Open Source, 3D-Printed TrapGuard to Protect Oil-Sealed Vacuum Pumps from Cold Trap Warming

Clean pump oil is critical to the
performance and longevity of
oil-sealed vacuum pumps. Cold traps charged with cryogens can protect
pump oil from solvent contamination but are subject to operator error.
Notably, cold traps with evaporated or warmed cryogens do not protect
the vacuum pump. Here, we report an open source device to automatically
protect oil-sealed vacuum pumps from cold trap warming and facilitate
the daily maintenance of cold traps.