Patent ID: 6591662
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: B01L,G01M

Abstract:
Device for detecting whether the temporary connection between the elements of a device for the sealed connection of two chambers A and B isolated from the external medium is sealed, in which device;firstly, each chamber, respectively A which is stationary or displaceable and B which is movable or transportable, has at least one access opening equipped with a door (2, 3) cooperating, with the interposition of sealing means (12, 14), with a flange (4, 5) forming a stationary frame, one of the two doors (2, 3) being articulated to its flange (4, 5); secondly, the two doors (2, 3) have means of locking to their respective flanges (4, 5) and complementary connecting means which, before the contents of one chamber have been transferred into the other chamber, and while the flanges (4, 5) are locked together in a sealed manner, allow the two doors (2, 3) to be connected thereby forming, through contact of sealing means (12, 16 and 13, 14), an internal space â€œCâ€  isolating their faces (17, 18), now in contact, from the external medium; and thirdly, external means of controlling the locking-together of the flanges (4, 5) and external means of controlling the unlocking of the doors (2, 3) from their flange are provided; characterized in that it comprises: two grooves in a ring, respectively an inner groove (30) and an outer groove (35), formed in the external face of the flange (4) of the stationary chamber (A) and emerging in the bearing zone of the end face (5b) of the flange (5) of the transportable chamber (B); a network of ducts (31, 32, 33) formed in the flange (4) of the stationary chamber (A) and connecting the inner groove (30) to a coupling, (34); a vacuum pump (38) outside the chambers (A, B) and the intake (37) of which is connected to the said coupling, while its electric power supply (40) circuit comprises a member (42) for closing this circuit; a sensor (44) measuring the strength of the partial vacuum in the pneumatic circuit leading to the groove (30) and reacting on alarm means (47, 48) if ever the partial vacuum does not reach an appropriate value; and a seal (36) placed in the groove (35).