Separate Actuators Or Actuator Motion Patents (Class 251/187)
  • Patent number: 11466783
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body having a flow bore extending along a valve body axis from a first end to a second end, wherein at least one of the first end or the second end includes an opening adapted to receive a fluid end, the opening having an opening diameter sized to enable at least one of a valve member, a valve stem, or a valve seat to be installed through the opening. The valve assembly also includes an actuator adapted to drive movement of a valve member between an open position and a closed position. The valve assembly further includes a bonnet coupled to the actuator, the bonnet being coupled to the valve body at a top location, the bonnet being coupled to the valve body while at least one of the valve member, the valve stem, or the valve seat is installed through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Choate, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd Cheatham
  • Patent number: 11174950
    Abstract: A spacer having a wedge-shaped flat plate portion and an engagement protrusion is interposed between a hole end surface of mounting hole of a valve plate and a rod end surface of mounting portion of a valve rod, which thereby forms a wedge-shaped gap between the spacer and the hole end surface so as to open frontward. A fastening force of a valve-plate fixation screw generates a moment M that deforms the valve plate in a direction of narrowing the gap. At the same time, the engagement protrusion of the spacer is pressed into a wedge-shaped space between the inclined surface portion of the rod end surface and the rear hole-wall surface of the mounting hole, which causes the front hole-wall surface of mounting hole of the valve plate to press the rod front surface of mounting portion of the valve rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: SMC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromi Shimoda, Hiroshi Ogawa, Takashi Nagao, Tsuyoshi Ochi
  • Patent number: 8881757
    Abstract: Exemplary illustrations of a fluid valve, e.g., a return valve for returning residual paint, rinsing agent, and compressed air from a paint line when changing color in a painting system, are disclosed. An exemplary fluid valve may be adjusted between an open position, in which the fluid valve is at least partially open, e.g., for rinsing a paint line with a rinsing agent and for pressurizing the paint line with a new color for the color change, and a closed position, in which the fluid valve is closed, e.g., for applying the new color after the color change. An exemplary fluid valve may switch to the closed position, upon actuation by the medium thereof, e.g., medium flowing through or present in the valve. In another example, a fluid valve may close depending on the fluid present at the input side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Duerr Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Melcher, Frank Herre, Michael Baumann, Thomas Buck
  • Patent number: 8500089
    Abstract: A method of operating an on-off valve comprises closing one of two openings of a valve body with a seal member of a closure element within the valve body, the valve body being within an evacuation pipe connected between a process chamber and an evacuation apparatus; moving the closure element, using a linear driver, so that the seal member is moved away from the one of the two openings; and positioning the closure element into a retreat portion in an surface of the valve body, using the linear driver and a pivotal driver adapted to pivot the closure element between the one of the two openings and the retreat portion, so that the seal member is closed inside a protection seal member of the closure element to surround the seal member, thereby preventing the seal member from being directly exposed to the process gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Toshihisa Nozawa
  • Patent number: 8448448
    Abstract: An air bleed device for cooling components in a turbine engine, including an annular conduit having a substantially rectangular cross-section formed in a housing and having a radially internal wall swept by an airflow is disclosed. The device includes an air inlet orifice, and a flap valve for controlling the airflow entering through the orifice, formed by a plate borne by a maneuvering member mobile in translation parallel to the axis of the orifice between a position in which the plate closes off the orifice and a position in which the plate opens the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Stephane Pierre Guillaume Blanchard, Mathieu Dakowski, Thomas Daris, Romain Nicolas Lunel
  • 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: 8424843
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shuttle valve for interrupting a flow path (F), comprising a valve housing (1) having a valve seat (4) surrounding an opening (3) for the flow path (F). A valve disc (5) is arranged on a rotatably mounted shaft (6). By means of a drive unit (7), the valve disc (5) can be swiveled along a defined displacement curve (K1; K2; K3) from an opened position and leaving the flow path (F) unobstructed over the cross-section of the first opening (3) by a rotational movement about the pivot axis (8) of the shaft (6) and can be moved by a linear movement parallel to the pivot axis (8) in the direction of the valve seat (4) into a closed position so that the flow path (F) is sealed gas-tight by a sealing contact between the valve disc (5) and the valve seat (4). According to the invention, the drive unit (7) has a first drive (9a) for carrying out the rotational movement about the pivot axis (8) and a second drive (10a) for carrying out the linear movement parallel to the pivot axis (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Florian Ehrne
