Fluid Pressure Patents (Class 251/175)
  • Patent number: 8714522
    Abstract: A fluid control valve, which includes a body forming a fluid passage and including a sealing surface positioned in the fluid passage, a valve body configured to rotate between an open position and closed position within the fluid passage, an elastic sealing member provided at a rim portion of the valve body, and a lip portion extended from the elastic sealing member to be directed towards a center portion of the valve body. The lip portion contacts the sealing surface and a surface of the lip portion facing the sealing surface is exposed to the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Motonobu Hasegawa, Masato Ishii, Yusuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8641014
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a gate valve is provided that includes a seal plate disposed in a housing. An inflatable biasing member is retained on a first side of the seal plate and is positioned to surround a first opening formed through the housing. A ring seal is retained on a second side of the plate opposite the first side and is positioned to surround a second opening formed through the housing. At least one of the inflatable biasing member and the ring seal are adapted to create a vacuum seal around the first and second openings, respectively, when the inflatable biasing member is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. White
  • Publication number: 20140021392
    Abstract: A diaphragm valve features a valve body having a fluid flow channel with a weir portion to control the flow of fluid through the fluid flow channel; a diaphragm that responds to a closing or force to make sealing contact with the weir portion to interrupt said flow, or to release the sealing contact with the weir portion to allow the flow; a compressor configured to apply the closing or force in order to interrupt or allow the flow; and two studs configured to: couple the compressor and the diaphragm together, attach to the diaphragm to provide attachment points on the diaphragm on each side of the weir portion, and respond to the closing or opening force so the attachment points on both sides of the weir portion cause the diaphragm to make sealing contact with the weir portion or cause the sealing contact to be released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventor: Louis E. MATALON
  • Patent number: 8596558
    Abstract: A finger-operated switch is revealed. The finger-operated switch includes a main body and a switch. The main body includes an intake channel, a turning channel and an outlet channel connected sequentially. On end of the outlet channel near the turning channel is arranged with an outlet and mounted with a waterproof gasket. The switch including a rotating shaft and a waterproof spacer is set on the rotating shaft. There is a certain distance between the turning channel and the rotating shaft mounted therein. The waterproof spacer is floatable in and moving synchronously with the rotating shaft. While adjusting the rotating shaft, the waterproof spacer is driven to close or open the outlet of the waterproof gasket. When the outlet is closed, a pushing force is produced toward the outlet because water pressure in the turning channel presses the waterproof spacer. A watertight effect is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Yuan-Mei Corp.
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Lai
  • Patent number: 8573557
    Abstract: A ram blowout preventer for sealing a well, the ram blowout preventer including a body having a cavity with a recess; a ram block configured to move inside the cavity; a top seat disposed in the recess and configured to seal the well when in contact with the ram block; a movable lock ring extending inside a groove of the body and a corresponding groove of the top seat and configured to move inside the groove of the body, along a direction substantially parallel to the well; a first seal extending inside a groove of the top seat and configured to contact the body and the top seat; and a second seal extending inside a groove of the ram block and configured to contact the ram block and the top seat. A width of the groove of the body is larger than a width of the lock ring by a predetermined value, which is larger than normal tolerances, and a distance from a centerline of the well to the first seal is larger than a distance from the centerline of the well to the second seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: William L. Carbaugh, Eric Mei, Leonard G. Childers
  • Patent number: 8560139
    Abstract: An automatic flow control apparatus includes a solar cell module that provides a received light signal, an energy storage module, a charging circuit, a regulating module, a control module, a rainfall detection module for generating a detected rainfall signal, and a pair of conductors. The control module converts the received light signal and the detected rainfall signal into measured light data and measured rainfall data, and stores a measured data set that includes the measured light data and the measured rainfall data. The controller determines based on at least the measured data set whether to output a control signal to the regulating module for controlling regulation of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Tung-Teh Lee
  • Patent number: 8550430
