EP4198315A1 - Vacuum pump apparatus and method of operating the same - Google Patents
Vacuum pump apparatus and method of operating the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP4198315A1 EP4198315A1 EP22213282.1A EP22213282A EP4198315A1 EP 4198315 A1 EP4198315 A1 EP 4198315A1 EP 22213282 A EP22213282 A EP 22213282A EP 4198315 A1 EP4198315 A1 EP 4198315A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- pump
- heater
- side cover
- side wall
- vacuum pump
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
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- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 75
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 48
- 230000020169 heat generation Effects 0.000 claims description 38
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 23
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 abstract description 34
- 230000008021 deposition Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 229910001018 Cast iron Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 239000010687 lubricating oil Substances 0.000 description 8
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- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000004065 semiconductor Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910000838 Al alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003749 cleanliness Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
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- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D17/00—Radial-flow pumps, e.g. centrifugal pumps; Helico-centrifugal pumps
- F04D17/08—Centrifugal pumps
- F04D17/10—Centrifugal pumps for compressing or evacuating
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B37/00—Pumps having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B25/00 - F04B35/00
- F04B37/10—Pumps having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B25/00 - F04B35/00 for special use
- F04B37/14—Pumps having pertinent characteristics not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B25/00 - F04B35/00 for special use to obtain high vacuum
- F04B37/16—Means for nullifying unswept space
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C25/00—Adaptations of pumps for special use of pumps for elastic fluids
- F04C25/02—Adaptations of pumps for special use of pumps for elastic fluids for producing high vacuum
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01C—ROTARY-PISTON OR OSCILLATING-PISTON MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F01C21/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in groups F01C1/00 - F01C20/00
- F01C21/10—Outer members for co-operation with rotary pistons; Casings
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B35/00—Piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by the driving means to their working members, or by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors, not otherwise provided for
- F04B35/04—Piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by the driving means to their working members, or by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors, not otherwise provided for the means being electric
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B49/00—Control, e.g. of pump delivery, or pump pressure of, or safety measures for, machines, pumps, or pumping installations, not otherwise provided for, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B47/00
- F04B49/06—Control using electricity
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B53/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
- F04B53/08—Cooling; Heating; Preventing freezing
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
- F04B53/00—Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
- F04B53/16—Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
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- F04C18/00—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids
- F04C18/08—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing
- F04C18/12—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of other than internal-axis type
- F04C18/123—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of other than internal-axis type with radially or approximately radially from the rotor body extending tooth-like elements, co-operating with recesses in the other rotor, e.g. one tooth
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C18/00—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids
- F04C18/08—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing
- F04C18/12—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of other than internal-axis type
- F04C18/126—Rotary-piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids of intermeshing-engagement type, i.e. with engagement of co-operating members similar to that of toothed gearing of other than internal-axis type with radially from the rotor body extending elements, not necessarily co-operating with corresponding recesses in the other rotor, e.g. lobes, Roots type
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C23/00—Combinations of two or more pumps, each being of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type, specially adapted for elastic fluids; Pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids; Multi-stage pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids
- F04C23/001—Combinations of two or more pumps, each being of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type, specially adapted for elastic fluids; Pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids; Multi-stage pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids of similar working principle
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C23/00—Combinations of two or more pumps, each being of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type, specially adapted for elastic fluids; Pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids; Multi-stage pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids
- F04C23/02—Pumps characterised by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C28/00—Control of, monitoring of, or safety arrangements for, pumps or pumping installations specially adapted for elastic fluids
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C29/00—Component parts, details or accessories of pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C18/00 - F04C28/00
- F04C29/0042—Driving elements, brakes, couplings, transmissions specially adapted for pumps
- F04C29/0085—Prime movers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C29/00—Component parts, details or accessories of pumps or pumping installations, not provided for in groups F04C18/00 - F04C28/00
- F04C29/04—Heating; Cooling; Heat insulation
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D27/00—Control, e.g. regulation, of pumps, pumping installations or pumping systems specially adapted for elastic fluids
- F04D27/001—Testing thereof; Determination or simulation of flow characteristics; Stall or surge detection, e.g. condition monitoring
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/40—Casings; Connections of working fluid
- F04D29/42—Casings; Connections of working fluid for radial or helico-centrifugal pumps
- F04D29/4206—Casings; Connections of working fluid for radial or helico-centrifugal pumps especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
- F04D29/4226—Fan casings
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/40—Casings; Connections of working fluid
- F04D29/42—Casings; Connections of working fluid for radial or helico-centrifugal pumps
- F04D29/44—Fluid-guiding means, e.g. diffusers
- F04D29/441—Fluid-guiding means, e.g. diffusers especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/58—Cooling; Heating; Diminishing heat transfer
- F04D29/582—Cooling; Heating; Diminishing heat transfer specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
- F04D29/584—Cooling; Heating; Diminishing heat transfer specially adapted for elastic fluid pumps cooling or heating the machine
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04D—NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04D29/00—Details, component parts, or accessories
- F04D29/70—Suction grids; Strainers; Dust separation; Cleaning
- F04D29/701—Suction grids; Strainers; Dust separation; Cleaning especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps
- F04D29/703—Suction grids; Strainers; Dust separation; Cleaning especially adapted for elastic fluid pumps specially for fans, e.g. fan guards
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2220/00—Application
- F04C2220/10—Vacuum
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2220/00—Application
- F04C2220/10—Vacuum
- F04C2220/12—Dry running
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2220/00—Application
- F04C2220/30—Use in a chemical vapor deposition [CVD] process or in a similar process
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2240/00—Components
- F04C2240/30—Casings or housings
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2240/00—Components
- F04C2240/40—Electric motor
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2240/00—Components
- F04C2240/50—Bearings
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2240/00—Components
- F04C2240/80—Other components
- F04C2240/81—Sensor, e.g. electronic sensor for control or monitoring
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
- F04C—ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
- F04C2270/00—Control; Monitoring or safety arrangements
- F04C2270/19—Temperature
- F04C2270/195—Controlled or regulated
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/50—Bearings
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05C—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MATERIALS, MATERIAL PROPERTIES OR MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MACHINES, ENGINES OR PUMPS OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES
- F05C2251/00—Material properties
- F05C2251/04—Thermal properties
- F05C2251/042—Expansivity
- F05C2251/046—Expansivity dissimilar
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a vacuum pump apparatus and a method of operating the same, and more particularly to a vacuum pump apparatus and a method of operating such a vacuum pump apparatus suitable for use in exhausting a process gas used in manufacturing of semiconductor devices, liquid crystals, LEDs, solar cells, or the like.
- a process gas is introduced into a process chamber to perform a certain type of process, such as etching process or CVD process.
- the process gas that has been introduced into the process chamber is exhausted by a vacuum pump apparatus.
- the vacuum pump apparatus used in these manufacturing processes that require high cleanliness is so-called dry vacuum pump apparatus that does not use oil in gas flow passages.
- dry vacuum pump apparatus is a positive-displacement vacuum pump apparatus having a pair of pump rotors in a pump chamber which are rotated in opposite directions to deliver the gas.
- the process gas introduced into the process chamber may form solidified by-product through reaction within the chamber as a temperature of the process gas is decreased or increased.
- the solidified by-product may impede the rotation of the pump rotors and may cause the vacuum pump apparatus to suddenly stop. Such an unexpected operation stop of the vacuum pump apparatus can damage products, such as semiconductor devices, which are being manufactured.
- the above-described by-product is also deposited in a pipe coupling the process chamber and the vacuum pump apparatus, and in a pipe coupling the vacuum pump apparatus and an abatement device disposed downstream of the vacuum pump apparatus. For this reason, pipe maintenance is conducted regularly. During the pipe maintenance, the vacuum pump apparatus is stopped, and after the pipe maintenance is completed, the vacuum pump apparatus is restarted. However, if a large amount of by-product accumulates in the pump chamber, a resistance to the rotation of the pump rotor is so large that the vacuum pump apparatus cannot restart.
- Patent document 1 Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2009-097349
- this pump-stop method takes a long time (for example, about three hours) to complete and lowers a throughput of manufacturing products, such as semiconductor devices. For this reason, this method may not be accepted by users.
- the present invention provides a vacuum pump that can reduce deposition of by-product in a pump chamber caused by a process gas, can prevent an unintended stop of a vacuum pump apparatus, and can ensure restarting of the vacuum pump apparatus.
- the present invention further provides a method of operating such a vacuum pump.
- a vacuum pump apparatus comprising: a pump casing having a pump chamber therein; a pump rotor arranged in the pump chamber; a rotation shaft to which the pump rotor is secured; an electric motor coupled to the rotation shaft; a bearing that rotatably supports the rotation shaft; a side cover coupled to the pump casing, the bearing being coupled to the side cover; a heater attached to the side cover; and a heater controller configured to instruct the heater to generate heat intermittently when the pump rotor is rotating.