  • Patent number: 8348233
    Abstract: A butterfly valve comprises a valve body, a seat ring mounted on a flow passage of the valve body, a disc rotatably mounted to the valve body and configured to open and close the flow passage by being attached to the seat ring; and a driving device configured to linearly move and rotate the disc so as to prevent interference between the disc and the seat ring when the flow passage of the valve body is open and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Seokwang Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoon-Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 8210498
    Abstract: A gate valve for a system controlling cooling in a turbomachine is disclosed. The gate valve includes a gate mounted so that it can pivot about an axis between a position in which it shuts off an air passage orifice and a position in which it opens the orifice, and a rotating device for rotating the gate about the axis. The rotating device includes two superposed coaxial rotary members collaborating with one another via cam surfaces designed such that rotating the first rotary member from the shut-off position causes a translational movement of the second rotary member and of the gate along the axis of rotation followed by a rotation of this member and of the gate about this axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Stéphane Pierre Guillaume Blanchard, Thomas Daris
  • 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: 8123194
    Abstract: A disclosed on-off valve includes a valve body having two openings that may place a process chamber and an evacuation apparatus in pressure communication with each other; a closure element located inside the valve body and adapted to close one of the two openings; a seal member provided in the closure element and adapted to seal the one of the two openings when the closure element closes the one of the two openings; a linear motion driver that linearly moves the closure element; a retreat portion located away from the two openings; and a pivotal motion driver adapted to pivot the closure element between a first position corresponding to the one of the two openings and a second position corresponding to the retreat portion; wherein the closure element is moved to the retreat portion by the linear motion driver and the pivotal motion driver in order to stay at the retreat portion when the closure element is away from the one of the two openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Toshihisa Nozawa
  • Patent number: 8061686
    Abstract: A pinch valve includes a valve body having a slot which is configured to allow a web of substrate material to pass therethrough. The valve body has a sealing surface which includes a first curved portion with a first radius of curvature. A dynamic seal element is configured to engage the valve body and includes a second curved portion having a second radius of curvature which is larger than the first radius of curvature. An actuator is operable to selectively bias the dynamic seal element into and out of engagement with the valve body so that when it is biased into engagement with the valve body the web of substrate material is engaged between the sealing surfaces of the dynamic seal element and the valve body. Also disclosed is a processing system which includes the pinch valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Uniter Solar Ovonic LLC
    Inventor: Mark Lycette
  • Publication number: 20110155937
    Abstract: Apparatus to increase a force of an actuator having an override apparatus are described herein. An example fluid control system includes a first fluid control apparatus to fluidly couple a control fluid supply source to a control actuator via a first passageway. The control fluid supply source provides a control fluid to move a control actuator member of the control actuator in a first direction or a second direction opposite the first direction when the control actuator is in the operational state. A second fluid control apparatus is in fluid communication with the first fluid control apparatus and is configured to fluidly couple an override actuator to the control actuator via a second passageway when the control actuator is in a non-operational state. The override actuator is operatively coupled to the control actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: David Anthony Arnold
  • Patent number: 7931251
    Abstract: An expanding gate valve having a valve body defining a valve chamber and flow passages and having spaced sealing surfaces. Gate members are moveable within the valve body between open and closed positions and at the closed position having sealing engagement with the spaced sealing surfaces. A wedge member is positioned between the gate members and has at least one tapered surface having reacting engagement with a tapered surface of one of the gate members so that relative linear movement of the gate member relative to the tapered surface of the wedge member develops a lateral gate expansion force causing expansion of the gate members for tight sealing engagement with the spaced sealing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Perdix Engineering LLC
