Stator disk and vacuum pump

Abstract

A stator disk includes a connection hole for improving exhaust efficiency in a vacuum pump including a Seigbahn type molecular pump portion, and a vacuum pump including the stator disk. The vacuum pump according to an embodiment includes a Seigbahn type molecular pump portion and includes, in a stator disk disposed therein, a connection hole that connects an upper space (an inlet port side region, an upstream side region) with a lower space (an outlet port side region, a downstream side region) in the axial direction of the stator disk.

Claims

1. A stator disk that is used in a first gas transfer mechanism for transferring gas from an inlet port side to an outlet port side and forms a spiral groove exhaust portion by interaction with a rotating disk formed in a rotor portion including a rotating cylinder, wherein a spiral groove including root portions and ridge portions is formed in at least a part of opposed surfaces of the stator disk and the rotating disk, a plurality of connection channels extending radially outward from an inner diameter surface of the stator disk or a plurality of through-holes penetrating from the inlet port side to the outlet port side and formed in the root portions of the stator disk is provided in an inner circumference side portion of the stator disk.

2. The stator disk according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of through-holes connect, among the root portions, the root portions formed on a surface of the stator disk on the inlet port side with the root portions formed on a surface of the stator disk on the outlet port side.

3. The stator disk according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of connection channels are formed in, among the root portions, the root portions of either a surface of the stator disk on the inlet port side or a surface of the stator disk on the outlet port side.

4. The stator disk according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of through-holes are formed across, among the root portions, a plurality of the root portions at an end of downstream side on a surface of the inlet port side of the stator disk, or a plurality of the root portions at an end of upstream side on a surface of the outlet port side of the stator disk.

5. The stator disk according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection channels are formed in, among the root portions, the root portions of either a surface of the stator disk on the inlet port side or a surface of the stator disk on the outlet port side.

6. The stator disk according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of through-holes are formed across, among the root portions, a plurality of the root portions at an end of downstream side on a surface of the inlet port side of the stator disk, or a plurality of the root portions at an end of upstream side on a surface of the outlet port side of the stator disk.

7. The stator disk according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection channels are formed to open to a gap formed by the rotating cylinder and an inner circumferential portion of the stator disk.

8. The stator disk according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of through-holes penetrate from a region on a rotating direction side of the rotating disk in the root portions at an end of downstream side on a surface of the inlet port side of the stator disk, to a region on the opposite side to the rotating direction side of the rotating disk in the root portions at an end of upstream side on a surface of the outlet port side of the stator disk.

9. The stator disk according to claim 1, wherein the spiral groove has a tangential angle larger on an inner diameter side than on an outer diameter side.

10. The stator disk according to claim 1, wherein the spiral groove has a width of the ridge portions smaller on an inner diameter side than on an outer diameter side.

11. A vacuum pump comprising: a casing in which an inlet port and an outlet port are formed; a rotating shaft included in the casing and rotatably supported; the stator disk according to claim 1; the rotating disk provided in plurality in multiple stages on the rotating shaft; and the first gas transfer mechanism, which is a Seigbahn type molecular pump portion that transfers gas sucked from the inlet port side to the outlet port side by interaction of the rotating disk and the stator disk.

12. The vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein the vacuum pump is a complex type turbo molecular pump further comprising: a rotor blade; a stator blade; and a second gas transfer mechanism, which is a turbo molecular pump portion that transfers gas sucked from the inlet port side to the outlet port side by interaction of the rotor blade and the stator blade.

13. The vacuum pump according to claim 12, wherein the vacuum pump is a complex type turbo molecular pump including a third gas transfer mechanism, which is a screw groove type pump portion that includes a screw groove in at least a part of opposed surfaces of a rotating component and a stator component, and that transfers gas sucked from the inlet port side to the outlet port side.

14. The vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein a width of at least a portion of a gap formed by the rotating cylinder and the stator disk is smaller than a depth of an exhaust groove channel formed by the stator disk and the rotating disk on the inlet port side.

15. The vacuum pump according to claim 14, wherein the vacuum pump is a complex type turbo molecular pump further comprising: a rotor blade; a stator blade; and a second gas transfer mechanism, which is a turbo molecular pump portion that transfers gas sucked from the inlet port side to the outlet port side by interaction of the rotor blade and the stator blade.

16. The vacuum pump according to claim 14, wherein the vacuum pump is a complex type turbo molecular pump including a third gas transfer mechanism, which is a screw groove type pump portion that includes a screw groove in at least a part of opposed surfaces of a rotating component and a stator component, and that transfers gas sucked from the inlet port side to the outlet port side.