- the side cover forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- the pump casing forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- the vacuum pump apparatus further includes a bearing housing that holds the bearing, and the bearing housing is held by the side cover.
- the side cover comprises: a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber; and a spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- the side cover comprises: a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; and a spacer holding the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- the side cover comprises: a side wall coupled to the pump casing; and a spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- the side cover comprises: a side wall coupled to the pump casing, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; and a spacer that holds the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises: a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the pump casing; and a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the side cover, wherein the heater controller is configured to determine a target temperature based on the temperature of the pump casing, and control the heater such that the temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- the heater controller is configured to instruct the heater to stop the heat generation or lower the temperature of the heat generation of the heater after the temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises a displacement sensor configured to measure an axial displacement of the bearing, wherein the heater controller is configured to instruct the heater to stop the heat generation when the axial displacement of the bearing reaches a threshold value.
- the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises a second heater attached to the pump casing.
- the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises a cooler attached to the pump casing.
- a method of operating a vacuum pump apparatus comprising: intermittently generating heat by a heater when evacuating a process gas by rotating a pump rotor arranged in a pump chamber of a pump casing, the pump rotor being secured to a rotation shaft which is rotatably supported by a bearing, the bearing being coupled to a side cover which is coupled to the pump casing, the heater being attached to the side cover.
- the side cover forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- the pump casing forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- the bearing is held by a bearing housing, and the bearing housing is held by the side cover.
- the side cover comprises: a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber; and a spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- the side cover comprises: a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; and a spacer holding the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- the side cover comprises: a side wall coupled to the pump casing; and a spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- the side cover comprises: a side wall coupled to the pump casing, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; and a spacer that holds the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- the method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises: determining a target temperature based on a temperature of the pump casing; and controlling the heater such that a temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- the method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises stopping the heat generation of the heater or lowering a temperature the heat generation of the heater after the temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- the method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises stopping the heat generation of the heater when an axial displacement of the bearing reaches a threshold value.
- the method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises heating the pump casing by a second heater attached to the pump casing.
- the method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises cooling the pump casing by a cooler attached to the pump casing.
- the side cover repeats thermal expansion and contraction, which cause the rotation shaft to reciprocate in an axial direction via the bearing coupled to the side cover.
- the pump rotor also reciprocates in the axial direction, so that the rotating pump rotor can scrape off by-product deposited in the pump chamber. As a result, the pump rotor can rotate smoothly.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a vacuum pump apparatus.
- the vacuum pump apparatus of the embodiment described below is a positive-displacement vacuum pump apparatus.
- the vacuum pump apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called dry vacuum pump apparatus that does not use oil in its flow passages for a gas. Since a vaporized oil does not flow to an upstream side, the dry vacuum pump apparatus can be suitably used for a semiconductor-device manufacturing apparatus that requires high cleanliness.
- the vacuum pump apparatus includes a pump casing 2 having a pump chamber 1 therein, pump rotors 5A to 5E arranged in the pump chamber 1, rotation shafts 7 to which the pump rotors 5A to 5E are secured, and electric motor 8 coupled to the rotation shaft 7.
- the pump rotors 5A to 5E and each rotation shaft 7 may be an integral structure. Although only one set of pump rotors 5A to 5E and only one rotation shaft 7 are depicted in FIG. 1 , a pair of pump rotors 5A to 5E are arranged in the pump chamber 1, and are secured to a pair of rotation shafts 7, respectively.
- the electric motor 8 is coupled to one of the pair of rotation shafts 7. In one embodiment, a pair of electric motors 8 may be coupled to the pair of rotation shafts 7, respectively.
- the pump rotors 5A to 5E of the present embodiment are Roots-type pump rotors, while in one embodiment the pump rotors 5A to 5E may be claw-type pump rotors. Further, the pump rotors 5A to 5E may be a combination of Roots-type and claw-type pump rotors. Although the pump rotors 5A to 5E of the present embodiment are multi-stage pump rotors, in one embodiment the pump rotors may be single-stage pump rotors.
- the vacuum pump apparatus further includes side covers 10A and 10B located outwardly of the pump casing 2 in an axial direction of the rotation shafts 7.
- the side covers 10A and 10B are provided on both sides of the pump casing 2 and are coupled to the pump casing 2.
- the side covers 10A and 10B are fixed to end surfaces of the pump casing 2 by not-shown screws.
- the pump chamber 1 is formed by an inner surface of the pump casing 2 and inner surfaces of the side covers 10A and 10B.
- the pump casing 2 has an intake port 2a and an exhaust port 2b.
- the intake port 2a is coupled to a chamber (not shown) filled with gas to be delivered.
- the intake port 2a may be coupled to a process chamber of a semiconductor-device manufacturing apparatus, and the vacuum pump apparatus may be used for evacuating a process gas from the process chamber.
- the vacuum pump apparatus further includes a motor housing 14 and a gear housing 16 which are housing structures located outwardly of the side covers 10A and 10B in the axial direction of the rotation shafts 7.
- the side cover 10A is located between the pump casing 2 and the motor housing 14, and the side cover 10B is located between the pump casing 2 and the gear housing 16.
- the motor housing 14 accommodates a motor rotor 8A and a motor stator 8B of the electric motor 8 therein. Inside the gear housing 16, a pair of gears 20 that mesh with each other are arranged. In FIG. 1 , only one gear 20 is depicted.
- the electric motor 8 is rotated by a not-shown motor driver, and one rotation shaft 7 to which the electric motor 8 is coupled rotates the other rotation shaft 7 to which the electric motor 8 is not coupled in an opposite direction via the gears 20.
- a pair of electric motors 8, which are coupled to the pair of rotation shafts 7, respectively, may be provided.
- the pair of electric motors 8 are synchronously rotated in opposite directions by a not-shown motor driver, so that the pair of rotation shafts 7 and the pair of pump rotors 5A to 5E are synchronously rotated in opposite directions.
- the role of the gears 20 is to prevent loss of the synchronous rotation of the pump rotors 5 due to a sudden external cause.
- the motor housing 14 is arranged outwardly of the side cover 10A, and the gear housing 16 is arranged outwardly of the side cover 10B, while configurations of the vacuum pump apparatus are not limited to this embodiment.
- the gear housing 16 may be arranged outwardly of the side cover 10A, and the motor housing 14 may be arranged outwardly of the side cover 10B.
- both the motor housing 14 and the gear housing 16 may be located outwardly of either the side cover 10A or the side cover 10B.
- Each rotation shaft 7 is rotatably supported by bearings 17 and 18 .
- the bearing 17 is held by a bearing housing 24, and the bearing 18 is supported by the side cover 10B.
- the bearing 17 is coupled to the side cover 10A via the bearing housing 24. More specifically, the bearing housing 24 is held by the side cover 10A, and positions of the bearing housing 24 and the bearing 17 are fixed by the side cover 10A. Since an inner race of the bearing 17 is fixed to the rotation shaft 7, an axial position of a portion of the rotation shaft 7 held by the bearing 17 is fixed.
- a bearing housing holding the bearing 18 may be disposed between the side cover 10B and the bearing 18.
- the bearing housing is fixed to the side cover 10B, but the outer race of the bearing 18 is not fixed to the bearing housing, and is simply supported by the bearing housing, so that the bearing 18 can move axially together with the rotation shaft 7.
- the gas is compressed by the pump rotors 5A to 5E while the gas is being transferred from the intake port 2a to the exhaust port 2b. Therefore, the rotation shaft 7 located in the pump chamber 1 thermally expands due to compression heat of the gas.
- the axial position of the bearing 17 is fixed, whereas the bearing 18 is movable in the axial direction. Accordingly, the rotation shaft 7 thermally expands in the axial direction beginning from the bearing 17, and the bearing 18 moves in the axial direction as the rotation shaft 7 thermally expands.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the side cover 10A, the bearing housing 24, and the bearing 17 at the exhaust side.
- the pump casing 2 has a partition wall 36 therein, and the pump rotor 5E is arranged between the partition wall 36 and the side cover 10A.
- the side cover 10A includes a side wall 31 forming an end surface of the pump chamber 1 and a spacer 32 made of the same material as the side wall 31 or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall 31.
- the spacer 32 is located between the side wall 31 and the bearing housing 24.
- the bearing housing 24 is held by the spacer 32, and the bearing housing 24 is coupled to the side wall 31 via the spacer 32.
- the vacuum pump apparatus has a heater 35 attached to the side cover 10A.
- the heater 35 is arranged in the spacer 32 of the side cover 10A.
- the spacer 32 is made of the same material as the side wall 31 and the pump casing 2, or made of metal having a coefficient of linear expansion larger than that of the side wall 31.
