling water supply header, both the completely the same in construction, provided both are assembled in a mutually inverted state vertically. Therefore, as to the header construction, reference will be made below to the cooling water supply header as an example.

A cooling water supply header8used in the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1e is of the same construction as the cooling water supply header used in the high temperature/high pressure vessel of the embodiment 1d, with a difference residing in whether cooling water leakage detecting means are provided on an outer side face and a piano wire winding side face of a wire winding flange2c. To be more specific, an outer detecting groove2efor detecting the leakage of cooling water through a sealing ring8cfrom the interior of a cooling water chamber8ain the cooling water supply header8is formed in an outer side, i.e., a lower surface, of the wire winding flange2c. In this case, as will be seen from the drawing, a cooling water detecting path is formed by both an upper surface of the cooling water supply header8and the outer detecting groove2e.

This high temperature/high pressure vessel1is provided with leakage water detecting means which causes leaking cooling water to flow out to an outer position permitting visual checking of the leakage water to detect the occurrence of a crack, if any, in the outer cylinder2b. This leakage water detecting means is composed of an inner detecting groove2fformed inside, i.e., in an upper surface, of the wire winding flange2cand a leakage water detecting port10aformed near a lower end of the vessel support structure10, the port10acausing the leakage water flowing through the inner detecting groove2fto flow out to the outer position. Leakage water leaking out from the cooling water flow paths is guided to the inner detecting groove2fthrough leakage water guide paths3bto be described later. As shown in FIG.7(b), the piano wire3is wound round the outer periphery of the outer cylinder2bthrough spacer pieces3aeach having a length equal to the spacing between both wire winding flanges2c, and the leakage water guide paths3bare formed outwards at both transverse ends of each spacer piece3a.

Since the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 1e is of a construction wherein cooling water flows through cooling water flow paths each formed between adjacent ones of spacers6which are interposed between the inner and outer cylinders2a,2b, there can be obtained the same effects as in the embodiment 1b. Additionally, by detecting the cooling water flowing out from the outer detecting groove2e, it is possible to know when the sealing ring8cis to be replaced. Besides, by detecting leakage water flowing out from the leakage water detecting port10a, it is possible to detect a crack, if any, of the outer cylinder2band hence possible to prevent the occurrence of a serious accident.

Although in the above embodiments 1 to 1 e all of the gaps between adjacent spacers6are utilized as cooling water flow paths9, it is not always necessary to do so. For example, the gaps may be utilized alternately, or there may be utilized every third gap. The mode of utilizing the gaps as cooling water flow paths9is not limited to the above embodiments.

A high temperature/high pressure vessel according to an embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment 2, the same components and those having the same functions as in the embodiment 1 will be identified by the same reference numerals, and a description will be given below mainly about different points.FIG. 8is a vertical sectional view of the high temperature/high pressure vessel as installed within a press frame,FIG. 9illustrates a part of a cross section of the high temperature/high pressure vessel, andFIG. 10is a vertical sectional view showing a part of an upper portion and the vicinity thereof of the high temperature/high pressure vessel.

In these figures, the reference numeral1denotes the high temperature/high pressure vessel installed within a press frame50removably. The high temperature/high pressure vessel1is provided with a cylindrical body2, the cylindrical body2having wire winding flanges2cat end portions thereof respectively as is the case with the outer cylinder used in the embodiment 1. Plural spacers6formed as flat bars are arranged axially along an outer periphery surface of the cylindrical body2and at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and cooling water pipes9are disposed each between adjacent ones of the spacers6and extend from one to the other end side of the cylindrical body2. Further, piano wire3is wound under tension round both spacers6and cooling water pipes9.

The spacers6and the cooling water pipes9are brought into close contact with the outer periphery surface of the cylindrical body2by being deformed with the piano wire3wound thereon. According to this method, heating energy for shrinkage fit is not needed and the number of working steps required is reduced. Thus, this method is superior in point of shortening of the delivery period and energy saving in comparison with the method wherein the outer cylinder is heated for shrinkage fit. In this embodiment 2, for improving the cooling performance, a high heat conductive material is filled between the outer periphery surface of the cylindrical body2and the cooling water pipes9and also between the cooling water pipes9and the spacers6. As the high heat conductive material there may be used, for example, high heat conductive silicone grease (silicone compound) or silicone rubber with a high heat conductive material incorporated therein.

