In the 1600’s a man by the name of Otto von Guericke developed and tested the first vacuum pump. His theory was that if you put two halves of a whole together and removed the gases from the center of the whole, it would be nearly impossible to break the whole apart. He believed that the removal of the gas molecules would leave a vacuum behind inside the whole. Basically the two parts suction together so tightly they can’t come apart. His theory proved to be correct and today we have Welch vacuum pumps, Travaini pumps, etc thanks to Otto’s curious mind.
Of course, the technology has improved dramatically since the 1600’s. We now have pumps that are basically well-oiled machines that perform their jobs day in and day out, requiring some, but very little maintenance. There are also a few different types, although they all perform the same basic function, which is to create a vacuum.
The first type of vacuum pump is the positive displacement pump. This pump has a cavity and a chamber. When the cavity expands gas molecules move from the chamber into the cavity. After enough of them are in the cavity it is sealed off from the chamber and the molecules are released into the atmosphere. This release creates the vacuum.
The second type is the momentum transfer pump. It’s also known as the molecular pump. The gas molecules in this pump move into the chamber where they are knocked out by high speed rotary blades or jets of dense fluid. When they exit the chamber the vacuum is created.
The last type of vacuum pump is the entrapment pump. This one is mainly used to create ultrahigh pressure pumps. These pumps are a little more scientific, in that they actually trap the gas molecules in a solid state. Once the gases are solidified the vacuum is created. Remember, the whole science behind this technology is the removal of gases. Stopping their movement has the same effect.
These pumps can be used to make a low, medium, or high powered vacuum, which enables them to perform a variety of functions. There are many brands available including Welch vacuum pumps and Kinney vacuum pumps. Each company offers the customer different types, different sizes, and pumps for a variety of uses. But all the vacuums used stem from the same science, the vacuum theory developed by Otto von Guericke.
United Vacuum (http://www.unitedvacuum.com) specializes in the manufacturing, and re-manufacturing of industrial Welch vacuum pumps and rotary lobe blowers. Please contact us for all Welch vacuum pump needs Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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