Pressure gauges
Instrument ranges, signal interpretation, calibration notes, and measurement limits.
Romaineering / Ongoing project
Fusor Project
Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Fusor
Project Overview
My primary project is an experimental inertial electrostatic confinement fusor. The documentation covers the vacuum, electrical, instrumentation, control, and software systems.
This record covers the system configuration, modifications, measurements, and work still in progress. Test reports and dated build notes have not yet been published here.
Chamber and complete setupProject photography · pending
Current System
The system overview includes the chamber, vacuum equipment, high-voltage subsystem, instrumentation, Arduino acquisition, and Fusor Console. The diagram below shows their general relationship.
Component models, dimensions, and as-built drawings have not yet been added to this site.
Vacuum System
The vacuum documentation covers initial evacuation, high-vacuum pumping, pressure measurement, isolation, and venting.
Roughing stageInitial evacuation and backing
Roughing pump, backing arrangement, and connections between vacuum stages.
Component details pending.
Turbomolecular stageHigh-vacuum pumping
Turbomolecular pump, speed monitoring, and performance observations.
Component details pending.
Vacuum chamberExperimental volume
Chamber geometry, interfaces, and changes to the mechanical layout.
Dimensions and photographs pending.
Pressure gaugesVacuum measurement
Gauge ranges, signal interpretation, measurement validity, and instrument comparisons.
Instrument inventory pending.
Valves & forelineIsolation and backing path
Foreline layout, isolation valves, and connections between subsystems.
Layout drawing pending.
Venting systemControlled return to atmosphere
Venting components and their connections to the vacuum assembly.
Component documentation pending.
Pump-down and rate-of-rise results belong with their test conditions and gauge information. Experimental data ↗
High Voltage
This section is reserved for the high-voltage subsystem’s configuration, design constraints, and measurement approach.
Verified diagrams, specifications, and test notes have not yet been added.
Instrumentation
Instrumentation records distinguish raw sensor signals, measurement validity, and converted values.
Turbo speed
Rotational-speed telemetry recorded alongside pressure measurements.
Voltage & power
Measured voltages and supply monitoring used when reviewing signal quality.
Relay states
Reported relay states, kept separate from confirmation of physical hardware behavior.
Control System
The control and data-acquisition system connects Arduino telemetry to browser-based monitoring and recorded runs. Documentation covers packet formats, gauge status, diagnostics, and the distinction between commands and measured states.
Control and acquisition screenshotConsole media · pending
Event markers and a run timeline are listed as planned extensions in this site’s documentation. Release details have not yet been added.
Fusor Console
Fusor Console is a separate browser-based application for monitoring, data acquisition, and analysis.
Current version
Release details pending
The Console application has not yet been connected to this site.
Chamber & Mechanical
The chamber and mechanical assembly provide the experimental volume and the interfaces to the vacuum, instrumentation, and electrical subsystems.
Chamber photographs, interface drawings, fabrication notes, dimensions, and materials have not yet been added. Revisions will be recorded with their reasons in the project history.
Software
Acquisition & monitoring
Arduino telemetry, serial communication, gauge interpretation, diagnostics, and the monitoring interface.
Recording & analysis
Time-aligned data, CSV runs, pressure units, and review of selected test intervals.
Software versions and changes will be recorded in the project notes.
Experimental Data
This section is reserved for experimental data and analysis. Each report should identify the system configuration, selected interval, units, sensor context, and measurement limits.
Pump-down analysis
Pressure changes during evacuation, interpreted with the gauge range and test conditions.
Rate-of-rise analysis
Pressure rise over an isolated interval, with chamber conditions and measurement limits recorded.
Event markers · planned
Observations and system changes associated with points in a recorded run.
Run timeline · planned
The sequence of a test, with events shown alongside telemetry.
No measured performance results are published on this site yet.
Project History
No history entries published yet.
This section is reserved for dated configurations, modifications, test notes, and the reasons for each change.
Status & Limitations
ActiveThe fusor is an ongoing project. Hardware details, test reports, and revision notes are still being documented.
The diagrams on this site are conceptual. The component inventory is incomplete, measured results have not been published here, and the Console application has not been connected.
Problems encountered, unsuccessful approaches, and unresolved questions will be recorded with the relevant tests and modifications.
Gallery
No media in this selection yet.
Project photos, screenshots, and measured graphs will be added as they become available.
Project Notes
No project notes published yet.
This section is reserved for build changes, observations, troubleshooting, and software revisions.
Future Work
Hardware inventory
Add verified component details, chamber photographs, and subsystem drawings.
Experimental data
Add recorded runs with test conditions, observations, analysis, and measurement limits.
Project history
Record configurations, modifications, unsuccessful approaches, and the reasons for each revision.
Fusor Console
Connect the separate application and add its version and release notes.