Vacuum pressure transformation vessel and method of use

A vacuum pressure vessel comprising:

• a housing comprising an interior that comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, and a port configured to provide selective flow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber;
• a part holder selectively coupled to the housing, the part holder comprising:
• a lid;
• and
• a holding member statically affixed to the lid and suspended a fixed distance below the lid to suspend a part at a predetermined height within the first chamber, wherein the holding member comprises at least one of a porous basket and a hook;
• a stopper configured to selectively seal the port such that a liquid level in the first chamber and the second chamber is maintained when the port is sealed, and such that the liquid level in the first chamber and the second chamber is adjustable when the port is unsealed and a pressure differential is defined therebetween;
• and
• a pressurization device in flow communication with the interior and configured to adjust a pressure within the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the stopper and the pressurization device are cooperatively configured to transfer molten metal from the second chamber into the first chamber such that a liquid level of molten metal within the first chamber is above the predetermined height and, subsequently, transfer molten metal from the first chamber into the second chamber such that the liquid level of molten metal within the first chamber is below the predetermined height.

A vacuum pressure vessel system comprising:

• a vacuum pressure vessel comprising:
• a housing comprising an interior that comprises a first chamber, a second chamber, and a port configured to provide selective flow communication between the first chamber and the second chamber;
• a heating system configured to maintain molten metal in the interior in a liquefied state;
• a part holder selectively coupled to the housing, the part holder comprising:
• a lid;
• and
• a holding member statically affixed to the lid and suspended a fixed distance below the lid to suspend a part at a predetermined height within the first chamber, wherein the holding member comprises at least one of a porous basket and a hook;
• and
• a stopper configured to selectively seal the port such that a liquid level in the first chamber and the second chamber is maintained when the port is sealed, and such that the liquid level in the first chamber and the second chamber is adjustable when the port is unsealed and a pressure differential is defined therebetween;
• a pressurization device in flow communication with the interior, wherein the pressurization device is configured to adjust a pressure within the first chamber and the second chamber;
• and
• a controller in communication with the stopper and the pressurization device, wherein the controller is configured to selectively actuate the stopper and the pressurization device to:
• seal the port such that molten metal in the first chamber is maintained at a first liquid level below the predetermined height;
• form a pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber such that a first pressure within the first chamber is less than a second pressure within the second chamber;
• unseal the port such that molten metal from the second chamber flows into the first chamber;
• reseal the port when the molten metal in the first chamber reaches a second liquid level above the predetermined height;
• form a pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber after the port is resealed such that the first pressure within the first chamber is greater than the second pressure within the second chamber;
• unseal the port such that molten metal from the first chamber flows into the second chamber;
• and
• reseal the port when the liquid level of the molten metal in the first chamber is below the predetermined height.