17. The vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein a cross-sectional area of at least a portion of a gap formed by the rotating cylinder and the stator disk is smaller than a cross-sectional area of an exhaust groove channel formed by the stator disk and the rotating disk on the inlet port side.

18. The vacuum pump according to claim 17, wherein the vacuum pump is a complex type turbo molecular pump further comprising: a rotor blade; a stator blade; and a second gas transfer mechanism, which is a turbo molecular pump portion that transfers gas sucked from the inlet port side to the outlet port side by interaction of the rotor blade and the stator blade.

19. The vacuum pump according to claim 17, wherein the vacuum pump is a complex type turbo molecular pump including a third gas transfer mechanism, which is a screw groove type pump portion that includes a screw groove in at least a part of opposed surfaces of a rotating component and a stator component, and that transfers gas sucked from the inlet port side to the outlet port side.

20. The vacuum pump according to claim 11, wherein the vacuum pump is a complex type turbo molecular pump including a third gas transfer mechanism, which is a screw groove type pump portion that includes a screw groove in at least a part of opposed surfaces of a rotating component and a stator component, and that transfers gas sucked from the inlet port side to the outlet port side.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a Seigbahn type molecular pump according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining connection holes of a stator disk according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining connection holes of the stator disk according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining connection holes of the stator disk according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the Seigbahn type molecular pump according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining connection holes of the stator disk according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining connection holes of the stator disk according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining connection holes of the stator disk according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(9) FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining connection holes of the stator disk according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining connection holes according to an embodiment of the present invention and is a sectional view of the stator disk viewed from an inlet port side;

(11) FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining connection holes according to an embodiment of the present invention and is a sectional view of the stator disk viewed from the inlet port side;

(12) FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the related art and is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a Seigbahn type molecular pump; and

(13) FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the related art and is a sectional view of a stator disk viewed from an inlet port side.

(14) FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a complex pump with a Seigbahn type pump portion and a screw groove type pump portion according to an embodiment;

(15) FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a complex pump with a Seigbahn type pump portion, a molecular pump portion and a screw groove type pump portion according to an embodiment;

(16) FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a complex pump with a Seigbahn type pump portion and a molecular pump portion according to an embodiment; of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(17) (i) Overview of an Embodiment

(18) A vacuum pump according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a Seigbahn type molecular pump portion and includes, in a stator disk disposed therein, a connection hole that connects an upper space (an inlet port side region, an upstream side region) with a lower space (an outlet port side region, a downstream side region) in the axial direction of the stator disk.

(19) (ii) Details of the Embodiment

(20) A preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

(21) In this embodiment, a Seigbahn type molecular pump is explained as an example of the vacuum pump.

(22) Note that, in this embodiment, a direction perpendicular to the diameter direction of a rotating disk is an axial direction.

(23) In the following explanation, an inlet port side of one (one stage of) stator disk is referred to as Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region and an outlet port side of the stator disk is referred to as Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region.

(24) First, the configuration of a Seigbahn type for turning back and exhausting gas to exhaust the gas in the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region from an outer diameter side to an inner diameter side and exhaust the gas in the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side is explained.

(25) (ii-1) Configuration

(26) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

(27) Note that FIG. 1 shows a sectional view in the axial direction of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1.

(28) A casing 2 forming a casing of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The casing 2 and a base 3 provided in a lower part (on an outlet port 6 side) of the casing 2 configure a housing of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1. A gas transfer mechanism, which is a structure for causing the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 to exhibit an exhaust function, is housed in the housing.

(29) The gas transfer mechanism is roughly configured from a rotatably axially supported rotating portion and a stator portion fixed to the housing.

(30) At an end portion of the casing 2, an inlet port 4 for introducing gas into the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 is formed. A flange portion 5 protruding to an outer circumference side is formed on an end face on the inlet port 4 side of the casing 2.

(31) In the base 3, the outlet port 6 for exhausting gas from the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 is formed.

(32) The rotating portion (a rotor portion) is configured from a shaft 7, which is a rotating shaft, a rotor 8 disposed in the shaft 7, a plurality of rotating disks 9 provided in the rotor 8, a rotating cylinder 10, and the like. Note that the rotor portion is configured by the shaft 7 and the rotor 8.

(33) The rotating disks 9 are made of disk members formed in a disk shape radially expanding perpendicularly to the axis of the shaft 7.

(34) The rotating cylinder 10 is made of a cylinder member formed in a cylindrical shape concentric with the rotation axis of the rotor 8.

