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Pumping/Baking the Chamber
Appendix B
7.2. Connecting the Turbo Pump to the
Dropping Chamber
Remove the turbo pump from its shipping case and make sure it is set for the
proper AC line voltage (see appendix A). Place the lid of the turbo pump case on
the floor near the dropping chamber and interferometer. Orient the turbo pump
so its intake flange is facing the vacuum valve intake flange (on the service ring)
and the turbo pump is close enough to the dropping chamber so the flexible
stainless steel hose will easily reach from the vacuum valve flange to the turbo
pump intake flange. Remove the blank flanges from the vacuum valve on the
dropping chamber service ring and the turbo pump intake. Connect the flexible
stainless steel hose to the turbo pump intake and the bellows valve using the
quick connect vacuum fittings. The vacuum fittings have an O-ring that fits
between the two flanges. A clamp holds the two vacuum flanges and O-ring
assemble together. Make sure that there is no dirt or hair on the vacuum flanges
or O-ring, and take care not to touch the inside of the rings or hose. Sometimes it
is helpful to use a little high vacuum grease (such as Apiezon) on the O-ring to
ensure a good seal.
There are two different circumstances which dictate whether the bellows valve is
to be open or shut when starting the turbo pump.
If the chamber is under partial vacuum, DO NOT open the valve until the turbo
pump has evacuated the air inside the flexible hose. When the hose is evacuated,
slowly open the valve. This prevents the contamination of the dropping
chamber by air or moisture inside the hose.
If the chamber has been open to the air make sure that you open the bellows
valve before starting the turbo pump. Venting the dropping chamber to the turbo
pump when it is at full speed can cause damage to the turbo pump.
Make sure the small relief valve on the turbo pump is closed, and turn on the
turbo-pump.
The turbo-pump should reach normal operational speed in a few minutes. If the
pump fails to reach full speed for an extended period it indicates that there is a
leak in the system.
7-2
Summary of Contents for Micro-g LaCoste FG5
Page 7: ...Table of Figures This Page is Intentionally Blank vii ...
Page 8: ......
Page 13: ...Design Components and Function 2 Figure 2 3 Side view of the dropping chamber 2 3 ...
Page 23: ...Design Components and Function 2 Figure 2 9 The Superspring 2 13 ...
Page 31: ...Design Components and Function 2 Figure 2 12 Rotation Monitor 2 21 ...
Page 32: ...Design Components and Function 2 This Page is Intentionally Blank 2 22 ...
Page 36: ...How to Set Up and Run the FG5 3 Figure 3 1 Superspring Interferometer Setup 3 4 ...
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Page 59: ...Adjustment and Maintenance 4 4 3 ...
Page 78: ...Adjustment and Maintenance 4 4 22 ...
Page 106: ......
Page 138: ...Checklists and Logs Appendix D Measure gap between two levers near ZPM 9 24 ...
Page 143: ...Checklists and Logs Appendix D This Page is Intentionally Blank 9 29 ...
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