BCE’s Optic Cable Feedthru: The Source For Accurate Spectrometer Data Collection

BCE Optic Cable Feedthru

Collecting data from a spectrometer has always presented unique challenges. Now, couple that with data collection in an ultra-high vacuum environment and intermittent pressures. This is precisely what a leading national laboratory focusing on American defense asked BCE to supply. This client was concerned with data collection across an ultra-high vacuum chamber using a unique feedthrough that would be easy to install, prevent damage to expensive equipment, and maintain employee safety.

SCOPE

The feedthrough needed to meet the following specifications:

• Ultra-high vacuum compatible to 1X10–9 cc/sec of He @ 1 ATM 
• Ease of installation into vacuum chamber wall 
• Offer a high coupling efficiency into spectrometer 
• Compatible connection with computing devices 
• Remain operable under 100 psi of static pressure 
• Be able to sustain pressures ranging from 500 to 1000 psi 
• Adapt quickly, within milliseconds, to varying pressures 
• Fit easily into restricted spaces 
• Prevent release of contaminants via outgassing 

OUTCOME
BCE proposed its Optic Cable feedthrough as the ultimate solution to this design conundrum. The flexible stainless steel conduit of the fiber optic cable along with its connectors coupled easily with the spectrometer and company devices. The CF flange of the feedthrough mounted effortlessly into the vacuum chamber wall and BCE’s proprietary epoxy seal meeting NASA ASTM E595 allowed for less than 0.1% of volatiles to emanate into the environment and with less than 1% of mass loss. Further testing of BCE’s optic cable feedthrough at the client facility revealed that it remained operable at varied, high pressures while ensuring an ultra-high vacuum seal.

For more information about the BCE Optic Cable Feedthru including detailed drawings, visiy this link. 

Custom Epoxy Vacuum Feedthroughs

THE NEED
Equipment manufacturers and scientific researchers are continually challenged with supplying power, fiber-optic, control, and monitoring cables through sealed vacuum vessels. Whether due to space restrictions, special geometries, or number and type of conductors, standard glass-to-metal or ceramic feedthroughs never quite fit the bill. Unfortunately, because of limited options, many designers are forced to compromise and go for an off-the-shelf solution.

THE SOLUTION 

During the past decade, new epoxy compounds have been developed that rival glass and ceramic in performance. With modern epoxy feedthroughs, any kind of standard or custom connector is sealed in a completely potted, high-performance, clear epoxy compound. Epoxy seals offer countless design options, and most amazingly, performance equal to or better than glass or ceramic. Better yet, pricing is very competitive and quick turn-around for prototypes and short production runs are not a problem.

BCE Custom Vacuum Feedthroughs from Belilove Company-Engineers

Custom Epoxy Vacuum Feed Throughs Take It All Through The Wall

Take it all through the wall!

Equipment manufacturers and scientific researchers are continually challenged with supplying power, fiber-optic, control, and monitoring cables into (and out of) sealed vacuum vessels. Whether due to space restrictions, special geometries, or number and type of conductors, standard glass-to-metal or ceramic feedthroughs never quite fit the bill. Unfortunately, because of limited options, many designers are forced to compromise and go for an off-the-shelf solution.

Epoxy to the rescue. During the past decade, new epoxy compounds have been developed that rival glass and ceramic in performance. BCE is at the forefront of this development and leverages modern epoxy's unique properties to solve your feedthrough challenges.

For more information visit www.belilove.com/feedthrough.

Choose the Best Type of Vacuum Feedthrough for Your Application

An electrical vacuum feedthrough (sometimes spelled "vacuum feedthru") is used to transfer electrical signals,  currents, or voltages into a vacuum. Because of the wide variety of feedthroughs, there are numerous categories available to meet the various needs provided by vacuum feedthroughs.

