TW201418578A - Dry vacuum pump device and controller using the dry vacuum pump - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention provides a dry vacuum pump device which will not cause motor and converter malfunction when the load increases and allows for a stable operation. The dry vacuum pump device 1 comprises: at least one pump unit; and a controller 5 for controlling the pump unit. The pump unit comprises: a dry vacuum pump 2; a motor 3 for driving the dry vacuum pump 2; and a converter 4 for controlling the rotation rate of the motor 3, wherein the controller 5 has the function of switching the output current threshold of the converter 4 from a first current threshold to a second current threshold, wherein the first current threshold is a continuous rated current of the maximal current of the converter 4 to be continuously outputted to the motor 3, and the second current threshold is the current exceeding the continuous rated current.

Description

Dry vacuum pumping device and control device using the same

The present invention relates to a dry vacuum pumping apparatus and a control apparatus using the dry vacuum pumping.

Generally, a dry vacuum pumping device includes: a dry vacuum pump; a motor that drives a dry vacuum pump; an inverter that controls a motor rotational speed (rotation frequency); and a control device that controls the operation of the frequency converter. Although the dry pump is used to discharge the gas in the vacuum chamber of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, the type of the gas may cause a product (reaction product) due to the drawing reaction. When such a gas is discharged, a product is generated in the pump, and the pump rotor has a situation in which the product is bitten. Moreover, the product adhering to the inner wall of the vacuum chamber is peeled off, and the pump rotor may bite into the product. As a result, the rotational speed of the pump is lowered.

A load lock chamber is provided between the vacuum chamber and the pump, and a so-called load-locking vacuum exhaust system. The load lock chamber is a chamber for decompressing from atmospheric pressure to vacuum and boosting from vacuum to atmospheric pressure when the wafer enters and exits the vacuum chamber that holds the vacuum. The vacuum chamber is in principle often in a vacuum state. Between the vacuum space and the atmospheric pressure space in the vacuum chamber, the wafer carrier can be transported as a load lock chamber. The wafer is processed in the vacuum chamber, and the time for the wafer to enter and exit the vacuum chamber becomes shorter, which will increase the overall output. Therefore, it is necessary to rapidly exhaust the gas in the load lock chamber to form a vacuum in the load lock chamber. Therefore, when the inside of the lock chamber is exhausted from the atmospheric pressure to the vacuum, excessive load is applied to the motor, the motor rotation speed is lowered, and the exhaust speed of the pump is lowered.

Thus, in order to maintain the rotational speed of the pump when excessive load is applied to the motor, it is necessary to use a large-capacity motor. Therefore, in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus or the like, a motor having a larger capacity than a motor required for normal operation is selected and used.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problems in the past, so a dry The vacuum pumping device can operate stably with a relatively small capacity motor even if the load is increased. Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a control device for use in such a dry vacuum pumping device.

In order to achieve the above object, an aspect of the present invention is a dry vacuum pumping apparatus characterized by comprising at least one pumping unit and a control device for controlling the pumping unit, the pumping unit having: a dry vacuum pump; a motor; Driving the dry vacuum pump; and a frequency converter for controlling a motor rotation speed, wherein the control device has a function of switching an output current limit value of the inverter from a first current limit value to a second current limit value, the first current limit value It is a continuous constant current value that the inverter can continuously flow to the current maximum value of the motor, and the second current limit value is a value that exceeds the continuous constant current value.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the output current limit value of the inverter is switched from the first current limit value to the foregoing according to an instruction from an external command device provided outside the dry vacuum pumping device. Two current limit values.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the control device, when the inverter outputs a current corresponding to the first current limit value, if the rotational speed of the dry vacuum pump is lower than a specific target rotational speed, The output current limit value of the frequency converter is switched from the aforementioned first current limit value to the aforementioned second current limit value.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the control device detects that the rotational speed of the pump returns to the target rotational speed, and switches the output current limit value of the inverter from the second current limit value. To the aforementioned first current limit value.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the control device sets the output current limit value of the inverter from the second current in a state in which an output time of a current corresponding to the second current limit value exceeds a certain threshold The limit value is switched to the aforementioned first current limit value.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that: at least one temperature sensor is configured to measure the temperature of the pump unit, and when the temperature of the aforementioned control device measured by the temperature sensor exceeds a certain threshold, The output current limit value of the inverter is switched from the second current limit value to the first current limit value.

A preferred aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the at least one temperature sensor is a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the pump housing of the dry vacuum pump, and a temperature sensor for measuring the bearing temperature of the dry vacuum pump. Temperature sensor for measuring the aforementioned motor temperature, measurement The temperature sensor of the dry vacuum pumped pump rotor temperature, the temperature sensor for measuring the dry vacuum pumped intake gas temperature, and the temperature sensor for measuring the dry vacuum pumped exhaust gas temperature are selected.

A preferred aspect of the invention is characterized in that said at least one pump unit is discharged The main pump unit of the atmospheric pressure gas and the boost pump unit that discharges the vacuum pressure gas operate the power supplied to the dry vacuum pumping device by the aforementioned main pump unit and the boost pump unit to not exceed a preset value.

A preferred aspect of the invention is a control device using a dry vacuum pumping device The utility model is characterized in that: a dry vacuum pump is provided; a motor drives the dry vacuum pump; and a frequency converter controls the rotation speed of the motor, and the control device has a switch for switching the output current limit value of the inverter from the first current limit value to a function of the second current limit value, wherein the first current limit value is a continuous constant current value of a current maximum value that the frequency converter can continuously flow to the motor, and the second current limit value is a value exceeding the continuous constant current value .

A preferred aspect of the present invention is characterized in that: An instruction of an external command device external to the dry vacuum pumping device switches an output current limit value of the inverter from the first current limit value to the second current limit value.