- the spacer 32 is made of cast iron, or stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or copper having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of cast iron.
- the heater 35 generates heat, the spacer 32 thermally expands, and the bearing housing 24 held by the spacer 32 moves in the axial direction.
- the spacer 32 has a shape that surrounds the bearing housing 24 and is prone to the thermal expansion in the axial direction.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pump rotor 5E is moved in the axial direction due to the thermal expansion of the rotation shaft 7. As described above, the high-temperature rotation shaft 7 thermally expands in the axial direction, and as a result, the pump rotor 5E is moved in a direction away from the side cover 10A forming the end surface of the pump chamber 1.
- By-product 100 is gradually deposited in a gap between the pump rotor 5E and the side cover 10A. Such by-product 100 impedes the rotation of the pump rotor 5E, and may cause an unintended operation stop of the vacuum pump apparatus, or may prevent the vacuum pump apparatus from restarting.
- the heat generation of the heater 35 is stopped when the pump rotor 5E reaches an initial position shown in FIG. 2 .
- the initial position of the pump rotor 5E is a position of the pump rotor 5E when the entire vacuum pump apparatus has a room temperature.
- the temperature of the spacer 32 gradually decreases and the spacer 32 gradually contracts.
- the pump rotor 5E is moved in a direction away from the side cover 10A, and the gap between the pump rotor 5E and the side cover 10A increases as shown in FIG. 3 . Since the by-product 100 gradually accumulates in this gap, the heater 35 generates heat again to thermally expand the spacer 32. As shown in FIG.
- the rotating pump rotor 5E moves toward the side cover 10A (i.e., toward the end surface of the pump chamber 1), the rotating pump rotor 5E gradually scrapes off the by-product 100 deposited in the gap between the pump rotor 5E and the side cover 10A.
- the heat generation and stoppage of the heat generation of the heater 35 are repeated to cause the rotating pump rotor 5E to reciprocate in the axial direction, so that the rotating pump rotor 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in the pump chamber 1.
- the rotating pump rotors 5A to 5D can also scrape off by-product deposited in the pump chamber 1.
- the by-product is removed from the pump chamber 1, and the pump rotors 5A to 5E can rotate smoothly.
- pump rotors do not reciprocate during operation as described above.
- a large amount of by-product may be deposited near the pump rotors during operation, and the pump rotors bite the large amount of by-product at a certain moment, causing sudden stop of the pump.
- the pump rotors 5A to 5E constantly repeat the reciprocating motion, which makes it possible to create a condition in which almost no by-product is accumulated in the pump chamber 1, particularly near the pump rotors 5A to 5E. As a result, sudden stop of the pump can be prevented.
- the vacuum pump apparatus includes a heater controller 40 configured to control the heat generation of the heater 35.
- the heater controller 40 is configured to intermittently instruct the heater 35 to generate the heat (i.e., periodically repeat heat generation and stop of the heat generation of the heater 35) while the pump rotors 5A to 5E are rotating.
- the heater controller 40 includes a memory 40a storing programs therein, an arithmetic device 40b configured to perform arithmetic operations according to instructions included in the programs, and a power source 40c configured to supply electric power to the heater 35.
- the heater controller 40 includes at least one computer.
- the memory 40a includes a main memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), and an auxiliary memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD).
- a main memory such as a random access memory (RAM)
- auxiliary memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD).
- Examples of the arithmetic device 40b include a CPU (central processing unit) and a GPU (graphic processing unit).
- the specific configurations of the heater controller 40 are not limited to these examples.
- the vacuum pump apparatus further includes a first temperature sensor 45 configured to measure a temperature of the pump casing 2 and a second temperature sensor 46 configured to measure a temperature of the side cover 10A.
- the first temperature sensor 45 is fixed to the pump casing 2.
- the first temperature sensor 45 may be fixed to an outer surface of the pump casing 2 or may be embedded in the pump casing 2.
- This first temperature sensor 45 is provided to indirectly measure the temperature of the rotation shaft 7. Specifically, the temperature of the rotation shaft 7 arranged in the pump casing 2 can be estimated from the temperature of the pump casing 2 measured by the first temperature sensor 45.
- the second temperature sensor 46 is fixed to the side cover 10A.
- the second temperature sensor 46 may be fixed to an outer surface of the side cover 10A or may be embedded in the side cover 10A. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the second temperature sensor 46 is fixed to the spacer 32 of the side cover 10A. Therefore, the second temperature sensor 46 can measure the temperature of the side cover 10A (more specifically, the temperature of the spacer 32). The second temperature sensor 46 may be embedded in the spacer 32.
- the heater controller 40 is configured to determine a target temperature of the spacer 32, i.e., a target temperature of the side cover 10A, based on the temperature of the pump casing 2 measured by the first temperature sensor 45. Since the temperature of the pump casing 2 indirectly indicates the temperature of the rotation shaft 7, a degree of thermal expansion of the rotation shaft 7 (i.e., an axial movement distance of the pump rotor 5E from its initial position) can be estimated from the temperature of the pump casing 2. Therefore, the heater controller 40 can determine the target temperature of the spacer 32 required to return the pump rotor 5E, which has been moved by the thermal expansion of the rotation shaft 7, to the initial position.
- the heater controller 40 determines the target temperature of the spacer 32 required to return the pump rotor 5E to its initial position based on the temperature of the pump casing 2, an axial thickness of the spacer 32, and the coefficient of linear expansion of the spacer 32.
- a relationship between a movement distance of the pump rotor 5E and the temperature of the spacer 32 may be obtained by experiment or simulation, and the target temperature of the spacer 32 may be determined from the relationship obtained.
- the heater controller 40 is configured to control the heater 35 such that the temperature of the spacer 32 reaches the determined target temperature.
- the temperature of the spacer 32 is measured by the second temperature sensor 46, and the spacer 32 is heated to the target temperature.
- the bearing housing 24, the bearing 17, the rotation shaft 7, and the pump rotor 5E are moved axially.
- the pump rotor 5E returns to its initial position shown in FIG. 4 .
- the heater controller 40 instructs the heater 35 to stop its heat generation.
- the heater controller 40 may instruct the heater 35 to lower the temperature of its heat generation after the spacer 32 is heated to the target temperature.
- the heater controller 40 may instruct the heater 35 to stop the heat generation after instructing the heater 35 to lower the temperature of the heat generation of the heater 35.
- the heater controller 40 instructs the heater 35 to generate heat intermittently, thereby causing the pump rotor 5E to reciprocate between the initial position shown in FIG. 4 and the thermal expansion position shown in FIG. 3 .
- the other pump rotors 5A to 5D also reciprocate in the axial direction in the same manner. Since the pump rotors 5A to 5E reciprocate in the pump chamber 1 in the axial direction while the pump rotors 5A to 5E are rotating, the pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in the pump chamber 1.
- the vacuum pump apparatus includes a displacement sensor 49 configured to measure an axial displacement of the bearing 17.
- the displacement sensor 49 is attached to the side wall 31 of the side cover 10A and arranged so as to face the bearing housing 24 holding the bearing 17. Therefore, the displacement sensor 49 measures the axial displacement of the bearing 17 by measuring an axial displacement of the bearing housing 24.
- the displacement sensor 49 may be arranged to directly measure the axial displacement of the bearing 17.
- the displacement sensor 49 is electrically coupled to the heater controller 40.
- the heater controller 40 is configured to instruct the heater 35 to stop the heat generation when the axial displacement of the bearing 17 reaches a threshold value. Such controlling of the heat generation of the heater 35 based on the axial displacement of the bearing 17 can prevent the pump rotor 5E from contacting the inner surface of the side cover 10A (i.e., the end surface of the pump chamber 1).
- the side cover 10A may be constructed from a single material. More specifically, a part of the side cover 10A forms the end surface of the pump chamber 1, and other part of the side cover 10A holds the bearing housing 24.
- the side cover 10A is made of the same material as the pump casing 2 or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the pump casing 2.
- the entire side cover 10A is made of cast iron, or made of stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or copper having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the pump casing 2.
- the rotating pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in the pump chamber 1 by repeating the heat generation and stop of the heat generation of the heater 35 as well as the previous embodiments.
- the bearing housing 24 may be omitted, as shown in FIG. 7 .
- the bearing 17 is held directly on the side cover 10A. More specifically, the bearing 17 is directly held by the spacer 32 of the side cover 10A.
- the side cover 10A may be constructed from a single piece of material and the bearing housing 24 may not be provided.
- the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is a combination of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 .
- the bearing 17 is directly held by the side cover 10A.
- the rotating pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in the pump chamber 1 by repeating the heat generation and stop of the heat generation of the heater 35 as well as the previous embodiments.
- the vacuum pump apparatus may further include a second heater 50 attached to the pump casing 2 in order to prevent deposition of the by-product in the pump chamber 1 due to a decrease in temperature of the process gas.
