阅读说明：本技术 具有流体驱动可变压面几何形状的压机压板以及相关方法 (Press platens with fluid-driven variable pressure face geometry and related methods ) 是由 特奥法尼斯·西奥凡努斯 罗埃尔·韦拉克 于 2018-03-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开包括用于静压机中的压板、包括压板的静压机以及相关方法。一些压板包括配置为耦接至压机致动器的主体(120)以及板(110),该板配置为耦接至主体,使得板限定压板的压面(140)的至少第一部分,压面(140)配置为在物体被压板挤压时接触物体,板和主体(120)共同限定位于压面的第一部分下方的空腔(130),主体和板中的至少一个限定与空腔流体连通的入口(190),并且压面的第一部分配置为响应于空腔(130)内的压力变化而偏转。(The present disclosure includes platens for use in a hydrostatic machine, a hydrostatic machine including platens, and related methods. Some platens include a body (120) configured to be coupled to a press actuator, and a plate (110) configured to be coupled to the body such that the plate defines at least a first portion of a platen face (140) of the platen, the platen face (140) configured to contact an object when the object is compressed by the platen, the plate and the body (120) collectively define a cavity (130) located below the first portion of the platen face, at least one of the body and the plate defines an inlet (190) in fluid communication with the cavity, and the first portion of the platen face is configured to deflect in response to pressure changes within the cavity (130).)

1. A platen for use in a static press, the platen comprising:

a body configured to be coupled to an actuator of a press; and

a plate configured to be coupled to the body such that:

the plate defines at least a first portion of a pressing face of the pressing plate, the pressing face configured to contact the object when the object is pressed by the pressing plate;

the plate and the body together define a cavity below the first portion of the press face;

at least one of the body and the plate defining an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity; and is

The first portion of the pressure face is configured to deflect in response to a pressure change within the cavity.

2. The platen of claim 1 wherein:

the plate comprises a non-elastomeric material; and is

Optionally, the non-elastomeric material comprises a metal.

3. The platen according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

the pressing surface comprises a second part which is not positioned above the cavity; and is

The first and second portions are coplanar.

4. The platen according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the platen face is concave and/or at least a portion of the platen face is convex.

5. The platen of claim 1 or 2, wherein the platen is removably coupled to the body.

6. The platen of claim 3 wherein the cavity is located below at least a majority of the platen face.

7. The platen according to claim 1 or 2 comprising an insulating material disposed between at least a portion of the body and the cavity.

8. The platen of claim 1 or 2 wherein the body defines a chamber that is located below at least a portion of the cavity and is not in fluid communication with the cavity.

9. A static press, comprising:

first and second platens each having a pressing surface; and

at least one actuator configured to reduce a distance between the platens when an object is placed between the platens,

to press the object with the pressing surface;

wherein at least one of the platens comprises:

a main body; and

a plate configured to be coupled to the body such that:

the plate defines at least a first portion of the pressing face of the pressing plate;

the plate and the body together define a cavity below the first portion of the press face;

at least one of the body and the plate defining an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity; and is

The first portion of the pressure face is configured to deflect in response to a pressure change within the cavity.

10. The static press of claim 9, wherein for at least one of the platens:

the plate comprises a non-elastomeric material; and is

Optionally, the non-elastomeric material comprises a metal.

11. The static press according to claim 9 or 10, wherein for at least one of the platens:

the pressing surface comprises a second part which is not positioned above the cavity; and is

The first and second portions are coplanar.

12. The static machine of claim 9 or 10, wherein at least one of the platens comprises an insulating material disposed between at least a portion of the body and the cavity.

13. The static press of claim 9 or 10, comprising a fluid delivery system in fluid communication with an inlet of at least one of the platens, the fluid delivery system configured to vary the pressure within the cavity of at least one platen.

14. The static machine according to claim 13, wherein the fluid delivery system includes a pressure source comprising a pump and/or an accumulator.

15. The static machine of claim 14, wherein the fluid delivery system includes a valve configured to control fluid communication between a pressure source and a cavity of the at least one pressure plate.