A preferred aspect of the invention is characterized in that the aforementioned control device is in the aforementioned frequency conversion When the current corresponding to the first current limit value is output, if the rotational speed of the dry vacuum pump is lower than the specific target rotational speed, the output current limit value of the inverter is switched from the first current limit value to the foregoing Two current limit values.

A preferred aspect of the invention is characterized in that when the aforementioned control device detects When the rotational speed of the pump returns to the target rotational speed, the output current limit value of the inverter is switched from the second current limit value to the first current limit value.

A preferred aspect of the invention is characterized in that the control device is equivalent When the output time of the current of the second current limit value exceeds a certain threshold, the output current limit value of the inverter is switched from the second current limit value to the first current limit value.

According to the present invention, when the load is large, the output current limit value of the inverter is temporarily switched to the second current limit value, and the rotation speed can be maintained and the dry vacuum pump can be stably operated.

1, 90‧‧‧ dry vacuum pumping device

2‧‧‧ dry vacuum pump

3, 103, 107‧‧ ‧ motor

4, 104, 108‧‧‧Inverter

5‧‧‧Control device

7‧‧‧Commercial power supply

8, 111, 130‧‧‧ suction pipe

9, 131‧‧‧ exhaust pipe

11‧‧‧vacuum chamber

12‧‧‧Connecting piping

13‧‧‧Flow sensor

14, 120‧‧‧Pump temperature sensor

20, 121‧‧‧ pump housing

21‧‧‧ pump rotor

22‧‧‧Rotor housing

23‧‧‧Rotary axis

24, 25, 123 ‧ ‧ bearings

27‧‧‧Timed gear

28‧‧‧ Gearbox

30‧‧‧Motor housing

35‧‧‧Motor rotor

36‧‧‧ permanent magnet

37‧‧‧ Stator core

39‧‧‧Magnetic teeth

40, 126‧‧‧ coil

41‧‧‧Upper controller

42, 122‧‧‧ bearing temperature sensor

43, 124‧‧‧Rotor temperature sensor

44, 125‧‧‧ motor temperature sensor

45, 127‧‧‧ Inhalation temperature sensor

46, 128‧‧‧Exhaust temperature sensor

50‧‧‧Load lock chamber

51‧‧‧Connected pipe

52‧‧‧ gate valve

53‧‧‧Inhalation valve

92‧‧‧Supercharged pump unit

93‧‧‧Main pump unit

102‧‧‧ booster pump

106‧‧‧Main pump

110‧‧‧Control device

115‧‧‧Operator panel

The first drawing shows a vacuum exhaust system including a dry vacuum pumping apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The second picture is a dry vacuum pump and a cross-sectional view of the motor.

The third figure is a sectional view taken along line III-III of the second figure.

The fourth drawing is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the second drawing.

The fifth figure shows a control sequence diagram of dry vacuum pumping.

The sixth figure is a diagram showing the configuration of the temperature sensor in the pump unit.

The seventh diagram shows a switching diagram of the first current limit value and the second current limit value.

The eighth figure is a view showing an example of the operation control of the dry vacuum pump.

The ninth diagram is a diagram for explaining the switching judgment of the output current limit value.

The tenth (a) diagram is a diagram showing the relationship between the inverter output power and the motor rotation speed when the inverter output current limit value is set to the first current limit value.

The tenth (b) diagram shows the relationship between the inverter output power and the motor rotation speed.

The tenth (c) diagram shows the relationship between the inverter output power and the motor rotation speed.

The eleventh (a) diagram shows the relationship between the inverter output power and the motor rotation speed when the inverter output current limit value is set to the second current limit value.

The eleventh (b) diagram shows the relationship between the inverter output power and the motor rotation speed.

The eleventh (c) diagram shows the relationship between the inverter output power and the motor rotation speed.

Fig. 12 is a view showing another example of a vacuum exhaust system including a dry vacuum pumping device.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing a pumping device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view showing the state in which the upper controller is connected to the control device instead of the operation panel as an external command device.

The fifteenth diagram is a view schematically showing a system of the pumping device shown in the thirteenth and fourteenthth drawings.

Fig. 16 is a view showing an example of operation control of a boost pump and a main pump.

The seventeenth (a) diagram is a diagram showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter of the main pump unit and the rotational speed of the motor during the boost pump priority operation.

The seventeenth (b) diagram shows the output power of the inverter of the main pump unit and the rotational speed of the motor. Diagram of the relationship.

The seventeenth (c) diagram is a diagram showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter of the main pump unit and the rotational speed of the motor.

The eighteenth (a) diagram is a diagram showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter of the boost pump unit and the rotational speed of the motor during the boost pump priority operation.

The eighteenth (b) diagram is a diagram showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter of the boost pump unit and the rotational speed of the motor.

The eighteenth (c) diagram is a diagram showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter of the boost pump unit and the rotational speed of the motor.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The first drawing shows a vacuum exhaust system including a dry vacuum pumping apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vacuum exhaust system includes: a dry vacuum pumping device 1; and a vacuum chamber 11 connected to the dry vacuum pumping device 1. As shown in the first figure, the dry vacuum pumping device 1 includes a pump 2, a motor 3 that drives the pump 2, a frequency converter 4 that controls the rotational speed of the motor 3, and a control device 5 that controls the operation of the frequency converter 4. Pump 2 is a dry vacuum pump that uses oil inside the gas flow path. A pump unit is formed by the pump 2, the motor 3 and the frequency converter 4. The control device 5 has a central processing unit (CPU) built therein, and is connected to the inverter 4 by means of a communication signal transmission means or a contact. The dry vacuum pumping device 1 is connected to a commercial power source 7. The intake pipe 8 of the pump 2 and the vacuum chamber 11 are connected by a connecting pipe 12, and the gas in the vacuum chamber 11 is discharged from the exhaust pipe 9 of the pump 2 through the connecting pipe 12 by the operation of the pump 2.

At the suction pipe 8, a flow sensor 13 is installed, and the flow sensor 13 measures the flow rate of the gas flowing into the pump 2. The measured gas flow rate is converted into a flow signal by the flow sensor 13 and sent to the control device 5. A pump temperature sensor 14 is installed in the pump 2, and the pump temperature sensor 14 measures the temperature of the pump 2. The measured temperature of the pump 2 is converted into a temperature signal by the pump temperature sensor 14 and sent to the control device 5. Further, the temperature signal obtained by the pump temperature sensor 14 is sent from the control device 5 to the upper controller 41, which will be described later.

The second drawing is a cross-sectional view of the pump 2 and the motor 3. Although the pump described in this embodiment is a Roche vacuum pump, in addition to the Rouer vacuum pump, a spiral pump can be selected. Other types of vacuum pumps. As shown in the second figure, a plurality of pump rotors (Lu's rotors) 21 are disposed in the pump casing 20. The pump rotor 21 is housed in the rotor casing 22, and a small gap is formed between the pump rotor 21 and the rotor casing 22. The pump rotor 21 is fixed to the rotating shaft 23. Although not shown, other pump rotors are provided which are parallel to the pump rotor 21, and the pump rotor is also fixed to the rotating shaft (not shown). The rotary shaft 23 is supported by the bearings 24, 25 to rotate freely. At one end portion of the rotary shaft 23, a pair of timing gears 27 that mesh with each other are provided, and the timing gear 27 is housed in the gear case 28. At the other end of the rotating shaft 23, a motor 3 is provided.

The specific structure of the motor 3 will be described with reference to the third and fourth figures. The third picture is the first Section III-III of the second figure. As shown in the third figure, a pair of motor rotors 35, 35 are housed in the motor casing 30. The outer peripheral surfaces of the motor rotors 35 and 35 are formed by permanent magnets 36 and 36, and a stator core 37 is provided to surround the periphery of the motor rotors 35 and 35.

The fourth drawing is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the second drawing. As shown in the fourth figure, outside the motor The stator core 37 in the casing 30 has magnetic pole teeth 39, and the magnetic pole teeth 39 are arranged to surround the motor rotors 35, 35. A coil 40 is wound around each of the magnetic pole teeth 39. By flowing a current to the coil 40, a magnetic field is formed in the magnetic pole teeth 39, and the motor rotors 35, 35 are rotated by this magnetic field.

Due to the driving of the motor 3, the pump rotors rotate in opposite directions to each other, the vacuum chamber The gas in 11 is sealed between the pump rotor and the rotor casing 22, and is transferred to the exhaust pipe 9. Since such gas transfer is continuously performed, the gas in the vacuum chamber 11 is evacuated by vacuum.

Next, the control sequence with respect to the pumping device 1 will be described with reference to the fifth diagram. First The five figures show the control sequence diagram of the pumping device 1. On the outside of the pumping device 1, a higher-level controller 41 is provided as an external command device. The pumping device 1 and the upper controller 41 are connected via a communication signal transmission means or a contact. When the upper controller 41 generates the start command signal of the pump 2, the start command signal is transmitted to the control device 5. Pump 2 starts. The upper controller 41 is, for example, a control device that controls the operation of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. The operation panel may be provided outside the pump 1 as an external command device, and the start command signal of the pump 2 is transmitted from the operation panel to the control device 5 by the operator's operation.

When the control device 5 receives the start command signal of the pump 2, the control device 5 issues an instruction to the frequency converter 4 to drive the motor 3 at a preset target rotational speed. When the inverter 4 receives an instruction from the control device 5, electric power corresponding to the target rotational speed is supplied to the motor 3. Applied to The optimum value of the voltage of the motor 3 is determined from the type of the coil 40. For example, in the case of the permanent magnet type DC motor, since the rotational speed of the motor 3 is almost proportional to the supply voltage, a voltage proportional to the rotational speed is applied to the motor 3. The torque of the motor 3 is controlled by the amount of current supplied to the motor 3. The control device 5 controls the output power of the inverter 4 to rotate the motor 3 at the target rotational speed. The rotation speed of the motor 3 can be detected by a rotation sensor not shown, or the current flowing to the motor 3 can be fed back to the control device 5, and the rotation speed of the motor 3 can be calculated from the current. Alternatively, the current flowing to the motor 3 may be fed back to the inverter 4, from which the inverter 4 calculates the rotational speed of the motor 3.

In the pumping device 1, in addition to the pump temperature sensor 14, a complex is also installed. Several temperature sensors. These temperature sensors are explained with reference to the sixth figure. The sixth diagram is a diagram showing the configuration of the temperature sensor in the pumping device 1. The pump temperature sensor 14 is mounted to the pump housing 20 to measure the temperature of the pump housing 20. The bearing temperature sensor 42 is disposed near the bearing 25 of the pump 2, and the temperature of the bearing 25 is measured. The rotor temperature sensor 43 is disposed inside the pump 2, and measures the temperature of the pump rotor 21. The motor temperature sensor 44 is attached to the coil 40 of the motor 3 to measure the temperature of the motor 3. The suction temperature sensor 45 is mounted to the intake pipe 8 to measure the temperature of the gas flowing into the pump 2. The exhaust temperature sensor 46 is mounted to the exhaust pipe 9 to measure the temperature of the gas discharged from the pump 2. The temperature detected by these temperature sensors is converted into a temperature signal by each temperature sensor and sent to the control device 5. Furthermore, the temperature signals obtained by the respective temperature sensors are sent from the control device 5 to the upper controller 41. In the case where it is difficult to mount the temperature sensor to the coil 40, the control device 5 can also estimate the temperature of the coil 40 from the output current of the frequency converter 4.

The result of supplying a current exceeding the continuous rated current value to the motor 3 is a horse When the heat of the motor 3 and the inverter 4 exceeds the cooling capacity of the pump device 1, the motor 3 and the inverter 4 are overheated. However, if the current value is lowered before the inverter 4 and the motor 3 are overheated, a current larger than the continuous constant current value can be temporarily flown. In this specification, the maximum current value that can be temporarily flowed is referred to as the instantaneous rated current value.

