Vacuum-Chamber Imaging With a Flexible Camera Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vision systems face challenges in integrating short working distances within vacuum chambers due to the need for vacuum-compatible components, which are complex and limited by heat dissipation and signal transmission issues, especially in high vacuum levels, and standard industrial cameras are not available for such environments.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with a flexible channel connecting a hermetic chamber to a sealed enclosure at atmospheric pressure, allowing standard cameras to operate inside vacuum chambers, using a flexible connection like a metallic bellow to maintain atmospheric pressure within the enclosure, enabling standard cameras to capture images through a transparent window.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a vision system is integrated inside a vacuum chamber to achieve short working distances, then imaging performance is improved, but device complexity increases due to vacuum compatibility requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the imaging setup into two separate pressure zones: a vacuum chamber containing the sample and a pressurized enclosure containing the camera. This segmentation allows each component to operate in its optimal environment while maintaining imaging functionality through the transparent window interface.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent window serves as an intermediary element between the vacuum chamber and the pressurized enclosure, allowing optical transmission while maintaining pressure differential. This intermediary enables the camera to capture images of the vacuum environment without being exposed to vacuum conditions.
2Reliability
If vacuum-compatible components are used to operate in high vacuum levels, then reliability is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates due to lack of convection
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurized enclosure acts as an intermediary thermal management system, providing a convection-friendly environment for the camera while the vacuum chamber maintains its high vacuum conditions for the sample. This separation allows optimal thermal dissipation for power-consuming components without compromising vacuum integrity.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard industrial cameras are used instead of specialized vacuum cameras, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to vacuum environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging components into vacuum-exposed elements (optics, transparent window) and vacuum-isolated elements (camera, electronics). This allows standard industrial cameras to be used in the pressurized enclosure while only the minimal necessary components interface with the vacuum environment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure concerns an imaging system for imaging a sample immersed in a controlled environment. The system comprises—at least one enclosure configured to hold at least one imaging sensor or camera inside the enclosure, the enclosure including at least one opening and at least one transparent window for imaging the sample; and—a flexible channel comprising a first extremity and a second extremity, the first extremity being connected to the enclosure at said at least one opening and the second extremity being configured to be connected to a wall of the hermetic chamber, the flexible channel defining or enclosing a passage extending through the flexible channel and to or into the enclosure.