16. A method for extruding an object, the method comprising:

placing an object between first and second platens of a press, each of the platens having a pressing face, at least one of the platens comprising:

a main body; and

a plate defining at least a first portion of a pressing face of the pressing plate, the plate and the body together defining a cavity located below the first portion of the pressing face;

moving the platens relative to each other to compress the object between the press faces; and is

For at least one of the platens, the cavity is pressurized to deflect the first portion of the pressing surface to vary the pressure applied by the pressing surface to the object.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, for at least one of the platens:

the plate comprises a non-elastomeric material; and is

Optionally, the non-elastomeric material comprises a metal.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein for at least one of the platens:

the pressing surface comprises a second part which is not positioned above the cavity; and is

The first and second portions are coplanar.

19. The method of claim 16 or 17, for at least one of the platens, comprising:

heating the press face at least by supplying a heated fluid to the cavity, the heated fluid optionally having a temperature of about 140 ℃ to about 400 ℃; and/or

The press face is cooled at least by supplying a cooled fluid to the cavity, the cooled fluid optionally having a temperature of about 25 ℃ to about 30 ℃.

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to presses, and more particularly, to press platens having fluid-driven variable platen geometries and related methods.

2. Description of the related Art

To produce a laminate, a stack of one or more plies may be consolidated by pressing the stack between heated pressing elements. Producing laminates in this manner is not without challenges. For example, when a laminate is compressed, uneven press faces of the pressing element, uneven distribution of materials (e.g., fibers and matrix materials) within the plies, etc., can result in uneven distribution of pressure between the laminate and the pressing element, which can be exacerbated when the laminate is thin. This uneven distribution of pressure can result in uneven distribution of materials (e.g., fibers and matrix materials) in the produced laminate, unpredictable structural characteristics, uneven surface finish, and the like.

Disclosure of Invention

By including a pressure face and a cavity located below at least a portion of the pressure face, some embodiments of the pressure plate of the present invention can be configured to facilitate uniform application of pressure to an object as the object is compressed by the pressure plate, wherein the pressure face is configured to deflect in response to pressure changes within the cavity. In some embodiments, a heated or cooled fluid can be supplied to the cavity to heat or cool the press face.

The term "coupled" is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically; two objects that are "coupled" may be integral with one another. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more, unless the disclosure expressly requires otherwise. The term "substantially" is defined as largely, but not necessarily completely, specified (and including specified; e.g., substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees, substantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In any disclosed embodiment, the terms "substantially", "approximately" may be substituted with "within the specified [ percent ] variation," where the percentages include 0.1%, 1%, 5%, and 10%.

The phrase "and/or" means "and" or ". For purposes of illustration, A, B and/or C includes: a alone, B alone, a combination of C, A and B alone, A and C in combination, B and C in combination, or A, B and C in combination. In other words, "and/or" as an inclusive "or".

Further, a device or system configured in a certain manner is configured in at least that manner, but it can also be configured in other manners than those specifically described.

The terms "comprising" (and any form of comprising, such as "including" and "comprising …"), "having" (and any form of having, such as "having" and "…"), "containing" (and any form of containing, such as "containing" and "containing …"), "are open-ended linking verbs. Thus, a device that "comprises," "has," "contains" one or more elements has those one or more elements, but is not limited to having only those one or more elements. Likewise, a process that "comprises," "has," "includes" one or more steps has those one or more steps, but is not limited to having only those one or more steps.

Any embodiment of any of the present devices, systems, and methods can consist of, or consist essentially of (rather than comprise/include/have), any of the described steps, elements, and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term "consisting of or" consisting essentially of can replace any open-ended linking verb described above, in order to alter the scope of a given claim when using the open-ended linking verb.

Although not depicted or described, features of one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments unless expressly prohibited by the nature of the disclosure or embodiment.

Some details associated with the embodiments are described above, and others are described below.

Drawings

The following drawings are presented by way of example and not limitation. For purposes of brevity and clarity, each feature of a given structure is not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears. Like reference numerals do not necessarily denote like structure. Rather, the same reference numerals may be used to denote similar features or features having similar functions, as may not be identical.

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the platen of the present invention, which may be suitable for use in some embodiments of the press of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the platen of the present invention, which may be suitable for use in some embodiments of the press of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic exploded view of a stack of plies that can be pressed using an embodiment of the platen and/or press of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic view of a ply that can be included in a stack of one or more plies.

Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the press of the present invention, including two platens of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a second embodiment of the press of the present invention configured to press and/or compress an object having a non-planar shape with third and fourth embodiments of the platens of the present invention.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment 101 of the platen of the present invention. For example, the platen 101 can be used as one of a pair of opposing platens in a static press (e.g., 300, 500). For example, the platen 101 includes a body 120 that can be coupled to one or more actuators (e.g., 450) of the press, such that the actuators can move the platen relative to the opposing platen in order to compress an object (e.g., 310) placed between the platens. Such static presses can be configured to apply heat to, remove heat from, apply pressure to, and/or release pressure from an object (e.g., 310), which can be, for example, a stack of one or more plies (e.g., 200). The body 120 can comprise any suitable material, such as steel (e.g., stainless steel), aluminum, and/or the like.

The platen 101 includes a plate 110 that can be coupled to the body 120 such that the plate defines at least a first portion 170 of a platen's pressing face 140, where the pressing face is the surface that faces away from the body to contact an object (e.g., 310) when the object is pressed by the platen. The first portion 170 can be a majority of the press face 140. When the pressure face 140 is in a non-deflected state (e.g., when the pressure within the cavity 130 is substantially equal to ambient pressure) (as described below), the pressure face 140 can be planar; however, when the press face is in a non-deflected state, in some platens, the press face can include non-planar portions, such as protrusions and/or recesses (e.g., FIG. 5, press faces 140 of platens 103a and 103 b).

When the plate 110 is coupled to the body 120, the plate and the body can collectively define a cavity 130 located below the first portion 170 of the pressing face 140. For example, the cavity 130 can be defined by at least a portion of each of the plate 110 and the body 120. A cavity of a platen (e.g., 130) can be considered to be "below" a portion of the pressure face of the platen if the cavity is positioned vertically between the portion of the pressure face (e.g., 140) of the platen (e.g., 101) and at least a portion of the body (e.g., 120) of the platen. The platen 110 includes an inlet 190 in fluid communication with the cavity 130 to allow fluid to be supplied to and/or removed from the cavity. The inlet 190 can be defined by at least one of the plate 110 and the body 120.

The first portion 170 of the pressure face 140 is configured to deflect in response to pressure changes within the cavity 130. For example, the first portion 170 can deflect outwardly (e.g., in a direction away from the body 120) in response to an increase in pressure within the cavity 130, and can deflect inwardly (e.g., in a direction toward the body 120) in response to a decrease in pressure within the cavity. For example, by varying the pressure within the cavity 130, the first portion 170 of the press face 140 can deflect to, for example, compensate for irregularities in the press face and/or irregularities in the press face, an object (e.g., 310) being pressed by the press face, etc., to facilitate uniform application of pressure to the object by the press face. The flexibility of the first portion 170 of the pressure face 140 can be adjusted by varying the pressure within the cavity 130; for example, the first portion may be more flexible at lower pressures within the cavity than at higher pressures within the cavity. Control of the pressure within the cavity 130 can be provided by a fluid delivery system (e.g., 400 described below) in fluid communication with the cavity.

The plate 110 can comprise a non-elastomeric material, i.e., a material that is not an elastomer. For example, the plate 110 can include a metallic material, such as steel (e.g., stainless steel), aluminum, copper, alloys thereof, and the like. Such metallic materials can provide a more controllable pressure face 140 and/or a smaller deflection of the pressure face in response to pressure changes within the cavity 130 when compared to elastomeric materials. Such a metallic material can also increase the thermal conductivity of the plate 110 to facilitate heat transfer between the fluid in the cavity 130 and an object (e.g., 310) in contact with the pressure face 140. At least a portion of the plate 110 can be thin; for example, the portion of the plate above the cavity 130 has a thickness 142 that is greater than or substantially equal to any one of, or between any two of: 0.10, 0.20, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50, 2.75, 3.00, 3.25, 3.50, 3.75, 4.00, 4.25, 4.50, 4.75, or 5.00 millimeters (mm). The thickness (e.g., 142) of the plate 110 can vary along the plate.

The cavity 130 can have any suitable dimensions. For example, the cavity 130 can have a length 132 greater than or substantially equal to any one of, or between any two of: 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more of the length 134 of the press face 140. For another example, the cavity 130 can have a height 136 that is greater than or substantially equal to any one of, or between any two of: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, 11.0, 11.5, 12.0, 12.5, 13.0, 13.5, 14.0, 14.5, 15.0, 15.5, 16.0, 16.5, 17.0, 17.5, 18.0, 18.5, 19.0, 19.5, or 20.0 mm. For yet another example, the cavity 130 can have a width measured perpendicular to the length 132 and the height 136 that is greater than or substantially equal to any one of, or between any two of: 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or more of the respective width of the press face 140. The width and/or height of the cavity can vary along its length, the width and/or length of the cavity can vary along its height, and/or the length and/or height of the cavity can vary along its width. The length 132, height 136 and width of the cavity 130 can be measured when the pressure face 140 is in a non-deflected state.