    Inventor: Charles C. Partridge
  • Patent number: 7762526
    Abstract: A Pendulum Valve having Independently and Rapidly Controllable Theta- and Z-axis Motion. The valve actuator used in the present invention provides the benefit of wide open unrestricted flow of a pendulum valve coupled with the high-resolution and wide dynamic range flow throttling of a ball or butterfly valve. The actuator mechanism will include motor drives and associated control system so that the drives are closely coupled to give highly controlled motion. The drive assembly introduces a concentric shaft arrangement that, when coupled with the highly controllable motor drives, exploits a cam-follower arrangement to make the relative rotation between the two concentric shafts result in highly controlled theta and z-axis motion. Finally, the plate to seal spacing afforded is greater than previously possible with prior valve actuator mechanisms, thereby substantially reducing flow turbulence through the valve as the valve plate eclipses the valve ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Nor-Cal Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nate Coleman, John Slaney, Sean Mallory, Per Cederstav, David Kruse, William Ballard, Robert Woods
  • Publication number: 20100138051
    Abstract: The present application relates to an arrangement for selectively providing a plurality of output forces, such as for example, a higher and a lower output force or a predetermined, time dependent output force. In one embodiment, a first piston assembly is moveable between a first and a second position and a second piston assembly moveable between a third and a fourth position. When the first piston assembly is in the first position, the second piston assembly is selectively movable between the third position and the fourth position. When the first piston assembly moves the second position, it moves the second piston assembly to the fourth position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: SWAGELOK COMPANY
    Inventor: William H. Glime
  • Patent number: 7445019
    Abstract: A gate valve including a valve housing defining a valve chamber having an opening therethrough along a flow path, a gate support supported within the valve housing between a closed position in the flow path, an open position outside of the flow path, and a service position extending out of the valve housing, and a dual actuator assembly having a service piston assembly having a service piston reciprocable within the valve housing, and an inner piston assembly having an inner piston reciprocable within the service piston assembly. The gate support is configured to reciprocate with the inner piston between the closed and open positions, and with the service piston between the closed and the service positions. A method of using the gate valve is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: High Vacuum Apparatus Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur J. Brenes, Yoshi Takayama, John Duncan
  • Publication number: 20080265197
    Abstract: Gate valve (10) for a system controlling cooling in a turbomachine, comprising a gate (20) mounted so that it can pivot about an axis (16) between a position in which it shuts off an air passage orifice (72) and a position in which it opens the orifice (72), and means (12, 14, 18) for rotating the gate (20) about the axis (16), these means comprising two superposed coaxial rotary members (14, 18) collaborating with one another via cam surfaces (40, 46) designed such that rotating the first rotary member (14) from the shut-off position causes a translational movement of the second rotary member (18) and of the gate (20) along the axis of rotation (16) followed by a rotation of this member (18) and of the gate (20) about this axis. Application of the invention to the cooling of turbojet jet pipe nozzle flaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Stephane Pierre Guillaume BLANCHARD, Thomas DARIS
  • Publication number: 20070290157
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventor: MATHIAS SCHOEN
  • Patent number: 7100892
    Abstract: A gate valve includes a valve main body having a gate valve body attached to a valve rod; a movement operation mechanism that moves the valve rod in a direction along an axis of the rod up to a position where the gate valve body stops up a flow passage port used for carrying in and out objects; a rotating motion mechanism for rotating the valve rod, which has been moved to that position, by a predetermined angle; and a horizontal drive gear for moving the valve body in a direction orthogonal to the direction of movement of the valve rod to seal the flow passage port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Kitz SCT Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 6966538