The control device 5 has a current limit for outputting the inverter 4 in the driving of the motor 3. The function of switching between the first current limit value and the second current limit value. The first current limit value is the continuous constant current value described above, and the second current limit value is the instantaneous constant current value described above. These first current limit value and second current limit value are previously stored in the control device 5. Refer to the seventh picture Explain about the specific switch.

The seventh figure shows the switching between the first current limit value and the second current limit value. Figure. As shown in the seventh figure, the control device 5 can switch between the first current limit value and the second current limit value. In order to prevent malfunction of the motor 3 and the inverter 4, the first current limit value is set to the smaller of the continuous constant current value of the motor 3 and the continuous constant current value of the inverter 4. Similarly, the second current limit value is set to the smaller of the instantaneous rated current value of the motor 3 and the instantaneous rated current value of the frequency converter 4. In the seventh diagram, since the continuous constant current value of the motor 3 is smaller than the continuous constant current value of the inverter 4, the continuous rated current value of the motor 3 is set to the first current limit value. Since the instantaneous rated current value of the motor 3 is smaller than the instantaneous rated current value of the frequency converter 4, the instantaneous rated current value of the motor 3 is set to the second current limit value.

The magnitude of the instantaneous constant current value is determined by the current flow time. Therefore, electricity The flow time is short, and a larger current can flow than a case where the current flow time is long. The second current limit value is set to be several times to several tens of times from the continuous rated current value.

Control device 5 calculates switching from the first current limit value to the second current limit value The cumulative value of the number of times, in the case where the accumulated value is above a certain threshold, the control device 5 preferably lowers the second current limit value itself. Alternatively, the control device 5 calculates a frequency for switching from the first current limit value to the second current limit value, and the control device 5 may also lower the second current limit value itself in a situation where the frequency is higher than a certain threshold.

Referring to the eighth figure, the first current limit value and the second current limit are switched. The condition of the value. The eighth diagram is a diagram showing an example of the operation control of the pump 2. In the eighth diagram, the current limit value corresponding to 15 kW of power is used as the first current limit value, and the current limit value corresponding to 20 kW of power is used as the second current limit value. In the example shown in the eighth diagram, the pump temperature, the motor temperature sensor 44, and the bearing temperature sensor 42 are used to measure the pump temperature, the motor temperature, and the bearing temperature. The upper limit of each temperature is set at 100 °C. Further, the operating conditions shown in the eighth diagram are not limited thereto, and arbitrary operating conditions can be set. For example, since the temperature detected by the temperature sensor differs depending on the setting, the upper limit value of each temperature is not limited thereto. Further, since the first current limit value and the second current limit value are also different depending on the inverter and the motor to be used, they are not limited to the illustrated example.

In the case of continuous operation of the pump 2 (condition 1), the output of the inverter 4 is The flow limit value is set to the first voltage limit value. In the case where the pump 2 is started (condition 2), the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the first current limit value to the second current limit value. Thereby, the torque of the motor 2 is increased, and the pump 2 can be quickly accelerated to the constant speed. After a certain period of time from the start of the pump 2 (between 30 seconds in the eighth figure), the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the converter 4 from the second current limit value to the first current limit value. Thereby, the motor 2 and the inverter 4 are not broken, and the pump 2 can be stably operated.

When the pump 3 bites into the product, the load of the motor 3 increases, which hinders the operation of the pump 2. In a state where the bitten product is removed (Condition 3), the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the first current limit value to the second current limit value in accordance with an instruction from the host controller 41. When the temperature of the pump 2 exceeds the upper limit value of 100 ° C to become 120 ° C, the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the second current limit value to the first current limit value. When the temperature of the pump 2 is below 100 ° C, the control device 5 again switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the first current limit value to the second current limit value in accordance with an instruction from the upper controller 41.

In the case of discharging the atmospheric pressure gas in the vacuum chamber 11 (Condition 4), the control device 5 performs the control of the inverter 4 under the same operating conditions as shown in Condition 3, and in order to prevent the pumping when the pump 2 is started. The rotation speed of 2 is lowered, and the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 to the second current limit value in accordance with an instruction from the upper controller 41. When the temperature of the motor 3 is 120 ° C and the motor temperature sensor 44 detects this condition, the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the frequency converter 4 from the second current limit value to the first current limit value. When the temperature of the motor 3 is below 100 ° C, the control device 5 again switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the first current limit value to the second current limit value in accordance with an instruction from the upper controller 41.

Although the switching from the first current limit value to the second current limit value is performed by an instruction from the upper controller 41, the control device 5 may perform switching determination of the output current limit value of the inverter 4. The switching judgment regarding the specific output current limit value will be described with reference to the ninth diagram. The ninth diagram is a diagram for explaining the switching judgment of the output current limit value. The horizontal axis shown in the ninth graph represents the output current of the inverter 4, and the vertical axis represents the rotational speed of the pump 2. In the case where the load of the pump 2 is sufficiently small, the inverter 4 outputs a current smaller than the first limit current value, and operates the pump 2 (P1) at the rated speed. The control device 5 is adjusted corresponding to the load of the pump 2 The output current of the inverter 4 is such that the rotational speed of the pump 2 is fixed. When the load of the pump 2 increases, the inverter 4 outputs a current corresponding to the first current value, and operates the pump 2 (P2) at a constant speed.

When the load of the pump 2 is further increased, the rotation speed of the pump 2 is lowered. (P3). When the inverter 4 outputs a current corresponding to the first current limit value, when the control device 5 detects that the rotational speed of the pump 2 decreases, the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the first current limit value. To the second current limit value. Thereby, the output current of the inverter 4 is raised to the second current limit value (P4). Since the inverter 4 supplies a current corresponding to the second current limit value to the motor 3, the torque of the motor 3 increases, and the rotational speed of the pump 2 returns to the rated speed (P5). When the load becomes small, the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the second current limit value to the first current limit value (P2). In the case where the load is still large, the motor 3 is driven with electric power corresponding to the second current limit value. In order to prevent overheating of the motor 3 and the inverter 4, the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the second current limit value to the second time when the operation time of the motor 3 of the second current limit value exceeds a certain time. A current limit value (P2).

In the standby operation of the pump 2, the control device 5 controls the frequency converter 4 to turn the motor The rotation speed of 3 is reduced to the minimum required rotation speed (P6). Due to the signal from the upper controller 41 or the operation of the operation panel, the pump 2 will immediately return to the rated speed.

Since the control device 5 prevents malfunction due to overheating of the pump unit, Fault avoidance function. For example, in a situation where the temperature measured by at least one of the temperature sensors 14 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , and 46 exceeds a certain threshold, the fault avoidance function of the control device 5 operates, and the inverter is operated. The output current limit value of 4 is switched from the second current limit value to the first current limit value. The control device 5 may also lower the second current limit value itself in a state where the detected temperature of the temperature sensor exceeds a certain threshold.

In the above example, the control device 5 switches from the second current limit value to the first current limit value in a state where the current output time corresponding to the second current limit value exceeds a certain time. The control device 5 can also switch from the second current limit value to the first current limit value by switching the output current limit value of the frequency converter 4 from the gas flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 13. For example, in a state where a large amount of gas is exhausted, receiving from the upper controller 41 or the operation panel, the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the first current limit value to the second current limit value. When the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 13 is reduced to a specific value, the output current limit value of the frequency converter 4 is switched from the second current limit value to the first current limit value.

Although the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 13 is small, the output of the frequency converter 4 In the case where the current is large, it is considered that the product adheres to the pump rotor 21. Therefore, in such a situation, it is preferable to remove the product by switching the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the first current limit value to the second current limit value. Specifically, in a situation where the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 13 is below a certain threshold and the output current of the frequency converter 4 is above a certain threshold, the control device 5 sets the output current limit value of the frequency converter 4 from the first It is preferred that the current limit value is switched to the second current limit value. In the case where the flow rate measured by the flow sensor 13 is large and the output current of the inverter 4 is also large, these are considered to be in a normal operation state, so the output current limit value of the inverter 4 is maintained at the first current limit value. .

Moreover, the condition that the accumulated value of the output current of the inverter 4 exceeds a certain threshold Next, the control device 5 can also switch the output current limit value of the frequency converter 4 from the second current limit value to the first current limit value. Specifically, the control device 5 memorizes the output power of the inverter 4 at each specific unit time (for example, 0.1 second), and calculates the cumulative value of the output power for each of the specific unit times that has elapsed in a specific period (for example, several seconds). When the accumulated value exceeds a certain threshold, the output current limit value of the frequency converter 4 is switched from the second current limit value to the first current limit value.

Switching from the first current limit value to the second current limit value occurs frequently In the case of the situation, it is considered that the risk of stopping the pump 2 becomes high due to an external cause such as foreign matter biting. Therefore, the control device 5 preferably issues a warning if the frequency of switching from the first current limit value to the second current limit value exceeds a certain threshold. Further, it is preferable to notify the warning person at the upper controller 41 or the operation panel by means of communication signal transmission means or contact contact.

As described above, since the control device 5 temporarily increases the output power limit value of the inverter 4, overheating of the pump unit can be prevented, and the pump unit can be stably operated.

The tenth (a) diagram shows the relationship between the inverter output power and the motor rotation speed when the output current limit value of the inverter 4 is set to the first current limit value, and the tenth (b) diagram shows the inverter 4 The relationship between the output power and the rotational speed of the motor 3, and the tenth (c) diagram is a graph showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter 4 and the rotational speed of the motor 3. In the tenth (a) chart When the motor 3 is started, the rotational speed of the motor 3 is raised to the constant speed. The inverter 4 outputs electric power to keep the rotational speed of the motor 3 constant. When the load applied to the pump 2 increases, as shown in the tenth (b) diagram, the output current of the inverter 4 reaches the first current limit value. When the load applied to the pump 2 is further increased, and the rotational torque of the motor 3 becomes larger, the output current value of the inverter 4 is continuously maintained at the first current limit value, and the rotational speed of the motor 3 is lowered. When the rotational speed of the motor 3 is lowered, as shown in the tenth (c) diagram, the output current of the inverter 4 is lowered, and accordingly, as shown in the tenth (a) diagram, the output current of the inverter 4 is lowered.

The eleventh (a) diagram shows that the output current limit value of the inverter 4 is set to A diagram showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter 4 and the rotational speed of the motor 3 in the second current limit value state, and the eleventh (b) diagram showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter 4 and the rotational speed of the motor 3, The eleventh (c) diagram shows a relationship between the output power of the inverter 4 and the rotational speed of the motor 3. The broken line shown in the eleventh (a) is the same as the one shown in the tenth (a), and the broken line shown in the eleventh (b) is the same as the one shown in the tenth (b). The power of the frequency converter 4 is controlled to maintain the rotational speed of the motor 3 at a constant speed. When the load of the pump 2 increases, as shown in the eleventh (b) diagram, the output current of the inverter 4 reaches the second current limit value. When the load applied to the pump 2 is further increased, and the rotational torque of the motor 3 becomes larger, the output current value of the inverter 4 is continuously maintained at the second current limit value, and the rotational speed of the motor 3 is lowered. As shown in the eleventh (c) diagram, the output voltage of the inverter 4 is lowered, and accordingly, as shown in the eleventh (a) diagram, the output power of the inverter 4 is lowered.

