Liquid molding pressure control apparatus

A liquid molding system, comprising:

• a mold defining a mold cavity;
• a starting material supply apparatus;
• and
• a liquid molding pressure control apparatus comprising:
• a housing;
• and
• a piston assembly movably disposed within the housing, the piston assembly comprising:
• a shaft;
• a first piston engaged with the shaft;
• and
• a second piston engaged with the shaft,
• the housing being configured to receive a pressurized fluid adjacent the first piston and to receive a starting material adjacent the second piston,
• the first and second pistons being sized such that the starting material exits the housing at a pressure greater than a pressure of the pressurized fluid received within the housing, and
• the liquid molding pressure control apparatus being usable to at least one of substantially maintain pressure within the mold cavity, or to increase the pressure within the mold cavity.

A method for use during a liquid molding process, the method comprising the steps of:

• using a liquid molding pressure control apparatus including a housing within which is disposed a first piston and a second piston, to at least substantially maintain the pressure within a mold cavity;
• receiving a starting material within the housing adjacent the second piston;
• receiving a pressurized fluid within the housing adjacent the first piston;
• and
• sizing the first and second pistons such that the starting material exits the housing at a pressure greater than a pressure of the pressurized fluid received within the housing.