(35) In the middle of the axial direction of the shaft 7, a motor portion 20 for rotating the shaft 7 at high speed is provided.

(36) Further, on the inlet port 4 side and the outlet port 6 side with respect to the motor portion 20 of the shaft 7, radial direction magnetic bearing devices 30 and 31 for supporting (axially supporting) the shaft 7 in a radial direction in a non-contact manner are provided. At the lower end of the shaft 7, an axial direction magnetic bearing device 40 for supporting (axially supporting) the shaft 7 in an axial direction in a non-contact manner is provided.

(37) The stator portion is provided on the inner circumference side of the housing. The stator portion is configured from, for example, a plurality of stator disks 50 provided on the inlet port 4 side. Spiral grooves configured by stator disk root portions 51 and stator disk ridge portions 52 are engraved in the stator disks 50.

(38) Note that, in this embodiment, the spiral grooves are engraved in the stator disks 50. However, not only this, but spiral groove channels only have to be engraved on gap-opposed surfaces of at least one of the rotating disks 9 and the stator disks 50.

(39) The stator disks 50 are configured from disk members formed in a disk shape radially extending perpendicularly to the axis of the shaft 7.

(40) The stator disks 50 in respective stages are fixed apart from one another by spacers 60 (stator portions) formed in a cylindrical shape. The height in the axial direction of the spacers 60 is set to be lower along the axial direction of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1. Consequently, the capacity of a channel gradually decreases toward the outlet port 6 of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 to compress gas that passes inside the gas transfer mechanism. Arrows in FIG. 1 indicates a flow of the gas.

(41) In the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1, the rotating disks 9 and the stator disks 50 are alternately disposed and formed in a plurality of stages in the axial direction. However, in order to satisfy discharge performance required of the vacuum pump, any number of rotor components and stator components can be provided according to necessity.

(42) Vacuum exhaust treatment in a vacuum chamber (not shown in the figure) disposed in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 is performed by the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 configured as explained above.

(43) As shown in FIG. 1, the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention explained above includes connection holes 500 in the disposed stator disks 50.

(44) Variations of the connection holes provided in the stator disks 50 disposed in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention are separately explained below in embodiments.

(45) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

(46) (ii-2) First Embodiment

(47) As shown in FIG. 1, in the stator disk 50 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the connection holes 500 connecting the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region and the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region are provided on the inner circumferential portion (i.e., a side opposed to the rotating cylinder 10) of the stator disk 50 on which the spiral grooves are formed. The connection holes 500 are formed as turning-back connection channels.

(48) That is, in the first embodiment of the present invention, gas molecules (gas) flowing in a gas transfer mechanism region do not pass the inner turning-back channel a (FIGS. 12 and 13), which is a space not having exhaust action and compression action. The gas molecules pass, as connection paths for turning back, the connection holes 500 provided in a through-hole shape in the stator disk 50 that connect spaces having compression action derived by interaction of the stator disk 50 on which spiral grooves (grooves in a spiral shape formed by the stator disk root portions 51 and the stator disk ridge portions 52) are engraved and the rotating disks 9 disposed to be opposed to the stator disk 50 via a gap.

(49) With the configuration explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the connection holes 500 provided in portions where the spiral grooves are present on the inner side (i.e., the rotating cylinder 10 side) of the stator disk 50 connect spiral groove channels having the exhaust action (from the Seigbahn type molecular upstream region to the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region). The flowing gas molecules pass the connection holes 500 as the turning-back channels. Therefore, it is possible to further keep continuity of exhaust without emitting the gas molecules to a space not having the exhaust action.

(50) (ii-3) Second Embodiment

(51) FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining connection holes 501 of the stator disk 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the stator disk 50 taken along line A-A in FIG. 1 viewed from the inlet port 4 side. In the figure, spiral grooves viewed from the outlet port 6 side are indicated by broken lines.

(52) Note that an arrow outside the stator disk 50 in FIG. 2 indicates a rotating direction of the rotating disks 9 not shown in the figure. Arrows inside the stator disk 50 indicate a part of a flow of gas molecules passing the stator disk root portions 51 of the spiral grooves.

(53) As shown in FIG. 2, in the stator disk 50 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the connection holes 501 are provided in the stator disk root portions 51 of one of the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region or the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region.

(54) With the configuration explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the connection holes 501 provided in the stator disk root portions 51 of one of the upstream side (the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region) or the downstream side (the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region) in the stator disk 50 connect the spiral groove channels having the exhaust action (from the Seigbahn type molecular upstream region to the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region). The flowing gas molecules pass the connection holes 501 as turning-back channels. Therefore, it is possible to further keep continuity of exhaust without emitting the gas molecules to a space not having the exhaust action.

