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Cryopump Chamber Facility

This test facility consists of a non-magnetic stainless steel chamber approximately 1.5 m in diameter and 3.3 m in length. The chamber is pumped by a pair of two-stage cryogenic pumping systems (CVI-TM1200). The cryopumps are backed by a mechanical pump. In order to enhance the efficient use of this chamber, a 1.5m gate valve has been installed to isolate the test section from the cryopumps; in this way, the cryopumps can remain operational with the gate valve closed while adjustments are made in the test-section. Once any changes have been made and the chamber door closed, a turbo pump is used to reduce the test-section pressure. The gate valve is then opened to expose the cryopumps and reduce the test section to operational pressures. The pressure during typical thrust measurements is approximately 3×10-4 Pa, measured using an ionization gauge uncorrected for Xenon.



I'm a chamber. Sometimes I try to escape, so I have to be chained down.



I am pretty big, huh?



That's my gate valve. It's super.



We should put a better picture of the Cheng Gun here.