The plate 110 can be coupled to the body 120 at the first end 150 of the body, the second end 160 of the body, and/or at any suitable location along the body between the first and second ends thereof. The coupling of the plate 110 to the body 120 can be accomplished in any suitable manner, such as by fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, pins, rivets, etc.), welding, integral molding (e.g., at least a portion of the plate is integral with at least a portion of the body), interlocking features of the plate and the body, and so forth. The plate 110 can be sealingly coupled to the body 120 to mitigate fluid leakage from the cavity 130. For example, one or more seals (e.g., gaskets, O-rings, etc.), sealant materials, etc. can be disposed between the plate and the body, the seals can be formed by interfaces between the plate and the body, etc.

The press face 140 can include a second portion 175 that is not located above the cavity 130. As shown, the first portion 170 and the second portion 175 of the press face 140 can be continuous. The first portion 170 and the second portion 175 can be coplanar when the pressure face 140 is in a non-deflected state. In the platen 101, the second portion 175 of the platen face 140 is defined by the plate 110; however, in other platens, this second portion of the press face can be defined by the body of the platen.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment 102 of the platen of the present invention is shown. The platen 102 can be substantially similar to the platen 101, with the primary difference being that the platen 102 includes an insulating material 195 (e.g., an insulating layer) and a chamber 197. Because the insulating material 195 can be vertically disposed between a portion of the cavity 130 and at least a portion of the body 120, the insulating material can be located below at least a portion of the cavity. More specifically, the insulating material 195 can underlie at least a majority (up to and including all) of the cavity 130. Insulating material 195 can comprise any suitable insulating material, such as polyurethane, polystyrene, polyimide, rubber, foam, and the like.

The chamber 197 not in fluid communication with the cavity 130 can be at least partially filled with an insulating fluid, such as air. Similar to that described above for insulating material 195, chamber 197 can be located beneath at least a portion (up to and including most or all) of cavity 130. In a platen (e.g., 101) that includes both an insulating material (e.g., 195) and a chamber (e.g., 197), the insulating material can be disposed between a cavity (e.g., 130) of the platen and the chamber (e.g., fig. 2), or the chamber can be disposed between the insulating material and the cavity. Some platens may include only one of an insulating material (e.g., 195) and a chamber (e.g., 197). Such insulating materials (e.g., 195) and/or chambers (e.g., 197) can reduce heat transfer between a fluid in a cavity (e.g., 130) of a platen (e.g., 102) and portions of the platen other than a pressure face (e.g., 140) thereof, thereby improving efficiency.

The object (e.g., 310) pressed using the platens and/or presses of the present invention can comprise any suitable object. For example, fig. 3A depicts a stack 200 of one or more plies (an exemplary object 310) that can be preheated, consolidated, and/or cooled using embodiments of the platens and/or presses of the present invention. The stack 200 includes nine plies 204a-204 i; however, other stacks can include any suitable number of plies, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 or more plies.

In the stack 200, each of the plies 204a-204i includes fibers 208 dispersed within a matrix material 212. The fibers (e.g., 208) of the plies (e.g., any of plies 204a-204 i) can include any suitable fibers, such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, aramid fibers, polyethylene fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers, ceramic fibers, basalt fibers, steel fibers, and the like. The matrix material (e.g., 212) of a laminate (e.g., any of laminates 204a-204 i) can include any suitable matrix material, such as a thermoplastic or thermoset matrix material. Suitable thermoplastic matrix materials can include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate, Polycarbonate (PC), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), poly (1, 4-cyclohexylenedimethylene cyclohexane-1, 4-dicarboxylate) (PCCD), glycol-modified polycyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate (PCTG), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethyleneimine or Polyetherimide (PEI) or derivatives thereof, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), terephthalic acid (TPA) elastomers, polycyclohexanedimethyl terephthalate (PCT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), Polyamides (PA), Polystyrene Sulfonates (PSs), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyether ketone (PEKK), poly (ethylene glycol terephthalate) (PEKK), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), copolymers or blends thereof. Suitable thermoset matrix materials can include, for example, unsaturated polyester resins, polyurethanes, bakelite, thermoset (duroplast), urea formaldehyde, diallyl phthalate, epoxy resins, epoxy vinyl esters, polyimides, cyanate esters of polycyanurates, dicyclopentadiene, phenols, benzoxazines, copolymers thereof, or blends thereof. To illustrate, a ply (e.g., any of plies 204a-204 i) including fibers (e.g., 208) can have a pre-consolidated fiber volume fraction greater than or substantially equal to, or between, any of: 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% or 90%.