(55) In the second embodiment, in channels via the stator disk 50, the channels are connected with each other in the stator disk root portions 51 on one of the upstream side and the downstream side in the spiral groove of the stator disk 50. Therefore, a connection dimension of the channels can be set smaller than when the stator disk ridge portions 52 are connected with each other. As a result, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to turn back the gas molecules with smaller exhaust resistance.

(56) (ii-4) Third Embodiment

(57) FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining connection holes 502 of the stator disk 50 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the stator disk 50 taken along line A-A in FIG. 1 viewed from the inlet port 4 side. In the Figure, spiral grooves viewed from the outlet port 6 side are indicated by broken lines.

(58) Note that an arrow outside the stator disk 50 in FIG. 3 indicates a rotating direction of the rotating disks 9 not shown in the figure. Arrows inside the stator disk 50 indicate a part of a flow of gas molecules passing the stator disk root portions 51 of the spiral grooves.

(59) As shown in FIG. 3, in the stator disk 50 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the connection holes 502 that connect the stator disk root portions 51 in the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region with the stator disk root portions 51 in the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region are provided.

(60) That is, in the third embodiment, the connection holes 502 formed in the stator disk 50 are through-holes that connect together the root portions (the stator disk root portions 51) of the spiral grooves provided on both the surfaces on the upstream side and the downstream side of the stator disk 50.

(61) With the configuration explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the connection holes 502 formed in the stator disk 50 are through-holes penetrating from the stator disk root portions 51 engraved on the upstream side (the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region) to the stator disk root portions 51 engraved on the downstream side (the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region) in the stator disk 50. The connection holes 502 connect the spiral groove channels having the exhaust action (from the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region to the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region), whereby the flowing gas molecules pass the connection holes 502 as the turning-back channels. Therefore, it is possible to further keep continuity of exhaust without emitting the gas molecules to a space not having the exhaust action. Further, since the root portions of the channels are connected with each other, a connection dimension of the channels is minimized. It is possible to turn back the gas molecules with smaller exhaust resistance.

(62) (ii-5) Fourth Embodiment

(63) FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining connection holes 503 of the stator disk 50 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the stator disk 50 taken along line A-A in FIG. 1 viewed from the inlet port 4 side. In the figure, spiral grooves viewed from the outlet port 6 side are indicated by broken lines.

(64) Note that an arrow outside the stator disk 50 in FIG. 4 indicates a rotating direction of the rotating disks 9 not shown in the figure. Arrows inside the stator disk 50 indicate a part of a flow of gas molecules passing the stator disk root portions 51 of the spiral grooves.

(65) As shown in FIG. 4, in the stator disk 50 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the connection holes 503 formed in a plurality of root portions at an end of the outlet port 6 in the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region or a plurality of root portions at an end of the inlet port 4 in the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region.

(66) That is, in the fourth embodiment, as the connection holes 503 formed in the stator disk 50, one connection hole does not need to correspond to one root portion. The connection hole is provided across root portions of a plurality of pitches.

(67) Note that the number of spiral grooves connected to one connection hole 503 changes according to pressure in the spiral grooves. Therefore, it is desirable to optionally select the number of spiral grooves in terms of design.

(68) With the configuration explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the connection holes 503 formed in the stator disk 50 are through-holes penetrating from the stator disk root portions 51 engraved on the upstream side (the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region) to the stator disk root portions 51 engraved on the downstream side (the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region) in the stator disk 50. The connection holes 503 connect the spiral groove channels having the exhaust action (from the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region to the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region) across root portions of a plurality of pitches, whereby the flowing gas molecules pass the connection holes 503 as the turning-back channels. Therefore, it is possible to further keep continuity of exhaust without emitting the gas molecules to a space not having the exhaust action. Further, since the root portions of the channels are connected with each other, a connection dimension of the channels is minimized. It is possible to turn back the gas molecules with smaller exhaust resistance.

(69) (ii-6-1) Fifth Embodiment

(70) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Note that explanation of components same as the components shown in FIG. 1 is omitted.

(71) FIGS. 6A and 6B are sectional views of the stator disk 50 taken along line A-A in FIG. 5 viewed from the inlet port 4 side. In the figures, spiral grooves viewed from the outlet port 6 side are indicated by broken lines.

(72) Note that an arrow outside the stator disk 50 in FIGS. 6A and 6B indicates a rotating direction of the rotating disks 9 not shown in the figure. Arrows inside the stator disk 50 indicate a part of a flow of gas molecules passing the stator disk root portions 51 of the spiral groove.

(73) As shown in FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6A and 6B, the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes connection holes 504 (505) in the disposed stator disk 50.

(74) More specifically, in the stator disk 50 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6A, on the inner circumferential portion (i.e., a side opposed to the rotating cylinder 10) of the stator disk 50 in which the spiral grooves are formed, the connection holes 504 that connect the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region and the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region are disposed in a state in which the connection holes 504 open to a gap formed by the outer diameter surface of the rotating cylinder 10 and the inner diameter surface (i.e., a side not fixed by the spacers 60) of the stator disk 50. When being turned back from upstream to downstream, the gas molecules pass the connection holes 504 as turning-back connection channels.

(75) That is, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the gas molecules passing the gas transfer mechanism pass, as connection paths in turning back, for turning back, the connection holes 504 provided in an opening shape in the rotating cylinder 10 that connect spaces having compression action derived by interaction of the stator disk 50 on which spiral grooves (grooves in a spiral shape formed by the stator disk root portions 51 and the stator disk ridge portions 52) are engraved and the rotating disks 9 disposed to be opposed to the stator disk 50 via a gap.

(76) (ii-6-2) Modifications of the Fifth Embodiment

(77) The configuration of the fifth embodiment explained above can be combined with the configurations of the connection holes (500, 501, 502, and 503) in the first to fourth embodiments as modifications of the first to fourth embodiments.

(78) FIG. 6B is a diagram for explaining, as an example, a modification in which the third embodiment and the fifth embodiment are combined. As shown in FIG. 6B, for example, when the connection holes 502 (FIG. 3) according to the third embodiment of the present invention are combined with the connection holes 504 according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to form connection holes 505 in which a large channel area can be secured when the gas molecules are turned back from upstream to downstream. It is possible to efficiently perform exhaust treatment.

(79) With the configuration explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention and the modifications in which the fifth embodiment and any one of the first embodiment to fourth embodiment are combined, both of space regions of the connection holes 504 (505) and a gap region formed by the outer diameter surface of the rotating cylinder 10 and the inner diameter surface of the stator disk 50 can be used as turning-back channels all together. Therefore, it is possible to maximize a dimension in the radial direction of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1. As a result, it is possible to prevent an increase in the size of the apparatus and provide the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 having high exhaust efficiency.

(80) A momentum to a tangential direction movement side of the rotating disks 9 is always given to the gas molecules (the gas) transferred in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1. Then, on the upstream side, the pressure of a wall on the tangential direction movement side (the forward side) of the rotating disks 9 is always high.

(81) As explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1, the rotating disks 9 give the momentum in the tangential direction to the gas molecules. Therefore, according to a pressure distribution diagram on the upstream (inlet port 4) side and the downstream (the outlet port 6) side of one stator disk 50 disposed in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1, in the spiral groove conduit, pressure near the rotating disk ridge portions 52 (the stator disk 50) located in the rotating direction of the rotating disks 9 tends to be high. Pressure tends to be the highest at an end of the outlet port 6 side. On the other hand, pressure near the rotating disk ridge portions 52 (the stator disk 50) on the opposite side to the rotating direction of the rotating disks 9 tends to be low. Pressure tends to be the lowest at an end of the inlet port 4 side.

(82) Therefore, in a sixth embodiment, connection holes 506 that connect regions with high pressure on the upstream surface of the stator disk 50 and regions with low pressure on the downstream surface of the stator disk 50, that is, connect regions having a pressure difference are formed in the stator disk 50.

(83) (ii-7) Sixth Embodiment

(84) FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the connection holes 506 of the stator disk 50 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Note that explanation of components same as the components shown in FIG. 1 is omitted.

(85) FIG. 7A shows a schematic configuration example of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7A, in the sixth embodiment, phases of spiral grooves formed on both the upper and lower surfaces of the stator disk 50 are shifted not to be the same on the upper surface and the lower surface.

(86) FIG. 7B is a sectional view of the stator disk 50 taken along line A-A in FIG. 7A viewed from the inlet port 4 side. In the figure, spiral grooves viewed from the outlet port 6 side are indicated by broken lines.

(87) Note that an arrow outside the stator disk 50 in FIG. 7B indicates a rotating direction of the rotating disks 9 not shown in the figure. Arrows inside the stator disk 50 indicate a part of a flow of gas molecules passing the stator disk root portions 51 of the spiral grooves.

(88) As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention includes the connection holes 506 in the disposed stator disk 50.

