GB2424928A - Vacuum pumping control arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum pumping arrangement comprises a pump 12, a control system 14 for controlling operation of the pump and a data carrier 24. The data carrier comprises a chip for receiving data relating to the pump and for storing this data in its memory. The pumping arrangement also has means for transferring data between the control system and data carrier. The control system may be configured to output data indicative of the use of the pump to the data transfer means. The control system may comprise monitoring means comprising at least one sensor 16, for monitoring parameters of the pump, and output data indicative of these parameters to the data transfer means. The pump control system may operate the pump in accordance with configuration data stored in the data carrier memory. The data cater may store an address for the pump, be in the form of an RFID tag and be portable, with the data transfer means having means for releasably receiving the portable data carrier. The data transfer means may comprise a wireless link. Also independently claimed is a vacuum pumping arrangement which comprises a pump, a portable data cater having a memory storing data relating to the pump and a reader for releasably receiving the data carrier and in communication with the pump control system.

Description

VACUUM PUMPING ARRANGEMENT

The present invention relates to a vacuum pumping arrangement, and in particular to the storage of data associated with the pump of such an arrangement.

Vacuum pumps are often associated with a control system that enables operation of the vacuum pump in one of a number of different modes. This enables the operational profile of the pump to be tailored to accommodate a particular pumping application. Traditional methods of changing the control parameters are to use hardware switches and jumper settings, or to load new software code or configuration data sets in the control system. The control system is often connected to one or more locally attached and/or remotely networked devices to improve maintenance and service efficiency of the pump.

When a pump is taken out of service, for example, for routine maintenance or replacement, it is desirable for data associated with the operational history of the pump to be available to the service personnel. As the control system can provide useful diagnostic and/or asset information relating to the status and/or condition of the pump prior to being taken out of service, this system may also be removed from service to accompany the pump to a remote service location.

However, if the control system is also removed from the pumping arrangement for service of the pump, there is a risk that the control system may become dissociated from the pump before reaching the service location, and it may be difficult to bring those two items back together again.

The control system may also become disassociated from the pump during the actual servicing of the pump. This can result from dismantling of the pump, and/or the fitting to the pump of an alternative control system, for example, to investigate the cause of a malfunction. In the event that the pump becomes dissociated from its control system, the diagnostic and/or asset information relating to the status and/or condition of the pump can be lost. Furthermore, a replacement control system would need to be provided and configured to the previous settings, which can be a costly and time-consuming process that can be prone to error. For example, if a vacuum pump is returned with an inappropriately configured control system for any reason, this can raise a number of safety issues Networks often rely on each node of the network having a unique physical address. A software mechanism is then typically used to map that unique address into a logical name. For a vacuum pumping arrangement, the physical address is provided by the control system. If the control system were to be replaced with another such system, that system would have a different physical address. This would result in a breakdown of the mapping.

It is an aim of at least the preferred embodiments of the present invention to seek to solve these and other problems.

In a first aspect the present invention provides a vacuum pumping arrangement comprising a pump, a control system for controlling operation of the pump, a data carrier comprising a chip for receiving data relating to the pump and for storing said data in memory thereof, and means for transferring data between the control system and the data carrier.

By providing such a data carrier, data relating to the pump can be stored separately from a control system for controlling operation of the pump. As a result, in the event that the pump needs to be removed from the pumping arrangement for any reason, such as maintenance, repair or replacement, the data carrier can conveniently accompany the pump to provide information relating to the pump. Such information may include, but is not limited to: * an address for the pump; * the configuration of the pump; * information relating to the operation of the pump; and information relating to faults or errors occurring during use of the pump.

The first two types of data listed above can be written on the memory of the chip during initial set-up for a particular pumping application. This data can be transferred from the data carrier to the control system to enable the control system to operate the pumping arrangement according to the configuration data stored on the data carrier, and to provide an address for use by the control system in correspondence with other devices attached to a common network.