In the stack 200, each of the plies 204a-204i is a unidirectional ply, or ply having fibers 208, substantially all of which are aligned with a single direction. As used herein, "and.. aligned" means parallel to within 10 degrees. More specifically, in each of the plies, the fibers are either aligned with the long dimension of the stack (e.g., measured in direction 216) (e.g., plies 204d-204f, each of which may be characterized as 0 degree unidirectional plies) or aligned with a direction perpendicular to the long dimension of the stack (e.g., plies 204a-204c and plies 204g-204i, each of which may be characterized as 90 degree unidirectional plies). Some laminates can include unidirectional plies each having fibers (e.g., 208) aligned in any suitable direction, e.g., a direction disposed at an angle relative to the long dimension of the laminate greater than or substantially equal to any one of, or between any two of: 0.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees.

Some laminates can include fibers (e.g., 208) having an arrangement in a woven structure (e.g., as in a ply having a weave of flat, twill, satin, basket, leno, mock leno, or the like). With additional reference to fig. 3B, plies 204j that can be included in a stack can include a first set of fibers 208a aligned with a first direction 220a and a second set of fibers 208B aligned with a second direction 220B arranged at an angle relative to the first direction, wherein the first set of fibers is interwoven with the second set of fibers. The minimum angle 224 between the first direction 220a and the second direction 220b can be greater than or substantially equal to any one of, or between any two of: 5. 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees. The minimum angle 228 between the first direction 220a and the long dimension of the stack including ply 204j (e.g., as measured in direction 216) can be greater than or substantially equal to, or between, any one of: 0.5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or 90 degrees.

In the stack 200, plies 204a-204i are arranged in 90, 0, 90 degree layups. Other stacks can include any suitable stack, including one or more of any of the above-described stacks, whether symmetrically or asymmetrically arranged in any suitable layup arrangement.

Some laminates can include sheets, films, cores (e.g., porous, non-porous, honeycomb, and/or the like cores, etc.). Such sheets, films, and/or cores may or may not include fibers (e.g., 208), and can include any of the materials described above as matrix materials (e.g., 212).

Referring to fig. 4, a first embodiment 300 of the static press of the present invention is shown. The press 300 can include a first, upper platen 101a and an opposing second, lower platen 101b, one or both of which can be a platen 101. In some presses, only one of the platens includes a plate (e.g., 110) and a cavity (e.g., 130), and the other platen can be a conventional platen. The first and second platens 101a, 101b can each be coupled to one or more actuators 450 configured to reduce the distance between the press faces 140 of the platens, thereby compressing an object (e.g., 310) between the press faces. The actuator 450 can include any suitable actuator, such as, for example, a hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and/or the like actuator.

The cavities 130 of the first platen 101a and the cavities 130 of the second platen 101b can be in fluid communication with one or more fluid delivery systems 400 to allow fluid to be supplied to and/or removed from the cavities. Such fluids can be considered incompressible fluids, such as water, oil-based fluids, and the like. Such a fluid can be a compressible fluid, e.g., air, another gas, etc. As shown, both the cavities 130 of the first platen 101a and the cavities 130 of the second platen 101b can be in fluid communication with a single fluid delivery system 400. In some embodiments, the cavities (e.g., 130) of the first platen (e.g., 101a) can be in fluid communication with a first fluid delivery system (e.g., 400), and the cavities (e.g., 130) of the second platen (e.g., 101b) can be in fluid communication with a second fluid delivery system (e.g., 400). In some embodiments, the cavities (e.g., 130) of the first platen (e.g., 101a) can be in fluid communication with (e.g., through conduits between) the cavities (e.g., 130) of the second platen (e.g., 101 b).