- a certain type of process gas may form by-product as a temperature of the process gas rises.
- the vacuum pump apparatus may further include a cooler 51 attached to the pump casing 2, as shown in FIG. 10 .
- the cooler 51 may be a water-cooled cooler.
- the second heater 50 shown in FIG. 9 and the cooler 51 shown in FIG. 10 may be attached to the outer surface of the pump casing 2 or may be embedded in the pump casing 2.
- the combination of the axial reciprocation of the pump rotors 5A to 5E by the intermittent operation of the heater 35 and the second heater 50 or the cooler 51 can reliably prevent the deposition of the by-product.
- FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the vacuum pump apparatus.
- lubricating oil 110 for lubricating and cooling the bearing 17 is stored at a bottom of the motor housing 14.
- Configurations and operations of this embodiment, which will not be particularly described, are the same as those of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 , and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.
- the vacuum pump apparatus of this embodiment includes rotary disks 60 configured to supply the lubricating oil 110 to the bearing 17 and a partition wall 62 arranged between the electric motor 8 and the bearing housing 24.
- Each rotary disk 60 is coupled to each of the pair of rotation shafts 7 and rotates together with each rotation shaft 7.
- a rotary disk 60 may be coupled to one of the pair of rotation shafts 7 and may rotate together with that rotation shaft 7 coupled to the rotary disk 60. The rotation of the rotary disk 60 splashes up the lubricating oil 110 onto the bearing 17.
- the partition wall 62 is fixed to the inner surface of the motor housing 14 and has through-holes (not shown) through which the rotation shafts 7 extend.
- the partition wall 62 is configured to separate a space in which the lubricating oil 110 is stored from a space in which the electric motor 8 is disposed, and is provided to prevent the lubricating oil 110 from contacting the electric motor 8.
- the lubricating oil 110 in the motor housing 14 is always in contact with the spacer 32 of the side cover 10A. If the heater 35 is arranged in the spacer 32, the temperature of the lubricating oil 110 rises due to the heat generated by the heater 35, and a sufficient cooling effect for the bearing 17 may not be obtained. Therefore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 , the heater 35 is arranged in the side wall 31 of the side cover 10A.
- the side cover 10A has the side wall 31 forming the end surface of the pump chamber 1 and the spacer 32 holding the bearing 17.
- the spacer 32 is coupled to the side wall 31 and is located between the side wall 31 and the bearing housing 24.
- the bearing housing 24 is held by the spacer 32, and the bearing housing 24 is coupled to the side wall 31 via the spacer 32.
- the bearing 17 is coupled to the spacer 32 via the bearing housing 24.
- the spacer 32 holds the bearing 17 via the bearing housing 24.
- the side wall 31 is made of the same material as a material of the rotation shaft 7 or made of metal having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft 7.
- the side wall 31 is made of cast iron, or stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or copper having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of cast iron.
- the side wall 31 may be made of the same material as the material of the pump casing 2 and/or the spacer 32, or may be made of metal having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the pump casing 2 and/or the spacer 32.
- the side wall 31 thermally expands, and the spacer 32 coupled to the side wall 31 moves axially.
- the bearing housing 24 and the bearing 17 held by the spacer 32 move axially, and the pump rotor 5E moves toward the side cover 10A.
- the rotating pump rotor 5E moves toward the side cover 10A (i.e., toward the end surface of the pump chamber 1), the rotating pump rotor 5E can gradually scrape off the by-product deposited in the gap between the pump rotor 5E and the side cover 10A.
- the temperature of the side wall 31 gradually decreases and the side wall 31 gradually contracts.
- the pump rotor 5E moves in a direction away from the side cover 10A, and the gap between the pump rotor 5E and the side cover 10A increases.
- the rotating pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in the pump chamber 1 by repeating the heat generation and stop of the heat generation of the heater 35, as well as the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the vacuum pump apparatus. Configurations and operations of this embodiment, which will not be particularly described, are the same as those of the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 , and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.
- the pump casing 2 of this embodiment has casing side walls 70A and 70B that form end surfaces of the pump chamber 1.
- the pump casing 2 covers the entire pump chamber 1.
- the pump chamber 1 is formed by the inner surface of the pump casing 2.
- the side covers 10A, 10B are provided on both sides of the pump casing 2 and coupled to the pump casing 2.
- the side wall 31 of the side cover 10A is coupled to the casing side wall 70A of the pump casing 2
- the side cover 10B is coupled to the casing side wall 70B of the pump casing 2.
- the rotation shafts 7 extend through the casing side walls 70A and 70B of the pump casing 2.
- the side cover 10A includes the side wall 31 coupled to the casing side wall 70A of the pump casing 2, and further includes the spacer 32 made of the same material as the side wall 31 or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall 31.
- the spacer 32 is located between the side wall 31 and the bearing housing 24.
- the bearing housing 24 is held by the spacer 32, and the bearing housing 24 is coupled to the side wall 31 via the spacer 32.
- the heater 35 is arranged in the spacer 32 of the side cover 10A.
- the rotating pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in the pump chamber 1 by repeating the heat generation and stop of the heat generation of the heater 35, as well as the previous embodiments.
- FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the vacuum pump apparatus.
- lubricating oil 110 for lubricating and cooling the bearings 17 is stored at the bottom of the motor housing 14, as in the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11 .
- Configurations and operations of this embodiment, which will not be particularly described, are the same as those of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11 , and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- the pump casing 2 of this embodiment has casing side walls 70A and 70B that form end surfaces of the pump chamber 1.
- the pump casing 2 covers the entire pump chamber 1.
- the pump chamber 1 is formed by the inner surface of the pump casing 2.
- the side covers 10A, 10B are provided on both sides of the pump casing 2 and coupled to the pump casing 2. More specifically, the side wall 31 of the side cover 10A is coupled to the casing side wall 70A of the pump casing 2, and the side cover 10B is coupled to the casing side wall 70B of the pump casing 2.
- the rotation shafts 7 extend through the casing side walls 70A and 70B of the pump casing 2.
- the side cover 10A includes the side wall 31 coupled to the casing side wall 70A of the pump casing 2, and further includes the spacer 32 holding the bearing 17.
- the side wall 31 is made of the same material as a material of the rotation shaft 7 or made of metal having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft 7.
- the heater 35 is arranged in the side wall 31 of the side cover 10A.
- the rotating pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in the pump chamber 1 by repeating the heat generation and stop of the heat generation of the heater 35, as well as the previous embodiments.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a vacuum pump apparatus and a method of operating the same, and more particularly to a vacuum pump apparatus and a method of operating such a vacuum pump apparatus suitable for use in exhausting a process gas used in manufacturing of semiconductor devices, liquid crystals, LEDs, solar cells, or the like.
- In process of manufacturing semiconductor devices, liquid crystal panels, LEDs, solar cells, etc., a process gas is introduced into a process chamber to perform a certain type of process, such as etching process or CVD process. The process gas that has been introduced into the process chamber is exhausted by a vacuum pump apparatus. Generally, the vacuum pump apparatus used in these manufacturing processes that require high cleanliness is so-called dry vacuum pump apparatus that does not use oil in gas flow passages. One typical example of such a dry vacuum pump apparatus is a positive-displacement vacuum pump apparatus having a pair of pump rotors in a pump chamber which are rotated in opposite directions to deliver the gas.
- The process gas introduced into the process chamber may form solidified by-product through reaction within the chamber as a temperature of the process gas is decreased or increased. When a large amount of solidified by-product accumulates in the vacuum pump apparatus, the solidified by-product may impede the rotation of the pump rotors and may cause the vacuum pump apparatus to suddenly stop. Such an unexpected operation stop of the vacuum pump apparatus can damage products, such as semiconductor devices, which are being manufactured.
- The above-described by-product is also deposited in a pipe coupling the process chamber and the vacuum pump apparatus, and in a pipe coupling the vacuum pump apparatus and an abatement device disposed downstream of the vacuum pump apparatus. For this reason, pipe maintenance is conducted regularly. During the pipe maintenance, the vacuum pump apparatus is stopped, and after the pipe maintenance is completed, the vacuum pump apparatus is restarted. However, if a large amount of by-product accumulates in the pump chamber, a resistance to the rotation of the pump rotor is so large that the vacuum pump apparatus cannot restart.
- Patent document 1:
Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 2009-097349 - Therefore, a pump-stop method has been proposed in which by-product accumulated in the pump chamber is gradually scraped away by the pump rotors by repeating rotation and stop of the pump rotors when the operation of the vacuum pump apparatus is to be stopped, (the patent document 1). This method can remove the by-product from the pump chamber and can allow the vacuum pump apparatus to restart.