    Abstract: A valve for the gastight interruption of a flow path is disclosed. A valve housing includes a first opening and a valve seat. A valve disk includes an inner disk portion, which is linearly movable relative to an outer disk portion so that, in a closed setting, a pressure differential acts substantially upon the movable inner disk portion, which is supported on the valve housing. The valve seat has a radially inward pointing first inner face and the outer disk portion has a radially outward pointing first outer face, wherein in the closed setting there exists a radial sealing contact with the first inner face. The outer disk portion has a radially inward pointing second inner face and the inner disk portion has a radially outward pointing second outer face, having a radially sealing contact with the second inner face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vat Holding AG
    Inventors: Michael Lamprecht, Wolfgang Weiss
  • Patent number: 8534642
    Abstract: The specification discloses a seal member for selectively completing a fluid passageway defined between an upstream member and a downstream member separated by an intermediate space, the seal member comprising an elongate stem portion dimensioned to be movably positionable in an opening defined through the upstream member between opposite first and second surfaces thereof, the elongate stem portion having provided at one end thereof a resiliency deformable, radially-extending flange and at the other end thereof a sealing face, and a fluid passageway defined through the stem portion between the flange and the sealing face. The flange is deformable under fluid pressure to increase the area of contact between the flange and the first surface of the upstream member and to simultaneously move the stem portion within the opening defined in the upstream member so as to bring the sealing face into sealing contact with an opposing surface of the downstream member across the intermediate space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventors: Dale Moretz, Carl Romack
  • Patent number: 8469335
    Abstract: A metallic seal for a 90° valve features a generally rectangular shape in section that defines a chamber open to internal pressure that can enlarge the chamber to enhance the sealing effect. Sealing occurs at discrete locations at portions of the seal that are preferably rounded in shape. Overlapping ends that define the entrance to the chamber also are positioned to minimize excessive deflection and resulting plastic deformation that could close off the entrance to the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Perry Batson, Nelson P. Nguyen, Namhyo Kim, Steve Rosenblatt
  • Patent number: 8453677
    Abstract: A valve (50) comprising a first part (401) defining a first array of apertures and a second part (2) defining a second array of apertures, the first part (401) being moveable laterally relative to the second part (2) between a closed configuration in which the first and second arrays of apertures are not registered to substantially prevent passage of a fluid through the valve and an open configuration in which the first and second arrays of apertures are registered to allow passage of fluid, wherein the first and second parts (401, 2) are configured to lock in the closed configuration in response to a pressure differential across the valve (50). In one embodiment, the first part (401) is configured to be sealed against the second part (2) by a pressure differential across the valve when the first and second parts (401,2) are locked in the closed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Isentropic Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Sebastian Howes, James Macnaghten
  • Patent number: 8434511
    Abstract: A pendulum gate valve including an expandable gate which pivots when unexpanded to selectively block a vacuum or other pressure-differential passage. The valve includes a valve plate sealing one side of the passage and a ring or barrier plate abutting an opposed side of the passage when the gate member is expanded. A compression spring biases apart the valve plate and ring to close the valve by means of respective two-stage hangers attached thereto, extending along the spring, and having distal ends capturing the spring. Pneumatic pressure applied to a pneumatic cavity formed between the middles of the two-stage hangers and accommodating the spring forces apart the valve plate and ring to open the valve in the blocking position. Thereby if pressure fails, the valve fails to a sealed state. The axially movable valve or barrier plate is advantageously water cooled to allow use with a heated processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: GT Advanced CZ LLC
    Inventors: Dick S. Williams, William L. Luter
  • Patent number: 8360395
    Abstract: A sliding valve assembly includes a valve body having a fluid conducting port adjacent to a fluid impervious surface. The actuator allows fluid to travel through the valve assembly and into a fluid blocking position where the fluid impervious surface obstructs the fluid from traveling through the valve assembly. First and second sealing assemblies include a primary seal ring, a secondary seal ring around the primary seal ring, and a spring forcing the primary seal ring against a sealing surface. As pressure in the system increases, this pressure is delivered to the sealing assemblies to force them against the sealing surfaces to enhance the sealing relationship. Cams and cam followers affixed to the valve body overcome the frictional forces of the sealing system and the valve body and valve housing to increase the efficiency of the valve assembly and the system in which the valve assembly is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Dragon America Motor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig W. Crall