The fluid delivery system 400 can include one or more pressure sources configured to be in fluid communication with a cavity (e.g., 130) of a pressure plate (e.g., 101a) such that the pressure sources can be used to increase the pressure within the cavity and, in some cases, decrease the pressure within the cavity. For example, the fluid delivery system 400 can include a pump 410 that can be used to increase and/or decrease the pressure within the cavity (e.g., the pump can be a bi-directional pump). Fluid can be supplied from the reservoir 420 for use with the pump 410 (and/or other pressure source).

For another example, the fluid delivery system 400 can include an accumulator 430. By enabling fluid communication between the accumulator 430 and the cavity, the cavity can be pressurized and/or depressurized. For example, if the pressure within the accumulator is greater than the pressure within the cavity, the pressure within the cavity can increase, and if the pressure within the accumulator is lower than the pressure within the cavity, the pressure within the cavity can decrease. In some cases, accumulator 430 can be pressurized by pump 410. When the accumulator 430 is in fluid communication with the cavity, the accumulator can increase the flexibility of the pressure face (e.g., 140) of the platen by its ability to absorb energy. Accumulator 430 can comprise any suitable accumulator, such as, for example, a piston, bladder, and/or the like.

The fluid delivery system 400 can include a reservoir 420 configured to supply fluid to a pressure source. In some cases, fluid communication between the cavity and the reservoir 420 can be achieved, for example, to reduce the pressure within the cavity. The fluid delivery system 400 can include one or more valves (e.g., 440) configured to control fluid communication between a component of the fluid delivery system (e.g., a pressure source, a reservoir 420, etc.) and/or a component of the platen and/or another platen (e.g., a cavity 130 of another platen, etc.).

The fluid delivery system 400 can be configured to provide heated and/or cooled fluid to the cavity. For example, such fluid can be heated or cooled in the reservoir 420 by, for example, a heating source 435 (e.g., a heating element) coupled to the reservoir, a cooling source 437 coupled to the reservoir, or the like, in some embodiments, separate reservoirs can be provided for the heated and cooled fluid. In some embodiments, such a fluid can be heated and/or cooled by passing the fluid through a heat exchanger. For purposes of illustration, such heated fluid can be at a temperature greater than or substantially equal to any one of, or between any two of: 140. 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, or 400 ℃. To further illustrate, such cooled fluid can be at a temperature greater than or substantially equal to any one of, or between any two of: 10. 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 ℃ (e.g., about room temperature). In at least these ways, the fluid delivery system 400 can be configured to change the temperature of the press face, and thus the object (e.g., 310) being pressed by the press face.

Referring to fig. 5, a second embodiment 500 of the static press of the present invention is shown. The static press 500 can include a first, upper platen 103a and an opposing second, lower platen 103 b. For example, one or both of the first and second platens 103a, 103b can be substantially similar to the platen 101, with the primary difference being that the pressing face 140 of the first platen 103a and the pressing face 140 of the second platen 101b include curved portions that are configured to correspond to a desired surface shape of an object (e.g., 310) to be pressed by the press 500. As shown, the pressing face 140 of the first pressing plate 103a includes a curved portion that is at least partially convex, and the pressing face 140 of the second pressing plate 103b includes a corresponding curved portion that is at least partially concave. In some embodiments, the pressing face (e.g., 140) of the first platen (e.g., 103a) includes an at least partially concave curved portion, and the pressing face (e.g., 140) of the second platen (e.g., 103b) includes a corresponding at least partially convex curved portion. It should be understood that other curvatures are possible for the pressing face 140 of one or both of the first and second pressing plates 103a, 103 b.

Some embodiments of the inventive method for compressing an object include placing the object (e.g., 310) between a first platen (e.g., 101a, 102, 103a) and a second platen (e.g., 101b, 102, 103b) of a press (e.g., 300, 500), wherein each of the platens has a pressing face (e.g., 140), at least one of the platens includes a body (e.g., 120) and a plate (e.g., 110) defining at least a first portion (e.g., 170) of the pressing face of the platen, the plate and the body together define a cavity (e.g., 130) located below the first portion of the pressing face, moving the platens relative to each other to compress the object between the pressing faces, and, for at least one of the platens, pressurizing the cavity to deflect the first portion of the pressing face to thereby vary a pressure applied to the object by the pressing face. In some embodiments of the method of the present invention, for at least one of the platens, the plate comprises a non-elastomeric material, and optionally, the non-elastomeric material comprises a metal. In some embodiments of the method of the present invention, for at least one of the platens, the pressing face includes a second portion (e.g., 175) that is not located over the cavity, and the first portion and the second portion are coplanar.

