Laser Marking Magnetic Rings Vacuum Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for marking magnetic rings in vacuum pumps, such as felt-tip pens, contaminate the vacuum and lead to solvent-related issues, affecting the vacuum generation and cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A method using laser heating to create a different surface property on the magnetic ring, avoiding the use of paint and minimizing solvent interactions, while maintaining the magnetic properties and preventing demagnetization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If felt-tip pen marking is used on magnetic rings, then directional properties can be indicated, but vacuum contamination occurs and solvent residues form
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical marking method (felt-tip pen with solvent-based ink) with a physical marking method (laser heating). The laser creates a visible marking on the magnetic ring surface through localized thermal effects without introducing any chemical substances that could contaminate the vacuum environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful solvent component from the marking process. By using laser heating instead of solvent-based ink, the marking process no longer introduces any substances that could outgas or contaminate the vacuum, effectively removing the source of vacuum contamination.
2Ease of manufacture
If felt-tip pen marking is used on magnetic rings, then directional properties can be indicated, but outgassing increases and pumping time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical marking method with a physical laser heating method that does not introduce outgassing materials. This substitution eliminates the source of outgassing that would otherwise extend pumping time, allowing the vacuum system to reach operational pressure faster.
3Manufacturing precision
If laser heating is used for marking, then marking precision and vacuum cleanliness are improved, but local heating may cause demagnetization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies laser heating with high spatial precision to create markings only in specific localized areas on the magnetic ring surface. By concentrating the thermal energy in small, controlled regions rather than heating the entire magnet, the local quality principle ensures that magnetic properties are preserved in the bulk material while achieving precise markings in targeted zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pulsed laser heating rather than continuous heating. The periodic application of thermal energy allows brief intervals for heat dissipation, preventing cumulative temperature rise that could cause demagnetization while still achieving sufficient local heating for marking. This temporal control of the heating process maintains magnetic reliability.
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
This approach reduces outgassing, shortens pumping times, maintains vacuum cleanliness, and prevents visible residues, ensuring the magnetic bearing's performance is unaffected.
Implementation Method 1
a marking is produced on a surface of the magnetic ring by heating the surface to produce a different surface property compared to the rest of the surface of the magnetic ring
Implementation Method 2
the heating of the surface of the magnetic ring can be precisely controlled in this way. This also makes it possible to greatly limit local heating in the area of the marking
Implementation Method 3
the laser can be deflected in a hatching manner over the surface of the magnetic ring by means of a deflection unit, in particular a scanner, in particular a 2D scanner
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for marking a magnetic ring of a magnetic bearing of a vacuum pump, in particular a turbomolecular vacuum pump. A marking is created on a surface of the magnetic ring by heating the surface to produce a different surface property compared to the rest of the magnetic ring's surface.