Rapid cool autoclave furnace

摘要

An apparatus for gas pressure bonding, hot isostatic pressing or the like in which a workpiece may be treated at elevated temperatures and pressures comprises an elongate cylindrical pressure vessel for enclosing a furnace. The furnace comprises an insulated bottom and an insulated hood with openings near the top and bottom. The insulating hood rests upon the bottom for enclosing a workspace. Means for heating the workspace and means for cooling the pressure vessel are provided. The improvements according to this disclosure are means for establishing a first circulating flow of pressurized fluid down along the interior of the pressure vessel wall, means for establishing a second circulating flow of pressurized fluid down through the workspace. Heat exchange between the two circulating flows of pressurized fluid after the first flow has been cooled by flowing down along the interior wall of the pressure vessel and after the second flow has been heated by flowing down over the workpiece in the workspace provides for a unique temperature control in the workspace. The flow rate of at least one circulating flow of pressurized fluid is positively established by pumps or fans.