Turbomolecular Pump Layout With Same-Side Inlet and Offset Outlet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing turbomolecular pumps face challenges in being compact, cost-effective, and versatile while requiring complex and costly fluid flow reversals due to opposing inlet and outlet orientations, which complicates integration and installation.

Innovation Solution

A turbomolecular pump design with a single inlet and outlet on the same side, laterally offset, allowing for simplified integration and connection to customer components, featuring a stator and rotor with fewer elements, passive and active cooling options, and integrated cooling elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pump inlet and outlet are located on opposite sides of the pump, then the pump can maintain a conventional compact structure, but additional diversion systems are required to connect components on the same side, increasing device complexity and installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveComponent connection accessibilityVSAvoidDiversion system requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump outlet is positioned asymmetrically on the same side as the inlet, breaking the conventional opposite-side arrangement. This asymmetric configuration allows direct connection of components to either the inlet or outlet without requiring diversion systems, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining compactness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet is positioned laterally offset from the axis of rotation rather than directly opposite the inlet, utilizing the radial dimension of the pump housing. This dimensional rearrangement enables same-side accessibility for both inlet and outlet connections, eliminating the need for additional diversion components

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

2Ease of manufacture

If the pump is designed to be compact and cost-effective, then manufacturing costs and space are reduced, but the pump may lack versatility for different application configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveManufacturing cost and compactnessVSAvoidApplication configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pump housing is designed with a universal configuration where the inlet and outlet are both accessible from the same side, enabling the pump to be integrated into various application setups without requiring custom modifications. This universal design allows the same compact pump structure to serve multiple application scenarios, from vacuum systems to fluid transfer applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump is designed with flexible connection options where the inlet and outlet planes can be oriented in different configurations (parallel or angled), allowing the pump to adapt to various installation orientations and customer-specific requirements while maintaining the same compact structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the inlet and outlet planes are oriented perpendicular to the axial direction, then the pump maintains a simple compact structure, but the outlet is not accessible from the same side as the inlet

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSame-side accessibilityVSAvoidInlet and outlet plane orientation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet plane is positioned asymmetrically on the same side as the inlet plane, breaking the conventional opposite-side arrangement. This asymmetric configuration allows direct connection of components to either the inlet or outlet without requiring diversion systems, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining compactness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet is positioned laterally offset from the axis of rotation rather than directly opposite the inlet, utilizing the radial dimension of the pump housing. This dimensional rearrangement enables same-side accessibility for both inlet and outlet connections, eliminating the need for additional diversion components

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

Data Source

PatentEP4293232B1Turbomolecular pump
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 PFEIFFER VACUUM TECH AG
  • EP4293232B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4293232B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4293232B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pump, in particular a turbomolecular pump, comprises a stator with at least one stator element and a rotor with at least one rotor element, which can be driven by a motor to rotate about an axis of rotation, together forming a pump stage arranged in a pump housing, wherein the axis of rotation defines an axial direction and the pump housing defines a pump inlet and at least one pump outlet, wherein the at least one pump outlet is laterally offset in the axial direction with respect to the axis of rotation, wherein the pump inlet has at least one inlet opening, in particular exactly one inlet opening, which defines an inlet plane and the at least one pump outlet has at least one outlet opening, in particular exactly one outlet opening, which defines an outlet plane.wherein the inlet plane and the outlet plane are the same plane or parallel planes, or wherein the inlet plane and the outlet plane enclose an angle of greater than 90° to less than 180°.