Vacuum pumps with internal oil test
OwnerAndrew Greaves, Lintao Lu +2inventors
InventorsAndrew Greaves, Lintao Lu, Jason Sierra, Zhukai Zhang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides vacuum pumps and methods with internal oil health test function to assess condition of the oil contained within the vacuum pumps, and to determine if an oil change is needed. The vacuum pump may include an oil tank for containing oil; a motor for producing vacuuming power; and an inlet to be connected either directly or indirectly to a vacuum gauge, together with a built-in module or function configured for conducting an internal oil health test to assess condition of the oil contained within the oil tank.
Claims20
A vacuum pump, comprising:
- an oil tank for containing oil;
- a motor for producing vacuuming power;
- an inlet to be connected either directly or indirectly to a vacuum gauge;
- a built-in module configured for conducting an internal oil health test to assess condition of the oil contained within the oil tank.
A method for assessing condition of oil contained in a vacuum pump, comprising the following steps:
- (a) connecting a vacuum gauge to an inlet of the vacuum pump;
- (b) predetermining a target vacuum level and a preset time period for an internal oil health test;
- (c) starting the internal oil health test and running motor in the vacuum pump for the preset time period;
- (d) testing a tested vacuum level within the vacuum pump at the end of the preset time period;
- and
- (e) comparing the tested vacuum level with the target vacuum level, in order to assess the condition of the oil and determine if an oil change is recommended.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.