Chapter 6 Pumping Line

6.2 High Vacuum Pumping Line

The high vacuum pumping line system is more complex because more items are composing it. It is based on
the Drytel system of Alcatel, but adapted to our needs. The vacuum reached is around 0.1 µmHg and the
great advantage is a dry vacuum (that means no oil vapours).

Three different versions can be encountered in the field. The first one concerns a pre-serie and is not de-
scribed here. The second one uses a KNF diaphragm pump (recognisable by its metallic body, not painted)
and the third one with an Alcatel diaphragm pump (recognisable by its white compact aspect, labelled ARL
MP1-V3) especially designed for our Thermo Electron application. The third version is introduced in our
production plant since the end of the Autumn 2001. An hybrid version (retrofit) may also be found in the
field (see the Technical News about this subject).

The next figure shows you both pump models so that you can identify them more easily.

KNF ARL MP1

Figure 6.1

The next figures are showing the block diagrams of both last versions as used with our instruments.

Spectro-
Diaphragm Molecular meter
Valve
Pump Drag Pump

Frequency
Switching
Converter
Board
Board

Figure 6.2 Version 2 – With the KNF diaphragm pump

Spectro-
Diaphragm Molecular meter
Pump Drag Pump

Frequency
Converter
Board

Figure 6.3 Version 3 – With the ARL MP1-V3 diaphragm pump

6-2 Technical Description - ARL 3460 AA83346