Development of a Continuous Duty Cryopump

A continuous duty cryopump system has been designed and developed that comprises a self-contained cryopump for installation into a vacuum chamber, and a microprocessor controller for automatic operation. This deuterium pump has two units in a single housing, arranged so that one is pumping while the other is regenerating. Liquid helium-cooled and finned sections in each unit pump deuterium by condensation, and an integral collector pump captures the regenerated gas. A microprocessor unit controls distribution of liquid and gaseous helium for conditioning the pumping units and operation of remote actuators for regeneration. Software provides fully automatic, timed sequencing of the repetitive cryopump events, which can be reprogrammed through a keyboard. An override allows manual operation, and interlocks prevent cryogen lockup. The pump is being prepared for testing this Spring.