As shown in the eleventh (a) diagram, set the output current limit value of the inverter 4 In the case where the second current limit value is set and the motor 3 is driven, the power is increased by only the length L corresponding to the state of the motor shown in the tenth (a) diagram. Therefore, the torque of the motor 3 is increased, and even if the load is increased, the rotation speed is hard to be lowered.

The twelfth diagram shows the vacuum exhaust system with a dry vacuum pumping device. A diagram of another example. The vacuum exhaust system includes: a pumping device 1; a load lock chamber 50 connected to the pump device 1; and a vacuum chamber 11 connected to the load lock chamber 50. A load lock chamber 50 is disposed between the vacuum chamber 11 and the pump device 1. The load lock chamber 50 and the vacuum chamber 11 are connected by a communication pipe 51, and an openable and closable gate valve 52 is attached to the communication pipe 51. By closing the gate valve 52, the gas communication between the vacuum chamber 11 and the load lock chamber 50 is shielded. The load lock chamber 50 is, for example, used in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, and the vacuum can be continuously maintained. The cavity 11 is maintained in a vacuum state, and the substrate is introduced into the vacuum chamber 11.

A vacuum is always maintained in the vacuum chamber 11. Put the wafer into the load lock chamber 50 to pump 2 The inside of the lock chamber 50 is exhausted. If the inside of the lock chamber 50 is vacuumed, the gate valve 52 is opened and the wafer is carried from the load lock chamber 50 into the vacuum chamber 11. After the wafer is processed by the vacuum chamber 11, the wafer is transferred from the vacuum chamber 11 to the load lock chamber 50. After the gate valve 52 is closed, the air pressure in the lock chamber 50 is returned to the atmospheric pressure, and the wafer is taken out from the load lock chamber 50. .

The exhaust gas in the lock chamber 50 is performed as follows. Running the pump at a constant speed 2. In this state, the suction valve 53 between the lock chamber 50 and the pump 2 is opened. Thus, the atmospheric pressure gas in the lock chamber 50 is quickly attracted to the pump 2, and the inside of the lock chamber 50 is evacuated from the atmospheric pressure into a vacuum. In this vacuum evacuation step, when the suction valve 53 is opened, the gas in the lock chamber 50 is quickly flowed into the pump 2, and an excessive load is applied to the pump 2. Therefore, there is a case where the rotational speed of the motor 3 is lowered and the exhaust speed of the pump 2 is lowered.

In order to solve this problem, in the present embodiment, after the suction valve 53 is opened, the specificity is passed. The motor 3 is driven until the output current limit value of the inverter 4 is set to the second current limit value. In response to opening the suction valve 53, the control device 5 switches the output current limit value of the inverter 4 from the first current limit value to the second current limit value. After the suction valve 53 is opened, the rotational speed of the pump 2 can be increased from a few % of the rated speed to a few tenths of a percentage only for a predetermined time. The pumping speed of the pump 2 can be increased by increasing the rotational speed of the pump 2. Thereby, the exhaust time in the lock chamber 50 is shortened, and productivity is improved.

Figure 13 is a view showing a dry vacuum pump according to a second embodiment of the present invention An overview of the device 90. The same or equivalent components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. As shown in the thirteenth diagram, the dry vacuum pumping device 90 includes a boost pump unit 92 connected to the vacuum chamber 11 via a connecting pipe 12, and a main pump unit 93 connected to the boost pump unit 92. The boost pump unit 92 includes a boost pump 102, a motor 103, and a frequency converter 104. The main pump unit 93 includes a main pump 106, a motor 107, and a frequency converter 108. The main pump 106 discharges the gas in the vacuum chamber 11 from the atmospheric pressure, and the boost pump 102 further discharges the gas in the vacuum chamber 11 to increase the degree of vacuum. It is also possible to start the boost pump 102 after starting the main pump 106, or to activate these pumps 102, 106 at the same time.

The main pump 106 of the present embodiment has the phase of the pump 2 as shown in the second figure. Same structure. The intake pipe 111 of the main pump 106 is connected to the exhaust port of the boost pump 102. The boost pump 102 is constructed of a smaller number of pump rotors than the main pump 106. The boost pump 102 has a greater exhaust velocity than the main pump 106.

The boost pump 102 is connected to the motor 103, and the motor 103 is connected to the inverter 104. The main pump 106 is connected to the motor 107, and the motor 107 is connected to the inverter 108. In the vicinity of the inverter 104 and the inverter 108, a control device 110 is disposed, and the control device 110 controls the operations of the inverter 104 and the inverter 108. The control device 110 is connected to an operation panel (external command device) 115 provided outside the pump device 90. The operator operates the operation panel 115 to limit the output current of the inverter 104 and/or the inverter 108 to the first value. The command signal for switching between the current limit value and the second current limit value is transmitted to the control device 110. Since the configuration and operation of the control device 110, which is not particularly described, are the same as those of the above-described control device 5, the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the boost pump unit 92 and the main pump unit 93, the measurement of these pumps is installed. Temperature sensor for temperature in units 92, 93. Although not shown, in the main pump unit 93, the same temperature sensor as the boost pump unit 92 is mounted. Hereinafter, the description will be made regarding the temperature sensor attached to the boost pump unit 92, and the repeated temperature sensors are omitted.

The temperature sensor 120 is mounted to the pump housing 121 of the boost pump 102 for measurement The temperature of the pump housing 121. The bearing temperature sensor 122 is disposed near the bearing 123 of the boost pump 102 to measure the temperature of the bearing 123. The rotor temperature sensor 124 is disposed inside the boost pump 102 to measure the temperature of the pump rotor not shown. The motor temperature sensor 125 is mounted to the coil 126 of the motor 103 to measure the temperature of the motor 103. The intake air temperature sensor 127 is installed in the intake pipe 130 of the boost pump 102, and measures the temperature of the gas flowing into the boost pump 102. The exhaust temperature sensor 128 is mounted to the exhaust pipe 131 of the main pump 106, and measures the temperature of the gas discharged from the main pump 106.

