Abstract: A support structure for a rotor shaft of a turbomolecular pump, comprising a central section for coupling to the rotor shaft of the turbomolecular pump, the central section having a centre point through which a rotation axis of the rotor shaft passes when the rotor shaft is coupled to the central section, and a leg extending from the central section, wherein the leg is for coupling the central section to a housing of the turbomolecular pump, wherein the leg extends tangentially relative to the central section.

Abstract: An oil feed assembly for a vacuum pump comprises: an oil feeder located for feeding oil to one side of a bearing of the vacuum pump; an oil sump located on the one side of the bearing and configured to receive excess oil from the oil feeder; and a venting bypass conduit fluidly coupled with the oil sump and with another side of the bearing, the venting bypass conduit having an inlet located at an elevated position above a floor of the oil sump and configured to convey gas from the oil sump to the another side of the bearing. In this way, the venting bypass conduit provides an alternative path which allows gas within the oil sump to escape during pump-down while preventing oil within the oil sump from escaping with the gas travelling through the venting bypass conduit.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a stator component for a pump housing. The stator component has a plurality of fluid inlet channels for conveying fluid to respective pumping chambers. The fluid inlet channels each have an inlet port for conveying fluid into the pumping chamber. A plurality of fluid transfer channels are provided for conveying fluid to a respective one of the fluid inlet channels. The fluid transfer channels each have an inlet for receiving pumped fluid. The stator component is adapted to receive at least one sealing member for inhibiting the conveyance of fluid into an associated one of the pumping chambers. Aspects of the present invention relate to a pump housing, a cover plate and a pump. Aspects of the present invention also relate to a method of converting a stator component.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a stator component for a pump housing. The stator component has a plurality of fluid inlet channels for conveying fluid to respective pumping chambers. The fluid inlet channels each have an inlet port for conveying fluid into the pumping chamber. A plurality of fluid transfer channels are provided for conveying fluid to a respective one of the fluid inlet channels. The fluid transfer channels each have an inlet for receiving pumped fluid. The stator component is adapted to receive at least one sealing member for inhibiting the conveyance of fluid into an associated one of the pumping chambers. Aspects of the present invention relate to a pump housing, a cover plate and a pump. Aspects of the present invention also relate to a method of converting a stator component.

Abstract: An exhaust coupling for a pump is disclosed. The exhaust coupling for a pump, comprises: an inlet chamber defining a coupling inlet for receiving a fluid from said pump; an outlet chamber defining a coupling outlet for outputting said fluid from said exhaust coupling; and a non-linear inter-chamber conduit fluidly coupling said inlet chamber with said outlet chamber for conveying said fluid from said inlet chamber to said outlet chamber. In this way, noise from the pump is abated since it is initially dampened when received in the inlet chamber, then dampened further by the non-linear inter-chamber conduit, before being dampened yet further within the outlet chamber prior to being emitted through the coupling outlet. The presence of the non-linear inter-chamber conduit ensures that there is no direct, linear path along which the noise can travel from the coupling inlet to the coupling outlet.

Abstract: An oil feed assembly for a vacuum pump comprises: an oil feeder located for feeding oil to one side of a bearing of the vacuum pump; an oil sump located on the one side of the bearing and configured to receive excess oil from the oil feeder; and a venting bypass conduit fluidly coupled with the oil sump and with another side of the bearing, the venting bypass conduit having an inlet located at an elevated position above a floor of the oil sump and configured to convey gas from the oil sump to the another side of the bearing. In this way, the venting bypass conduit provides an alternative path which allows gas within the oil sump to escape during pump-down while preventing oil within the oil sump from escaping with the gas travelling through the venting bypass conduit.