The second two types of data can be written on the data carrier by the control system during operation of the pump. This can enable data relating to the use of the pump to be recorded on the data carrier. Such data can include information relating to the number of hours of operation of the pump, the number of times there has been an interruption in power to the pump, and/or data indicating that one or more alarms or alerts has been generated during use of the pump. As a iS result, a comprehensive history of the life of the pump can be provided by the data carrier.

By keeping the control system with the remainder of the vacuum pumping arrangement when the pump is removed, connections between the control system and other components of the pumping arrangement can be maintained.

Such components may include pressure, temperature, and vibration sensors for monitoring, and providing signals indicative of, operational parameters of the pump, the motor for driving the pump, and an interface for receiving signals from other devices of a network connected to the control system, such as a process tool or abatement apparatus.

In order to prevent unauthorised access to the information stored on the data carrier, either the chip or the control system may encrypt the data prior to storage in the memory of the chip, and/or prior to transfer of the data therefrom. The controller and the chip may store symmetrical keys for encrypting and decrypting the data. Alternatively a public/private key encryption method may be used.

Security can also be enhanced by requiring the identity of the control system, or any other device accessing the information stored on the data carrier, to be authenticated before access to the data stored in the memory of the chip is permitted. Authentication of the control system can be initiated each time that the pump is switched on.

The data carrier can be provided in any one of a number of convenient forms.

For example, the data carrier may be a portable data carrier, such as a smartcard, SIM card, PCMCIA card or other portable electronic card. In this case, the pumping arrangement preferably comprises a card reader for releasably receiving the card, and reading data stored on the card and/or writing data on the card.

An advantage associated with the use of a portable data carrier is that the pump can be replaced and returned to the pumping arrangement with the portable data carrier, and thus with the same network address, authentication and configuration data of the replaced pump. This can significantly reduce the downtime associated with a pump failure. Therefore, in a second aspect the present invention provides a vacuum pumping arrangement comprising a pump, a portable data carrier having a memory storing data relating to the pump, a portable data carrier reader for releasably receiving the portable data carrier and reading data stored thereon, and a control system in communication with the reader for receiving the data from the reader and controlling the pump in dependence thereon.

Whilst this form of data carrier can be conveniently removed from, and returned to, the pumping arrangement, there is the possibility that the card may still become disassociated from the pump during servicing. Therefore, as an alternative, the data carrier may be permanently attached to the pump, so that when the pump is removed from the pumping arrangement, the data carrier is automatically removed with, and maintained with, the pump. In this case, the data carrier may also be in the form of a chip, electronic card bearing the chip, or an AFID tag attached to the pump. In the event that the pump requires replacement, the data stored on the data carrier can be readily transferred to that attached to the replacement pump.

A wired or a wireless link may be provided between the data carrier and the controller for conveying data between the data carrier and the controller.

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a vacuum pumping arrangement; Figure 2 illustrates connections between the pump controller and other components of the arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view of a data carrier attached to a pump of the arrangement of Figure 1; Figure 4 illustrates an assembled view of the data carrier of Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates connections between the pump controller and other components of the arrangement of Figure 1 when an RFID chip device provides the data carrier; Figure 6 illustrates connections between the pump controller and other components of the arrangement of Figure 1 when the data carrier is provided by a smartcard; and Figure 7 illustrates a portable data carrier partially inserted into a slot of a housing of the pumping arrangement.

With reference to Figure 1, a vacuum pumping arrangement 10 comprises a pump 12 and a pump controller 14 for controlling operation of the pump 12. The arrangement 1 0 includes at least one sensor 1 6 for detecting one or more parameters indicative of the status or condition of the pumping mechanism 12 during use thereof. These sensors 1 6 output data indicative of the monitored conditions. As illustrated in Figure 2, the pump controller 14 receives signals from a sensor interface 18, which receives the signals from the sensors 16. The pump controller 14 also receives data from, and outputs control signals to, a motor drive 20 for controlling a motor for driving the pumping mechanism of the pump, and a tool interface 22, which connects the pumping arrangement 10 to a network consisting of various other devices, such as a process tool, additional pumps, and an abatement tool.