The control device 110 has a fault in order to prevent overheating of the pump rotor. Fault avoidance function. For example, in a situation where the temperature detected by at least one of the temperature sensors installed in the boost pump unit 92 and the main pump unit 93 exceeds a certain threshold, the fault avoidance function of the control device 110 operates. And switching the output current limit value of the frequency converter 104 or the frequency converter 108 from the second current limit value to the second current limit value. The control device 110 may also lower the second current limit value itself in a state where the detected temperature of the temperature sensor exceeds a certain threshold.

The fourteenth figure shows that instead of the operation panel 115 as an external command device, The bit controller 41 is connected to a schematic diagram of the state of the control device 110. The control device 110 switches the output current limit value of the inverter 104 and/or the inverter 108 from the first current limit value to the second current limit value based on the switching command signal transmitted from the upper controller 41.

The fifteenth diagram schematically shows the pumping device 90 shown in the thirteenth and fourteenthth drawings. Diagram of the system. A temperature sensor as shown in Fig. 15 includes temperature sensors 120, 122, 124, 125, 127, and 128, inclusive. As shown in the fifteenth diagram, the temperature sensors mounted to the boost pump unit 92 and the main pump unit 93 are connected to the control unit 110 via communication signal transmitting means or contacts. The temperature signals obtained by the temperature sensors are transmitted from the control device 110 to the upper controller 41 or the operation panel 115. The control device 110 is also connected to the inverter 104 and the inverter 108, and controls the operations of the inverter 104 and the inverter 108 based on signals from the operation panel 115 or the upper controller 41.

The sixteenth diagram shows one of the operation control of the boost pump 102 and the main pump 106. Example of the example. In the sixteenth diagram, the current limit value corresponding to the 15 kW power is used as the first current limit value, the current limit value corresponding to the 20 kW power is used as the second current limit value, and the current limit value corresponding to the 10 kW power is used as the third current limit. value. As shown in the sixteenth diagram, when the total electric power supplied to the pumping device 90 is 30 kW, in the case where the pumping device 90 is normally operated (condition 1), the output current limit values of the inverters 1047 and 108 are set to the first. A current limit value. Therefore, 15 kW of electric power is supplied to the boost pump unit 92 and the main pump unit 93 at a maximum.

The condition regarding the starting of the pumping device 90 (condition 2) will be described. In the case where the main pump 106 is preferentially operated at the start of the pumping device 90, the output current limit value of the inverter 108 is switched to the second current limit value, and the output power limit value of the inverter 104 is set to be higher than the first A third current limit value with a lower current limit value. Therefore, the inverter 108 supplies a maximum of 20 kW of electric power to the motor 107, and the inverter 104 supplies a maximum of 10 kW of electric power to the motor 103. Next, the boost pump 102 is operated preferentially. In this case, the output current limit value of the frequency converter 108 is switched to the third current limit value, and the output current limit value of the frequency converter 104 is switched to the second current limit value. Therefore, the inverter 104 supplies a maximum of 20 kW of electric power to the motor 103, and the inverter 108 supplies a maximum of 10 kW of electric power to the motor 107. Thereafter, the pumping device 90 is operated in the normal operation mode. In this normal operation, the output current limit values of the inverters 104, 108 are switched to the first current limit. Value. Therefore, the inverters 104 and 108 supply 15 kW of electric power to the motors 103 and 107 at a maximum.

In the case where the product is removed (Condition 3), the boost pump priority operation is performed. That is, the output current limit value of the frequency converter 104 is switched to the second current limit value, and the output current limit value of the frequency converter 108 is switched to the third current limit value. Therefore, the inverter 104 supplies a maximum of 20 kW of electric power to the motor 103, and the inverter 108 supplies a maximum of 10 kW of electric power to the motor 107. Since the inverter 104 supplies 20 kW of electric power to the motor 103 at the maximum, the torque of the motor 103 is increased to remove the product.

In the case where the gas in the vacuum chamber 11 is discharged from the atmospheric pressure (condition 4), the first First, the main pump is operated first. That is, the output current limit value of the frequency converter 108 is switched to the second current limit value, and the output current limit value of the frequency converter 104 is switched to the third current limit value. Therefore, the inverter 108 supplies a maximum of 20 kW of electric power to the motor 107, and the inverter 104 supplies a maximum of 10 kW of electric power to the motor 103. If the gas in the vacuum chamber 11 is discharged to a certain extent, then the boost pump is preferentially operated. That is, the output current limit value of the frequency converter 104 is switched to the second current limit value, and the output current limit value of the frequency converter 108 is switched to the third current limit value. Therefore, the inverter 104 supplies a maximum of 20 kW of electric power to the motor 103, and the inverter 108 supplies a maximum of 10 kW of electric power to the motor 107. Under such operating conditions, by operating the boost pump 102 and the main pump 106, the gas in the vacuum chamber 11 can be discharged at a high speed. As a result, the time until the target vacuum is formed can be shortened. Further, the operating conditions shown in the sixteenth diagram are not limited thereto, and the operating conditions can be arbitrarily set.

The seventeenth (a) diagram shows the main pump unit 93 when the boost pump is preferentially operated. A diagram showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter 108 and the rotational speed of the motor 107, and the seventeenth (b) diagram showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter 108 and the rotational speed of the motor 107, and the seventeenth (c) The figure shows the relationship between the output power of the inverter 108 and the rotational speed of the motor 107. The dotted line in the seventeenth (a) diagram shows the relationship between the rotational speed of the motor 107 and the output power of the inverter 108 when the output current limit value of the inverter 108 is set to the first current limit value, and the seventeenth (a) The solid line of the graph indicates the relationship between the rotational speed of the motor 107 and the output power of the inverter 108 when the output current limit value of the inverter 108 is set to the third current limit value.