    Abstract: A gate valve has a valve rod equipped with a valve plate having a pair of valve plate surfaces, wherein the valve rod is tilted by an actuator to thereby effect highly reliable valve opening/closing operation with a simple construction. In the gate valve, the valve rod, which is equipped with the valve plate with the pair of valve plate surfaces, is rotatably supported, and raised and lowered by a raising/lowering cylinder, the valve rod being tilted by an actuator, a combination of a cam member and a cam raising/lowering cylinder, a combination of a driving block and a cylinder, or a combination of a connection member and a driving device (not shown) to thereby effect valve opening/closing with the pair of valve plate surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Irie Koken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzo Hayashi, Tatsuo Saito, Manabu Yabe, Masaharu Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6916009
    Abstract: A load-lock device for introducing substrates into a vacuum chamber comprises a load-lock chamber with at least one opening on the input side for introducing the substrates from an atmosphere area located in front of the input-side opening into an interior space located inside the load-lock chamber, and at least one opening on the output side for connecting the interior space of the load-lock chamber to the interior space of a vacuum chamber with the intermediary of a valve; at least one vacuum door which is associated with a respective opening on the input side and which comprises a closure-element which communicates with a drive device via at least one carrier rod and is adjustable by the drive device between a position in which the input-side opening is open and a position in which the input-side opening is closed and in which the closure element contacts a contact surface of the load-lock chamber, wherein, considered from the atmosphere area located in front of the input-side opening, the drive device is
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Thomas Blecha
  • Patent number: 6854708
    Abstract: A valve achieves a high-vacuum seal and opens and closes with no sliding or otherwise abrading contact between the sealing plate and the valve seat, while maintaining pressure of the plate against the valve seat in the event of a failure in the valve actuation mechanism. These results are attained by use of a composite valve plate that includes a sealing plate joined to a support block through a retractable resilient connector. During retraction, the sealing plate is drawing close to the block by a pneumatic actuator internal to the composite valve plate, the actuator arranged to oppose and overcome a mechanical resilient element also contained within the valve plate that urges the sealing plate outward from the support block to effect the seal when the actuator is not engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: MDC Vacuum Products Corporation
    Inventors: Jose L. Contin, Neli Ulea
  • Patent number: 6427973
    Abstract: A vacuum arrangement with a vacuum disc valve. A support plate is movably guided along a wall with an opening that is closed or opened by a valve. A seal plate is provided on the support plate which is controlled and actuated through a cylinder chamber. When the support plate is moved, the seal plate is displaced in the direction of the opening and is tightly placed on the borders of said opening by actuation in the cylinder chamber. The resulting sealing forces are absorbed by the movement guides of the support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Unaxis Trading AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Wagner
  • Patent number: 6409149
    Abstract: A dual pendulum valve assembly for connecting a process chamber and a vacuum pump of a semiconductor manufacturing system. The valve assembly includes an isolation valve for sealing an opening to the pump during cleaning of the system and an annular cover for protecting a valve seat of the opening to the pump during use of the system. In particular, the valve assembly includes a housing having an interior space and a pair of openings through which fluid can enter and exit the interior space. A process valve is movable within the interior space between an opened position allowing fluid to pass through a first of the openings from the process chamber and a closed position sealing the first opening. The isolation valve is movable within the interior space between an opened position allowing fluid to pass through a second of the openings into the vacuum pump and a closed position sealing the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Ashurst Maher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6257548
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve having a housing in which there is a passage having at least two spaced ports. A slide is accommodated in the passage for to and fro movements between at least two positions in one of which at least one of the ports is open and in the other of which such port is closed. A slide actuator effects movements of the slide and the slide carries a seal which effects a seal of the closed port when the slide is in the port-closing position. The seal has a sealing actuator operable separately from the slide actuator to apply a sealing force to the seal. The force applied to the seal is neutralized in response to actuation of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Nass Magnet GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Hiddessen, Jan-Peter Ossenbrugge, Horst Grove, Frank Rieck
  • Patent number: 6241213
