Vacuum Pump Elastomeric Seal Diaphragm Gland Suction Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum systems face challenges in achieving low pressures in high vacuum regions due to the limitations of metal sealing elements, which are expensive, non-reusable, and prone to deformation, while elastomeric seals are not heat-resistant and permeable, leading to contamination and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum system utilizing an elastomeric seal with a diaphragm gland and suction channels to maintain low pressures, where the suction channel is designed for high conductance and can be divided into sections for efficient evacuation, allowing multiple uses of the sealing elements and reducing the need for strong deformation and high pressing forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If metal sealing elements are used, then temperature resistance and vacuum stability are improved, but cost and reusability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using inexpensive elastomeric sealing elements instead of expensive metal seals. The elastomeric material is chosen to be cost-effective while still providing the necessary sealing function, accepting that these seals may have limited reusability compared to metal alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategy by combining elastomeric sealing elements with metal flanges and diaphragm glands. This hybrid approach allows the elastomeric material to provide flexibility and sealing while the metal components provide structural strength and heat resistance, achieving temperature resistance without the full cost of metal seals.
2Temperature
If metal sealing elements are used, then temperature resistance is improved, but reusability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible elastomeric sealing elements instead of rigid metal seals. The flexibility of the elastomeric material allows the seal to deform and adapt to surface irregularities, maintaining sealing effectiveness over multiple uses. This flexibility compensates for the lower temperature resistance of elastomers through the protective diaphragm gland design.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm gland acts as an intermediary protective structure that shields the elastomeric seal from direct exposure to extreme temperatures and mechanical stresses. This mediator allows the elastomeric material to maintain its sealing properties and reusability while still operating in high-temperature vacuum environments.
3Ease of manufacture
If elastomeric sealing elements are used, then reusability and cost are improved, but vacuum stability deteriorates due to outgasing and permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful outgasing and permeation effects by providing dedicated suction channels that actively evacuate gases emanating from the elastomeric seal. This extraction approach prevents the outgased molecules from contaminating the vacuum chamber, maintaining vacuum stability despite using cost-effective elastomeric materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by incorporating suction channels and vacuum pumping systems that actively remove gases from the vicinity of the elastomeric seal. This pneumatic evacuation system counteracts the natural outgasing and permeation of elastomeric materials, maintaining reliable vacuum conditions while using inexpensive sealing elements.
4Reliability
If suction channels are added to evacuate gases from elastomeric seals, then vacuum stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the suction channel functionality with the existing diaphragm gland structure. The suction channels are integrated into the diaphragm gland assembly, combining the sealing function and the gas evacuation function into a single integrated component. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining vacuum stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm gland assembly is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a protective enclosure for the elastomeric seal and as an integrated gas evacuation system through the incorporated suction channels. This universal design eliminates the need for separate evacuation components, reducing structural complexity while ensuring vacuum stability.
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 solution effectively maintains stable ultra-high vacuum pressures, reduces costs by allowing multiple uses of sealing elements, and minimizes the need for strong deformation and high pressing forces, enabling a more efficient and cost-effective vacuum system design.
Implementation Method 1
at least one suction channel and/or at least one suction opening provided between the elastomeric seal and the diaphragm gland
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum pump includes at least one vacuum port for releasably connecting the vacuum pump with at least one recipient an elastomeric seal for sealing the vacuum port against atmosphere a diaphragm gland provided on a vacuum side of the vacuum port and at least one of at least one suction channel and at least one suction opening provided between the elastomeric seal and the diaphragm gland.