Getter Pumping System for Linear Accelerators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing getter pumping systems for high-volume environments, such as linear accelerators and semiconductor manufacturing, face limitations in pumping speed and capacity, particularly for hydrogen (H2) and residual gases like CO and H2O, with current systems often having restricted configurations and inefficiencies in gas management.

Innovation Solution

A getter pumping system with a high density of getter cartridges (20-2500/m²) and linear heaters (20-5000/m²) mounted on a wall, allowing for flexible configurations and enhanced gas sorption capabilities, including the use of elongated getter elements and modular heater integration, to achieve improved pumping speeds and capacities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a limited number of getter cartridges are used in traditional configurations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the pumping speed and capacity are insufficient for high-volume environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping speedVSAvoidnumber of getter cartridges
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the vacuum pumping function into multiple discrete getter cartridges distributed across the chamber walls. Each cartridge operates independently but contributes to the overall pumping capacity, allowing the system to achieve high pumping speeds (exceeding 10^5 l/s for H2) while maintaining manageable complexity through modular deployment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from concentrated pumping locations to a distributed two-dimensional array of getter cartridges mounted on chamber walls. This spatial distribution across the surface area enables parallel gas sorption operations, dramatically increasing total pumping capacity without proportionally increasing control complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If getter cartridges are mounted in closed housings, then the structural integrity is improved, but the pumping capacity is limited by the housing configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping capacityVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the getter cartridges from traditional closed vacuum pump housings and mounts them directly on the chamber walls. This eliminates the intermediate housing structure and its associated volume limitations, allowing the getter material to be directly exposed to the vacuum environment for maximum pumping capacity while reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

By mounting cartridges directly on wall surfaces rather than containing them in three-dimensional housing volumes, the system utilizes the two-dimensional wall area as the mounting platform. This dimensional transition enables higher cartridge density and greater total pumping capacity without the structural constraints of enclosed housings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the density of getter cartridges is increased to achieve higher pumping speeds, then the pumping speed exceeds 10^5 l/s for H2, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepumping speed for H2VSAvoidcartridge density installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves high pumping speeds (exceeding 10^5 l/s for H2) by segmenting the vacuum pumping function into numerous small, identical getter cartridges distributed across the chamber walls. Each cartridge is a simple, standardized unit that can be independently manufactured and installed, making the high-density configuration manufacturable despite the large number of components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the deployment parameter from low-density concentrated mounting to high-density distributed mounting across wall surfaces. By optimizing the spatial distribution and density parameters of cartridge placement, the system achieves the required pumping speed threshold while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized mounting patterns and simplified cartridge designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system achieves pumping speeds exceeding 10^5 l/s for H2 and increased capacity for residual gases, effectively managing transient peak pressures and enhancing overall vacuum control in high-volume environments.

Implementation Method 1

getter cartridges having a linear support connected to said wall portion... enhanced gas sorption capabilities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGettering: Gettering

Implementation Method 2

plurality of linear heaters wherein said wall portion has a surface area of at least 0,5 m2... plurality of linear heaters (20-5000/m²) mounted on a wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3161315B1Getter pumping system
Publication Date: 2017.12.20 SAES GETTERS SPA
  • EP3161315B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3161315B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Getter pumping system particularly useful for linear accelerators or more generally high-volume environments,wherein a plurality of getter cartridges (100, 100', 100",... 100n) having a linear support (110, 110', 110",... 110n) and a plurality of linear heaters (120, 120',... 120n) are connected in a high-density configuration to a wall (11) that has a surface area of at least 0,5 m2.