Vacuum line and a method of monitoring such a line

• Main Author: BECOURT NICOLAS
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 09.06.2009
• Subjects: MEASURING; PHYSICS; TESTING; TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES ORSTRUCTURES; TESTING STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

The present invention provides a vacuum line for pumping gas from a process chamber, the vacuum line comprising at least: a pump unit comprising a pump body and a motor; a gas exhaust system; first measurement means for measuring a functional parameter relating to the motor; second measurement means for measuring a functional parameter relating to the exhaust system; and prediction means for calculating the duration of use of the vacuum line. The prediction means calculate the duration of utilization of the vacuum line prior to failure of the pump unit from the measurement of a functional parameter relating to the motor provided by the first means and the measurement of a functional parameter relating to the exhaust system provided by the second means. In a variant, the vacuum line further includes third measurement means for measuring a functional parameter relating to the pump body, and the prediction means calculate the duration of use while taking account of the measurement of this parameter.