Vacuum Valve Pump Status Control for Blackout Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum valves lack the ability to monitor the status of a vacuum pump, which is essential for performing safety operations during power failures or blackouts, particularly in processes involving inflammable or toxic gases, as they cannot adjust their conductance based on the pump's operational state.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum valve system connected to a vacuum pump that includes a signal input section for receiving pump information signals such as blackout, instantaneous power failure, rotor rotation speed, and posture information, allowing the valve to adjust its operation accordingly, including moving to a danger avoidance position or changing drive torque, and utilizing regenerative power for safe operation during power outages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum valve is equipped with signal input section and valve control section to monitor pump status, then the safety and reliability of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum valve and vacuum pump into an integrated system where the valve control section can directly receive pump status signals (blackout signal, instantaneous power failure signal, rotor rotation speed information) from the pump's control section. This merging eliminates the need for separate monitoring devices and complex communication interfaces, while enabling coordinated safety responses between the valve and pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum valve is designed with multi-functionality to respond to different pump status conditions. The valve control section can interpret multiple types of pump status signals (blackout, instantaneous power failure, rotation speed) and execute different safety operations accordingly, making the valve adaptable to various emergency scenarios without requiring separate specialized devices for each function.
2Productivity
If the vacuum valve operates at high speed during normal conditions, then productivity is improved, but the risk of harmful effects during power failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the valve control section continuously monitors pump status signals and automatically adjusts valve operation in response. When a blackout signal or instantaneous power failure signal is detected, the control section immediately commands the valve to transition from high-speed normal operation to safety operations (opening or closing based on process requirements), creating a closed-loop system that responds to actual pump conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary safety actions by detecting instantaneous power failure signals before complete blackout occurs. The valve control section can initiate safety operations in advance of total power loss, allowing the valve to be positioned for safety before the pump stops completely, thereby preventing gas accumulation or leakage more effectively than reactive measures after failure.
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum valve connected to a vacuum pump, comprises: a valve plate to be openably/closably driven; a drive section configured to openably/closably drive the valve plate; a signal input section to which a pump information signal indicating an operation state of the vacuum pump is input; and a valve control section configured to control operation of the valve plate based on the input pump information signal.