When the motor 107 is started, the rotational speed of the motor 107 rises to the constant speed. The frequency converter 108 outputs electric power to keep the rotational speed of the motor 107 constant. When applied to the Lord As the load of the pump 106 increases, as shown in the seventeenth (b) diagram, the output current of the frequency converter 108 reaches the third current limit value. When the load applied to the main pump 106 is further increased, the output current of the inverter 108 is continuously maintained at the third current limit value, and the rotational speed of the motor 107 is lowered. When the rotational speed of the motor 107 is lowered, as shown in the seventeenth (c) diagram, the output current of the frequency converter 108 is lowered, and accordingly, as shown in the seventeenth (a) diagram, the output power of the frequency converter 108 is lowered. .

In the case where the boost pump 102 is preferentially operated, since it is supplied to the motor The electric power of 107 is smaller than the electric power corresponding to the first current limit value, so as shown by the solid lines in the seventeenth (a) and seventeenth (b) diagrams, a current smaller than the current during the normal operation is supplied to Motor 107.

The eighteenth (a) diagram shows the boost pump unit when the boost pump is preferentially operated. FIG. 18(b) is a diagram showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter 104 and the rotational speed of the motor 103, and the relationship between the output power of the inverter 104 and the rotational speed of the motor 103 during the boost pump priority operation. In the figure, the eighteenth (c) diagram is a graph showing the relationship between the output power of the inverter and the rotational speed of the motor during the boost pump priority operation.

The dotted line in the eighteenth (a) diagram indicates that the output current of the inverter 104 is limited. The relationship between the rotational speed of the motor 103 when the value is set to the first current limit value and the output power of the inverter 104, and the solid line of the eighteenth (a) diagram indicates that the output current limit value of the inverter 104 is set to The relationship between the rotational speed of the motor 103 and the output power of the inverter 104 at the second current limit value. As shown in the eighteenth (a) diagram, the power value in the case where the output current limit value of the inverter 104 is switched from the first current limit value to the second current limit value is increased by only the length L. Thereby, the torque of the motor 103 is increased, and even if the load is increased, the rotational speed of the boost pump 102 is maintained constant. The figures shown in the eighteenth (a) to eighteenth (c) are the same as those shown in the eleventh (a) to eleventh (c).

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

A dry vacuum pumping device, comprising: at least one pumping unit; and a control device for controlling the pumping unit, wherein the pumping unit comprises: a dry vacuum pump; a motor driving the dry vacuum pump; and a frequency converter Controlling a motor rotation speed, wherein the foregoing control device has a function of switching an output current limit value of the inverter from a first current limit value to a second current limit value, wherein the first current limit value is that the inverter can continuously flow a continuous constant current value to a current maximum value of the motor, wherein the second current limit value is a value exceeding the continuous constant current value. The dry vacuum pumping apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output current limit value of the inverter is from the first current limit value according to an instruction from an external command device provided outside the dry vacuum pumping device. Switch to the aforementioned second current limit value. The dry vacuum pumping device of claim 1, wherein the control device outputs a current corresponding to the first current limit value when the frequency converter outputs a current corresponding to the first current limit value, if the rotational speed of the dry vacuum pump is lower than a specific target rotational speed And switching the output current limit value of the inverter from the first current limit value to the second current limit value. The dry vacuum pumping device of claim 3, wherein when the control device detects that the rotational speed of the pump returns to the target rotational speed, the output current limit value of the inverter is from the second The current limit value is switched to the aforementioned first current limit value. The dry vacuum pumping apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control device sets the output current limit value of the inverter from a condition that an output time of the current corresponding to the second current limit value exceeds a certain threshold value The aforementioned second current limit value is switched to the aforementioned first current limit value. The dry vacuum pumping device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the pump unit, wherein the temperature of the aforementioned control device measured by the temperature sensor exceeds a specific temperature The threshold value switches the output current limit value of the inverter from the second current limit value to the first current limit value. The dry vacuum pumping device of claim 6, wherein the at least one temperature sensor is a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the pump housing of the dry vacuum pump, before measurement. a temperature sensor for dry-pumped bearing temperature, a temperature sensor for measuring the aforementioned motor temperature, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the pumping rotor of the dry vacuum pump, and an intake gas temperature for measuring the dry vacuum pump The temperature sensor is selected as well as a temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the dry vacuum pumped exhaust gas. The dry vacuum pumping device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one pumping unit is a main pumping unit that discharges atmospheric pressure gas and a boosting pumping unit that discharges vacuum pressure gas, The electric power supplied from the main pump unit and the boost pump unit to be supplied to the dry vacuum pumping device does not exceed a preset value. A control device using a dry vacuum pumping device, comprising: a dry vacuum pump; a motor driving the dry vacuum pump; and a frequency converter for controlling a rotational speed of the motor, wherein the control device has an output current of the inverter a function of switching a limit value from a first current limit value to a second current limit value, wherein the first current limit value is a continuous constant current value of a current maximum value that the frequency converter can continuously flow to the motor, and the second current limit The value is a value that exceeds the aforementioned continuous rating current value. The control device according to claim 9, wherein the control device limits the output current limit value of the inverter from the first current limit according to an instruction from an external command device provided outside the dry vacuum pump device The value is switched to the aforementioned second current limit value. The control device according to claim 9, wherein the control device outputs a current corresponding to the first current limit value when the inverter outputs a current corresponding to the first current limit value, and if the rotational speed of the dry vacuum pump is lower than a specific target rotational speed, The output current limit value of the inverter is switched from the first current limit value to the second current limit value. The control device according to claim 11, wherein when the control device detects that the rotational speed of the pump returns to the target rotational speed, the output current limit value of the inverter is from the second current limit The value is switched to the aforementioned first current limit value. The control device according to claim 11, wherein the control device sets the output current limit value of the inverter from the foregoing when the output time of the current corresponding to the second current limit value exceeds a certain threshold The two current limit values are switched to the aforementioned first current limit value.