Purpose:

The purpose of this document is to provide instructions on removing and installing in-vacuum cooling lines that are used inside of the MEC test chamber.

Procedure

Disconnecting Cooling Lines:

Starting conditions :

  • Test chamber is at atmospheric pressure
  • All 3 x chillers that are below the chamber are powered on and plumbed through the vacuum chamber feedthroughs to devices installed inside the test chamber.
  1. Check with Instrument Scientists or Area Manager to ensure that all detectors that are connected to cooling lines are powered off.
  2. Power off each chiller by pressing the power switch on the back or side of the chiller.
  3. Find where the external cooling lines connect to the chamber feedthroughs. Disconnect both the supply and the return lines from the chamber and allow the fluid from the in-vacuum lines to drain into a bucket.
  4. Once the vacuum chamber cooling lines have drained completely, you can proceed to disconnecting the lines inside the chamber.
  5. Use 5/8" and 3/4" wrenches, loosen the VCR fittings on the inside of the vacuum chamber, closest to the feedthroughs. Disconnect one at a time, catching all residual water in a container or a rag.
  6. Use 5/8" and 3/4" wrenches to disconnect the VCR fittings on the heat load (device being cooled).
  7. Store all VCR fittings and hoses/tubes in the "In-Vacuum Cooling" drawers.
  8. Plug, cap or loop all 3x feedthrough connections inside the chamber with VCR fittings and hoses.
  9. Reconnect the external cooling lines.

Connecting Cooling Lines:

Starting Conditions:

  • Chillers are all off
  • External cooling lines are all connected to the external ports of the feedthroughs
  • Internal ports on the feedthroughs are capped/plugged/looped.


Note

  • Consider any possible motion of the devices being cooled when selected in-vac cooling lines. Make sure that there is enough excess tubing to allow for any required movement.
  • Ensure that all cooling lines are not blocking any beam paths or the views of the detectors.
  • When connecting VCR fittings, use 1 x NEW VCR gasket per connection (1 gasket between the two fittings)
  • When tightening VCR fittings, tighten to "finger tight". Then use 5/8" and 3/4" wrenches to tighten 1/8 of a turn. (See below instructions from swagelok)
  • Use great care when tightening fittings on the instrument side. The fittings are often times difficult to apply a wrench to, allowing wrenches to slip off while tightening and loosening. This can lead to damaging the detector.
  1. Remove caps/plugs/loops from the VCR connections on the feedthroughs inside the chamber.
  2. A maximum  of 2 x heat loads may be connected to any individual chiller at a time. They must be connected in series.
  3. Connect  in-vacuum water lines from feedthroughs to detectors (or other heat loads).
  4. Once water lines are connected and confirmed to be properly tightened, turn on the associated chiller  and inspect all connections for leaks. Re-tighten any leaky fittings.
  5. Return all tools and unused fittings to the "In-vacuum Cooling" drawers




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