Some embodiments of the method of the present invention include, for at least one of the platens, heating the press face at least by supplying a heated fluid to the cavity, the heated fluid optionally having a temperature of from about 140 ℃ to about 320 ℃; and/or cooling the press face at least by supplying a cooled fluid to the cavity, the cooled fluid optionally having a temperature of about 25 ℃ to about 30 ℃.

Some embodiments of the platen of the present invention for use in a static press include: a body configured to be coupled to a press actuator; and a plate configured to be coupled to the body such that the plate defines at least a first portion of a pressing face of the pressing plate, the pressing face configured to contact the object when the object is pressed by the pressing plate, the plate and the body together defining a cavity located below the first portion of the pressing face, at least one of the body and the plate defining an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity, and the first portion of the pressing face configured to deflect in response to a change in pressure within the cavity.

In some platens, the plate comprises a non-elastomeric material, and optionally, the non-elastomeric material comprises a metal. In some pressure plates, the plate is removably coupled to the body.

In some platens, the cavity is located below at least a majority of the pressing surface. In some platens, the press face includes a second portion that is not located over the cavity, and the first portion and the second portion are coplanar. In some platens, at least a portion of the pressing surface is concave and/or at least a portion of the pressing surface is convex.

Some platens include an insulating material disposed between the cavity and at least a portion of the body. In some platens, the body defines a chamber that is located below at least a portion of the cavity and that is not in fluid communication with the cavity.

Some embodiments of the static press of the present invention comprise: a first platen and a second platen, each platen having a pressure face, and at least one actuator configured to reduce a distance between the platens to compress an object with the pressure faces when the object is placed between the pressure faces, wherein at least one of the platens includes a body and a plate configured to be coupled to the body such that the plate defines at least a first portion of the pressure face of the platen, the plate and the body together define a cavity located below the first portion of the pressure face, at least one of the body and the plate defines an inlet in fluid communication with the cavity, and the first portion of the pressure face is configured to deflect in response to a change in pressure within the cavity.

In some presses, for at least one of the platens, the platen comprises a non-elastomeric material, and optionally, the non-elastomeric material comprises a metal. In some presses, for at least one of the platens, the pressing face includes a second portion that is not located over the cavity, and the first portion and the second portion are coplanar. In some presses, at least one of the platens includes an insulating material disposed between at least a portion of the body and the cavity.

Some presses include a fluid delivery system in fluid communication with an inlet of at least one of the platens, the fluid delivery system configured to vary a pressure within a cavity of the at least one platen. In some presses, the fluid delivery system includes a pressure source that includes a pump and/or an accumulator. In some presses, the fluid delivery system includes a valve configured to control fluid communication between the pressure source and the cavity of the at least one platen.

Some embodiments of an extrusion method for extruding an object include: placing an object between first and second platens of a press, each of the platens having a pressing surface, at least one of the platens including a body and a plate defining at least a first portion of the pressing surface of the platen, the plate and body together defining a cavity beneath the first portion of the pressing surface, moving the platens relative to each other to compress the object between the pressing surfaces, and, for at least one of the platens, pressurizing the cavity to deflect the first portion of the pressing surface to vary the pressure applied to the object by the pressing surface.

In some methods, for at least one of the platens, the platen comprises a non-elastomeric material, and optionally, the non-elastomeric material comprises a metal. In some methods, for at least one of the platens, the pressing face includes a second portion that is not located over the cavity, and the first portion and the second portion are coplanar.

For at least one of the platens, some methods include heating the press face at least by supplying a heated fluid to the cavity, the heated fluid optionally having a temperature of about 140 ℃ to about 400 ℃, and/or cooling the press face at least by supplying a cooled fluid to the cavity, the cooled fluid optionally having a temperature of about 25 ℃ to about 30 ℃.

The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the structure and use of the illustrative embodiments. Although certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. Therefore, the various illustrative embodiments of the present method and system are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than the one shown may include some or all of the features of the depicted embodiments. For example, elements may be omitted or combined into a single structure, and/or connections may be substituted. Further, aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described, where appropriate, to form further examples having comparable or different properties and/or functionalities and addressing the same or different issues. Similarly, it is to be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.

The claims are not intended to be inclusive and should not be construed to include device + function limitations or step + function limitations unless such limitations are expressly set forth in a given claim using the phrases "device for …" or "step for …," respectively.