    Abstract: A valve including: a bonnet; a body secured to the bonnet and including at least two ports and at least one weir positioned between the ports; a valve stem being movably coupled with the bonnet, the valve stem including first and second longitudinal ends, and a recess in the first longitudinal end; a diaphragm positioned substantially adjacent to the second end of the valve stem so as to be deflectable towards the weir by the valve stem to restrict a flow between the ports; a handwheel rotatably secured to the valve stem so as to enable a torque to be applied to the valve stem, the handwheel including a longitudinal aperture; and, a screw directed through and engaged with the handwheel aperture and being selectively engagable within the recess of the valve stem, such that the valve stem and handwheel remain in a constant relative longitudinal position with respect to one another, and when the diaphragm sets against the weir the handwheel abuts the bonnet to serve as a closing lift valve stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald G. Butler
  • Patent number: 6035805
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum depositing a coating onto a substrate are provided. The method includes the steps of: introducing an evaporant into a magnetically defined deposition region of a vacuum process chamber, ionizing the evaporant to form a plasma; generating a "magnetic bottle" magnetic field configuration to define the deposition region and to confine the plasma to the deposition region, further increasing the percentage ionization of the plasma to form a highly ionized media; creating a static dc electric field that is generally perpendicular to the magnetic field in the deposition region and parallel to the plane of the substrate; and then moving the substrate through the highly ionized media with the plane of the substrate and its direction of motion generally parallel to the magnetic field lines. The method of the invention is particularly suited to deposition of any atomistic evaporant onto intermediate-sized substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Depositech, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray Dean Rust
  • Patent number: 5975492
    Abstract: A slot valve assembly (10) including a housing (11) having a central opening (19), a valve plate (32), a strongback (20) for carrying the valve plate, a pair of actuators (34, 36) for raising and lowering the strongback to position the valve plate over opening (19), and a second set of actuators (240) for moving valve plate (32) into seating engagement with housing (11). Second actuators (240) are in fluid communication with the working chambers (48, 50) of the first pair of actuators (34, 36). First actuators (34, 36) are located within housing (11) to give the housing a much shorter height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Arthur Brenes
  • Patent number: 5944300
    Abstract: A valve system for a bag and box combination employs a fitment having an inner mounting flange secured to the inner surface of a bag and with a projecting portion projecting out through a hole in the bag and into a passageway in the outer container. A valve plate is positioned within the bag and mounted to rotate with a shaft between an open position wherein the valve plate does not obstruct the flow passage through the fitment and is axial space from its cooperating seat form by the inner surface of the mounting flange and a closed position where the valve plate is pressed towards and cooperates with the inner face of the mounting flange in surrounding relationship to the flow passage to seal the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignees: MacMillan Bloedel Packaging, Magic Plastics Inc.
    Inventors: David Frederick Gillard, Anthony John Madormo, Dennis Leroy Hart
  • Patent number: 5683072
    Abstract: A gate valve for a thin film forming apparatus. The gate valve includes two adjoining low-pressure chambers and a wall separating the two chambers. The wall includes an aperture and a thin plate for covering the aperture. The thin plate is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the plate surface. The gate valve further includes a voltage supply for applying a direct current between the thin plate and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Tadahiro Ohmi
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Tadashi Shibata, Masaru Umeda
  • Patent number: 5641149
    Abstract: A gate valve including a valve disc which is moved to a position where the valve disc is brought into contact with a valve seat and a position where the valve disc is separated from the valve seat by a driving device provided outside of a valve housing through a valve rod sealingly projected from the inside to the outside of the valve housing. The valve disc is brought into contact under pressure with the valve seat in the valve housing when the valve rod is inclined at the end of the movement of the valve rod. The driving device has piston cylinder devices, a block arranged in side-by-side relationship with the piston cylinder devices and connected to the valve rod, and a device to move up and down and to incline the block. The device for moving the block may include a pivotable link or a pin received in an oblique hole in a sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Kishikawa Special Valve Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Ichio Ito
  • Patent number: 5620165
