Vacuum pump

Abstract

A vacuum pump has the outer side of the pump housing provided with retaining elements. These serve to receive at least one mass element. With these mass elements, which are preferably arranged asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vacuum pump, vibrations that occur can be suppressed.

1 . A vacuum pump, in particular a turbo-molecular pump, comprising:
 a pump housing defining a suction chamber, and   at least one pumping element arranged in the suction chamber,   wherein   at least one retaining element is provided for receiving at least one mass element, said retaining element being connected to the pump housing.   
     
     
         2 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining element comprises a plurality of recesses and/or compartments for respectively receiving at least one mass element. 
     
     
         3 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein the recesses and/or compartments are arranged asymmetrically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the vacuum pump. 
     
     
         4 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein the mass elements have different weights. 
     
     
         5 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of in particular different mass elements may be arranged in a recess and/or compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein the mass elements are rod-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein the mass elements may be arranged in the compartments as a bulk material, in particular a ball bulk material. 
     
     
         8 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein liquids are provided as the mass elements, in particular liquids of different viscosities. 
     
     
         9 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein at least one retaining element is rod-shaped so as to receive disc-shaped mass elements. 
     
     
         10 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein the mass elements are removably arranged in and/or connected with the recesses and/or the compartments and/or the rod-shaped retaining elements. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein at least one retaining element is arranged at a front end face of the pump housing and preferably extends all over the front end face. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum pump of  claim 1 , wherein said one retaining element surrounds the vacuum pump at least party, and wherein it is in particular of annular shape.