- However, this pump-stop method takes a long time (for example, about three hours) to complete and lowers a throughput of manufacturing products, such as semiconductor devices. For this reason, this method may not be accepted by users.
- Accordingly, the present invention provides a vacuum pump that can reduce deposition of by-product in a pump chamber caused by a process gas, can prevent an unintended stop of a vacuum pump apparatus, and can ensure restarting of the vacuum pump apparatus. The present invention further provides a method of operating such a vacuum pump.
- In an embodiment, there is provided a vacuum pump apparatus comprising: a pump casing having a pump chamber therein; a pump rotor arranged in the pump chamber; a rotation shaft to which the pump rotor is secured; an electric motor coupled to the rotation shaft; a bearing that rotatably supports the rotation shaft; a side cover coupled to the pump casing, the bearing being coupled to the side cover; a heater attached to the side cover; and a heater controller configured to instruct the heater to generate heat intermittently when the pump rotor is rotating.
- In an embodiment, the side cover forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- In an embodiment, the pump casing forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- In an embodiment, the vacuum pump apparatus further includes a bearing housing that holds the bearing, and the bearing housing is held by the side cover.
- In an embodiment, the side cover comprises: a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber; and a spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- In an embodiment, the side cover comprises: a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; and a spacer holding the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- In an embodiment, the side cover comprises: a side wall coupled to the pump casing; and a spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- In an embodiment, the side cover comprises: a side wall coupled to the pump casing, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; and a spacer that holds the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- In an embodiment, the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises: a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the pump casing; and a second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the side cover, wherein the heater controller is configured to determine a target temperature based on the temperature of the pump casing, and control the heater such that the temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- In an embodiment, the heater controller is configured to instruct the heater to stop the heat generation or lower the temperature of the heat generation of the heater after the temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- In an embodiment, the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises a displacement sensor configured to measure an axial displacement of the bearing, wherein the heater controller is configured to instruct the heater to stop the heat generation when the axial displacement of the bearing reaches a threshold value.
- In an embodiment, the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises a second heater attached to the pump casing.
- In an embodiment, the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises a cooler attached to the pump casing.
- In an embodiment, there is provided a method of operating a vacuum pump apparatus, comprising: intermittently generating heat by a heater when evacuating a process gas by rotating a pump rotor arranged in a pump chamber of a pump casing, the pump rotor being secured to a rotation shaft which is rotatably supported by a bearing, the bearing being coupled to a side cover which is coupled to the pump casing, the heater being attached to the side cover.
- In an embodiment, the side cover forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- In an embodiment, the pump casing forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- In an embodiment, the bearing is held by a bearing housing, and the bearing housing is held by the side cover.
- In an embodiment, the side cover comprises: a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber; and a spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- In an embodiment, the side cover comprises: a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; and a spacer holding the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- In an embodiment, the side cover comprises: a side wall coupled to the pump casing; and a spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- In an embodiment, the side cover comprises: a side wall coupled to the pump casing, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; and a spacer that holds the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- In an embodiment, the method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises: determining a target temperature based on a temperature of the pump casing; and controlling the heater such that a temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- In an embodiment, the method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises stopping the heat generation of the heater or lowering a temperature the heat generation of the heater after the temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- In an embodiment, the method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises stopping the heat generation of the heater when an axial displacement of the bearing reaches a threshold value.
- In an embodiment, the method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises heating the pump casing by a second heater attached to the pump casing.
- In an embodiment, the method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus further comprises cooling the pump casing by a cooler attached to the pump casing.
- When the heater generates the heat intermittently during the rotation of the pump rotor, the side cover repeats thermal expansion and contraction, which cause the rotation shaft to reciprocate in an axial direction via the bearing coupled to the side cover. As the rotation shaft reciprocates in the axial direction, the pump rotor also reciprocates in the axial direction, so that the rotating pump rotor can scrape off by-product deposited in the pump chamber. As a result, the pump rotor can rotate smoothly.
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FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a vacuum pump apparatus; -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a side cover, a bearing housing, and a bearing at an exhaust side; -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pump rotor is moved in an axial direction due to thermal expansion of the rotation shaft; -
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pump rotor is moved toward the side cover due to thermal expansion of a spacer caused by heat generation of the heater; -
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment having a displacement sensor for measuring a displacement of the bearing; -
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a side cover constructed from a single piece of material; -
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment in which the bearing is held directly on the side cover; -
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment in which the bearing is held directly on the side cover; -
FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a vacuum pump apparatus having a second heater attached to a pump casing; -
FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a vacuum pump apparatus having a cooler attached to the pump casing; -
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the vacuum pump apparatus; -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the vacuum pump apparatus; and -
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the vacuum pump apparatus. -
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a vacuum pump apparatus. The vacuum pump apparatus of the embodiment described below is a positive-displacement vacuum pump apparatus. In particular, the vacuum pump apparatus shown inFIG. 1 is a so-called dry vacuum pump apparatus that does not use oil in its flow passages for a gas. Since a vaporized oil does not flow to an upstream side, the dry vacuum pump apparatus can be suitably used for a semiconductor-device manufacturing apparatus that requires high cleanliness. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the vacuum pump apparatus includes apump casing 2 having apump chamber 1 therein,pump rotors 5A to 5E arranged in thepump chamber 1,rotation shafts 7 to which thepump rotors 5A to 5E are secured, andelectric motor 8 coupled to therotation shaft 7. Thepump rotors 5A to 5E and eachrotation shaft 7 may be an integral structure. Although only one set ofpump rotors 5A to 5E and only onerotation shaft 7 are depicted inFIG. 1 , a pair ofpump rotors 5A to 5E are arranged in thepump chamber 1, and are secured to a pair ofrotation shafts 7, respectively. Theelectric motor 8 is coupled to one of the pair ofrotation shafts 7. In one embodiment, a pair ofelectric motors 8 may be coupled to the pair ofrotation shafts 7, respectively. - The
pump rotors 5A to 5E of the present embodiment are Roots-type pump rotors, while in one embodiment thepump rotors 5A to 5E may be claw-type pump rotors. Further, thepump rotors 5A to 5E may be a combination of Roots-type and claw-type pump rotors. Although thepump rotors 5A to 5E of the present embodiment are multi-stage pump rotors, in one embodiment the pump rotors may be single-stage pump rotors. - The vacuum pump apparatus further includes side covers 10A and 10B located outwardly of the
pump casing 2 in an axial direction of therotation shafts 7. The side covers 10A and 10B are provided on both sides of thepump casing 2 and are coupled to thepump casing 2. In the present embodiment, the side covers 10A and 10B are fixed to end surfaces of thepump casing 2 by not-shown screws. - The
pump chamber 1 is formed by an inner surface of thepump casing 2 and inner surfaces of the side covers 10A and 10B. Thepump casing 2 has anintake port 2a and anexhaust port 2b. Theintake port 2a is coupled to a chamber (not shown) filled with gas to be delivered. In one example, theintake port 2a may be coupled to a process chamber of a semiconductor-device manufacturing apparatus, and the vacuum pump apparatus may be used for evacuating a process gas from the process chamber. - The vacuum pump apparatus further includes a
motor housing 14 and agear housing 16 which are housing structures located outwardly of the side covers 10A and 10B in the axial direction of therotation shafts 7. The side cover 10A is located between thepump casing 2 and themotor housing 14, and theside cover 10B is located between thepump casing 2 and thegear housing 16. - The
motor housing 14 accommodates amotor rotor 8A and amotor stator 8B of theelectric motor 8 therein. Inside thegear housing 16, a pair ofgears 20 that mesh with each other are arranged. InFIG. 1 , only onegear 20 is depicted. Theelectric motor 8 is rotated by a not-shown motor driver, and onerotation shaft 7 to which theelectric motor 8 is coupled rotates theother rotation shaft 7 to which theelectric motor 8 is not coupled in an opposite direction via thegears 20. - In one embodiment, a pair of