  • Patent number: 8348230
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solenoid valve having a valve cartridge, which includes a pole core, a valve insert connected to the pole core, an armature that is axially movably guided inside the valve insert and is coupled to a main closing element, and a valve body connected to the valve insert. The valve body forms a main valve with the main closing element and is disposed between at least one first flow opening and a second flow opening. The axial motion of the armature and of the main closing element opens the main valve against the force of a restoring spring, and the force of the restoring spring closes the main valve. According to the invention, the main closing element is designed as a sliding element axially movably guided inside an inner bore of the valve body. The sliding element and the armature are connected to each other and are pressure-compensated by a compensating port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Michl
  • Publication number: 20120298899
    Abstract: A door for sealing an opening (2) in a wall (3) of a vacuum chamber (4) relative to the atmosphere includes a sealing element (1), which is attached to at least one rod (9, 9?, 9?) and which can be moved between an open position, in which the sealing element releases the opening (2), an intermediate position, in which the sealing element covers the opening (2) but is raised from a seat (7) surrounding the opening (2), and a closed position, in which the sealing element is pressed against the seat (7), a door body (10), which carries the at least one rod (9, 9?, 9?) and the sealing element (1) and which can be tilted about a tilt axis (20) relative to the wall (3) in order to move the sealing element (1) between the intermediate position and the closed position, and at least one tilting actuator (25, 25?, 26, 26?), which has an inner cavity (27) into which a compressed gas can be introduced in order to tilt the door element (10) about the tilt axis (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: VAT HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Geiser, Anton Neumeier, Cedric Wagner
  • Patent number: 8297591
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to methods for sealing a processing chamber with a slit valve door. The door initially raises from a position below the opening for the processing chamber to a raised position. The door then expands until an O-ring that is on the door just touches the sealing surface. Then, the door expands again to compress the O-ring against the sealing surface. The door expands by flowing a gas into the interior volume of the door. By controlling the pressure buildup within the door, the speed with which the door expands is controlled to ensure that the door gently contacts the sealing surface and then compresses against the sealing surface. Thus, the door may be prevented from contacting the sealing surface with too great a force that may jolt or shake the processing chamber and produce undesired particles that may contaminate the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Matsumoto, Shinichi Kurita
  • Patent number: 8267162
    Abstract: A bi-directional pressure relief valve for a plate fin heat exchanger including an elongated heat exchanger tube having ends and a channel for the flow of a fluid from one end of the tube to the opposite end and a bi-directional reed valve positioned within the channel. The reed valve allows fluid to flow within the channel in either direction when a pressure differential across the reed valve is sufficient to urge the reed valve to an open position, thereby enabling the heat exchanger to be used independent of the direction of fluid flow through the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Standard Motor Products
    Inventor: Archibald E Pinto
  • Patent number: 8230878
    Abstract: A valve is provided that comprises a valve chamber including first and second valve port openings in communication with first and second inlet/outlets, respectively. A shaft is rotatably disposed in the valve chamber. A first valve plate is rotatably coupled to the shaft that is disposed in the valve chamber over the first valve port opening. The first valve plate has a first opening positioned so as to align with the first valve port opening. The first valve plate is configured to rotate from its closed position covering the first valve port opening to an open position, where rotation of the first valve plate adjustably positions at least a portion of the first opening over the first valve port opening. A second valve plate is configured to rotate with the first valve plate, and to cover the second valve port opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Kok-Hiong Kee, Ruben Huerta-Ochoa, Jinmin Hu
  • Patent number: 8181934
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shut-off device comprising a housing which is to be connected to an adjacent conduit in a pressure-tight manner. A tubular passage is defined in the housing for a medium flowing through the conduit. Said device also comprises at least one sealing body which can be displaced by an articulated mechanism, by means of an adjusting drive that can be moved vertically in relation to the direction of flow, from an open position into a closed position in which the sealing contour of the at least one sealing body comes into contact with the tubular passage in a radially sealing manner. The articulated mechanism is guided parallel to the direction of displacement of the adjusting drive and comprises a bearing body to which the at least one sealing body is pivotably applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Friatec Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Simon Schwartz, Alexander Rothermel, Fabian Maier, Dirk Elsasser, Heiko Gehr, Wolfgang Sichler, Harald Schmitt, Michael Schneider, Ralf Schmich
