Vacuum bellows

Abstract

A method of reducing pressure within an enclosed space includes sealing a vacuum bellows to the enclosed space, reducing a first pressure within the enclosed space to a desired pressure, equalizing a pressure in the enclosed space and the vacuum bellows to the desired pressure and collapsing the vacuum bellows. A system for reducing pressure within an enclosed space is also disclosed.

1 . A method of reducing pressure within an enclosed space comprising: 
 sealing a vacuum bellows to the enclosed space;    reducing a first pressure within the enclosed space to a desired pressure;    equalizing a pressure in the enclosed space and the vacuum bellows to the desired pressure; and    collapsing the vacuum bellows.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising equalizing the pressure in the enclosed space with an external atmospheric pressure.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein reducing pressure within the enclosed space to the desired pressure includes: 
 expanding the vacuum bellows including: 
 opening an internal check valve;  
 closing an external check valve; and  
 drawing air from the enclosed space and into the vacuum bellows; and  
   compressing the vacuum bellows including: 
 substantially closing the internal check valve;  
 opening the external check valve; and  
 forcing air from the vacuum bellows through the external check valve.  
   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the vacuum bellows are expanded and compressed iteratively until the desired pressure in the enclosed space is achieved.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the internal check valve includes a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface and wherein substantially closing the internal check valve includes preventing a complete seal between the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the internal check valve includes a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface and wherein at least one of the first sealing surface or the second sealing surface includes an equalization channel.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein equalizing a pressure in the enclosed space and the vacuum bellows includes automatically compressing the vacuum bellows.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein equalizing the pressure in the enclosed space and the vacuum bellows to the desired pressure includes providing an equalization air flow between the enclosed space and the vacuum bellows, wherein the equalization air flow is less than an air flow drawn from the enclosed space and into the vacuum bellows.  
   
   
       9 . A method of reducing pressure within an enclosed space comprising: 
 sealing a vacuum bellows to the enclosed space;    reducing a first pressure within the enclosed space to a desired pressure including: 
 expanding the vacuum bellows including: 
 opening an internal check valve, wherein the internal check valve including a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface and wherein at least one of the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface includes an equalization channel;  
 closing an external check valve; and  
 drawing air from the enclosed space and into the vacuum bellows; and  
 
 compressing the vacuum bellows including: 
 substantially closing the internal check valve;  
 opening the external check valve; and  
 forcing air from the vacuum bellows through the external check valve;  
 
   equalizing a pressure in the enclosed space and the vacuum bellows to the desired pressure including allowing an equalization air flow from the vacuum bellows to the enclosed space through the equalization channel; and    collapsing the vacuum bellows.    
   
   
       10 . A vacuum bellows comprising: 
 a top including an exhaust check valve;    a bottom including: 
 an internal check valve; and  
 an equalizing valve; and  
   a flexible body bonded to the top and the bottom.    
   
   
       11 . The vacuum bellows of  claim 10 , wherein the top includes an access port providing access to the internal portion of the vacuum bellows.  
   
   
       12 . The vacuum bellows of  claim 10 , wherein the top includes a vacuum release valve.  
   
   
       13 . The vacuum bellows of  claim 10 , wherein the vacuum bellows is sealed to an enclosed space.  
   
   
       14 . The vacuum bellows of  claim 13 , wherein the vacuum bellows is sealed to the enclosed space including the vacuum bellows is removably sealed to the enclosed space.  
   
   
       15 . The vacuum bellows of  claim 10 , wherein the top includes an actuator.  
   
   
       16 . The vacuum bellows of  claim 10 , wherein the internal check valve and the equalizing valve are combined in a single, internal check/equalizing valve.  
   
   
       17 . The vacuum bellows of  claim 10 , wherein the internal check valve includes a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface and wherein in a closed position, the first sealing surface and the second sealing surface do form an incomplete seal.  
   
   
       18 . The vacuum bellows of  claim 10 , wherein the internal check valve includes a first sealing surface and a second sealing surface and wherein at least one of the first sealing surface or the second sealing surface includes an equalization channel.  
   
   
       19 . The vacuum bellows of  claim 10 , further comprising a sealing ring detachably mated and sealed to a sealing receiver on the bottom.  
   
   
       20 . The vacuum bellows of  claim 19 , wherein the sealing receiver includes at least one of: 
 an inner raised portion capable of sealing to an inside surface of the sealing ring; or    an outer raised portion capable of sealing to an outside surface of the sealing ring.