Abstract: A foreline for a vacuum pump with an inlet connectable to e.g. a vessel to be evacuated and an outlet connected to and inlet of the vacuum pump to evacuate the vessel. Thereby, the foreline further comprises a discharge line with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end comprises an opening and the second end comprises a solid material trap. The second end is arranged outside the foreline. The first end is arranged within the foreline between the inlet and the outlet and the opening is open towards the inlet of the foreline such that incoming solid material is collected by the opening, discharged through the discharge line and caught in the solid material trap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing preload force gauge for indicating the bearing preload force on a turbomolecular pump rotor bearing. The gauge comprises a housing, an indicator for indicating the bearing preload force, and actuator coupled to an impeller engagement surface by a member configured to provide a resilient bias between the actuator and the impeller engagement surface. The invention also relates to a bearing preload tool and methods for measuring the bearing preload force on a turbomolecular pump.

Abstract: Turbomolecular stator components include an array of stator blades, arranged to interact with pumped gases. Spacers are used to locate the stator blade array and couple the stator blade array to a housing. The stator components include an outer section that is resilient and arranged to cooperate with the spacers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbo-molecular vacuum pump comprising bearings for supporting the drive shaft and/or the rotor in relation to a pump body, wherein a first bearing is coupled to the rotor and disposed on supporting mount at the high vacuum side of the rotor and radial struts extend from the supporting mount and form an integral part of the body; the invention is characterised in that the radial struts comprise a hinge portion that can flex to allow relative movement of the inlet flange with respect to the supporting mount to reduce distortion effects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stator blade unit for a turbomolecular pump comprising an array of polymer stator blades, a turbomolecular pump including such a stator blade unit, and to a method of assembling a stator blade unit for a turbomolecular pump.

Abstract: An exhaust coupling for a pump is disclosed. The exhaust coupling for a pump, comprises: an inlet chamber defining a coupling inlet for receiving a fluid from said pump; an outlet chamber defining a coupling outlet for outputting said fluid from said exhaust coupling; and a non-linear inter-chamber conduit fluidly coupling said inlet chamber with said outlet chamber for conveying said fluid from said inlet chamber to said outlet chamber. In this way, noise from the pump is abated since it is initially dampened when received in the inlet chamber, then dampened further by the non-linear inter-chamber conduit, before being dampened yet further within the outlet chamber prior to being emitted through the coupling outlet. The presence of the non-linear inter-chamber conduit ensures that there is no direct, linear path along which the noise can travel from the coupling inlet to the coupling outlet.

Abstract: A pump casing assembly has a first body part, a second body part and a seal disposed between the first and second body parts. The first body part has a first face that defines a recess to receive the seal and the second body part has a first face disposed opposite the first face of the first body part and defining a first sealing surface engaged by the seal and a projection extending beyond the first sealing surface into the recess.

Abstract: Turbomolecular stator components include an array of stator blades, arranged to interact with pumped gases. Spacers are used to locate the stator blade array and couple the stator blade array to a housing. The stator components include an outer section that is resilient and arranged to cooperate with the spacers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a turbo-molecular vacuum pump comprising bearings for supporting the drive shaft and/or the rotor in relation to a pump body, wherein a first bearing is coupled to the rotor and disposed on supporting mount at the high vacuum side of the rotor and radial struts extend from the supporting mount and form an integral part of the body; the invention is characterised in that the radial struts comprise a hinge portion that can flex to allow relative movement of the inlet flange with respect to the supporting mount to reduce distortion effects.

Abstract: A thermophilic microorganism is modified to permit the increased production of ethanol, wherein a first modification is the inactivation of the lactate dehydrogenase gene and a second modification upregulates the pyruvate dehydrogenase gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of ethanol as a product of bacterial fermentation. In particular this invention relates to a novel method of gene inactivation and gene expression based upon homologous recombination. The method is particularly useful in connection with species of Bacillus such as B. stereothermophilus, B. calvodelox, B. caldotenax, B. thermoglucosidasius, B. coagulans, B. licheniformis, B. thermodenitrificans, and B. caldolyticus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of ethanol as a product of bacterial fermentation. In particular this invention relates to a novel method of gene inactivation and gene expression based upon homologous recombination. The method is particularly useful in connection with species of Bacillus such as B. stereothermophilus, B. calvodelox, B. caldotenax, B. thermoglucosidasius, B. coagulans, B. licheniformis, B. thermodenitrificans, and B. caldolyticus.