  • Patent number: 8177190
    Abstract: A vacuum valve including a valve body with a valve orifice, a closure member for closing the valve orifice, a first piston-cylinder unit, a second piston-cylinder unit, a first control element, and a second control element. When opening the vacuum valve, a pressure medium line, which applies pressure to the opening cylinder space of the second piston-cylinder unit, is blocked during the first part of the opening process, and is released at the end of the first part of the opening process by the first control element. When closing the vacuum valve, a pressure medium line, which applies pressure to the closing cylinder space of the first piston-cylinder unit, is blocked during the first part of the closing process, and is released by the second control element at the end of the first part of the closing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Andreas Maerk
  • Patent number: 8167267
    Abstract: A faucet including: a body having an axis channel; a spherical rotating closure mounted pivotable in the body, between a closed position and an open position, the closure including a through orifice allowing the passage of a fluid from an upstream pipe to a downstream pipe, in open position; an upstream seat having a central passage, mounted in the channel of the body upstream of the closure so as to be mobile in translation along the axis and urged towards the closure by elastic means; a protuberance provided in the upstream seat projecting towards the closure, and a recess provided on the closure, to co-operate with the protuberance in closed position of the closure; and means for equalizing the pressure between upstream and downstream of the upstream seat, prior to the faucet being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Vanatome
    Inventor: Patrick Artru
  • Patent number: 8161999
    Abstract: A swing valve includes a body having an inner surface defining an opening, a plate positioned substantially within the opening of the body, and a pivot rod coupled to the body and the plate. The pivot rod defines a pivot axis. The plate is pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the body between an open position and a closed position. The swing valve also includes a locking mechanism coupled to the plate. The locking mechanism includes a member that is movable relative to the plate between a first position, in which the locking mechanism engages the body to lock the plate in the closed position, and a second position, in which the locking mechanism disengages the body to allow movement of the plate relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Petersen Products Co., LLC
    Inventor: Philip L. Lundman
  • Patent number: 8122907
    Abstract: A valve arrangement includes an inlet conduit defining an inlet passage adapted for communication with a supply of pressurized motive fluid, a first planar surface spaced radially from the inlet conduit, first and second supply passages communicating through the first planar surface, and a rotary valve. The rotary valve includes a second planar surface abutting against the first planar surface and a valve passage communicating through the second planar surface. The rotary valve is rotatable to place the inlet passage in communication with a selected one of the first and second supply passages through the valve passage, and is adapted to conduct the pressurized motive fluid from the inlet passage to the selected one of the first and second supply passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Randi J. Young, Nathanael S. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8083207
    Abstract: Improved gate movement is provided in a wet process environment in which fluid collecting from a gate occurs adjacent to an access opening provided in a wall of a process chamber while the gate is moved relative to the opening. A minimum space environment is adjacent to the chamber due to a requirement for fluid collection next to the opening, yet the gate movement is provided without interference with a wafer transfer unit that moves the wafer through the access opening. Drives are configured within the minimum space environment to move the gate into and out of alignment with the opening and when aligned, to move the gate into and out of a gate closure position. The configuration of the drives avoids interference with the wafer transfer unit and the gate is received in a fluid collector during the gate movement to provide fluid collection during the wafer transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob Wylie, Gregory A. Clemmer, Alan M. Schoepp
  • Patent number: 8074678
    Abstract: A flow valve is provided that comprises a valve chamber including first and second valve port openings in communication with first and second inlet/outlets. The valve further includes a shaft rotatably disposed in the valve chamber, and a first valve plate rotatably coupled to the shaft that is disposed in the valve chamber over the first valve port opening. The first valve plate has a first tapered slot positioned therein so as to align with the first valve port opening. The first valve plate is configured to rotate from its closed position covering the first valve port opening to an open position, where rotation of the first valve plate adjustably positions a wider or narrower portion of the first tapered slot over the first valve port opening. The valve further includes a second valve plate that is configured to rotate with the first valve plate, and to cover the second valve port opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Kok-Hiong Kee, Ruben Huerta-Ochoa, Jinmin Hu