(89) More specifically, in the stator disk 50 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, on the upstream region (the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region) side of the inner circumferential portion (i.e., a side opposed to the rotating cylinder 10) in the stator disk 50 in which the spiral grooves are formed, the connection holes 506 are formed in a part of a place on the rotation moving direction side of the rotating disks 9 rather than all regions of the stator disk root portions 51 of the spiral grooves.

(90) On the other hand, opening tips of the connection holes 506 on the downstream region (the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region) side of the stator disk 50 corresponding to the opening portions of the connection holes 506 on the upstream region side are formed to be connected with a part of a place on the opposite side to the rotation moving direction side of the rotating disks 9 rather than all regions of the stator disk root portions 51 of the spiral grooves in the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region.

(91) That is, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the gas molecules passing the gas transfer mechanism pass regions with high pressure on the upstream surface (the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region) of the stator disk 50 on which the spiral grooves (the grooves of the spiral shape formed by the stator disk root portions 51 and the stator disk ridge portions 52) are formed and regions with low pressure on the downstream surface (the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region) of the stator disk 50. That is, the gas molecules pass, as connection paths for turning back, the connection holes 506 that connect the regions having a pressure difference.

(92) With the configuration explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the connection holes 506 passing the stator disk root portions 51 near the stator disk ridge portions 52 downstream in the rotating direction in the spiral grooves engraved on the upstream surface (the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region) of the stator disk 50 and the stator disk root portions 51 near the stator disk ridge portions 52 upstream in the rotating direction and on the opposite side in the rotating direction in the spiral grooves engraved on the downstream surface (the Seigbahn type molecular pump downstream region) are used as the turning-back channels for the gas molecules. Therefore, a pressure difference in a connecting portion that connects the upstream surface and the downstream surface of the stator disk 50 (connects the upstream surface with the downstream surface) is maximized. Resistance received by the turning-back gas molecules is minimized.

(93) As a result, it is possible to most efficiently turn back and transfer the gas molecules according to a pressure distribution generated in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1. Therefore, it is possible to provide the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 having high exhaust efficiency.

(94) (ii-8-1) Seventh Embodiment

(95) FIGS. 8A and 8B and FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining connection holes 507 of the stator disk 50 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

(96) FIG. 8A shows a schematic configuration example of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. Explanation of components same as the components shown in FIG. 1 is omitted.

(97) As shown in FIG. 8A, the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention includes the connection holes 507 in the disposed stator disk 50.

(98) In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8A, a gap d2 between the rotating cylinder 10 and the stator disk 50 excluding the connection holes 507 is set to be smaller than depth d1 of exhaust grooves in the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region.

(99) That is, the gap (d2) that the gas molecules pass when turning back is set smaller than the width (width of a channel) d1 formed by the rotating disks 9 and the stator disk root portions 51 on the inlet port 4 side of the stator disk 50.

(100) Note that, in the seventh embodiment, length from the surface on the inlet port 4 side of the stator disk 50 to the bottom surfaces of the stator disk root portions 51 is referred to as depth of exhaust grooves.

(101) With the configuration explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the transfer of the gas molecules via the connection holes 507 is predominant over the transfer of the gas molecules in the gap (d2) formed by the outer diameter surface of the rotating cylinder 10 and the inner diameter surface of the stator disk 50. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently turn back and transfer the gas molecules. Therefore, it is possible to provide the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 with high exhaust efficiency.

(102) (ii-8-2) Modifications of the Seventh Embodiment

(103) The configuration of the seventh embodiment explained above can be combined with the configurations of the connection holes (500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, and 506) in the first to sixth embodiments as modifications of the first to sixth embodiments.

(104) Two examples of the combination are explained below.

(105) (1) The Third Embodiment and the Seventh Embodiment . . . Solving Means 7-1 (507)

(106) FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining a modification (connection holes 507) in which the third embodiment and the seventh embodiment are combined. FIG. 8B is a sectional view of the stator disk 50 taken along line A-A in FIG. 8A viewed from the inlet port 4 side. In the figure, spiral grooves viewed from the outlet port 6 side are indicated by broken lines.

(107) Note that an arrow outside the stator disk 50 in FIG. 8B indicates a rotating direction of the rotating disks 9 not shown in the figure. Arrows inside the stator disk 50 indicate a part of a flow of gas molecules passing the stator disk root portions 51 of the spiral grooves.