An annular cooling water collecting header7to be described later is mounted removably on an upper surface of the cylindrical body2and also on an upper surface of the upper wire winding flange2c, while an annular cooling water supply header8of a construction to be described later is mounted removably on a lower surface of the cylindrical body2and between a lower surface of the lower wire winding flange2cand a flange surface of a lower lid5. An annular groove serving as a cooling water chamber7ais formed circumferentially in the cooling water collecting header7and an upper opening thereof is closed with an annular lid plate71through sealing rings7band7cso that it can be opened. Through holes are formed in a bottom plate portion of the cooling water chamber7aand a sealing ring groove is formed circumferentially in the wall of each such through hole, with a sealing ring7gbeing fitted in the sealing ring groove. Upper ends of the cooling water pipes9are fitted through the through holes respectively and nuts9aare threadedly engaged respectively with the pipe upper ends projecting from the bottom plate portion of the cooling water chamber7a.

In the cooling water supply header8is circumferentially formed an annular groove serving as a cooling water chamber8aand a lower opening thereof is closed with an annular lid plate81through sealing rings8band8cso that it can be opened. Through holes are formed in a bottom plate portion of the cooling water chamber8aand a sealing ring groove is formed in a circumferential wall of each of the through holes, with a sealing ring8gbeing fitted in the sealing ring groove. Upper ends of the cooling water pipes9are fitted through the through holes respectively and nuts9aare threadedly engaged respectively with the pipe upper ends projecting from the bottom plate portion of the cooling water chamber8a. According to this construction, cooling water which has entered the cooling water chamber8afrom a water inlet port8dprojecting from an outer periphery portion of the cooling water supply header8flows through the cooling water pipes9while absorbing heat from the cylindrical body2and is discharged to the exterior from a drain port7dprojecting from an outer periphery portion of the cooling water collecting header7.

Thus, the cooling water collecting header7and the cooling water supply header8are fixed to both upper and lower end sides of the cylindrical body2by threaded engagement of the nuts9awith end portions of the cooling water pipes9and are removed by removal of the nuts9a. Therefore, when the sealing function of the sealing rings are deteriorated, the sealing rings can be replaced easily by removing the cooling water collecting header7and the cooling water supply header8.

A description will now be given of the operation of the high temperature/high pressure vessel constructed as above. For treating the workpiece W by the high temperature/high pressure vessel1, cooling water containing a rust preventive agent is fed from the water inlet port8dinto the cooling water chamber8ain the cooling water supply header8. The cooling water having entered the cooling water chamber8ais here distributed equally and enters the cooling water pipes9, then flows from below to above through the pipes9while undergoing heat exchange, whereby the cylindrical body2is cooled effectively. The cooling water which has become high in temperature by heat exchange flows into the cooling water chamber7ain the cooling water collecting header7and is discharged to the exterior from the drain port7d.

The high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 2 is superior to the prior art 1 in the following points.{circle around (1)} Unlike the prior art 1, piano wire3is not wetted with cooling water, that is, piano wire does not rust which would cause breaking of the wire, and therefore a fatigue life of the piano wire3can be prolonged.{circle around (2)} There does not occur such a deformation of the cylindrical body2caused by winding of piano wire3as in the prior art 1 wherein a thin plate is interposed between rod-like spacers and piano wire. Therefore, the sealing function of sealing rings which prevent the permeation of cooling water is not lost.

Further, the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 2 is superior to the prior2in the following points.{circle around (1)} A cooling jacket is not installed within the high pressure vessel. Therefore, a heater installed within the high pressure vessel is not required to be smaller in size, nor is so required as to a workpiece, either. Thus, it is not necessary to make the high pressure vessel larger in size. This is economical.{circle around (2)} Unlike a cooling jacket of a two-layer construction comprising inner and outer jackets and with a refrigerant flow path formed in one of the inner and outer jackets, there is no fear of cracking in the cylindrical body2due to stress concentration.

In the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 2, the cooling water collecting header7and the cooling water supply header8are constructed so that both can be mounted and removed by mounting and removal of the nuts9a. Therefore, there should occur the leakage of cooling water due to damage or material deterioration of the sealing rings, the sealing rings can be replaced easily by removing the headers7and8, with consequent shortening of the maintenance time contributing to the improvement in availability of the HIP apparatus which uses the high temperature/high pressure vessel1and the reduction of maintenance cost.