  • Patent number: 8051876
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure limiting valve with a hydraulic seal ring (12), characterized in that the sealing element (6), for securing the flow gap (10) between the consumer connection (3) and the pressurized fluid outlet (4), is embodied as a seal ring (12) with a limited flexibility. Said seal ring (12) is inserted without preload into a groove (13) provided therefore, whereby said groove (13) is embodied so as to allow the flow of pressurized fluid (11) behind the seal ring (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Wolfgang Voss
  • Patent number: 8016263
    Abstract: A fast opening, stand alone pressure relief valve (200) for providing pressure relief for a vessel in which the valve (200) is installed. The valve has an ejector (216) and a sleeve structure (210) in which the ejector (216) moves. The ejector (216) is constructed of a material that will expand outward slightly upon pressurization to increase friction between staging glands (202) provided on the sleeve structure (210) and buckling glands (206) provided on the ejector (216). Also, as pressure on the ejector (216) increases, the buckling rings (206) deform slightly allowing them to release their grip on the staging glands (202) and move past them. Once the buckling rings (206) move past the staging glands (202), the pressurized ejector (216) quickly moves to its open position, i.e. opening within 2 and 3 milliseconds, thereby releasing the pressure on the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Enviro Valve, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Keith Fritts
  • Patent number: 8002237
    Abstract: A ball valve seat arrangement is provided that permits relief of cavity pressure. The arrangement includes a valve body for receiving a resilient annular seat. First passages in the seat provide communication between the valve cavity, and a space formed between the seat and the valve body. When the cavity pressure reaches a certain level, a sealing point between the seat and the valve body is lost. Communication is thereby provided between the space and the valve passage to achieve cavity pressure relief.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Velan Inc.
    Inventors: Mirek Hubacek, Luc Vernhes, Jocelyn Deslandes
  • Patent number: 7980529
    Abstract: A vacuum gate valve includes a closure disk for gas-tight closing of an opening. A connecting rod with which the closure disk is coupled is linearly adjustable by means of a linear drive unit and the closure disk is thus displaceable between a position uncovering the opening and an intermediate position pushed over the opening. At least two limbs are pivotably mounted at one limb end on the back of the closure disk via a first joint and at the other limb end on a support via a second joint to press the closure disk into the closed position. The limbs, the back and the support form an articulated parallelogram. Each of the limbs forms, with the respective first and second joints, a common integral part which includes a resilient material, the first joint and the second joint being formed by a flexible section on the limb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Vat Holding AG
    Inventor: Daniel Seitz
  • Patent number: 7946556
    Abstract: A resilient seat seal for a valve. The seal has a closed liquid-filled void therewithin, and the liquid redistributes within the seal as a portion of the seal is compressed, thereby causing effective sealing by all portions of the seal. Examples are shown with the seal used in a knife gate valve, a ball valve, and a butterfly valve. Preferably the seal is made of elastomer or polymer material such as GFLT (“good for low temperature”) FKM. The liquid within the void of the seal is preferably an antifreeze liquid such as ethylene glycol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: SISTAG AG Absperrtechnik
    Inventor: Donald R. Trott
  • Patent number: 7849876
    Abstract: A valve assembly (10) comprising a valve member (14) having surfaces (70, 72, 74, 76, 78) radially sized and axially situated to provide an axial sealing force to insure leakfree operation. When the valve member (14) is in a supply position, the sum of fluid forces imposed on the radial surfaces is positive towards supply position, and, when the valve member (14) is a nonsupply position, the sum of fluid forces imposed on the radial surfaces is positive towards the nonsupply position. The valve assembly (10) is compatible with a piezo-type actuator (18) that provides lift-shift forces early in its stroke. Once movement of the valve member (14) has been initiated by the actuator (18), the fluid forces can be relied upon to complete the shift and seal the valve member (14) against the corresponding seat (40/42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Leonard J. Jabcon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7841582
    Abstract: Techniques for a door system for sealing an opening between two chambers in a semiconductor processing system are described. A sealing member seals the opening when a door is in a closed position. To selectively open and close the opening, an actuator moves the door. A valve actuator switch provides a first or second pressure to the actuator depending on the pressure inside a first chamber. In one embodiment, a sensor monitors the pressure inside the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Won B. Bang, Toan Q. Tran, Yen-Kun Victor Wang
  • Patent number: 7828267
    Abstract: A slide valve is provided, in which the conductance in the minimum region is controllable with high accuracy to enable stable control, a slide plate is prevented from plastically deforming to acquire good controllability of the minimum flow rate, and it is possible to detach a valve element and an air drive portion integrally with the slide plate, thereby facilitating the maintenance. The slide valve includes a body having a flow path, a slide plate provided within the body and between a closing position preventing a flow on the flow path and an open position permitting the flow, disposed perpendicularly relative to a flow path axis and movable horizontally or on a straight line, and a valve element incorporated in the slide plate and operated in a direction of the flow path axis to switch between the closing position and the open position of the slide plate by air cylinder drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kitz SCT Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 7819378
    Abstract: A gate valve has a gate that moves in a gate cavity between a lower closed position and an upper open position. A seal member in the gate seals against a downstream seat ring when the gate is in the closed position. The seal member is moveable in upward and downward directions as well as upstream and downstream directions relative to the gate. The seal member is in an upper and downstream position relative to the gate while the gate is in the closed position. A cam member is carried by the gate for movement in unison and is in engagement with the seal member. The cam member moves the seal member to an upstream and downward position in response to initial movement of the gate from the closed position toward the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 7806383
    Abstract: Embodiments of a valve assembly for a process chamber having improved seal performance are provided herein. In some embodiments, a valve assembly for a process chamber includes a housing having an opening disposed in a wall thereof and through which a substrate may be transferred; a door movably coupled to the housing in a plane substantially parallel to the wall of the housing for selectively sealing the opening; a compressible sealing member disposed at least partly between an upper surface of the door and a corresponding surface of the housing for forming a seal therebetween by compression of the compressible sealing member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the wall when the door is in a closed position; and a mechanism for restricting the exposure of the compressible sealing member to an environment on a process chamber side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Toan Q. Tran, Dimitry Lubormirsky, Lun Tsuei, Won Bang
  • Patent number: 7802772
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve, in particular a pendulum or slide gate valve, for essentially gastight closing of a flow path (F). The valve includes a valve housing (1) having a first wall (2) which has a first opening (3) and a first valve seat (4), a valve plate (5) having a closing side (6) with a first sealing ring (7) and at least one drive (8). By action of the drive (8), the valve plate (5) is pivotable or displaceable from an opened position (A) essentially parallel to the first valve seat (4), and the perpendicular distance between the valve plate (5), and the first valve seat (4) can be reduced so that, in the closed position (C), the flow path (F) is closed essentially gastight by an axially sealing contact between the first sealing ring (7) and the first valve seat (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Friedrich Geiser
  • Patent number: 7762527
    Abstract: A vacuum valve comprises a valve body with a valve opening, a valve plate which is adjustable from an open position, in which it releases the valve opening, to an intermediate position, in which it covers the valve opening but is lifted from the valve seat, into a closed position in which it contacts the valve seat, and from the closed position to the intermediate position into the open position, a valve rod carrying the valve plate, a transverse drive unit by which the valve plate can be displaced in a transverse adjusting direction extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the valve opening, a longitudinal drive unit by which the valve plate can be displaced in a longitudinal adjusting direction extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve opening and opposite the longitudinal adjusting direction, and a guide device by which the transverse drive unit is guided so as to be displaceable relative to the valve body parallel to the longitudinal adjusting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventors: Mathias Schoen, Didier Henry
  • Publication number: 20100180875
    Abstract: A seating control device for a valve, comprising: a vessel for containing a fluid; an upper snubber element translatably receivable in the vessel for controlling the seating velocity of a valve associated therewith; and a lower snubber element translatably receivable in the vessel, adjacent the upper snubber element, presenting a surface to the upper snubber element, for controlling the seating of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: The Scuderi Group, LLC
    Inventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, Stephen Peter Scuderi
  • Patent number: 7758016
    Abstract: A ball valve comprising a housing, a ball seat disposed within the housing, and a ball rotatably movable within the housing, and engageable with the ball seat in order to provide a seal within the ball valve and the ball seat, wherein the ball seat comprises multiple seat surfaces independently capable of engaging the ball, a first seat surface engaging the ball to form a first seal, and being arranged such that pressure acting from above pushes the first seat surface against the ball; a second seat surface being movable relative to the first seat surface and engaging the ball to form a second seal, the second seat surface being arranged such that pressure acting from below causes the second seat surface to move relative to the first seat surface and pushes the second seat surface into contact with the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Kenneth Scott, James Crabb, Ronald George Taylor
  • Patent number: 7731151
    Abstract: A pendulum vacuum gate valve comprised of a housing for enclosing a valve plate assembly having a pair of air pressure actuated floating seal plates disposed on opposite sides of the valve plate assembly which is actuated by a gate arm to reciprocate between open and closed positions and intermediate stop positions for controlling gas flow between intake and exhaust conduits connected to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Kenneth K L Lee
  • Publication number: 20100043891
    Abstract: A device to enhance sealing is provided. The device includes a body and a pressure cup. The pressure cup includes a channel, a first pressure channel, and a second pressure channel. The channel is formed in a surface of the body to surround a first portion of the surface. The channel is configured to hold an o-ring. The first pressure channel extends through the body and opens into the first portion of the surface. The second pressure channel extends through the body and opens into the channel. Pneumatic pressure within the second pressure channel is controlled to hold the o-ring in the channel when a second pressure within the first pressure channel changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Andrew Paul Wilke, Robert Charles Mierendorf, Anthony Charles Grabski, Cunjiang Cheng
  • Patent number: 7654505
    Abstract: A vacuum valve comprises a valve housing which has an inlet opening and an outlet opening penetrating opposite walls of the valve housing, a valve seat surrounding the inlet opening, and a closure unit which is arranged in an interior space of the valve housing and which has a valve plate which is adjustable between an open position in which it releases the inlet opening, an intermediate position in which it covers the inlet opening but is lifted from the valve seat, and a closed position in which it covers the inlet opening and is pressed against the valve seat, and at least one adjusting piston which is arranged in an interior space of the closure unit and, for the purpose of adjusting the valve plate between its intermediate position and its closed position, is displaceable in direction of its longitudinal center axis between a passive position in which the valve plate is in its intermediate position and an active position in which the valve plate is in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG,
    Inventor: Mathias Schoen
  • Patent number: 7647941
    Abstract: An air pulser includes a housing. The interior of the housing is divided into an air supply chamber and an exhaust chamber by a diaphragm formed with an aperture. An air injection tube is provided in the air supply chamber and configured to be selectively opened and closed by the diaphragm. The exhaust chamber is divided into first and second chambers by a valve plate formed with a valve hole. In the second chamber, a guide tube is fixedly mounted in which a valve body is slidably supported. The valve body carries a permanent magnet adapted to be attracted to the valve plate and carrying a suction disk. A seal member is disposed between the guide tube and the valve plate. A plurality of radial grooves having a V-shaped cross-section are formed on the surface of the valve plate facing the suction plate at its radially inner portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Inventor: Masao Onoe
  • Patent number: 7621502
    Abstract: A butterfly-type valve for controlling toner material flow to a toner container, including, a valve plate which is pivotally disposed in an elongate flow path defined by a passage way, wherein the valve plate is pivotal from a closed position which substantially closes a fluid communication along the path to an open position which maximally permitting fluid communication along the path, a gap area defined between the valve plate and the passage way when the valve plate is in the closed position which allows minimum toner material flow therethrough without compressing the toner material, and a pump for supplying air to the gap area when the valve plate is in the closed position to stop the minimum toner material flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Paul M. Wegman
  • Publication number: 20090134349
