Abstract: A vacuum valve for a medium-, high- and/or ultra-high vacuum system comprises a valve housing defining a passage connecting a first opening and a second opening of the valve housing, a valve body and a complementary seat, the valve body comprising a valve shaft extending in an axial direction and being actuable to move the valve body between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve body cooperates with the seat in the closed position so as to close the passage gas-tightly, and a locking unit configured to secure the valve body in a locked position, wherein the locking unit comprises a locking mechanism configured to urge, upon actuation of the locking unit, at least one locking element in a radial direction disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction towards the valve shaft to assume a locking position.

Abstract: A vacuum valve for a medium-, high- and/or ultra-high vacuum system comprises a valve housing defining a passage connecting a first opening and a second opening of the valve housing, a valve body and a complementary seat, the valve body comprising a valve shaft extending in an axial direction and being actuable to move the valve body between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve body cooperates with the seat in the closed position so as to close the passage gas-tightly, and a locking unit configured to secure the valve body in a locked position, wherein the locking unit comprises a locking mechanism configured to urge, upon actuation of the locking unit, at least one locking element in a radial direction disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction towards the valve shaft to assume a locking position.

Abstract: A plate within the valve pivots about a shaft to cause the plate to transition between an open position and a closed position within a bore passing through the housing of the valve. The plate has a perimeter seal thereon which abuts against a tapering seat of the bore when the throttle plate is in a closed orientation. The seal has a curving form over a recess and an energy source, such as the toroidal spring in the recess, to energize the seal and allow it to maintain secure contact against the seat. The shaft is offset from the centerline of the bore and the plate is mounted to the shaft at a location offset from the center point of the plate, so that rotation of the plate causes the plate to swing somewhat into a closed position, minimizing abrasive contact between the seat and seal during closing.