Abstract A vacuum connector is disclosed for connecting secondary replaceable evacuated devices to a primary evacuated system without contamination of the primary system. A gas passageway is connected to the primary evacuated system. A valve spring loaded to the normally closed position, is provided in the gas passageway closing same. The secondary evacuated structure, to be connected to the primary evacuated system, is sealed by means of a diaphragm. An O-ring seal is provided for sealing the secondary replaceable evacuated structure to the wall of the gas passageway. A cutting tool is provided in the gas passageway between the valve and the diaphragm for cutting the diaphragm, thereby opening same. The cutting tool also engages the valve for opening the valve against the spring bias to place the secondary evacuated structure into gas communication with the primary evacuated system through the valve. Removal of the secondary evacuated structure causes the spring bias force to close the valve, thereby sealing the primary evacuated system for subsequent connection to a second replaceable secondary evacuated device.
An evacuated system comprising a primary evacuated structure including a membrane gas separator, means for passing gas to be analyzed into said gas separator, a secondary evacuated structure including a vacuum pump for pumping on said gas separator, means forming a mass spectrometer coupled to an output of said gas separator for analyzing the separated constituents of the gas to be analyzed, means forming a gas passageway communicating between said primary and secondary structures, a valve affixed to said primary structure and in said gas passageway including spring means for spring-biasing said valve toward a normally closed position for sealing off said gas passageway, a diaphragm affixed to said secondary structure for sealing off said secondary structure means for sealing said secondary structure to said gas passageway, means in said gas passageway between said valve and said diaphragm for opening said diaphragm including a cutting tool for puncturing said diaphragm, and means for opening said valve for placing said secondary structure in gas communication with said primary structure via said gas passageway including a flange on said cutting tool, said flange being disposed to engage said diaphragm and to urge an extension of said cutting tool against said valve to move said valve to an open position against the spring bias force of said spring means as said secondary structure is moved toward said valve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
An evacuated system comprising a primary evacuated structure including a membrane gas separator, means for passing gas to be analyzed into said gas separator, a secondary evacuated structure including a vacuum pump for pumping on said gas separator, means forming a mass spectrometer coupled to an output of said gas separator for analyzing the separated constituents of the gas to be analyzed, means forming a gas passageway communicating between said primary and secondary structures, a valve affixed to said primary structure and in said gas passageway including spring means for spring-biasing said valve toward a normally closed position for sealing off said gas passageway, a diaphragm affixed to said secondary structure for sealing off said secondary structure means for sealing said secondary structure to said gas passageway, means in said gas passageway between said valve and said diaphragm for opening said diaphragm including a cutting tool for puncturing said diaphragm, and means for opening said valve for placing said secondary structure in gas communication with said primary structure via said gas passageway including a flange on said cutting tool, said flange being disposed to engage said diaphragm and to urge an extension of said cutting tool against said valve to move said valve to an open position against the spring bias force of said spring means as said secondary structure is moved toward said valve.