US4086031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vapor diffusion pump
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1976-12-06
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Granted: 1978-04-25
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Expires: 1996-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A diffusion pump is provided in which an internal vacuum chamber is surrounded by regions of the pump through which working vapors flow. This configuration enables a single heating unit to heat both the working fluid of the pump and the vacuum chamber. In certain embodiments, a differential pump is provided in which a common boiler provides working fluid for a pair of pumping sections, each of which evacuates a different vacuum chamber. Application of this pump to a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system permits operation with relatively large gas throughput while maintaining a relatively low pressure chamber for the mass spectrometer ion source and a much lower pressure chamber for the mass analyzer.
Inventors
- 👤 Ned R. Kuypers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 18:13
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04F; F04F9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A vapor diffusion pump comprising: a housing; a reservoir of working fluid in said housing; means forming a chamber in said housing, said chamber being partially immersed in said reservoir to provide thermal contact between said chamber and said working fluid; a working vapor region substantially concentric with, surrounding, and in thermal communication with said chamber; at least one vapor pumping region substantially concentric with and surrounding said working vapor region and separated from said working vapor region by at least one nozzle; heating means for vaporizing working fluid from said reservoir to generate working vapor in said working vapor region; and condensation means for condensing said working vapor, said condensation means including means for returning said working fluid to said reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A vapor diffusion pump comprising: a housing; a reservoir of working fluid in said housing; means forming a chamber in said housing, said chamber being partially immersed in said reservoir to provide thermal contact between said chamber and said working fluid; a working vapor region substantially concentric with, surrounding, and in thermal communication with said chamber; at least one vapor pumping region substantially concentric with and surrounding said working vapor region and separated from said working vapor region by at least one nozzle; heating means for vaporizing working fluid from said reservoir to generate working vapor in said working vapor region; and condensation means for condensing said working vapor, said condensation means including means for returning said working fluid to said reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 1 wherein said vapor pumping means further comprises: a plurality of annular elements positioned around said chamber to enclose said working vapor region, at least some of said annular elements including portions forming nozzles through which said working vapor is ejected into said at least one vapor pumping region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 2 further including baffle means for preventing working vapor from entering said chamber, said baffle means including an annular flange-like portion extending into said vapor pumping region to serve as a cold-cap.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 2 including fractionating means for preventing volatile working fluid fractions from entering said chamber, said fractionating means comprising at least one annular element positioned within said working vapor region for dividing the working vapor supply to said nozzles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 1 wherein said chamber, said working vapor region and said at least one vapor pumping region are substantially surrounded by said condensation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 1 including fractionating means in said working vapor region for preventing volatile working fluid fractions from entering said at least one chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 1 including demountable vacuum sealing means for providing access to said at least one chamber within said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
A vapor diffusion pump comprising: a housing; means forming a plurality of chambers within said housing; a reservoir of working fluid; a working vapor region substantially concentric with and surrounding said chambers; a plurality of vapor pumping regions substantially concentric with and surrounding said working vapor region and separated from said working vapor region by a plurality of nozzles, each of said vapor pumping regions being associated with one of said chambers for evacuating said associated chamber; heating means for vaporizing working fluid from said reservoir to generate working vapor in said working vapor region; and condensation means for condensing said working vapor, said condensation means including means for returning said working fluid to said reservoir.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
A vapor diffusion pump comprising: a housing; means forming a plurality of chambers within said housing; a reservoir of working fluid; a working vapor region substantially concentric with and surrounding said chambers; a plurality of vapor pumping regions substantially concentric with and surrounding said working vapor region and separated from said working vapor region by a plurality of nozzles, each of said vapor pumping regions being associated with one of said chambers for evacuating said associated chamber; heating means for vaporizing working fluid from said reservoir to generate working vapor in said working vapor region; and condensation means for condensing said working vapor, said condensation means including means for returning said working fluid to said reservoir.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 8 wherein each of said plurality of chambers is accessible to each adjacent chamber by means of a connecting aperture therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 9 further including baffle means for preventing working vapor from entering said chambers, said ballfe means including an annular flange-like portion extending into said vapor pumping region to serve as a cold-cap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 8 including fractionating means for preventing volatile working fluid fractions from entering said chambers, said fractionating means comprising at least one annular element positioned within said working vapor region for dividing the working vapor supply to said nozzles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 8 wherein said plurality of chambers, said working vapor region, and said plurality of vapor pumping regions are substantially surrounded by said condensation means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 8 wherein: said working vapor region is in thermal communication with said plurality of chambers; and p1 said plurality of chambers are heated by the transfer of heat from said working vapor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of chambers is accessible to each adjacent chamber by means of connecting aperture therebetween.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 14 further including baffle means for preventing working vapor from entering said chambers, said baffle means including an annular flange-like portion extending into said vapor pumping region to serve as a cold-cap.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 15 wherein said plurality of chambers, said working vapor region, and said plurality of vapor pumping regions are substantially surrounded by said condensation means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 8 wherein: said reservoir of working fluid is in thermal communication with at least one of said plurality of chambers; and said plurality of chambers are heated by the transfer of heat from said reservoir of working fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 8 wherein each of said plurality of chambers is accessible to each adjacent chamber by means of connecting aperture therebetween.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 18 further including baffle means for preventing working vapor from entering said chambers, said baffle means including an annular flange-like portion extending into said vapor pumping region to serve as a cold-cap.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 19 wherein said plurality of chambers, said working vapor region, and said plurality of vapor pumping regions are substantially surrounded by said condensation means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 8 wherein: said heating means comprises a heater in thermal communication with said reservoir and at least one of said plurality of chambers for vaporizing working fluid from said reservoir to generate working vapor in said working vapor region and for heating said plurality of chambers.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 21 wherein each of said plurality of chambers is accessible to each adjacent chamber by means of connecting aperture therebetween.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
A vapor diffusion pump as in claim 22 further including baffle means for preventing working vapor from entering said chambers, said baffle means including an annular flange-like portion extending into said vapor pumping region to serve as a cold-cap.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-24 | 1981-10-24 | 1982-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-24 | 1985-10-24 | 1986-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-24 | 1989-10-24 | 1990-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |