Design of a Small Vacuum Facility for Microflow Experiments

The project considers the integration of an automated hoist system with the support table of the Small Vacuum Facility (SVF). The procured free-standing hoist can lift the 114kg belljar cover and clear 76cm from the support table. Design iterations using structural analysis software determine the optimal position of the hoist, the design of integration components, and the structural impact on the support table. Fabrication of parts and integration is pursued with commercial vendors. The project involves the estimation of mass flow rates for free-molecular and continuum flows through 0.1--100 micron-diameter orifices into the 10^-3-10^-9 Torr belljar. The results are coupled with throughput analysis of the SVF\u27s diffusion pump to establish the feasibility of planned microflow experiments