To use the heat radiation of the sun efficiently and to reach high temperatures eventually (e.g. to heat houses or run turbines), an insulation is needed that is IR radiation transparent, efficient and long-term stable (does not degrade over time at high temperatures and under UV radiation). Glass in combination with insulation vacuum is a perfect fit that fulfils these needs. The same issue as with Insulation vacuum for cryo applications, once the pumps are disconnected you have no direct measurement of insulation vacuum inside the tube any longer, whether the getter material gets quickly saturated (or not). e.g. in case of outgassing or leakages.
As the SRG Technology works perfectly through glass, a glass tube with the ball can be welded to the glass vacuum chamber, thus one can measure the quality of the vacuum over time during the manufacturing process. It´s optional whether the tube stays connected for the lifetime of the collector, can be used for service, OR will be removed after manufacturing and initial tests to simplify the system. As the sensor is simple and cost effective, it does not drive costs up; in this application the “no change, constant value over time” is the only parameter that may count…
| Features | Benefits |
No need to open the sealed vacuum chamber | Ideal for monitoring sealed vacuum systems |
No electrical feedthroughs | Chamber remains sealed |
| Electromagnetic/Mechanical measurement | Does not affect pressure or gas composition Insensitive to vacuum process and temperature conditions |
All-metal Sensor (in metal or glass tube) | Contactless measurement provides long-term stability |
Removeable Sensor head/readout | Electronics remain protected |
High intrinsic accuracy/reproducibility | No adjustments: Sufficient accuracy for most applications |
No electronics remain after measurement | Corrosion and “outdoor” weather resistant |
One-button operation | No special training or specialist needed |
| Protection cap and magnet for storage | No breakage risk or damage of the ball's surface |
| Remote PC control | User friendly |
| Serviceable sensor | Quick and easy to clean and reassemble |
| Single connection to multiple units via RS-485 interface | Simultaneously monitors multiple vacuum chambers |