Abstract: The invention relates to a chamber for the detection of leaks on foils (1). Said chamber comprises two frames (2, 3) which are connected together in an articulated manner, foils (4, 5) which are mounted on said frames, a test chamber (8) composed of the foils, a seal (12, 13, 18) arranged between the frames and at least one bore hole (7), preferably several bore holes, in at least one of the two frames (2, 3), which can be connected to the inlet of a vacuum pump (15, 16, 22). In order to improve the chamber's closing features, said chamber comprises an edge zone (14) wherein a vacuum can be created independently of the test chamber (8) and into which said bore holes (7) open out.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing a leak test on a gas generator (1), especially for airbags, according to which: the gas generator (1) is filled with a pressurized gas mixture, among other things, helium; the gas generator (1) filled with the gas mixture is introduced into a test chamber (2); gas is evacuated from the test chamber (2); the amount of helium exiting from a possibly present leak is determined with the aid of a sensor, and; the signal furnished by the sensor is used for determining the tightness/leakage of the gas generator (1). In order to accomplish the goal of performing a cost-effective search for leaks, the invention provides that the gas generator (1) is filled with a gas mixture whose helium proportion is equal to at least 50%.

Abstract: The invention concerns an oil-sealed vane-type rotary vacuum pump (1) with a rotor (3) and an oil pump (45, 46) whose suction chamber is fitted with feeds (64, 65) for gas and oil. In order to simplify the supply of a gas/oil mixture to the vacuum pump, the invention proposes that the gas and oil feeds (64, 65) are disposed in such a way that initially only oil and subsequently both oil and air are aspirated into the volume swept by the oil pump (45, 46) as it rotates.

Abstract: The invention concerns an oil-sealed vane-type rotary vacuum pump with a suction chamber (8) housing a rotatably mounted rotor (3) which has an anchoring section (21) and a bearing section (23) with a slot (24) in which two vanes (26) are mounted with a space (28) between them. The rotor bearing (3) comprises the bearing section (23) and a rotor-mounting bore (11). The vacuum pump also has an oil pump (45, 46), which produces a flow of oil through the space (28) between the vanes, and a system for controlling the flow of oil through the space (28), the oil passing through a channel (66) opening out in the rotor-mounting bore (11) and then through radial and longitudinal bores (68, 69) in the bearing section (23) of the rotor.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a vacuum pump (1) with a closable line (63, 102) through which gas ballast can be fed into the pump chamber (8, 9); to eliminate the danger that a recipient hooked up to the vacuum pump may be charged with air in the event of a pump failure, the invention proposes that the line be equipped with a control valve (59, 60, 61; 98, 99; 109, 110) to regulate the gas ballast feed as a function of operating conditions, such that the line is closed in the event of a pump failure.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an oil-sealed vacuum pump (1) with a pump chamber (8, 9), with a rotor 3 rotatively mounted therein, with a bearing piece (13) delimiting the pump chamber on the drive side and with a passage (35) in the bearing piece (13) which contains a coupling piece (37) used to interlock the rotor (3) with the shaft (36) of the drive motor (4) and a sealing ring (55) to seal off the coupling piece from the passage (35) in the bearing piece (13). To simplify manufacture of the pump, the invention proposes that the interlocking connections between rotor (3) and coupling piece (37) as well as coupling piece (37) and shaft (36) are effected from the faces, and that the coupling piece (37) is a support for a rotor (46) for an oil pump (45, 46), the pump chamber (45) of which is formed in the end plate (13).

Abstract: A two-stage rotary vane vacuum pump includes a pre-vacuum stage having a pre-vacuum pumping chamber and an outlet valve; a main oil sump; and a first oil conduit having a first opening communicating with the main oil sump and a second opening communicating with the pre-vacuum pumping chamber. The first opening is located at a level below an operational oil level in the main oil sump. There is further provided an intermediate oil sump situated at a level above the outlet valve and being arranged for receiving oil from the pre-vacuum pumping chamber; and a second oil conduit leading from the intermediate oil sump to components of the vacuum pump to be supplied with oil. All such components are situated at a level below the intermediate oil sump.

Abstract: A vacuum pump includes a first pump housing defining a pumping chamber; a pump rotor received in the pumping chamber; a drive motor operatively connected to the pump rotor; an oil casing receiving the first pump housing; and a second pump housing surrounding the first pump housing and the drive motor.