IP Library Granted Patent US 11,511,249
Granted Patent B2
US 11,511,249 · App. 17/133,744 · Granted Nov 29, 2022

High-load vacuum chamber motion feedthrough system and methods

Inventors: Ivan Townsend (Kennedy Space Center, FL); Jason Schuler (Kennedy Space Center, FL); Robert Cox (Kennedy Space Center, FL)
Assignee: Sidus Space, Inc.
B01J3/006
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,511,249
App. No.
17/133,744
Granted
Nov 29, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber is provided and includes a hollow tube having a length, an inner circumference, and a first recess located within the inner circumference. The feedthrough also includes a first O-ring captured by the first recess within the hollow tube. The feedthrough further includes a rod extending through an entirety of the length of the hollow tube. An outer circumference of the rod is configured to contact an entirety of an inner circumference of the first O-ring, and a vacuum fitting is fixedly secured to the hollow tube.

Claims (44)

1. A feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber comprising:

a hollow tube having a length, an inner circumference, and a first recess located within the inner circumference;

a first O-ring captured by the first recess, within the hollow tube;

a rod extending through an entirety of the length of the hollow tube, wherein an outer circumference of the rod is configured to contact an entirety of an inner circumference of the first O-ring; and

a vacuum fitting fixedly secured to the hollow tube.

2. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 1 wherein the vacuum fitting is welded to the hollow tube.

3. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 1 wherein the vacuum fitting comprises a standard KF vacuum fitting.

4. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 1 wherein the first O-ring comprises a low abrasion O-ring.

5. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 1 further comprising:

a second O-ring;

wherein the hollow tube has a second recess located within the inner circumference and configured to capture the second O-ring; and

wherein the outer circumference of the rod is configured to contact an entirety of an inner circumference of the second O-ring.

6. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 5 further comprising a cavity defined by the first O-ring, the second O-ring, an inner side of a side wall of the hollow tube, and an outer side of the rod.

7. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 6 further comprising an aperture extending through an entirety of the side wall of the hollow tube at a portion of the side wall defining the cavity.

8. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 7 further comprising a lubricant carried within the cavity.

9. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 1 wherein a first end of the rod is adapted to secure to an object located within the vacuum chamber.

10. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 1 wherein a first end of the rod is tapped.

11. A feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber comprising:

a hollow tube having a length, an inner circumference, and a first recess located within the inner circumference;

a first O-ring captured by the first recess, within the hollow tube;

a rod extending through an entirety of the length of the hollow tube, wherein an outer circumference of the rod is configured to contact an entirety of an inner circumference of the first O-ring;

a vacuum fitting fixedly secured to the hollow tube; and

a second O-ring;

wherein the hollow tube has a second recess located within the inner circumference and configured to capture the second O-ring;

wherein the outer circumference of the rod is configured to contact an entirety of an inner circumference of the second O-ring; and

wherein the vacuum fitting comprises a standard KF vacuum fitting.

12. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 11 wherein the vacuum fitting is welded to the hollow tube.

13. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 11 wherein the first O-ring and the second O-ring each comprise a low abrasion O-ring.

14. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 11 further comprising a cavity defined by the first O-ring, the second O-ring, an inner side of a side wall of the hollow tube, and an outer side of the rod.

15. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 11 further comprising an aperture extending through an entirety of the side wall of the hollow tube at a portion of the side wall defining the cavity.

16. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 15 further comprising a lubricant carried within the cavity.

17. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 11 wherein a first end of the rod is adapted to secure to an object located within the vacuum chamber; and wherein the first end of the rod is tapped.

18. A feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber comprising:

a hollow tube having a length, an inner circumference, and a first recess located within the inner circumference;

a first O-ring captured by the first recess, within the hollow tube;

a rod extending through an entirety of the length of the hollow tube, wherein an outer circumference of the rod is configured to contact an entirety of an inner circumference of the first O-ring; and

a vacuum fitting fixedly secured to the hollow tube;

wherein a first end of the rod is adapted to secure to an object located within the vacuum chamber;

wherein the first end of the rod is tapped.

19. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 18 further comprising:

a second O-ring;

wherein the hollow tube has a second recess located within the inner circumference and configured to capture the second O-ring; and

wherein the outer circumference of the rod is configured to contact an entirety of an inner circumference of the second O-ring.

20. The feedthrough for use in a vacuum chamber according to claim 19 further comprising a cavity defined by the first O-ring, the second O-ring, an inner side of a side wall of the hollow tube, and an outer side of the rod; and an aperture extending through an entirety of the side wall of the hollow tube at a portion of the side wall defining the cavity.

Assignments (3)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 5, 2021
From: CRAIG TECHNOLOGIES AEROSPACE SOLUTIONS, INC. D/B/A/ SIDUS SPACE
To: SIDUS SPACE, INC.
Reel/Frame 057699/0222 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 19, 2021
From: CRAIG TECHNOLOGIES AEROSPACE SOLUTIONS, LLC
To: CRAIG TECHNOLOGIES AEROSPACE SOLUTIONS, INC. D/B/A/ SIDUS SPACE
Reel/Frame 056908/0918 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2021
From: TOWNSEND, IVAN
To: CRAIG TECHNOLOGIES AEROSPACE SOLUTIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 055059/0807 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16378042 · Apr 8, 2019
Provisional Application 62654971 · Apr 9, 2018
Related Publication 20210146324A1 · May 20, 2021