Vacuum Pump Stator Sealing with Gasket Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-stage vacuum pumps face challenges in sealing between stator components due to leakage issues, with existing solutions being either costly or difficult to assemble, and current adhesives being susceptible to corrosive gases and hard to apply consistently.
Innovation Solution
A seal arrangement using gaskets in longitudinal recesses and O-rings in counter-sunk annular channels, with a tool for aligning and compressing the gaskets to ensure reliable sealing between half-shell and end stator components, preventing gas leakage and accommodating thermal expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adhesive is used to seal between half-shells and end components, then sealing is achieved, but the adhesive is susceptible to damage by corrosive pumped gases and difficult and time consuming to apply consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces permanent adhesive bonding with removable clamp-on sealing elements that can be easily installed and removed. These sealing elements are designed as simple, inexpensive components that provide reliable sealing without the complexity and susceptibility of adhesive applications, allowing for easy maintenance and replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces clamp-on sealing elements as intermediary components between the half-shells and end components. These sealing elements act as mediators that provide the sealing function without requiring direct adhesive bonding, thereby eliminating the problems of adhesive susceptibility to corrosive gases and difficult application.
2Reliability
If a one piece sealing member is used, then sealing is provided, but the sealing member is intricate to fit in place and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing function into separate, simple clamp-on sealing elements rather than using a single intricate one-piece sealing member. Each clamp-on element is a simple component that can be independently installed, reducing manufacturing complexity and making the sealing system easier to assemble and maintain.
3Power
If multiple single stage pumps are connected in series, then vacuum pumping capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple pumping stages into a single integrated multi-stage pump unit with a common stator housing. By combining multiple rotors and pumping chambers within one housing that can be assembled from half-shells, the patent achieves the vacuum pumping capability of multiple stages while reducing assembly time and manufacturing cost compared to connecting separate single-stage pumps.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-stage vacuum pump comprising: first and second half-shell stator components defining a plurality of pumping chambers and for assembly together along respective longitudinally extending faces; first and second end stator components for assembly at respective longitudinal end faces of the first and second half-shell stator components; gaskets for sealing between the first and second half-shell stator components when assembled together at the longitudinally extending faces; and O-rings for sealing between the first and second end stator components and the first and second half-shell stator components when assembled; wherein annular channels intersect longitudinal recesses and each longitudinal recess comprises a stop fixed relative to the intersection, and the gasket and the longitudinal recess are configured that when the gasket is located in the recess during assembly the gasket is biased against the stop for locating an end portion of the gasket relative to the intersection.