Multi-pin feedthroughs have circular threaded connectors for moderate pin density. They are typically offered with differing numbers of pins (often, 3, 5 or 7) and rated to 3.5 amps and 500 volts per pin. There are both single-ended and double-ended versions which offer a connector for the air side or both air and vacuum side connectors respectively.

Epoxy Vacuum Feedthrough
custom manufactured by BCE

A thermocouple feedthrough is an electrical vacuum feedthrough commonly used for systems involved in temperature measurement. The thermocouple feedthrough itself doesn’t measure temperature, but is used to conduct the voltage signal from the vacuum to an external device. These are suitable for use in ultra-high vacuum applications. 

Power electrical feedthroughs transmit high current and/or high voltage into a vacuum system. Variations of power electrical feedthroughs offer a range of current and voltage.

Epoxy vacuum feedthroughs offer the best application flexibility, they are cost competitive, and they have a high vacuum performance for today’s fast moving markets. Clear epoxy feedthroughs allow for the visual inspection of your components. They are board mountable with high vacuum performance and very competitive pricing compared to ceramic and metal seals.

Many accessories are available to be used in conjunction with the wide variety of vacuum feedthroughs. These included vacuum connectors, connectors, insulated wire, cable assemblies, insulators, and spacers, just to name a few.

Specialized feedthroughs may be needed if your application includes cryogenic or very low temperatures, high temperatures, aggressive chemicals, or high pressure. Contact an experienced manufacturer who specializes in vacuum feedthroughs to discuss which feedthrough will best meet your needs. A company worth their salt should be able to discern which would be the best fit with minimal hassle.

Visit this link for more information on electrical vacuum feedthroughs.

Advantages of Epoxy Electrical Feedthroughs Over Glass-to-Metal and Ceramic Seals

Epoxy Electrical
Vacuum Feedthrough

Advances in semiconductor and medical device development has continually challenged manufacturing processes in ultra-clean environments. Getting power and control signals into high vacuum chambers has always been difficult. The vacuum seal has to be tight and not allow any contamination so that product quality is maintained.

Historically glass-to-metal seals for wire feedthroughs have been the choice in these industries, but are constrained in size, geometry, flexibility and electro-magnetic shielding. At the same time, semiconductor and medical device equipment have an increasing need for higher power, more control, better monitoring, and increased signal shielding. These ever changing requirements, which push the capability of glass-to-metal seals,  open up opportunity for an alternative technology - epoxy electrical vacuum feedthroughs.

Engineered epoxy electrical feedthroughs offer the best of all technologies. Shapes, angles and curves are not a problem. Virtually any kind of shielded wire or cable can be used and still maintain a tight seal. And as equipment design requirements continue to challenge vacuum seals with space and shielding requirements, the advantages of epoxy vacuum seals look to be a promising solution as the technology itself continues to advance.

While glass-to-metal feedthroughs have advantages in high temperature and corrosive applications, many of todays semiconductor and medical device applications don’t see these conditions. In these lower temperature, and non-corrosive applications, the lower cost, easy prototyping and more flexible design capability of epoxy feedthroughs make them very attractive alternatives.

The epoxy's ability to flow and fill spaces completely make it an excellent choice for any special shapes and sizes a vacuum chamber may require for access.  For the most part, epoxy feedthroughs can be used in most applications where glass-to-metal or ceramic feedthroughs are used (with the exception of temperature and corrosion issues outlined above). In some applications, organics are not allowed, and the epoxy feedthrough would be excluded from these as well.

One additional advantage is that custom epoxy vacuum feedthroughs can be quickly provided in very small quantities for prototyping and R&D.

For more information on epoxy feedthroughs, visit this page.

Custom Epoxy Vacuum Feedthroughs - A Great Alternative

Epoxy feedthrough on circuit board

Custom epoxy feedthroughs offer some excellent advantages when compared to ceramic and metal seals and should be considered whenever the need for a high integrity feedthrough is required. Below is a rundown of the advantages and specification for epoxy vacuum feedthroughs: