Vacuum News
This solar panel with 36 3 in. dia silicon cells has an output of 15W with a solar radiant energy of 700 mW cm-=,
ends with large 3 in. dia round cells, which can be used for large area solar panels. For small appliances such as pocket calculators, alarm clocks, hearing aids, torches, photographers flash equipment, and measuring instruments, there are 5 and 10 mm cells with lengths of up to 20 mm. This series (SFH 1 IO-I 15) consists of individual chips with solderable contacts, and can be arranged in series depending on the desired voltage output. For large equipment, the large circular 3 in. silicon-cells (SFH 120) can supply acurrent of 1020 mA at 400 mV. Half cells (SFH 121) and quartered cells (SFH 122) are also available. 36 whole cells are accommodated on a panel (SFH 120-36) which measures 560 x 480 x 13 mm and weighs 4 kg, and with the sun producing 100 mW cm-2 of radiant energy, the panel puts out 15 W (1 A, 15 V). For inaccessible locations, the aluminium framed weatherproof panels are particularly useful for catching the sunlight. These panels have good uses in mountain or desert regions, to supply communication systems, or on buoys, and navigational beacons in the water. The smaller solar cells can supply power for instrumentation involved in meteorological or environmental protection. Monitors which record the activities of the weather can be set up with the minimum of power supplies, because the cells cannot only provide the power for monitoring, but also for the transmission of the data recorded. Siemens Ltd, Siemens House, Windmill Road, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex TW16 7HS, UK
Another
pressure
test
rig for
GD
The General Descaling Company’s experience with pressure systems for energy pipelines has won it another order for a test rig designed to simulate undersea pressure conditions. The Workshop company is building a special vessel for testing sub-sea equipment for Gravatom Industries Limited of Gosport. Of 36 in. i d, the cylindrical horizontal vessel will be engineered for pressurization by liquids or gases at up to nearly 2500 lb in-2. It will itself be tested to 3440 lb in-2. Despite this high pressure, the vessel is fitted with optical viewing windows at sides and end. To ensure rapid access, it will be equipped with a modified version of the GD multi-lock high-pressure closure. An unusual feature is that the
equipment under test will be mounted on the inner face of this closure, receiving its power supplies through pressure-tight connections in the closure door, which is part of the fixed assembly. The rig will therefore be opened by the unusual method of wheeling the body of the vessel away from the closure. It was the availability of the multi-lock as an established standard high-speed closure that secured the contract for GD. The design has been proved in service at several times the pressure rating of this application. The General Descaling Company has recently built a number of rigs for testing equipment destined for deep-sea use. Its last order, in January, was for two pressure vessels for testing submarine components. The General Descaling Co Ltd. Retford Road, Worksop, Notts, S80 2PY, UK
High
vacuum
equipment
from
Scanwel
Ltd
High vacuum systems: pumping stations-manual and automaticpumped by diffusion or turbomolecular pump. Coating plantthermal evaporation-dc and rf sputtering. Special systemsvacuum/pressure sealing machines for electronic componentsvacuum furnaces-special vacuum chambers-chamber fixturing and jigging. Research and production systems tailored to customers’ requirements are a speciality. High vacuum components: pumps, gauges, electronic control modules, valves, ambient foreline traps, couplings and fittings to 8s 5319 : 1976, special flanges and fittings to customers’ specifications, O-rings, oils and greases. Servicing of high vacuum equipment maintenance.
: contract and emergency
Bala Industrial Estate, Bala, Gwynedd
More
versatility
from
variable-speed
Scanwel Ltd, LL23 7BR, UK
dc drives
A firm specializing in instructional equipment for engineering students has been able to extend considerably the versatility of its equipment by the simple expedient of replacing dual-speed ac 379