Feedthrough Meeting 20/02/98

present:  P. Birney, M. Fincke-Keeler, T. Hodges, A. Humphrey,
          R. Keeler, R. Langstaff, M. Lefebvre, P. Poffenberger

- Status of Pin Carrier Order

  The Glasseal order has been placed the week of Feb 9th.  The order for
  Victoria comprises 
  10 units of 448 pin carriers @ US$1455 each
  10 units of 512 pin carriers @ US$1621 each
  The delivery time is 13-14 weeks.

  The PCT order has not yet been placed.  The first quotes from PCT were
  received on Feb 2nd.  They were outrageously high for quantity of 10:
  10 units of 448 pin carriers @ US$4963 each
  10 units of 512 pin carriers @ US$5078 each

  After our inquiry, a second quote was issued by PCT, which is still high
  for a quantity of 10: 
  10 units of 448 pin carriers @ US$3872.02 each
  10 units of 512 pin carriers @ US$3960.84 each
  The quote for a quantity of 500 is reasonable:
  500 units of 448 pin carriers @ US$1997.05 each
  500 units of 512 pin carriers @ US$2026.73 each

  Terry has not succeeded in recontacting PCT, they seem to be avoiding us.
  More news expected Monday Feb 23rd.

- Bellows News from Atlanta

  Roy reported on his trip to BOA, in Atlanta area.  BOA is in fact German 
  owned by IWKA.
  The bellows production is actually a simple process.
  Roy presented the design modifications that have been discussed, which
  improve the bellows attachment to the bellows ring (to be made by BOA)
  and to the cold flange.
  The expected delivery time is 6 weeks for the components, and about 2 for
  the full assemblies.
  Roy and Jason are to finalize the drawings in about 10 days.  Roy replied to
  Leif Shaver's email with Mar 4th as a likely date for final position of cold
  flange.

  Roy reminded us of Rahm's pressure tests on a bellow:  squirming occurs at
  34 psi (2.3 bar).  Tests were done up to 2.8 bars.  The bellows did not burst.
  After discussions, we decided that we should really do similar tests in 
  Victoria.

  It was reminded that superinsulation will have to be placed between the 
  bellows and the cryostat skirt.  In order to be able to install the 
  feedthrough unit, the superinsulation cannot be prewrapped onto the bellows, 
  but rather on the inside of the cryostat skirt. 

  Rahm pointed out to BOA that the bellows had suffered damage during
  shipping. 

  Roy asked Fallou what kind of bi-metallic junction will be used in the
  endcap cryostat.  We agreed that we should ask at the next LAr week about
  the OD, thickness and tolerances for the funnel.

- Vacuum Cable Status

  Margret reported on the status of the vacuum cable project.
  The strips have been produced by Strataflex, Ernie is to receive a sample
  today.  Strips will be sent to AMP for crimping.  Strataflex is to attempt
  crimping as well.  Margret will visit Ernie in Ottawa March 3rd.

  Progress has been made with the cable testing with the network analyser.
  Matt Dobbs has started looking into Labview.

- Refrigerator Project Status

  Alisa reported on the refrigerator project status.
  All material now in hand, the stand design is finalized.  Assembly to 
  start next week.
  Richard and Alisa to verify the power of the cryo-cooler.  A minimum of
  about 30 W is required according to calculations.
  Basket design finalized.

- Status of Model

  Paul reported on the status of the model.  Machining of the parts almost
  finished.  Fake cables (vacuum and pigtails) to be looked into next week 
  by Margret and Paul.

- Leak Test Setup Status

  Paul reported on the status of the leak test setup.
  The warm section is currently under vacuum (about 10**-7 mbar), held by
  the ion pump.  The two pressure gauges are in operation, and track 
  each other.  Next step is to work on the RGA.

- Plans for Prototype Construction

  Michel reviewed the schedule for the project.  The first glass pin carriers
  are expected late May or early June.  We should aim at having the rest 
  ready by then.  Roy expects that the final design of the flanges, bolt ring
  and bellows to be ready and approved in about 8 weeks (mid April).
  We would then proceed with the ordering of parts.  We also need to discuss
  the welding issue further.
  Pailler is very keen on using glass powder as insulator in the bellows.
  Terry has made some small tests with a sample brought back by Michel and
  fears that this would impinge on the cable's movement in the bellows.
  We also discussed the possibilities of thermal tests with our prototypes,
  given that we will not have a full set of cables.  Richard is confident that
  sufficient information can be obtained with the proposed prototypes.

- ATLAS meetings and other important dates

  - Mar 02 - Mar 06  :  ATLAS week
  - Mar 09 - Mar 13  :  LAr week
  - Mar 29 - Apr 04  :  ATLAS Physics workshop, Grenoble
  - May 04 - May 10  :  LAr week
  - Jun 08 - Jun 12  :  ATLAS week
  - Jul 06 - Jul 10  :  LAr week
  - Jul 23 - Jul 29  :  ICHEP98 "Rochester Conference", TRIUMF
  - Sep 04 - Sep 18  :  ATLAS week
  - Sep 21 - Sep 26  :  LAr week
  - Nov 12 - Nov 18  :  LAr week
  - Nov 16 - Nov 20  :  ATLAS week