Vacuum pump - Definition and Overview

A vacuum pump is a pump that removes gas to leave behind a partial vacuum (of varying quality, depending on the pump). Various mechanisms can be used; sometimes more than one will be used (in series or in parallel) in a single application.

A partial vacuum can be created using a positive displacement pump that transports a gas load from an inlet port to an outlet (exhaust) port. Because of their mechanical limitations, such pumps can only achieve a fairly crude partial vacuum. To achieve a more-perfect vacuum, other techniques must then be used (usually following an initial fast "pump down" using a positive displacement pump). In a turbomolecular pump, the momentum transfer principle is used, accelerating the gas molecules from the vacuum side to the exhaust side (which is usually maintained at a reduced pressure by a positive displacement pump). Another alternative is cryogenic entrapment where individual gas molecules are liquified and contained in a cold trap.

Achieving truly high vacuums is difficult because all of the materials exposed to the vacuum must be carefully evaluated for their outgassing properties. For example, oils, greases, rubber, or plastic used to form gaskets and seals must not boil off when exposed to the vacuum or the gases they produced would prevent the creation of the desired degree of vacuum. Often, all of the surfaces exposed to the vacuum must be baked at high temperature to drive off adsorbed gases.

Types of vacuum pumps

• Transfer
  • roots blower
  • rotary compression
  • Diffusion pump
  • turbomolecular pump
  • Liquid Ring

• entrapment pump
  • ion pump
  • cryopump

Uses of vacuum pumps

Vacuum pumps are used in many industrial and scientific processes including:

• The production of most types of electric lamps, vacuum tubes, and CRTs where the device is either left evacuated or re-filled with a specific gas or gas mixture
• Semiconductor processing, notably ion implantation and sputtering
• Electron microscopy
• Medical processes that require suction

Vacuum pumps are also used to produce a vacuum that may then be used to power mechanical devices. In gasoline-powered automobiles, a vacuum is produced as a side-effect of the operation of the engine and the flow restriction created by the throttle plate. This vacuum may then be used to power:

• Motors that move dampers in the ventilation system
• The throttle driver in the cruise control
• The booster for the power brakes

In an aircraft, the vacuum source is often used to power gyroscopes in the various flight instruments.

History of the vacuum pump

The vacuum pump was invented by Otto von Guericke.

External links

• www.vacuum-guide.com - suppliers, products, news and facts for engineers involved in the design or the operation of vacuum pumps and vacuum systems.