Non-Mechanical Vacuum Pumping for Shock-Resistant Mobile Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum pumping systems, particularly turbomolecular pumps, are vulnerable to mechanical shocks and require backing pumps, making them unsuitable for mobile applications and sensitive to vibrations, which limits their use in analytical instruments requiring high vacuums.

Innovation Solution

A mobile non-mechanical pumping system utilizing high-pressure getter pumps and external connecting ports for initial evacuation, eliminating the need for backing pumps and reducing vulnerability to mechanical shocks, allowing operation in the 10 mbar to 1 × 10^-2 mbar pressure range conventionally served by turbomolecular pumps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If turbomolecular pumps are used to evacuate chambers, then high vacuum pressure is achieved, but the system becomes sensitive to vibrations and shocks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum pressureVSAvoidvibration sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical turbomolecular pumps with a non-mechanical pumping system comprising a sorption pump and a cryopump. These pumps use adsorption and condensation principles respectively, eliminating rotating mechanical components that generate vibrations and are sensitive to shocks, while still achieving the required high vacuum pressure levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If turbomolecular pumps with high rotational speed are used, then pumping efficiency is improved, but the pump becomes vulnerable to mechanical shocks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidshock resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates high-speed rotating mechanical components by using a sorption pump that operates on adsorption principles and a cryopump that uses condensation at low temperatures. These non-mechanical systems achieve pumping efficiency without the vulnerability to shocks inherent in high-speed rotational mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a compound pump system with multiple stages is used, then different vacuum levels are achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum level rangeVSAvoidpump system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a sorption pump and a cryopump into a single integrated pumping system. The sorption pump handles the rougher vacuum range while the cryopump provides the high vacuum stage, merging multiple vacuum levels into one unified system rather than requiring separate pump stages, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Stress or pressure

If mechanical backing pumps are used to support turbomolecular pumps, then the required vacuum level is maintained, but the system requires more power and becomes bulkier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum maintenanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical backing pumps with a non-mechanical sorption pump that uses adsorption principles to maintain vacuum levels. This eliminates the need for additional mechanical pumping stages, reducing power consumption and system bulk while maintaining the required vacuum levels throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a shock-resistant, power-efficient, and flexible vacuum solution for mobile applications, extending pump lifetime and enabling operation in rough environments, suitable for use in unmanned aerial vehicles and remote analytical instruments.

Implementation Method 1

a non-mechanical intermediate vacuum pump in the form of a high pressure getter pump configured to evacuate said chamber from said first pressure to a second intermediate pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3867528B1Non-mechanical vacuum pumping system and analytical instrument

Publication Date: 2024.12.04 EDWARDS LTD

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AI summary

A mobile pumping system and analytical instrument are disclosed. The mobile pumping system comprises exclusively non-mechanical pumps for providing a vacuum, said system comprising: a vacuum chamber; a shock resistant non- mechanical intermediate vacuum pump configured to evacuate a chamber from a first pressure to a second intermediate pressure, said first pressure being a pressure between 10 mbar and 1 X 10-2 mbar; and an internal power supply for supplying power to said pump.