Vacuum Pump Common Channel Design for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing of vacuum pumps is complex and costly due to the need for multiple drilling processes to create separate channels for ballast and noise damping gases, which also results in higher noise levels during operation.

Innovation Solution

Integrating the channels into a common opening in the pump chamber, allowing for a single mouth and reduced drilling, and configuring the channel sections to run partially or completely in the same plane, which simplifies production and reduces noise by allowing ballast gas to escape when pressure is high, preventing unwanted excess pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate channels are provided for ballast gas and noise damping gas, then the pump can perform both functions, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to multiple drilling processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas handling capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate channels for ballast gas and noise damping gas into a single common channel that serves both functions. This merging eliminates the need for multiple drilling operations while maintaining the ability to independently control ballast gas flow and noise damping gas flow through separate control mechanisms within the same channel structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common channel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it serves as both the ballast gas channel and the noise damping gas channel. The channel structure incorporates features that allow it to handle different gas flows independently while using a single integrated pathway, thereby achieving multi-functionality without increasing manufacturing complexity.

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

2Ease of operation

If multiple separate channels are drilled into the pump chamber, then each gas flow can be controlled independently, but the noise level during operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas flow controlVSAvoidnoise level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the ballast gas channel and noise damping gas channel into a single common channel, the patent reduces the number of separate openings into the pump chamber. This consolidation decreases turbulence and noise generation while maintaining independent control capabilities through integrated flow control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple drilling processes are used to create separate channels, then precise channel positioning can be achieved, but the production time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel positioning accuracyVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple channel creation operations into a single drilling process. By designing the common channel to serve multiple functions, only one drilling operation is required per pump chamber, eliminating the need for multiple separate drilling processes while maintaining precise positioning through the integrated channel design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 manufacturing costs and noise levels by eliminating the need for multiple holes and allowing for efficient gas regulation, resulting in a more compact and quieter vacuum pump.

Implementation Method 1

a first channel, which opens into the pump chamber, for feeding a ballast gas into the pump chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow:

Implementation Method 2

a second channel, which opens into the pump chamber, for feeding a further gas, in particular different from the gas to be pumped, into the pump chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow:

Implementation Method 3

the ballast gas can escape through the second channel when the pressure of the ballast gas is too high. This prevents unwanted excess pressure in the pump chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization:

Data Source

PatentEP3636879B1Vacuum pump
Publication Date: 2022.01.05 PFEIFFER VACUUM GMBH
  • EP3636879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3636879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3636879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vacuum pump comprising: a pumping chamber in which a gas to be pumped can be conveyed from an inlet to an outlet by means of a pumping body; a first channel opening into the pumping chamber for supplying a ballast gas into the pumping chamber; a second channel opening into the pumping chamber for supplying a further gas into the pumping chamber, wherein the channels have a common opening into the pumping chamber.