electric motors 8, which are coupled to the pair ofrotation shafts 7, respectively, may be provided. The pair ofelectric motors 8 are synchronously rotated in opposite directions by a not-shown motor driver, so that the pair ofrotation shafts 7 and the pair ofpump rotors 5A to 5E are synchronously rotated in opposite directions. In this case, the role of thegears 20 is to prevent loss of the synchronous rotation of the pump rotors 5 due to a sudden external cause. - In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 1 , themotor housing 14 is arranged outwardly of theside cover 10A, and thegear housing 16 is arranged outwardly of theside cover 10B, while configurations of the vacuum pump apparatus are not limited to this embodiment. In one embodiment, thegear housing 16 may be arranged outwardly of theside cover 10A, and themotor housing 14 may be arranged outwardly of theside cover 10B. Further, in one embodiment, both themotor housing 14 and thegear housing 16 may be located outwardly of either theside cover 10A or theside cover 10B. - When the
pump rotors 5A to 5E are rotated by theelectric motor 8, a gas is sucked into thepump casing 2 through theintake port 2a. The gas is sequentially compressed by therotating pump rotors 5A to 5E, delivered to theexhaust port 2b, and discharged from thepump chamber 1 through theexhaust port 2b. - Each
rotation shaft 7 is rotatably supported bybearings bearing 17 is held by a bearinghousing 24, and thebearing 18 is supported by theside cover 10B. Thebearing 17 is coupled to theside cover 10A via the bearinghousing 24. More specifically, the bearinghousing 24 is held by theside cover 10A, and positions of the bearinghousing 24 and thebearing 17 are fixed by theside cover 10A. Since an inner race of thebearing 17 is fixed to therotation shaft 7, an axial position of a portion of therotation shaft 7 held by thebearing 17 is fixed. - In contrast, the
bearing 18 is axially movably supported by theside cover 10B. More specifically, an inner race of thebearing 18 is fixed to therotation shaft 7, while an outer race of thebearing 18 is not fixed to theside cover 10B, and simply supported by theside cover 10B. Therefore, thebearing 18 is axially movable together with therotation shaft 7. - A bearing housing holding the
bearing 18 may be disposed between theside cover 10B and thebearing 18. In this case, the bearing housing is fixed to theside cover 10B, but the outer race of thebearing 18 is not fixed to the bearing housing, and is simply supported by the bearing housing, so that the bearing 18 can move axially together with therotation shaft 7. - During operation of the vacuum pump apparatus, the gas is compressed by the
pump rotors 5A to 5E while the gas is being transferred from theintake port 2a to theexhaust port 2b. Therefore, therotation shaft 7 located in thepump chamber 1 thermally expands due to compression heat of the gas. The axial position of thebearing 17 is fixed, whereas thebearing 18 is movable in the axial direction. Accordingly, therotation shaft 7 thermally expands in the axial direction beginning from thebearing 17, and thebearing 18 moves in the axial direction as therotation shaft 7 thermally expands. -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing theside cover 10A, the bearinghousing 24, and thebearing 17 at the exhaust side. As shown inFIG. 2 , thepump casing 2 has apartition wall 36 therein, and thepump rotor 5E is arranged between thepartition wall 36 and theside cover 10A. In this embodiment, theside cover 10A includes aside wall 31 forming an end surface of thepump chamber 1 and aspacer 32 made of the same material as theside wall 31 or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of theside wall 31. Thespacer 32 is located between theside wall 31 and the bearinghousing 24. The bearinghousing 24 is held by thespacer 32, and the bearinghousing 24 is coupled to theside wall 31 via thespacer 32. - The vacuum pump apparatus has a
heater 35 attached to theside cover 10A. In this embodiment, theheater 35 is arranged in thespacer 32 of theside cover 10A. Thespacer 32 is made of the same material as theside wall 31 and thepump casing 2, or made of metal having a coefficient of linear expansion larger than that of theside wall 31. For example, when theside wall 31 and thepump casing 2 are made of cast iron, thespacer 32 is made of cast iron, or stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or copper having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of cast iron. When theheater 35 generates heat, thespacer 32 thermally expands, and the bearinghousing 24 held by thespacer 32 moves in the axial direction. In particular, thespacer 32 has a shape that surrounds the bearinghousing 24 and is prone to the thermal expansion in the axial direction. - A process gas treated by the vacuum pump apparatus may form solidified by-product through reaction in the chamber as the temperature of the process gas decreases or increases. Such by-product gradually accumulates in the
pump chamber 1 as the vacuum pump apparatus operates.FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which thepump rotor 5E is moved in the axial direction due to the thermal expansion of therotation shaft 7. As described above, the high-temperature rotation shaft 7 thermally expands in the axial direction, and as a result, thepump rotor 5E is moved in a direction away from theside cover 10A forming the end surface of thepump chamber 1. By-product 100 is gradually deposited in a gap between thepump rotor 5E and theside cover 10A. Such by-product 100 impedes the rotation of thepump rotor 5E, and may cause an unintended operation stop of the vacuum pump apparatus, or may prevent the vacuum pump apparatus from restarting. - Thus, as shown in
FIG. 4 , theheater 35 generates heat that causes the thermal expansion of thespacer 32, which moves the bearinghousing 24 and thebearing 17 in the axial direction, thereby moving thepump rotor 5E toward theside cover 10A. As therotating pump rotor 5E moves toward theside cover 10A (i.e., toward the end surface of the pump chamber 1), therotating pump rotor 5E gradually scrapes off the by-product 100 deposited in the gap between thepump rotor 5E and theside cover 10A. - The heat generation of the
heater 35 is stopped when thepump rotor 5E reaches an initial position shown inFIG. 2 . The initial position of thepump rotor 5E is a position of thepump rotor 5E when the entire vacuum pump apparatus has a room temperature. When the heat generation of theheater 35 is stopped, the temperature of thespacer 32 gradually decreases and thespacer 32 gradually contracts. As thespacer 32 contracts, thepump rotor 5E is moved in a direction away from theside cover 10A, and the gap between thepump rotor 5E and theside cover 10A increases as shown inFIG. 3 . Since the by-product 100 gradually accumulates in this gap, theheater 35 generates heat again to thermally expand thespacer 32. As shown inFIG. 4 , as therotating pump rotor 5E moves toward theside cover 10A (i.e., toward the end surface of the pump chamber 1), therotating pump rotor 5E gradually scrapes off the by-product 100 deposited in the gap between thepump rotor 5E and theside cover 10A. - Similarly, the by-
product 100 deposited between thepartition wall 36 and thepump rotor 5E is gradually scraped off by therotating pump rotor 5E after the heat generation of theheater 35 is stopped and when thepump rotor 5E is moved in a direction away from theside cover 10A (i.e., toward the partition wall 36). - In this way, while the vacuum pump apparatus is in operation (i.e., while the process gas is being exhausted or evacuated), the heat generation and stoppage of the heat generation of the
heater 35 are repeated to cause therotating pump rotor 5E to reciprocate in the axial direction, so that therotating pump rotor 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in thepump chamber 1. With the similar mechanism, therotating pump rotors 5A to 5D can also scrape off by-product deposited in thepump chamber 1. As a result, the by-product is removed from thepump chamber 1, and thepump rotors 5A to 5E can rotate smoothly. - In a conventional pump, pump rotors do not reciprocate during operation as described above. As a result, a large amount of by-product may be deposited near the pump rotors during operation, and the pump rotors bite the large amount of by-product at a certain moment, causing sudden stop of the pump. According to the present invention, the
pump rotors 5A to 5E constantly repeat the reciprocating motion, which makes it possible to create a condition in which almost no by-product is accumulated in thepump chamber 1, particularly near thepump rotors 5A to 5E. As a result, sudden stop of the pump can be prevented. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the vacuum pump apparatus includes aheater controller 40 configured to control the heat generation of theheater 35. Theheater controller 40 is configured to intermittently instruct theheater 35 to generate the heat (i.e., periodically repeat heat generation and stop of the heat generation of the heater 35) while thepump rotors 5A to 5E are rotating. Theheater controller 40 includes amemory 40a storing programs therein, anarithmetic device 40b configured to perform arithmetic operations according to instructions included in the programs, and apower source 40c configured to supply electric power to theheater 35. Theheater controller 40 includes at least one computer. Thememory 40a includes a main memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), and an auxiliary memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or solid state drive (SSD). Examples of thearithmetic device 40b include a CPU (central processing unit) and a GPU (graphic processing unit). However, the specific configurations of theheater controller 40 are not limited to these examples. - The vacuum pump apparatus further includes a
first temperature sensor 45 configured to measure a temperature of thepump casing 2 and asecond temperature sensor 46 configured to measure a temperature of theside cover 10A. Thefirst temperature sensor 45 is fixed to thepump casing 2. Thefirst temperature sensor 45 may be fixed to an outer surface of thepump casing 2 or may be embedded in thepump casing 2. Thisfirst temperature sensor 45 is provided to indirectly measure the temperature of therotation shaft 7. Specifically, the temperature of therotation shaft 7 arranged in thepump casing 2 can be estimated from the temperature of thepump casing 2 measured by thefirst temperature sensor 45. - The
second temperature sensor 46 is fixed to theside cover 10A. Thesecond temperature sensor 46 may be fixed to an outer surface of theside cover 10A or may be embedded in theside cover 10A. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 2 to 4 , thesecond temperature sensor 46 is fixed to thespacer 32 of theside cover 10A. Therefore, thesecond temperature sensor 46 can measure the temperature of the side cover 10A (more specifically, the temperature of the spacer 32). Thesecond temperature sensor 46 may be embedded in thespacer 32. - The
