Cooling of a vacuum pump used in the semiconductor industry, uses proximity sensor to control the cooling of the stator in maintain the optimum play between stator and rotor

摘要

The pump includes a proximity sensor (16) disposed in the stator (1) and adapted to detect the play (E) at the neighborhood of a control zone (17) between the stator and the rotor (4). The control zone is in or at the neighborhood of the critical zone (117) where the contact is most probable between the rotor and the stator during one evolution of temperature of the rotor and/or the stator. The signal produced by the sensor is used for controlling the cooling circuit of the stator, in order to maintain the play at a value greater to the minimum admissible value.