The pump controller 14 can thus receive information indicative of, for example, the pressure at one or more locations within the pump 12, for example at the inlet and exhaust of the pump 12, the temperature of the pump 12, gases passing through the pump 12, and the current drawn by the motor. The pump controller 14 also monitors the number of hours for which the pump has been operating, any alerts or alarms generated during operation of the pump 12, for example when the operating temperature of the pump or current drawn by the motor rises above a particular threshold value. Of particular interest in turbomolecular pumps having magnetic bearings is the number of times that the pump 12 has been powered down or has lost power entirely. In this event, the magnetic bearings stop functioning, destroying the support provided thereby and possibly leading to contact between the internal components of the pumping mechanism.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the pumping arrangement 10 further comprises a data carrier 24 separate from the pump controller 14. The data carrier 24 comprises a chip device having a non-volatile memory or a combination of such a memory and an on-board local processor. Such devices are commonly referred to as smart chips", as typically used in credit card, mobile phone and security applications.

The smart chip 24 may be provided in one of a number of different formats. For example, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the smart chip 24 may be attached to the pump 12. In the example illustrated in those figures, an end plate 26 of the pump 12 includes a recess 28 for receiving the smart chip 24. A connector 30 for making connections with terminals of the smart chip 24 is mounted on a printed circuit board 32. A cover plate 34 secures the smart chip 24 to the connector 30, and may be attached to the recess 28 using an epoxy resin, such as an industrial grade heat resistant two part epoxy adhesive (Araldite 2014).

The smart chip 24 is attached to the cover plate 34 by the same epoxy resin. As shown in Figure 4, the cover plate 34 includes legs 36 which can be bent around the board 32 to secure the connector 30 to the smart chip 24. Threaded bolts 38 can then be passed through apertures 40 formed in the board 32 to engage conformingly threaded apertures 42 in the end plate 26 to secure the board 32 to the end plate 26. In practice, it is more likely that the smart chip 24, connector 30, board 32 and cover plate 34 would be preassembled and bonded to the end plate 26 as a single unit, with the bolts 38 acting not only as additional securing means during normal usage but also as a retaining mechanism whilst the epoxy goes off. As also illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the board 32 includes a socket 44 for receiving a plug 46 for connecting the connector 30 to a data reader for transferring data between the pump controller 14 and the smart chip 24.

In use, the stator may reach elevated temperatures in the region of 100CC.

Whilst the use of heat resistant epoxy may reduce the risk of the overheating of the smart chip 24, thermal insulating material can also be used to shield the smart chip 24 from excessive temperatures. Alternatively, the smart chip 24 may be positioned in a cooler environment than the stator of the pump 12. For example, the smart chip 24 may be located in thermal contact with part of the cooling system for the pump, for example, on a pipe conveying coolant to the cooling system or on a portion of the housing of the pump adjacent to a cooling jacket.

In this example, the smart chip 24 is connected to the data reader by a wired link 48. Alternatively, as illustrated in Figure 5, the smart chip 24 may be connected to the data reader 50 by a wireless link 52. For example, the smart chip 24 may be in the form of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag to which data can be transferred, and from which data can be read, by electromagnetic waves output from the data reader 50. This can increase the flexibility of the location of the smart chip 24 relative to the pump 12.

In another alternative, the smart chip 24 may be separate from both the pump 12 and the pump controller 14. For example, as illustrated schematically in Figures 6 and 7, the smart chip 24 may be in the form of a smartcard, SIM card, PCMCIA card or other portable electronic card that is insertable into a card reader 54 for reading data stored on the card 24 and/or writing data on the card 24. Where the smart chip 24 is in the form of smartcard or PCMCIA card, the card reader 54 may comprise a slot 56 for receiving the card 24. Alternatively, where the smart chip 24 is in the form of a SIM card, the card reader 54 may comprise a recessed body for receiving the card in the recess thereof, and a cover connectable to the body for closing the recess to retain the SIM card within the body. In another alternative, the smart chip may be in the form of an electronic key" insertable Into an aperture in the data reader to enable data to be transferred thereto and/or therefrom.

