Powder compacting press apparatus and methods
AssigneeChemplex Industries, Inc.
InventorsMichael C. Solazzi, Monte J. Solazzi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A briquette press apparatus for compacting powdered materials having a programmable control monitoring the forces of the press. During compression, the programmable control measures the compression force being asserted against the powdered material and regulates the press so that the compression force equals a programmed reference value. During decompression, the programmable control monitors the pressure release rate of the press and regulates the press so that the measured pressure release rate matches a programmed reference rate.
Claims20
A briquette press apparatus having a compression stroke wherein a ram advances against, and compacts, a sample of powdered material and a decompression stroke wherein said ram is withdrawn from said sample, said apparatus comprising:
- an input device for selecting a predetermined ram size, pressure, dwell time and decompression rate, wherein said predetermined ram size corresponds to the size of the ram selected for the briquette press for use on the sample;
- sensor means for sensing the pressure being applied to said ram;
- a variably programmable control means for controlling said compression stroke and said decompression stroke, [such that] wherein said control means reads said ram size from said input device and the pressure from the pressure sensing means and determines an actual pressure being applied to said ram;
- and said control means during said compression stroke [the] , compares said actual pressure to said predetermined pressure and regulates said ram [applies] to [said sample is maintained at a programmed] maintain said actual pressure [for a programmed] at said predetermined pressure for said dwell time, and during said decompression stroke[,] said control means determines the rate of decompression from said actual pressure, compares the rate of decompression [is maintained at a programmed] with said predetermined decompression rate and regulates said ram to maintain the rate of decompression at said decompression rate. [
The apparatus of claim [2] 1 , wherein said programmable control means includes a programmable memory wherein [desired] values for pressure, dwell time, decompression rate and the size of the ram can be stored [or] and recalled by said input device .
The apparatus of claim [2] 1 , wherein said ram is advanced against said sample, during said compression stroke by a hydraulic press means.
The apparatus of claim [2] 1 , further including a gas evacuation means for evacuating gas from said sample during said compression stroke.
A briquette forming method in which a sample of powered material is compressed into a briquette, said method including the steps of:
- 1) placing said sample into a pressing means;
- 2) compressing said sample, measuring the actual pressure being applied to said sample;
- 3) comparing said actual pressure measured with a desired reference pressure;
- 4) regulating said pressing means so as to conform said actual pressure with said desired reference pressure for a predetermined dwell time;
- 5) decompressing said sample in said pressing means, measuring the actual rate of decompression for said pressing means;
- 6) comparing said actual rate of decompression with a desired reference decompression rate;
- and
- 7) regulating said pressing means so as to conform said actual rate of decompression with said desired reference decompression rate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.