Turbomolecular pumps are used in nuclear physics labs to create and maintain high vacuum environments. These pumps work by imparting momentum to gas molecules and atoms by repeated collision with a moving solid surface, sending them out an exhaust port. Edwards Vacuum manufactures a turbo pump and controller system that the Fox Lab uses, but it needed to be mounted and “hacked” to get a logic signal indicating whether the pump was operating or not so that a gate valve could be commanded shut to protect the pump. Fortunately, the pump cable harness contained a signal wire with the exact logic needed. I built a rack-mountable enclosure to hold the controller, power supply, a relay, and the appropriate wire connections.
About the author: Jonah
Related posts:
