Patents by Inventor Layne Evan Howard

Layne Evan Howard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Shutter and gate valve assemblies for vacuum systems
    Patent number: 7743790
    Abstract: A shutter and gate valve assembly includes a valve housing that defines a passage therethrough, a valve member having a valve aperture, the valve member movable between a non-operating position that seals the passage and an operating position that aligns the valve aperture with the passage, and a shutter movable between a closed position that blocks the valve aperture and an open position that unblocks the valve aperture. The shutter member may be affixed to and movable with the valve member between the non-operating position and the operating position. The shutter may be provided with a shutter aperture that is aligned with the valve aperture in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventor: Layne Evan Howard
  • Shutter and gate valve assemblies for vacuum systems
    Publication number: 20090206249
    Abstract: A shutter and gate valve assembly includes a valve housing that defines a passage therethrough, a valve member having a valve aperture, the valve member movable between a non-operating position that seals the passage and an operating position that aligns the valve aperture with the passage, and a shutter movable between a closed position that blocks the valve aperture and an open position that unblocks the valve aperture. The shutter member may be affixed to and movable with the valve member between the non-operating position and the operating position. The shutter may be provided with a shutter aperture that is aligned with the valve aperture in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Layne Evan Howard