High-temperature high-pressure presses (hthp) presses, systems for hthp presses and related methods

Abstract

A press, an automated loading system for a press and related methods are provided including a loading system having a first assembly configured to carry a reaction cell to an anvil of a press base and a second assembly configured to assist in positioning and orientating the reaction cell on the anvil. In one embodiment, the first assembly may include a trolley displaceable along a guide member to carry the reaction cell to the anvil. The first and second assemblies may each include guide members that are displaceable relative to the anvil that are configured to position the reaction cell at a desired location and orientation on the anvil. In one embodiment, each of the guide members include arms that engage distinct sides of a cubic reaction cell. A clearing mechanism may also be incorporated to clear the surface of the anvil during operation of the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a high-pressure, high-temperature (HTHP) press, the method comprising:
 positioning a reaction cell on a first assembly of a loading system;   carrying the reaction cell on a trolley of the first assembly to a location adjacent an anvil of a press base of the HTHP press;   positioning a first guide member associated with a second assembly at a desired location relative to the anvil;   placing the reaction cell on the anvil in a desired position and orientation by engaging the reaction cell with the first guide member and with a second guide member associated with the first assembly;   retracting the first guide member and the second guide member while leaving the reaction cell on the anvil;   subjecting the reaction cell to an HTHP process.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising removing the reaction cell subsequent the HTHP process. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein removing the reaction cell includes repositioning the first guide member adjacent the anvil and displacing the reaction cell from the anvil with a mechanism associated with the second assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 positioning a new reaction cell on the first assembly of the loading system;   carrying the reaction cell on the trolley of the first assembly to a location adjacent the anvil of the press base;   positioning the first guide member associated with the second assembly at a desired location relative to the anvil;   placing the new reaction cell on the anvil in a desired position and orientation by engaging the reaction cell with the first guide member and with the second guide member;   retracting the first guide member and the second guide member while leaving the new reaction cell on the anvil;   subjecting the new reaction cell to an HTHP process.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising removing the new reaction cell subsequent its being subject to the HTHP process. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising sweeping a surface of the anvil prior to placing the reaction cell on the anvil. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein sweeping a surface of the anvil prior to placing the reaction cell on the anvil includes displacing a sweeper associated with the second assembly across the surface of the anvil. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein engaging the reaction cell with the first guide member and with the second guide member includes engaging at least a first side and a second side of the reaction cell with the first guide member and engaging at least a third side and a fourth side of the reaction cell with the second guide member. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein positioning a reaction cell on a first assembly of a loading system includes positioning a cubic reaction cell on the first assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising collecting the reaction cell in a hopper adjacent the press base. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein carrying the reaction cell on a trolley of the first assembly to a location adjacent an anvil of a press base of the HTHP press includes displacing the trolley along a rail. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein positioning a first guide member associated with a second assembly at a desired location relative to the anvil includes pivoting a body portion of the second assembly from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein subjecting the reaction cell to an HTHP process includes applying pressure to the reaction cell from at least six different sides of the reaction cell. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising positioning the trolley to the first location using a first actuator. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising positioning the first guide member at the desired location relative to the anvil using a second actuator.