heater controller 40 is configured to determine a target temperature of thespacer 32, i.e., a target temperature of theside cover 10A, based on the temperature of thepump casing 2 measured by thefirst temperature sensor 45. Since the temperature of thepump casing 2 indirectly indicates the temperature of therotation shaft 7, a degree of thermal expansion of the rotation shaft 7 (i.e., an axial movement distance of thepump rotor 5E from its initial position) can be estimated from the temperature of thepump casing 2. Therefore, theheater controller 40 can determine the target temperature of thespacer 32 required to return thepump rotor 5E, which has been moved by the thermal expansion of therotation shaft 7, to the initial position. - The
heater controller 40 determines the target temperature of thespacer 32 required to return thepump rotor 5E to its initial position based on the temperature of thepump casing 2, an axial thickness of thespacer 32, and the coefficient of linear expansion of thespacer 32. A relationship between a movement distance of thepump rotor 5E and the temperature of thespacer 32 may be obtained by experiment or simulation, and the target temperature of thespacer 32 may be determined from the relationship obtained. - The
heater controller 40 is configured to control theheater 35 such that the temperature of thespacer 32 reaches the determined target temperature. The temperature of thespacer 32 is measured by thesecond temperature sensor 46, and thespacer 32 is heated to the target temperature. As thespacer 32 is heated, the bearinghousing 24, thebearing 17, therotation shaft 7, and thepump rotor 5E are moved axially. When thespacer 32 is heated to the target temperature, thepump rotor 5E returns to its initial position shown inFIG. 4 . Thereafter, theheater controller 40 instructs theheater 35 to stop its heat generation. In one embodiment, theheater controller 40 may instruct theheater 35 to lower the temperature of its heat generation after thespacer 32 is heated to the target temperature. Furthermore, theheater controller 40 may instruct theheater 35 to stop the heat generation after instructing theheater 35 to lower the temperature of the heat generation of theheater 35. - In this manner, the
heater controller 40 instructs theheater 35 to generate heat intermittently, thereby causing thepump rotor 5E to reciprocate between the initial position shown inFIG. 4 and the thermal expansion position shown inFIG. 3 . With this operation, theother pump rotors 5A to 5D also reciprocate in the axial direction in the same manner. Since thepump rotors 5A to 5E reciprocate in thepump chamber 1 in the axial direction while thepump rotors 5A to 5E are rotating, thepump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in thepump chamber 1. - In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 5 , the vacuum pump apparatus includes adisplacement sensor 49 configured to measure an axial displacement of thebearing 17. Thedisplacement sensor 49 is attached to theside wall 31 of theside cover 10A and arranged so as to face the bearinghousing 24 holding thebearing 17. Therefore, thedisplacement sensor 49 measures the axial displacement of thebearing 17 by measuring an axial displacement of the bearinghousing 24. In one embodiment, thedisplacement sensor 49 may be arranged to directly measure the axial displacement of thebearing 17. - The
displacement sensor 49 is electrically coupled to theheater controller 40. Theheater controller 40 is configured to instruct theheater 35 to stop the heat generation when the axial displacement of thebearing 17 reaches a threshold value. Such controlling of the heat generation of theheater 35 based on the axial displacement of thebearing 17 can prevent thepump rotor 5E from contacting the inner surface of theside cover 10A (i.e., the end surface of the pump chamber 1). - In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 6 , theside cover 10A may be constructed from a single material. More specifically, a part of the side cover 10A forms the end surface of thepump chamber 1, and other part of theside cover 10A holds the bearinghousing 24. The side cover 10A is made of the same material as thepump casing 2 or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of thepump casing 2. For example, when thepump casing 2 is made of cast iron, theentire side cover 10A is made of cast iron, or made of stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or copper having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of thepump casing 2. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 6 , therotating pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in thepump chamber 1 by repeating the heat generation and stop of the heat generation of theheater 35 as well as the previous embodiments. - In one embodiment, the bearing
housing 24 may be omitted, as shown inFIG. 7 . In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7 , thebearing 17 is held directly on theside cover 10A. More specifically, thebearing 17 is directly held by thespacer 32 of theside cover 10A. Further, in one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 8 , theside cover 10A may be constructed from a single piece of material and the bearinghousing 24 may not be provided. The embodiment shown inFIG. 8 is a combination of the embodiment shown inFIG. 6 and the embodiment shown inFIG. 7 . Thebearing 17 is directly held by theside cover 10A. In the embodiments shown inFIGS. 7 and8 , therotating pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in thepump chamber 1 by repeating the heat generation and stop of the heat generation of theheater 35 as well as the previous embodiments. - In one embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 9 , the vacuum pump apparatus may further include asecond heater 50 attached to thepump casing 2 in order to prevent deposition of the by-product in thepump chamber 1 due to a decrease in temperature of the process gas. A certain type of process gas may form by-product as a temperature of the process gas rises. When the vacuum pump apparatus is used for evacuating such a process gas, the vacuum pump apparatus may further include a cooler 51 attached to thepump casing 2, as shown inFIG. 10 . The cooler 51 may be a water-cooled cooler. Thesecond heater 50 shown inFIG. 9 and the cooler 51 shown inFIG. 10 may be attached to the outer surface of thepump casing 2 or may be embedded in thepump casing 2. - According to the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 9 and10 , the combination of the axial reciprocation of thepump rotors 5A to 5E by the intermittent operation of theheater 35 and thesecond heater 50 or the cooler 51can reliably prevent the deposition of the by-product. -
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the vacuum pump apparatus. As shown inFIG. 11 , in the vacuum pump apparatus of this embodiment, lubricatingoil 110 for lubricating and cooling thebearing 17 is stored at a bottom of themotor housing 14. Configurations and operations of this embodiment, which will not be particularly described, are the same as those of the embodiments described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4 , and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. - The vacuum pump apparatus of this embodiment includes
rotary disks 60 configured to supply thelubricating oil 110 to thebearing 17 and apartition wall 62 arranged between theelectric motor 8 and the bearinghousing 24. Eachrotary disk 60 is coupled to each of the pair ofrotation shafts 7 and rotates together with eachrotation shaft 7. In one embodiment, arotary disk 60 may be coupled to one of the pair ofrotation shafts 7 and may rotate together with thatrotation shaft 7 coupled to therotary disk 60. The rotation of therotary disk 60 splashes up the lubricatingoil 110 onto thebearing 17. - The
partition wall 62 is fixed to the inner surface of themotor housing 14 and has through-holes (not shown) through which therotation shafts 7 extend. Thepartition wall 62 is configured to separate a space in which thelubricating oil 110 is stored from a space in which theelectric motor 8 is disposed, and is provided to prevent thelubricating oil 110 from contacting theelectric motor 8. - The lubricating
oil 110 in themotor housing 14 is always in contact with thespacer 32 of theside cover 10A. If theheater 35 is arranged in thespacer 32, the temperature of the lubricatingoil 110 rises due to the heat generated by theheater 35, and a sufficient cooling effect for thebearing 17 may not be obtained. Therefore, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 11 , theheater 35 is arranged in theside wall 31 of theside cover 10A. - The side cover 10A has the
side wall 31 forming the end surface of thepump chamber 1 and thespacer 32 holding thebearing 17. Thespacer 32 is coupled to theside wall 31 and is located between theside wall 31 and the bearinghousing 24. The bearinghousing 24 is held by thespacer 32, and the bearinghousing 24 is coupled to theside wall 31 via thespacer 32. Thebearing 17 is coupled to thespacer 32 via the bearinghousing 24. Thespacer 32 holds thebearing 17 via the bearinghousing 24. - The
side wall 31 is made of the same material as a material of therotation shaft 7 or made of metal having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of therotation shaft 7. For example, when therotation shaft 7 is made of cast iron, theside wall 31 is made of cast iron, or stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, or copper having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of cast iron. In one embodiment, theside wall 31 may be made of the same material as the material of thepump casing 2 and/or thespacer 32, or may be made of metal having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of thepump casing 2 and/or thespacer 32. - When the
heater 35 generates heat, theside wall 31 thermally expands, and thespacer 32 coupled to theside wall 31 moves axially. As a result, the bearinghousing 24 and thebearing 17 held by thespacer 32 move axially, and thepump rotor 5E moves toward theside cover 10A. When therotating pump rotor 5E moves toward theside cover 10A (i.e., toward the end surface of the pump chamber 1), therotating pump rotor 5E can gradually scrape off the by-product deposited in the gap between thepump rotor 5E and theside cover 10A. - When the heat generation of the
heater 35 is stopped, the temperature of theside wall 31 gradually decreases and theside wall 31 gradually contracts. As theside wall 31 contracts, thepump rotor 5E moves in a direction away from theside cover 10A, and the gap between thepump rotor 5E and theside cover 10A increases. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 11 , therotating pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in thepump chamber 1 by repeating the heat generation and stop of the heat generation of theheater 35, as well as the embodiments described with reference toFIGS. 3 and4 . -
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the vacuum pump apparatus. Configurations and operations of this embodiment, which will not be particularly described, are the same as those of the embodiments described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4 , and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. As shown inFIG. 12 , thepump casing 2 of this embodiment has casingside walls pump chamber 1. Thepump casing 2 covers theentire pump chamber 1. Thepump chamber 1 is formed by the inner surface of thepump casing 2. The side covers 10A, 10B are provided on both sides of thepump casing 2 and coupled to thepump casing 2. More specifically, theside wall 31 of theside cover 10A is coupled to thecasing side wall 70A of thepump casing 2, and theside cover 10B is coupled to thecasing side wall 70B of thepump casing 2. Therotation shafts 7 extend through thecasing side walls pump casing 2. - The side cover 10A includes the
