System and high pressure, high temperature apparatus for producing synthetic diamonds

Abstract

An apparatus for growing a synthetic diamond comprises a growth chamber, at least one manifold allowing access to the growth chamber, and a plurality of safety clamps positioned on opposite sides of the growth chamber; wherein the growth chamber and the plurality of safety clamps are comprised of a material having a tensile strength of about 120,000-200,000 psi, a yield strength of about 100,000-160,000 psi, an elongation of about 10-20%, an area reduction of about 40-50%, an impact strength of about 30-40 ft-lbs, and a hardness greater than 320 BHN.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for producing a synthetic diamond comprising:
 a) charging a diamond seed, a graphite source and a solvent/catalyst in a reaction core;   b) placing said reaction core in a growth chamber of a high pressure, high temperature apparatus;   c) subjecting said reaction core to elevated pressure and elevated temperature for a time sufficient to convert said graphite to said synthetic diamond;   wherein said apparatus comprises said growth chamber, at least one manifold allowing access to said growth chamber, and a plurality of safety clamps positioned on opposite sides of said growth chamber; and   wherein said growth chamber and said plurality of safety clamps are comprised of a material having a tensile strength of about 120,000-200,000 psi, a yield strength of about 100,000-160,000 psi, an elongation of about 10-20%, an area reduction of about 40-50%, an impact strength of about 30-40 ft-lbs, and a hardness greater than 320 BHN.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25  further comprising the step of monitoring or controlling at least one parameter within said apparatus by using a central computer. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26  wherein said at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of pressure applied to the reaction core, temperature of the reaction core, rate of the cooling water, temperature of the cooling water, and the amount of current across the transformer and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein said growth chamber comprises an outer body having a cavity formed therein, a reaction core and a plurality of dies positioned to apply pressure to said reaction core, said reaction core and said plurality of dies located within said cavity. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 28  wherein said plurality of dies comprises a plurality of small dies adjacent to said reaction core and a plurality of large dies surrounding said plurality of small dies. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein said material comprises alloyed steel. 
     
     
         31 . A system for growing a plurality of synthetic diamonds comprising:
 a) a plurality of high pressure, high temperature apparatuses, each apparatus comprising an apparatus selected from the group consisting of a belt-type apparatus, a piston-cylinder apparatus, an annular-die apparatus and a toroid apparatus;   b) a central computer connected to each of said apparatuses for monitoring or controlling at least one parameter in each of said apparatuses;   c) a central water source with associated conduits for supplying water to said growth chambers by way of said at least one manifold; and   d) means for measuring current across at least one transformer located within each of said plurality of high pressure, high temperature apparatuses.   
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 31  wherein each said apparatus is comprised of a material having a tensile strength of about 120,000-200,000 psi, a yield strength of about 100,000-160,000 psi, an elongation of about 10-20%, an area reduction of about 40-50%, an impact strength of about 30-40 ft-lbs, and a hardness greater than 320 BHN. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 31  wherein said system comprises about 2-16 apparatuses, each of said apparatuses connected to said central computer. 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 31  wherein said system comprises about 10 apparatuses, each of said apparatuses connected to said central computer. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 31  wherein said at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of pressure applied to the reaction core, temperature of the reaction core, rate of the cooling water, temperature of the cooling water, and the amount of current across the transformer and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 31  wherein said material comprises alloyed steel.