Reliability in Scientific Research Improving the Dependability of Measurements, Calculations, Equipment, and Software
Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- List of abbreviations
- 1 Basic principles of reliability, human error, and other general issues
- 2 Mathematical calculations
- 3 Basic issues concerning hardware systems
- 4 Obtaining items from commercial sources
- 5 General points regarding the design and construction of apparatus
- 6 Vacuum-system leaks and related problems
- 7 Vacuum pumps and gauges, and other vacuum-system concerns
- 8 Mechanical devices and systems
- 9 Cryogenic systems
- 10 Visible and near-visible optics
- 11 Electronic systems
- 12 Interconnecting, wiring, and cabling for electronics
- 13 Computer hardware and software, and stored information
- 14 Experimental method
- Index
- References
8 - Mechanical devices and systems
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2012
Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- List of abbreviations
- 1 Basic principles of reliability, human error, and other general issues
- 2 Mathematical calculations
- 3 Basic issues concerning hardware systems
- 4 Obtaining items from commercial sources
- 5 General points regarding the design and construction of apparatus
- 6 Vacuum-system leaks and related problems
- 7 Vacuum pumps and gauges, and other vacuum-system concerns
- 8 Mechanical devices and systems
- 9 Cryogenic systems
- 10 Visible and near-visible optics
- 11 Electronic systems
- 12 Interconnecting, wiring, and cabling for electronics
- 13 Computer hardware and software, and stored information
- 14 Experimental method
- Index
- References
Summary
Introduction
Mechanisms in general are a notorious source of reliability problems. This chapter deals with mechanical devices and systems (broadly construed) that are of particular concern in experimental work. The former include precision mechanisms, static and dynamic vacuum seals, and valves. A brief discussion of devices for preventing mechanical overtravel and overload is also included.
Mechanical devices that are used under extreme conditions (e.g. in ultrahigh-vacuum and cryogenic environments) often suffer from friction and wear problems due to a lack of lubrication. A section of the chapter is devoted to lubricants (and especially dry lubricants and self-lubricating solids) that are useful under such conditions.
Water-cooling systems are a common source of trouble in apparatus ranging from small-scale tabletop equipment (e.g. lasers) to large particle accelerators. Such problems include leaks, cooling-line blockages, corrosion, and condensation. These issues, and others, are discussed below.
Mechanical vacuum pumps are dealt with in Chapter 7, while electrical connectors and cables (which are partly mechanical devices) are discussed in Chapter 12.
Mechanical devices
Overview of conditions that reduce reliability
Some agents and environmental conditions that tend to diminish the reliability of mechanical parts and systems are as follows.
(a) Particulate matter such as dust and grit can be very harmful to mechanical devices. It leads to accelerated wear and damage of moving parts (especially antifriction bearings, such as ball bearings), leaks in sealing devices, a decrease in the accuracy of precision mechanisms, and instabilities in mechanical assemblies requiring accurate registration of surfaces.
(b) Moisture (including high humidity) causes corrosion and promotes biological growth (i.e. mold and fungi, which can release corrosive chemicals), degrades lubricants, and holds particulate matter that would otherwise escape on surfaces. […]
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Reliability in Scientific ResearchImproving the Dependability of Measurements, Calculations, Equipment, and Software, pp. 218 - 284Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011
References
, Space Mechanisms Lessons Learned Study. www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/spacemech/vol1.html
, Experimental Techniques For Low-Temperature Measurements: Cryostat Design, Material Properties, and Superconductor Critical-Current Testing, Oxford University Press, 2006.
, , , and , Principles of Space Instrument Design, Cambridge University Press, 1998.
, Flexures: Elements of Elastic Mechanisms, Gordon and Breach, 2000.
, Fine Mechanisms and Precision Instruments: Principles of Design, Pergamon Press, Warszawa:Wydawnictwa Naukowo-Techniczne, 1971.
The Newport Resource 2004 (catalog), Newport Corporation, 1791 Deere Ave., Irvine, CA 92606, USA. www.newport.com
, , and , in Ewing's Analytical Instrumentation Handbook, 3rd edn, (ed.), Marcel Dekker, 2005.
(ed.), The Design and Construction of Large Optical Telescopes, Springer, 2003.
, Building Electro-Optical Systems: Making it all Work, John Wiley and Sons, 2000.
, in Applied Optics and Optical Engineering,Vol. XI, and (eds.), Academic Press, 1992.
Hardware & Positioners, CVI Melles Griot. www.mellesgriot.com/technicalsupport/faq/faqhardware.asp
and , Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook, 4th edn, McGraw-Hill Professional, 2007.
, Precision Machine Design, Prentice Hall, 1992.
and , EC&M 96, Pt. 2, 52 (1997).
, , , and , Building Scientific Apparatus, 3rd edn, Westview Press, 2002.
, in Optical Scanning, (ed.), Marcel Dekker, 1991.
, Thurgauerstrasse 72, Zürich, Switzerland. www.ferrovac.com
, in Space Vehicle Mechanisms: Elements of Successful Design, (ed.), John Wiley & Sons, 1998.
, , and , Proc. 8th Intl. Vac. Congr., II, and (eds.), Cannes, France, Sept. 1980.
, in Advanced Bearing Technology, (NASA, SP-38), and (eds.), Washington: Office of Scientific and Technical Information, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1964.
(ed.), Lubrication and Reliability Handbook, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2001.
and , in Vacuum Physics and Technology, and (eds.), Academic Press, 1979.
, Solid Lubricants and Self-Lubricating Solids, Academic Press, 1972.
, in Smithells Metals Reference Book, 6th edn, (ed.), Butterworths, 1983.
(E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company). www2.dupont.com
and in Space Vehicle Mechanisms: Elements of Successful Design, (ed.), John Wiley & Sons, 1998.
and , J. Vac. Sci. Technol. 12, 551 (1975).
, A User's Guide to Vacuum Technology, 2nd edn, John Wiley and Sons, 1989.
, in Space Vehicle Mechanisms: Elements of Successful Design, (ed.), John Wiley & Sons, 1998.
, Lubrication of Space Systems, NASA technical memorandum 106392, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1994. Available from Glenn Technical Reports Server. gltrs.grc.nasa.gov/
, The friction and wear properties of some proprietary molybdenum disulphide spray lubricants in sliding contact with steel. Report No. ESA-ESTL-50 ESA-CR(P)-1537, European Space Tribology Laboratory, Risley, England, 1982.
, Lubrication Engineering 34, 79 (1978).
, and , The tribological characteristics of Dicronite, Proc. 12th Euro. Space Mechanisms & Tribology Symp. (ESMATS), Liverpool, UK, 2007.
, Engineering [accelerator vacuum systems]. CAS-CERN Accelerator School: Vacuum Technology, Snekersten, Denmark, 1999. doc.cern.ch//archive/cernrep//1999/99–05/p255.pdf
, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 36, 1510 (1965).
and , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 56, 1668 (1985).
, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 52, 301 (1981).
, Vacuum Sealing Techniques, AIP Press, 1994.
, in Handbook of Vacuum Science and Technology, , , and III (eds.), Academic Press, 1998.
, Vacuum system operating experience review for fusion applications, prepared for the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Research; Report Number: EGG-FSP-11037 ITER/US/93/TE/SA-18; March 1994.
, in Mechanical Seal Practice for Improved Performance, (ed.), Mechanical Engineering Publications, 1992.
, Practical Cryogenics: an Introduction to Laboratory Cryogenics, Oxford Instruments Superconductivity Ltd, 2001.
and , Leak evaluation in JET and its consequences for future fusion machines, Report No. JET-P(89)57; JET Joint Undertaking, Abingdon, UK.
, Modern Vacuum Practice, 3rd edn, Published by , 2005. www.modernvacuumpractice.com (First edition published by McGraw-Hill, 1990.)
Naval Ships' Technical Manual – Chapter 075: Fasteners, Revision 2, December 1, 1977; available from the Federation of American Scientists. http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/nstm/index.html
, Maintaining and Monitoring the Transmission Electron Microscope, Oxford University Press, 1986.
, J. Vac. Sci. Technol. 17, 330 (1980).
, in Handbook of Vacuum Science and Technology; , , and III (eds.), Academic Press, 1998.
, , , and , J. Vac. Sci. Technol. 17, 337 (1980).
, in Cryogenic Engineering, (ed.), Academic Press, 1986.
and , Experimental Techniques in Low-Temperature Physics, 4th edn, Oxford University Press, 2002.
, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 57, 108 (1986).
, in Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics at Low Temperatures, and (eds.), Addison-Wesley, 1988.
, , , and , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 42, 536 (1971).
, , , , and , Bubble Chambers, translated by Scripta Technica, Inc., (translation editor), Indiana University Press, 1967.
, , and , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 46, 225 (1975).
, Jr., and , in Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics at Low Temperatures, and (eds.), Addison-Wesley, 1988.
, in Handbook of Applied Superconductivity, Vol. 1, (ed.), Institute of Physics Publishing, 1998.
, , et al. Cryogenics, June 1982, 296.
, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 42, 1541 (1971).
, Solid State Technol. September 1985, p. 153.
, Improving Machinery Reliability, Gulf Publishing Company, 1998.
, Ultrahigh Vacuum Practice, Butterworths, 1985.
, in Handbook of Vacuum Science and Technology, , , and III (eds.), Academic Press, 1998.
, Matter and Methods at Low Temperatures, 2nd edn, Springer-Verlag, 1996.
and , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 9, 201 (1938).
, in Handbook of Vacuum Science and Technology, , , and III (eds.), Academic Press, 1998.
, A User's Guide to Vacuum Technology, 3rd edn, John Wiley and Sons, 2003.
, A Quick Guide to Pressure Relief Valves, Professional Engineering Publishing, 2004.
, Relief Systems Handbook, Institution of Chemical Engineers, 1992.
, Cryogenic system operating experience review for fusion applications, prepared for the US Department of Energy, Report number: EGG-FSP–10048 DE92 012509.
, , and , in Handbook of Cryogenic Engineering, II (ed.), Taylor & Francis, 1998.
, Jr. (ed.), Semiconductor Safety Handbook: Safety and Health in the Semiconductor Industry, Noyes Publications, 1998.
, J. Sci. Instrum. 43, 832 (1966).
and , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 40, 463 (1969).
, , and , Rev. Sci. Instrum. 57, 3059 (1986).
, in Handbook of Vacuum Science and Technology, , , and III (eds.), Academic Press, 1998.
, in Handbook of Vacuum Science and Technology, , , and III (eds.), Academic Press, 1998.
, , and , Measurement and Control 5, 52 (April 1972).
, Cryogenic Laboratory Equipment, Plenum, 1970.
, Hydraulic Pneumatic Power 20, 129 (April 1974).
, Instrum. Control Systems 52, 43 (June 1979).
, Cryogenics 3, 65 (1963).
, Carroll Smith's Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners and Plumbing Handbook, Motorbooks, 1990.
, in Experimental Techniques in Condensed Matter Physics at Low Temperatures, and (eds.), Addison-Wesley, 1988.
, in Experimental Cryophysics, , , and (eds.), Butterworths, 1961.
, in Metals Handbook, ninth edition, volume 17, Nondestructive Evaluation and Quality Control, ASM International, 1989.
., 5100 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA, USA. www.coherent.com
, , and , IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. 18, 887 (1971).
, Design of the Electron Microscope Laboratory, North-Holland, 1975.
., 6035 Parkland Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. www.parker.com
. www.goodyear.com
and , EPAC96 – Fifth European particle accelerator conference, Vol. 3; , , , , (eds.), Institute of Physics Publishing, 1997, pp. 2337–2339.
and , Preventative Maintenance Keeps Induction Systems in Peak Condition: Part 1, Industrial Heating, July 2001. www.industrialheating.com
, Hydraulics & Pneumatics, p. 45, May 1997.
, Hydraulics & Pneumatics, p. 47, September 2000.
, Cooling Water Treatment: Principles and Practice, Chemical Publishing, 1999.
and , IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. 16, 650 (1969).
, J. Sci. Instrum. 39, 193 (1962).
(ed.), Space Vehicle Mechanisms: Elements of Successful Design, John Wiley & Sons, 1998.