Abstract: A vacuum pumping arrangement includes a first primary pump having an inlet and an outlet, and a first common pumping line fluidly connected to the inlet, the first common pumping line including a plurality of first common pumping line inlets each of which is fluidly connectable to at least one vacuum process chamber forming the semiconductor fabrication tool, the first primary pump and the first common pumping line handling deposition process flows. The pumping arrangement further including a second primary pump having an inlet and an outlet, and a second common pumping line fluidly connected to the inlet of the second primary pump, the second common pumping line including a plurality of second pumping line inlets each of which is fluidly connectable to at least one process chamber forming the semiconductor fabrication tool, the second primary pump and the second common pumping line handling cleaning process flows.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a valve assembly for a feeding or drinking vessel. The valve assembly comprises a valve seat surface (229), and a valve element having a valve face opposing said valve seat surface (229), a center axis and a rim (232). The valve element further comprises a biasing element (242) configured such that, in a rest position, the valve face is biased against the valve seat surface (229), wherein the valve element rim (232) is arranged to be anchored and the biasing element (242) is arranged intermediate the valve element center axis and rim (232).

Abstract: A waste storage device is provided comprising a waste storage compartment for storing waste and a lid. The device further comprises a dispenser for dispensing an agent inside the waste storage device and an actuator arranged to activate the dispenser. A waste cartridge is also provided comprising a relatively rigid upper portion and a relatively flexible lower portion. The relatively flexible lower portion is arranged for storing waste items and the relatively rigid upper portion is arranged to be folded about an axis in a direction substantially towards the relatively flexible lower portion of the waste cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved kinetic energy recovery and/or storage system for vehicles or other devices employing kinetic energy recovery systems comprising a flywheel supported for rotation in a first vacuum enclosure for receiving energy from and dissipating energy to one or more parts of a vehicle; a scroll vacuum pumping arrangement having an inlet arranged to be in fluid communication with an outlet of the first vacuum enclosure for evacuating the first vacuum enclosure; and a second vacuum enclosure having an inlet in fluid communication with an exhaust of the scroll pumping arrangement and arranged to be maintained at a pressure less than atmosphere for reducing the pressure at the exhaust of the scroll pumping arrangement, wherein the second vacuum enclosure comprising an outlet through which gas can be pumped periodically for maintaining the second vacuum enclosure at a pressure less than atmosphere.

Abstract: A kinetic energy recovery system is provided comprising a flywheel located in a first vacuum enclosure and a second vacuum enclosure comprising an inlet in fluid communication with the exhaust of the first vacuum enclosure and arranged to be maintained at a pressure less than atmosphere for reducing the pressure at the outlet of the first vacuum enclosure, the second vacuum enclosure comprising an exhaust through which gas can be pumped periodically at indeterminate intervals for maintaining the second vacuum enclosure at a pressure less than atmosphere. Thus an improved efficiency Kinetic energy system.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a kinetic energy recovery system having a flywheel supported for rotation in a vacuum enclosure wherein a first vacuum pumping arrangement evacuates the vacuum enclosure and a second vacuum pumping arrangement of the vehicle evacuates the recovery system. The flywheel is supported for rotation on a common drive shaft with the first vacuum pumping mechanism.

Abstract: A method of coating a honeycomb monolith substrate comprising a plurality of channels with a liquid comprising a catalyst component comprises the steps of: (i) holding a honeycomb monolith substrate substantially vertically; (ii) introducing a pre-determined volume of the liquid into the substrate via open ends of the channels at a lower end of the substrate; (iii) sealingly retaining the introduced liquid within the substrate; (iv) inverting the substrate containing the retained liquid; and (v) applying a vacuum to open ends of the channels of the substrate at the inverted, lower end of the substrate to draw the liquid along the channels of the substrate.

Abstract: A waste storage device is provided comprising a waste storage compartment for storing waste and a lid. The device further comprises a dispenser for dispensing an agent inside the waste storage device and an actuator arranged to activate the dispenser.

Abstract: A method of coating a honeycomb monolith substrate comprising a plurality of channels with a liquid comprising a catalyst component comprises the steps of: (i) holding a honeycomb monolith substrate substantially vertically; (ii) introducing a pre-determined volume of the liquid into the substrate via open ends of the channels at a lower end of the substrate; (iii) sealingly retaining the introduced liquid within the substrate; (iv) inverting the substrate containing the retained liquid; and (v) applying a vacuum to open ends of the channels of the substrate at the inverted, lower end of the substrate to draw the liquid along the channels of the substrate.