In any of the aforementioned arrangements, during initial configuration of the pumping arrangement 10, the smart chip 24 has stored thereon an address for the pumping arrangement 10 and configuration data for the pump 12. When the smart chip 24 is connected to the data reader, this information is transferred from the smart chip 24 to the pump controller 14, which uses the configuration data to control operation of the pump 1 2 and uses the address as a network address for the pumping arrangement 1 0. The pump controller 14 subsequently transfers to the smart chip 24 data, as described above, associated with the use of the pump 12. As a result, over time the smart chip 24 builds up a comprehensive history of the pump 12. This history can be accessed during, for example, servicing of the pump in the event of a pump malfunction. Where the servicing is conducted at a remote facility, the smart chip 24 can be sent to the remote facility with the pump 12 to enable the pump's history to be accessed. Where the smart chip is attached to the pump 12, as in the example illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, connecting an external data reader to the socket 44 of the board 32 can enable this information to be accessed. Where the smart chip is in removable card form, the information can be accessed by inserted the card into a card reader provided at the service location. From the information recorded on the smart chip 24, the service engineer is able to rapidly and accurately assess the level and potential causes of damage to different components of the pump 12. In the event that the pump 12 requires re-configuration, a new configuration profile can be loaded on to the smart chip 24, which can be subsequently transferred to the pump controller 14 when pump 12 and smart chip 24 are returned. In the event that the pump 12 requires replacement, the portable data carrier can simply be returned with the new pump; where the data carrier is attached to the pump, the information stored on the data carrier can be readily transferred to an equivalent data carrier attached to the replacement pump. As a result, it can be assured that the replacement pump will retain the network address and configuration of the replaced pump.

In order to prevent unauthorised corruption or re-configuration of the data stored on the smart chip 24 during servicing, the smart chip may be configured to initiate an authentication program upon access by the external, or any other, controller so as to authenticate the identity of that controller before permitting any access to the data stored thereon. In addition, or alternatively, the data may be stored on the smart chip 24 in an encrypted form, the controller being required to possess the relevant symmetric or asymmetric key required to decrypt the data. - 10-

Claims (19)

1. A vacuum pumping arrangement comprising a pump, a control system for controlling operation of the pump, a data carrier comprising a chip for receiving data relating to the pump and for storing said data in memory thereof, and means for transferring data between the control system and the data carrier.

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to output to the data transfer means data indicative of the use of the pump.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the control system comprises means for monitoring one or more parameters during use of the pump, and is configured to output to the data transfer means data indicative of the monitored parameters.

4. An arrangement according to Claim 3, wherein the monitoring means comprises at least one sensor.

5. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the data carrier memory stores configuration data for the pump, the control system being configured to operate the pump in accordance with the configuration data.

6. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the data carrier memory stores an address for the pump.

7. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein data carrier is attached to another part of the pumping arrangement.

8. An arrangement according to Claim 7, wherein the data carrier is located in thermal contact with a cooling mechanism for the pump.

9. An arrangement according to Claim 7, wherein the data carrier is attached to the pump.

10. An arrangement according to Claim 9, wherein the data carrier is attached to a housing of the pump.

11. An arrangement according to Claim 1 0, wherein the data carrier is attached to the stator of the pump.

12. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the transfer means comprises a wireless link.

13. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the data carrier is in the form of an RFID tag.

14. An arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the data carrier is a portable data carrier, the data transfer means comprising means for releasably receiving the portable data carrier.

15. A vacuum pumping arrangement comprising a pump, a portable data carrier having a memory storing data relating to the pump, a portable data carrier reader for releasably receiving the portable data carrier and reading data stored thereon, and a control system in communication with the reader for receiving the data from the reader and controlling the pump in dependence thereon.

16. An arrangement according to Claim 14 or Claim 15, wherein the data carrier is in the form of a card. - 12-

17. An arrangement according to Claim 16, wherein the means for receiving the portable data carrier comprises a slot through which the portable data carrier is inserted thereinto.

18. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the data carrier is configured to authenticate the control system prior to permitting access to the data stored in the memory thereof.

19. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the data carrier is configured to encrypt data prior to storage in the memory thereof.