(108) As shown in FIG. 8B, for example, when the connection holes 502 (FIG. 3) that connect together the root portions (the stator disk root portions 51) of the spiral grooves according to the third embodiment of the present invention are combined with the connection holes (507) according to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to keep continuity of exhaust without emitting the gas molecules to a space not having the exhaust action. Further, since the root portions of the channels are connected with each other, a connection dimension of the channels is minimized. It is possible to form the connection holes 507 that can turn back the gas molecules with smaller exhaust resistance.

(109) (2) The Fifth Embodiment and the Seventh Embodiment . . . Solving Means 7-2 (508)

(110) FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining a modification (connection holes 508) in which the fifth embodiment and the seventh embodiment are combined.

(111) FIG. 9B is a sectional view of the stator disk 50 taken along line A-A in FIG. 9A viewed from the inlet port 4 side. In the figure, spiral grooves viewed from the outlet port 6 side are indicated by broken lines.

(112) Note that an arrow outside the stator disk 50 in FIG. 9B indicates a rotating direction of the rotating disks 9 not shown in the figure. Arrows inside the stator disk 50 indicate a part of a flow of gas molecules passing the stator disk root portions 51 of the spiral grooves.

(113) As shown in FIG. 9B, for example, when the connection holes 504 (FIG. 6A) disposed to be opened to the gap formed by the outer diameter surface of the rotating cylinder 10 and the inner diameter surface of the stator disk 50 are combined with the connection holes (507) according to the seventh embodiment, the connection holes 508 shown in FIG. 9B are formed.

(114) With this configuration, in this modification, both of space regions of the connection holes and a gap region formed by the outer diameter surface of the rotating cylinder 10 and the inner diameter surface of the stator disk 50 can be used as turning-back channels all together. Therefore, in addition to maximizing a dimension in the radial direction of the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 without an increase in the size of the apparatus, it is possible to form connection holes 508 in which a large channel area can be secured when the gas molecules are turned back from upstream to downstream. It is possible to efficiently perform exhaust treatment.

(115) (ii-9) Eighth Embodiment

(116) An eighth embodiment of the present invention is combined with the configurations of the connection holes (500 to 508) explained in the first to seventh embodiments as modifications of the first to seventh embodiments of the present invention.

(117) Connection holes according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention are formed such that, in any one of the configurations explained in the first to seventh embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the gap (d2 in FIGS. 8A and 8B and FIGS. 9A and 9B) between the rotating cylinder 10 and the stator disk 50 excluding the connection holes is smaller than the cross-sectional area of an exhaust groove channel on the upstream side (the Seigbahn type molecular pump upstream region).

(118) The cross-sectional area of the exhaust groove channel in the eight embodiment indicates a circumferential cross-sectional area at a certain radius of the stator disk 50.

(119) With this configuration, when the gas molecules turn back from upstream to downstream across the stator disk 50, as an amount of the passing gas molecules, an amount of the gas molecules passing the connection holes can be set larger than an amount of the gas molecules passing the gap formed by the rotating disks 9 and the stator disk 50. Therefore, the connection holes are mainly used as turning-back channels.

(120) With the configuration explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the transfer of the gas molecules via the connection holes is predominant over the transfer of the gas molecules in the gap (d2 in FIGS. 8A and 8B and FIGS. 9A and 9B) formed by the outer diameter surface of the rotating cylinder 10 and the inner diameter surface of the stator disk 50. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently turn back and transfer the gas molecules. It is possible to realize high exhaust efficiency.

(121) (ii-10) Ninth Embodiment

(122) FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining connection holes 509 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention and is a sectional view of the stator disk 50 viewed from the inlet port 4 side.

(123) The stator disk 50 according to the ninth embodiment is configured such that, as tangential angles of circumferential grooves indicated by a1 and a2 in FIG. 10, the tangential angle a2 on the stator disk inner side is larger than the tangential angle a1 on the stator disk outer side in FIG. 10 (a1<a2).

(124) That is, the stator disk 50 according to the ninth embodiment is configured such that a tangential angle of circumferential grooves on the inner side (i.e., a side opposed to the rotating cylinder 10), which is a side on which the connection holes 509 are disposed, is larger. Therefore, when the number of grooves is the same, the width on the inner side is larger.

(125) With the configuration explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention, the size of the connection holes 509 formed in the stator disk 50 can be increased as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to secure large exhaust conductance. As a result, it is possible to provide the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 more excellent in exhaust efficiency.

(126) The configuration of the ninth embodiment may be applied when not only the stator disk 50 but also a stator disk on which spiral grooves are formed is used. Further, the configuration may be combined with the configurations of the connection holes (500 to 508) in the first to eighth embodiments as modifications of the first to eighth embodiments.