A high temperature/high pressure vessel according to an embodiment 2a of the present invention will be described below with reference toFIG. 11which is a vertical sectional view showing a part of an upper portion and the vicinity thereof of the vessel. In this embodiment 2a, the same components and those having the same functions as in the embodiment 2 will be identified by the same reference numerals. However, as to a cooling water collecting header and a cooling water supply header, both are completely the same in construction, provided both are assembled in a mutually inverted state vertically. Therefore, as to the header construction, reference will be made below to the cooling water collecting header as an example.

An annular groove serving as a cooling water chamber7ais formed circumferentially in a cooling water collecting header7and an upper opening thereof is closed with an annular lid plate71through sealing rings7band7cso that it can be opened. Through holes are formed in a bottom plate portion of the cooling water chamber7aand upper ends of cooling water pipes9are fitted through the through holes respectively. Further, base end portions of the pipes9projecting from the bottom plate portion of the cooling water chamber7aare welded at9bin a watertight manner.

In the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 2a, a cylindrical body2can be cooled by passing cooling water through the cooling water pipes9, and the sealing rings7band7ccan be replaced easily by removing the annular lid plate71.

Thus, this embodiment 2a can afford the same effects as in the embodiment 2.

A high temperature/high pressure vessel according to an embodiment 2b of the present invention will be described below with reference toFIG. 12which is a vertical sectional view of an upper portion and the vicinity thereof of the vessel. In this embodiment 2b, the same components and those having the same functions as in the embodiment 2 will be identified by the same reference numerals. However, as to the a cooling water collecting head and a cooling water supply head, both are completely the same in construction, provided both are assembled in a mutually inverted state vertically. Therefore, as to the header construction, reference will be made below to the cooling water collecting header as an example.

An annular groove serving as a cooling water chamber7ais formed circumferentially in a cooling water collecting header7and an upper opening thereof is closed with an annular lid plate71through sealing rings7band7cso that it can be opened. Through holes are formed in a bottom plate portion of the cooling water chamber7aand a sealing ring groove is formed circumferentially in the wall of each such through hole, with a sealing ring7gbeing fitted in the sealing ring groove. Upper ends of the cooling water pipes9are fitted through the through hole respectively and base end portions of the pipes9projecting from the bottom plate portion of the cooling water chamber7aare welded at9bin a watertight manner. Further, a leakage water detecting port7eextends from between the sealing ring7gin each of the through holes and the watertight welded portion9band communicates with an outer periphery of the cooling water collecting header7, and there also is provided a gas detecting hole7hextending from an upper end portion of each spacer6and communicating with the outer periphery of the cooling water collecting header7.

According to the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 2b, the cylindrical body2can be cooled by passing cooling water through the cooling water pipes9, and the sealing rings7aand7bcan be replaced easily by removing the annular lid71, thus affording the same effects as in the embodiment 2. Additionally, since the leakage of cooling water from the watertight welded portion9bcan be detected by the leakage water detecting port7e, it is possible to minimize the trouble of piano wire3being wet with cooling water.

Further, there accrues an advantage that the occurrence of a crack in the cylindrical body2can be detected by the gas detecting hole7h.

A high temperature/high pressure vessel according to an embodiment 2c of the present invention will be described below with reference toFIG. 13which is a vertical sectional view showing a part of an upper portion and the vicinity thereof of the vessel. In this embodiment 2c, the same components and those having the same functions as in the embodiment 2 will be identified by the same reference numerals. However, as to a cooling water collecting header and a cooling water supply header, both are completely the same in construction, provided both are assembled in a mutually inverted state vertically. Therefore, as to the header construction, reference will be made to the cooling water collecting header as an example.

A cooling water collecting header7is constituted by an annular pipe, with a cooling water chamber7abeing formed inside the pipe. End portions of cooling water pipes9are bent at an angle of approximately 45°, extend respectively through through-holes formed in a base end portion of the wire winding flange2cand pierce through the cooling water header7. The piercing portion of each cooling water pipe9piercing through the cooling water collecting header7is welded at9bin a watertight manner. Though not shown, a drain port is formed in the cooling water collecting header7formed as a pipe.

According to the high temperature/high pressure vessel1of this embodiment 2c, the cylindrical body2can be cooled by passing cooling water through the cooling water pipes9. The position of each watertight-welded portion9bis a visible position. Therefore, in the event of leakage of cooling water from the watertight-welded portion9b, it is possible to remedy the water leaking portion easily and hence possible to obtain the same effects as in the embodiment 2. In addition, since the cooling water collecting header7is of such a simple construction as a pipe, there accrues an advantage in point of cost.