side wall 31 coupled to thecasing side wall 70A of thepump casing 2, and further includes thespacer 32 made of the same material as theside wall 31 or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of theside wall 31. Thespacer 32 is located between theside wall 31 and the bearinghousing 24. The bearinghousing 24 is held by thespacer 32, and the bearinghousing 24 is coupled to theside wall 31 via thespacer 32. In this embodiment, theheater 35 is arranged in thespacer 32 of theside cover 10A. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 12 , therotating pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in thepump chamber 1 by repeating the heat generation and stop of the heat generation of theheater 35, as well as the previous embodiments. -
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the vacuum pump apparatus. In the vacuum pump apparatus of this embodiment, lubricatingoil 110 for lubricating and cooling thebearings 17 is stored at the bottom of themotor housing 14, as in the embodiment described with reference toFIG. 11 . Configurations and operations of this embodiment, which will not be particularly described, are the same as those of the embodiment described with reference toFIG. 11 , and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. As shown inFIG. 13 , thepump casing 2 of this embodiment has casingside walls pump chamber 1. Thepump casing 2 covers theentire pump chamber 1. Thepump chamber 1 is formed by the inner surface of thepump casing 2. The side covers 10A, 10B are provided on both sides of thepump casing 2 and coupled to thepump casing 2. More specifically, theside wall 31 of theside cover 10A is coupled to thecasing side wall 70A of thepump casing 2, and theside cover 10B is coupled to thecasing side wall 70B of thepump casing 2. Therotation shafts 7 extend through thecasing side walls pump casing 2. - The side cover 10A includes the
side wall 31 coupled to thecasing side wall 70A of thepump casing 2, and further includes thespacer 32 holding thebearing 17. Theside wall 31 is made of the same material as a material of therotation shaft 7 or made of metal having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of therotation shaft 7. In this embodiment, theheater 35 is arranged in theside wall 31 of theside cover 10A. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 13 , therotating pump rotors 5A to 5E can scrape off the by-product deposited in thepump chamber 1 by repeating the heat generation and stop of the heat generation of theheater 35, as well as the previous embodiments. - The previous description of embodiments is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Moreover, various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles and specific examples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope as defined by limitation of the claims.
Claims (26)
- A vacuum pump apparatus comprising:a pump casing having a pump chamber therein;a pump rotor arranged in the pump chamber;a rotation shaft to which the pump rotor is secured;an electric motor coupled to the rotation shaft;a bearing that rotatably supports the rotation shaft;a side cover coupled to the pump casing, the bearing being coupled to the side cover;a heater attached to the side cover; anda heater controller configured to instruct the heater to generate heat intermittently when the pump rotor is rotating.
- The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side cover forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump casing forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a bearing housing that holds the bearing, the bearing housing being held by the side cover.
- The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the side cover comprises:a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber; anda spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the side cover comprises:a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; anda spacer holding the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the side cover comprises:a side wall coupled to the pump casing; anda spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- The vacuum pumping apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the side cover comprises:a side wall coupled to the pump casing, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; anda spacer that holds the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:a first temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the pump casing; anda second temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the side cover,wherein the heater controller is configured to determine a target temperature based on the temperature of the pump casing, and control the heater such that the temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the heater controller is configured to instruct the heater to stop the heat generation or lower the temperature of the heat generation of the heater after the temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a displacement sensor configured to measure an axial displacement of the bearing,
wherein the heater controller is configured to instruct the heater to stop the heat generation when the axial displacement of the bearing reaches a threshold value. - The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second heater attached to the pump casing.
- The vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cooler attached to the pump casing.
- A method of operating a vacuum pump apparatus, comprising:
intermittently generating heat by a heater when evacuating a process gas by rotating a pump rotor arranged in a pump chamber of a pump casing, the pump rotor being secured to a rotation shaft which is rotatably supported by a bearing, the bearing being coupled to a side cover which is coupled to the pump casing, the heater being attached to the side cover. - The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the side cover forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the pump casing forms an end surface of the pump chamber.
- The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the bearing is held by a bearing housing, and the bearing housing is held by the side cover.
- The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the side cover comprises:a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber; anda spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the side cover comprises:a side wall forming the end surface of the pump chamber, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; anda spacer holding the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the side cover comprises:a side wall coupled to the pump casing; anda spacer made of the same material as the side wall or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the side wall, the heater being arranged in the spacer.
- The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the side cover comprises:a side wall coupled to the pump casing, the side wall being made of the same material as the rotation shaft or made of a material having a larger coefficient of linear expansion than that of the rotation shaft; anda spacer that holds the bearing, the heater being arranged in the side wall.
- The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising:determining a target temperature based on a temperature of the pump casing; andcontrolling the heater such that a temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising stopping the heat generation of the heater or lowering a temperature the heat generation of the heater after the temperature of the side cover reaches the target temperature.
- The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising stopping the heat generation of the heater when an axial displacement of the bearing reaches a threshold value.
- The method of operating the vacuum pump apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising heating the pump casing by a second heater attached to the pump casing.
- The method of operating the vacuum pumping apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising cooling the pump casing by a cooler attached to the pump casing.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2021203889 | 2021-12-16 | ||
JP2022178142A JP2023089930A (en) | 2021-12-16 | 2022-11-07 | Vacuum pump device and operation method therefor |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP4198315A1 true EP4198315A1 (en) | 2023-06-21 |
Family
ID=85175917
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP22213282.1A Pending EP4198315A1 (en) | 2021-12-16 | 2022-12-13 | Vacuum pump apparatus and method of operating the same |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP4198315A1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR20230092765A (en) |
CN (1) | CN116265753A (en) |
TW (1) | TW202336347A (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2009097349A (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2009-05-07 | Ebara Corp | Operation control device for vacuum pump and method for stopping operation thereof |
FR2964163A1 (en) * | 2010-10-12 | 2012-03-02 | Alcatel Lucent | Dry type vacuum pump e.g. spiral type vacuum pump, has rolling bearing interposed between rolling bearing support axle and axial wall of central housing of rotor shaft that is supported in rotation in main bearing |
GB2570349A (en) * | 2018-01-23 | 2019-07-24 | Edwards Ltd | Vacuum apparatus casings and methods of manufacturing vacuum apparatus casings |
EP3808983A1 (en) * | 2019-10-15 | 2021-04-21 | Ebara Corporation | Vacuum pump with heater in the side cover |
KR20210134772A (en) * | 2019-06-19 | 2021-11-10 | 가시야마고교가부시끼가이샤 | vacuum pump |
-
2022
- 2022-12-12 TW TW111147629A patent/TW202336347A/en unknown
- 2022-12-12 KR KR1020220172350A patent/KR20230092765A/en unknown
- 2022-12-13 EP EP22213282.1A patent/EP4198315A1/en active Pending
- 2022-12-14 CN CN202211611161.5A patent/CN116265753A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2009097349A (en) | 2007-10-12 | 2009-05-07 | Ebara Corp | Operation control device for vacuum pump and method for stopping operation thereof |
FR2964163A1 (en) * | 2010-10-12 | 2012-03-02 | Alcatel Lucent | Dry type vacuum pump e.g. spiral type vacuum pump, has rolling bearing interposed between rolling bearing support axle and axial wall of central housing of rotor shaft that is supported in rotation in main bearing |
GB2570349A (en) * | 2018-01-23 | 2019-07-24 | Edwards Ltd | Vacuum apparatus casings and methods of manufacturing vacuum apparatus casings |
KR20210134772A (en) * | 2019-06-19 | 2021-11-10 | 가시야마고교가부시끼가이샤 | vacuum pump |
EP3808983A1 (en) * | 2019-10-15 | 2021-04-21 | Ebara Corporation | Vacuum pump with heater in the side cover |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TW202336347A (en) | 2023-09-16 |
KR20230092765A (en) | 2023-06-26 |
CN116265753A (en) | 2023-06-20 |
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