A suction cup for engaging and lifting an object is disclosed, comprising a lip, a bellows, and an upper portion sealingly connected to the bellows for connecting an inner volume of the suction cup to a source of vacuum, which cup, in an operative state, is capable of being locked in an at least partly compressed state of the lip and/or bellows. Locking is accomplished by air entrapped in a sealed exterior volume formed between the lip and bellows and/or between one or more segments of the bellows in an operative state being evacuated through one or more through open holes provided in the lip and/or bellows when vacuum is connected to the suction cup. A corresponding lip and a corresponding bellows for use in the suction cup are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a redundant vacuum pumping system (300) and a pumping method using this system, comprising a primary roots pump (302), a first pumping sub-system (310) and a second pumping sub-system (320), wherein the first pumping sub-system (310) and the second pumping sub-system (320) are arranged to pump in parallel the gas evacuated by the primary roots pump (302), the first pumping sub-system (310) comprising a first secondary roots pump (311) and a first positive displacement pump (312) and a first valve (313) positioned between the gas discharge outlet (302b) of the primary roots pump (302) and the gas suction inlet (311a) of the first secondary roots pump (311), and the second pumping sub-system (320) comprising a second secondary roots pump (311) and a second positive displacement pump (312) and a second valve (323) positioned between the gas discharge outlet (302b) of the primary roots pump (302) and the gas suction inlet (321a) of the second secondary roots pump (321). According to the invention, the first pumping sub-system (310) and the second pumping sub-system (320) are configured to pump at a same flow rate, and the primary roots pump (302) is configured to be able to pump at a flow rate F equal to the pumping flow rate of the primary pumping sub-system (310) plus the pumping flow rate of the secondary pumping sub-system (320).

The present invention relates to a redundant vacuum pumping system (300) and a pumping method using this system, comprising a primary roots pump (302), a first pumping sub-system (310) and a second pumping sub-system (320), wherein the first pumping sub-system (310) and the second pumping sub-system (320) are arranged to pump in parallel the gas evacuated by the primary roots pump (302), the first pumping sub-system (310) comprising a first secondary roots pump (311) and a first positive displacement pump (312) and a first valve (313) positioned between the gas discharge outlet (302b) of the primary roots pump (302) and the gas suction inlet (311a) of the first secondary roots pump (311), and the second pumping sub-system (320) comprising a second secondary roots pump (311) and a second positive displacement pump (312) and a second valve (323) positioned between the gas discharge outlet (302b) of the primary roots pump (302) and the gas suction inlet (321a) of the second secondary roots pump (321). According to the invention, the first pumping sub-system (310) and the second pumping sub-system (320) are configured to pump at a same flow rate, and the primary roots pump (302) is configured to be able to pump at a flow rate F equal to the pumping flow rate of the primary pumping sub-system (310) plus the pumping flow rate of the secondary pumping sub-system (320).

The present invention relates to an apparatus for evacuating a collection container, comprising a pump, the pump being suitable for being in connection with the collection container with its inlet, a pressure tank and a directional control valve, the pump transporting a medium out of the collection container and the pressure tank into the atmosphere when the pressure tank is connected to its inlet, wherein the directional control valve is configured to switch the pressure tank from the inlet to the outlet of the pump when a predefined criterion is fulfilled. The present invention further relates to a breast pump device comprising an apparatus for evacuating a collection container and a receiving funnel for receiving a beast of a woman.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for evacuating a collection container, comprising a pump, the pump being suitable for being in connection with the collection container with its inlet, a pressure tank and a directional control valve, the pump transporting a medium out of the collection container and the pressure tank into the atmosphere when the pressure tank is connected to its inlet, wherein the directional control valve is configured to switch the pressure tank from the inlet to the outlet of the pump when a predefined criterion is fulfilled. The present invention further relates to a breast pump device comprising an apparatus for evacuating a collection container and a receiving funnel for receiving a beast of a woman.

The disclosure includes an outer electrode and an inner electrode. The outer electrode defines an inner volume and is configured to receive injected electrons through at least one aperture. The inner electrode positioned in the inner volume. The outer electrode and inner electrode are configured to confine the received electrons in orbits around the inner electrode in response to an electric potential between the outer electrode and the inner electrode. The apparatus does not include a component configured to generate an electron-confining magnetic field.

The disclosure includes an outer electrode and an inner electrode. The outer electrode defines an inner volume and is configured to receive injected electrons through at least one aperture. The inner electrode positioned in the inner volume. The outer electrode and inner electrode are configured to confine the received electrons in orbits around the inner electrode in response to an electric potential between the outer electrode and the inner electrode. The apparatus does not include a component configured to generate an electron-confining magnetic field.

A method of controlling monitoring of a vacuum system, the vacuum system, and the monitoring control system are disclosed. The method comprises: selecting at least one of a plurality of processes for monitoring the vacuum system from a data store storing the plurality of processes. Executing the at least one selected process Wherein one of the at least one selected processes comprises a process for monitoring a parameter of the vacuum system and for responding to changes in the parameter to trigger at least one of: execution of a further one of the plurality of processes; output of an alarm or notification signal; and output of a control signal for controlling operation of at least one component of the vacuum system.

A method of controlling monitoring of a vacuum system, the vacuum system, and the monitoring control system are disclosed. The method comprises: selecting at least one of a plurality of processes for monitoring the vacuum system from a data store storing the plurality of processes. Executing the at least one selected process Wherein one of the at least one selected processes comprises a process for monitoring a parameter of the vacuum system and for responding to changes in the parameter to trigger at least one of: execution of a further one of the plurality of processes; output of an alarm or notification signal; and output of a control signal for controlling operation of at least one component of the vacuum system.

Aspects of the present invention relate to a vacuum system. The vacuum system includes a vacuum pump; and a heat exchanger for receiving a heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid comprising a gas. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the vacuum pump and is operable to absorb thermal energy from the vacuum pump. Aspects of the present invention also relate to a method of operating a vacuum system; and a controller for controlling operation of a vacuum system.