(127) (ii-11) Tenth Embodiment

(128) FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining connection holes 510 according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention and is a sectional view of the stator disk 50 viewed from the inlet port 4 side.

(129) The stator disk 50 according to the tenth embodiment is configured such that, as the ridge width (i.e., the width of the peaks of the stator disk ridge portions 52) of circumferential grooves indicated by t1 and t2 in FIG. 11, the ridge width t2 on the stator disk inner side is smaller than the ridge width t1 on the stator disk outer side (t1>t2).

(130) That is, the stator disk 50 according to the tenth embodiment is configured such that the ridge width of the stator disk ridge portions 52 of the circumferential grooves on the inner side (i.e., a side opposed to the rotating cylinder 10), which is a side on which the connection holes 510 are disposed, is smaller. Therefore, when the number of grooves is the same, a larger space of the stator disk root portions 51 on the inner side can be secured.

(131) With the configuration explained above, in the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention, the size of the connection holes 510 formed in the stator disk 50 can be increased as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to secure large exhaust conductance. As a result, it is possible to provide the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 more excellent in exhaust efficiency.

(132) The configuration of the tenth embodiment may be applied when not only the stator disk 50 but also a stator disk on which spiral grooves are formed is used. Further, the configuration may be combined with the configurations of the connection holes (500 to 509) in the first to ninth embodiments as modifications of the first to ninth embodiments.

(133) Note that the respective embodiments and the respective modifications may be combined.

(134) The connection holes in the embodiments and the modifications are not limited to be provided in the axial direction and may be provided obliquely with respect to the axial direction. For example, by opening the connection holes obliquely in the rotating direction, a flow of exhausted gas is smoothed. It is possible to further improve exhaust performance.

(135) The embodiments of the invention are not limited to the Seigbahn type molecular pump. The embodiments can also be applied to a complex type turbo molecular pump including a Seigbahn type molecular pump portion and a turbo molecular pump portion, a complex type turbo molecular pump including the Seigbahn type molecular pomp portion and a screw groove type pump portion, or a complex type turbo molecular pump (vacuum pump) including the Seigbahn type molecular pump portion, the turbo molecular pump portion, and the screw groove type pump portion.

(136) In the case of the complex type vacuum pump including the turbo molecular pump portion, shown in the FIG. 16, a rotating portion including a rotating shaft and a rotating body fixed to the rotation axis is further provided. Rotor blades (moving blades) are disposed in multiple stages. The complex type vacuum pump further includes a stator portion in which stator blades (stationary blades) are disposed in multiple stages alternately with respect to the rotor blades.

(137) In the case of the complex type vacuum pump including the screw groove type pump portion, shown in FIG. 14, a screw groove spacer (a stator component) including helical grooves formed on a surface opposed to a rotating cylinder (a rotating component) and facing the outer circumferential surface of the rotating cylinder at a predetermined clearance is further provided. The complex type vacuum pump further includes a gas transfer mechanism in which, when the rotating cylinder rotates at high speed, gas is sent to an outlet port side while being guided by screw grooves (helical grooves) according to the rotation of the rotating cylinder. Note that, in order to reduce force of the gas flowing back to the inlet port side, the clearance is desirably as small as possible.

(138) In the case of the complex type turbo molecular pump including the turbo molecular pump portion and the screw groove type pomp portion, shown in FIG. 15, the turbo molecular pump portion and the screw groove type pump portion are further provided. The complex turbo molecular pump further includes a gas transfer mechanism in which, after being compressed in the turbo molecular pump portion (a second gas transfer mechanism), gas is further compressed in the screw groove type pump portion (a third gas transfer mechanism).

(139) With this configuration, the Seigbahn type molecular pump 1 according to the embodiments and the modifications of the present invention can attain effects explained below with the connection holes provided therein.

(140) A loss in the turning-back region on the rotating cylinder side can be minimized. Therefore, it is possible to construct an efficient Seigbahn type molecular pump.

(141) The space of the turning-back region on the rotating cylinder side, which is conventionally the channel (the region) not having the exhaust action, can be used as an exhaust space by extending the stator disk having the exhaust action. Therefore, space efficiency is high. It is possible to realize a reduction in the sizes of a rotating body and a pump, a reduction in the size of a bearing that supports the rotating body, and energy saving through improvement of efficiency.

(142) The conduits (the channels and the regions) having the exhaust action are connected with each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the exhaust action from being interrupted and improve exhaust efficiency.

(143) Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are described as example forms of implementing the claims.