    Abstract: A control valve for a hydraulic adjuster for the camshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided, wherein an actuator acts on a pressure part (12) embedded in a control piston (5). In order to prevent the piston (5) from being blocked in the valve housing by the expansion thereof caused by the pressure part embedment, the pressure part (12) and/or the control piston (5) is/are provided with radial recesses (34) in the embedment area (13) which make it possible to limit joining forces and the resulting radial expansion of the piston (5). Alternatively or in addition, the external surface of the control valve (5) has a reduced cross-section in the embedment area (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jens Hoppe, Andreas Rohr
  • Patent number: 7530801
    Abstract: A rotary fluid pressure device (11) has a stationary valve member (17), a rotatable valve member (51), and a valve seating mechanism (73). The valve seating mechanism (73) defines an outer balance ring member (75) having a valve-confronting surface (79) in engagement with an opposite surface (81) of the rotatable valve member (51) and an inner balance ring member (77) having a valve-confronting surface (111) in engagement with the opposite surface (81) of the rotatable valve member (51), with the outer balance ring member (75) and the inner balance ring member (77) being structurally independent from the other. The outer balance ring member (75) and the inner balance ring member (77) define a balance ring passage (71) which provides continuous fluid communication between a fluid inlet (53) or a fluid outlet (53) and the valve passages (61) in the rotatable valve member (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Aaron M. Hicks
  • Publication number: 20090092936
    Abstract: A pressure regulator having a housing that defines a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a reference pressure connector. A diaphragm is provided in the housing, where the diaphragm defines, at least in part, a reference pressure chamber. In some illustrative embodiments, the reference pressure connector fluidly references the reference pressure chamber to a first pressure via a first orifice, and to a second pressure via a second bleed orifice. A gas valve incorporating a pressure regulator is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: James G. Buezis, Donald J. Kasprzyk
  • Patent number: 7494107
    Abstract: An isolation valve is preferably applied to the semiconductor industry for sealing a process vessel and also operates effectively at plus-atmospheric pressures. A double containment gate valve assembly includes a housing and a movable head assembly within the housing. The housing includes a first access opening and a second access opening. The head assembly is configurable into a first position where an access path through the first and second access openings is clear, and a second position where the access path is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Supercritical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei Sheydayi, Thomas Sutton
  • Patent number: 7413162
    Abstract: A vacuum valve comprises a valve housing which has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a valve disk which is located in the interior space of the valve housing and which is arranged at a carrying arm that is rigidly connected to a shaft which, for purposes of opening and closing the vacuum valve, is rotatable around its longitudinal axis and displaceable in axial direction, and a driving device for opening and closing the vacuum valve. The driving device comprises a rotary drive for rotating the shaft. The driving device further comprises a driving piston which is arranged in an inner cavity of the valve disk and which has, at least over portions of its circumference, a radial extension which is larger than the outlet opening with respect to the center longitudinal axis of the outlet opening and at which tappets are arranged on the side facing the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Friedrich Geiser
  • Patent number: 7406983
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shut-off fitting comprising a housing which is connected to an adjacent pipeline in a pressure tight manner, the diameter of said pipeline defining a tubular passage in the housing. Said fitting also comprises at least one closing body which can be displaced between an open position and a closed position. The inventive shut-off fitting is characterized in that the at least one closing body can be displaced by an articulated mechanism, by means of an actuator which can be vertically displaced in relation to the flow direction, in such a way that it is arranged outside the tubular passage in its open position. The closing body has a contour which is adapted to the contour of the tubular passage, in the open position, and is located on the tubular passage in a radially sealing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Friatec Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Simon Schwartz, Alexander Rothermel, Fabian Maier, Dirk Elsasser, Heiko Gehr, Wolfgang Sichler, Harald Schmitt, Michael Schneider, Ralf Schmich
  • Patent number: 7361149
    Abstract: A pressure-dependent automatic leak valve for sphygmomanometers is able to regularly reduce the pressure in a cuff without manipulation of a pressure reducing valve. Fluid resistance of air to be discharged through the pressure-dependent automatic leak valve is automatically changed so that air is discharged at a constant rate, and the pressure in the cuff is reduced at a constant speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventors: Eun Jong Cha, Kyung Ah Kim, Sung Hoon Kim