Abstract: A pump comprising a regenerative pumping mechanism having a generally disc-shaped rotor mounted on an axial shaft for rotation relative to a stator. The rotor has first and second surfaces each having a series of shaped recesses formed in concentric circles thereon, and a stator channel formed in a surface of the stator which faces one of the rotor's first or second surfaces. The rotor divides the a gas flow path into sub-flow paths such that gas can flow towards the outlet simultaneously along both the first surface and the second surface of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotor for a vacuum pump 150 having a roots pumping mechanism, the rotor comprising at least two hollow lobes 160, 162, 164, 166, each lobe having an outer wall 208 which defines a lobe profile, a hollow cavity 210 generally inward of the outer wall, and at least one strengthening rib 226 located in the cavity to resist stress on the lobes generated during rotation.

Abstract: A multi-stage, clam shell, vacuum pump comprises two housing components (12) which are to be sealingly connected to one another such that an array of chambers extending longitudinally from an inlet region of the pump to an outlet region of the pump is defined thereby. Sealing means (30) are provided within the vacuum pump, between the two housing components, to prevent transfer of fluid in to and out of the vacuum pump where said components are connected. An array of discrete, elongate channels (33, 34, 36, 38) is provided, located between the sealing means (30) and the array of chambers (14, 16, 18, 20, 22). The channels serve to protect the sealing means (30) from fluid that passes through the chambers during operation of the vacuum pump. Each channel is configured to receive a barrier fluid having a different pressure than a barrier fluid to be received by an adjacent channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the filtering of coherent noise signals. In an illustrative embodiment, a pulsed electronic signal receives varying phase shifts for each of its pulses prior to transmission. When coherent noise interferes with the transmitted signal, received signal receives a phase shift opposite of that applied prior to transmission such that the electronic signal is restored and the coherent noise becomes non-coherent. In another embodiment, width of each transmitted pulses can be varied prior to transmission, but a constant midpoint-to-midpoint time is maintained. After receiving a signal with coherent noise interference, the midpoints of the pulses are aligned causing the coherent noise to become non-coherent.

Abstract: A vacuum pump comprises a molecular drag pumping mechanism and a regenerative pumping mechanism. A rotor element of the molecular drag pumping mechanism surrounds rotor elements of the regenerative pumping mechanism.

Abstract: A vacuum pump may include a regenerative pumping mechanism and a drag pumping mechanism. The regenerative pumping mechanism may include a generally disc-shaped member mounted on an axial shaft for rotation relative to a stator of the regenerative pumping mechanism. The drag pumping mechanism may include a generally cylindrical-shaped member mounted at an outer circumferential portion of the disc-shaped member for rotation about the axial shaft relative to a stator of the drag pumping mechanism.

Abstract: A vacuum pump rotor suitable for use in a vacuum pump is described for a vacuum pump that comprises a regenerative pumping mechanism. The rotor has a generally disc-shaped configuration and is mounted on an axial shaft for rotation relative to a stator of a vacuum pump. The rotor has a first and second opposing surface on which a rotor formations are disposed, each rotor formation defining a portion of a pump stage formed between the pump rotor and a stator for pumping gas from an inlet to an outlet in the same radial direction along the first and second opposing surface. A conduit is provided to interconnect the portions of the pump stage and assist with pressure imbalance that might occur on opposing sides of the rotor.

Abstract: A vacuum pumping arrangement for evacuating an enclosure is provided. The arrangement comprises a turbomolecular vacuum pump having an inlet which is connectable using fixing members to an outlet of an enclosure to be evacuated. Each of the fixing members passes through a first aperture in the inlet and through a second aperture in the outlet. An elongate, circumferentially extending cavity is provided extending from or adjacent to one of these apertures to accommodate a crushable insert. Energy transmitted to the fixing members by the turbomolecular vacuum pump during a failure thereof is thus absorbed by the deformation of the inserts. By absorbing a proportion of the energy in this way separation of the inlet from the outlet is thus inhibited.

Abstract: A scroll pump includes a pump housing, a drive shaft having a concentric shaft portion and an eccentric shaft portion connected to an orbiting scroll. The shaft is driven by a motor so that rotation of the shaft imparts an orbiting motion to the orbiting scroll relative to a fixed scroll for pumping fluid between a pump inlet and a pump outlet of the compressor. The fixed scroll has an opening through which the shaft extends and is connected to the orbiting scroll on an opposing side of the fixed scroll to the motor. An anti-rotation device is located in the high vacuum region for resisting rotation of the orbiting scroll and allowing said orbiting motion, and a bearing arrangement for supporting rotation of the concentric shaft portion and eccentric shaft portion is located in tile low vacuum region.

Abstract: A soother comprising a teat and a shield is constructed by co-molding the teat and the shield and over-molding the teat material on the shield material. As a result a secure bond is formed and a simple and easily cleanable soother is provided.