Parallel Claw and Auxiliary Vacuum Pump System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum pumping systems face challenges in achieving high vacuum levels and efficient energy consumption, often requiring additional stages, variable speed drives, and complex control systems, which increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A pumping system comprising a main claw pump and an auxiliary vacuum pump connected in parallel, with a non-return valve, allowing the auxiliary pump to operate continuously to enhance evacuation and maintain pressure without additional control systems, enabling operation at a single speed and minimizing components and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If additional stages are added to vacuum pumps to improve final vacuum, then vacuum level is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the vacuum pumping function into two independent segments: a main claw pump for primary evacuation and an auxiliary vacuum pump for final vacuum improvement. This segmentation allows each pump to operate optimally in its respective pressure range without requiring complex multi-stage integration in a single device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines two different pump types (claw pump and auxiliary vacuum pump) into a unified system that leverages the strengths of each. The main claw pump handles high-flow evacuation while the auxiliary pump provides enhanced vacuum capability, achieving better final vacuum without the complexity of multiple stages in one pump.
2Use of energy by moving object
If variable speed drive is used to reduce power consumption, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary vacuum pump operates autonomously to maintain final vacuum levels, eliminating the need for complex variable speed drives and electronic control systems. The system self-regulates by having the auxiliary pump continuously or periodically operate to remove residual gases, providing energy savings through mechanical design rather than electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the final vacuum maintenance function from the main pump's variable speed control system and assigns it to a separate auxiliary pump. This removes the need for complex speed control electronics while maintaining energy efficiency through dedicated functional separation.
3Productivity
If by-pass valves are installed to control flow, then flow control is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary vacuum pump acts as an intermediary device that naturally regulates flow to the main pump. Instead of using by-pass valves to control flow distribution, the auxiliary pump's pumping action creates a pressure differential that automatically directs gas flow through the main pump, improving reliability by eliminating valve components.
4Productivity
If booster pumps are added upstream from main pumps, then flow rate is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding booster pumps in series (upstream from the main pump), the invention places the auxiliary vacuum pump in parallel with the main claw pump. This dimensional change in system architecture achieves enhanced flow rate and vacuum capability without the complexity of multi-stage series configuration, simplifying the overall system structure.
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 configuration achieves a higher vacuum level and reduced energy consumption, simplifies the system, and reduces internal leaks, leading to improved efficiency and lower operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
an auxiliary vacuum pump (7) connected in parallel to said non-return valve (6)... the auxiliary vacuum pump (7) continues to pump all the while that the main vacuum pump (3) pumps the gases contained in the vacuum chamber (1)
Implementation Method 2
a non-return valve (6) positioned between the gas discharge outlet and the gas exhaust outlet
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pumping system to generate a vacuum (SP), comprising a main vacuum pump which is a claw pump (3) having a gas suction inlet (2) connected to a vacuum chamber (1) and a gas discharge outlet (4) leading into a gas evacuation conduit (5) in the direction of a gas exhaust outlet (8) outside the pumping system. The pumping system comprises a non-return valve (6) positioned between the gas discharge outlet (4) and the gas exhaust outlet (8), and an auxiliary vacuum pump (7) connected in parallel to the non-return valve. In a pumping method by means of this pumping system (SP), the main vacuum pump (3) is started up in order to pump the gases contained in the vacuum chamber (1) and to discharge these gases through its gas discharge outlet (4), simultaneously to which the auxiliary vacuum pump (7) is started up. Moreover the auxiliary vacuum pump (7) continues to pump all the while that the main vacuum pump (3) pumps the gases contained in the vacuum chamber (1) and/or all the while that the main vacuum pump (3) maintains a defined pressure in the vacuum chamber (1).