    Abstract: A retracting ring seal valve is disclosed for adjustably restricting and permitting fluid flow in a two-direction fluid control system. In a particular embodiment the invention comprises a valve body that defines a central passage through which the fluid passes, a side chamber adjacent the central passage, and a sealing shoulder around a circumference of the passage. A gate assembly adjustably moveable between the central passage and the side chamber includes a ring seal surrounding a peripheral edge of a sealing surface of the gate assembly so that a retainer moves the ring seal to seal a flow gap defined between the sealing surface and the sealing shoulder of the valve body to restrict flow of fluid through the central passage. An actuating assembly secured between the gate assembly and the valve body both positions the gate assembly to restrict or permit flow of fluid through the passage and also moves the ring seal into and out of the flow gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: W. Clark Dean
  • Patent number: 5547167
    Abstract: A gate valve apparatus which includes a housing having a passageway defined therein for a fluent material, a generally planar gate, and apparatus for supporting the gate within the housing. The apparatus for supporting allows movement of the gate in opposed first and second directions that are generally parallel to the generally planar gate. The apparatus also includes an annular seal carried on the housing around the perimeter of the passageway and apparatus for moving the gate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the generally planar gate. The apparatus for moving includes a first and second shafts, the shafts have a first and second axial portions that is disposed in eccentric relationship to other axial portions of the shaft, a roller is carried on each of these eccentric portions. A roller including a bearing allowing free rotational movement is carried on each of these eccentric axial portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: General Signal Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Torok, Ernest A. Duschen
  • Patent number: 5499648
    Abstract: A safety relief valve (12) for a pressure vessel (10) in which the main valve member (28) includes a valve plate or disc (52) and a retainer plate (64) having a flexible membrane or diaphragm (62) stretched therebetween in a taut relation to provide a frusto-conical shape (FIG. 3) for obtaining bubble-tight sealing against valve seat (26). A fluid chamber (116) is provided between valve plate (52) and retainer plate (64) and inlet fluid pressure is communicated through opening (118) of jack screw (106) to the fluid chamber (116) for providing inlet fluid pressure thereto to force valve plate (52) and retainer plate (64) apart for tensioning of flexible membrane (62) into a frusto-conical shape. A jack screw (106) is threaded within a bushing (94) carried by retainer plate (64). Upon rotation of jack screw (106), valve plate (52) and retainer plate (64) are forced away from each other for tensioning flexible membrane (62) into a frusto-conical shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Groth Corporation
    Inventors: Walter W. Powell, Louis R. Castaneda
  • Patent number: 5029516
    Abstract: An electronically controllable pneumatically powered valve actuating mechanism for use in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine is of the type having engine intake and exhaust valves with elongated valve stems. The actuator has a power piston reciprocable along an axis and adapted to be coupled to an engine valve and a pneumatic arrangement for moving the piston, thereby causing an engine valve to move in the direction of stem elongation between valve-open and valve-closed positions. The pneumatic arrangement includes a pair of control valves which are movable relative to the piston for selectively supplying high pressure air to the piston. Each control valve includes a thin walled portion having an inner cylindrical surface which slidingly engaging a portion of one of the enlarged diameter cylindrical portions of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: North American Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick L. Erickson, William E. Richeson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5002255
    Abstract: A non-sliding vacuum gate valve comprising a valve housing hermetically sealed to the outside, an opening formed in one of its side walls, and a valve body disposed within the valve housing and adapted to sealingly open or close the valve seat formed around the opening in which the mechanism for opening and closing the valve body sealingly open or close the valve seat is provided outside the valve housing, the mechanism being made to be able to carry out two subsequent movements, one to move the valve body in a direction substantially perpendicular to the valve seat, the other to move the valve body substantially orthogonal to a direction substantially perpendicular to the valve seat with the valve body being spaced apart from the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Irie Koken Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Sawa, Norikimi Irie, Yuzo Hayashi, Toshiro Katagiri
  • Patent number: 4887792
    Abstract: A stop-check valve includes inside a valve body a swing check valve disc and a contacting projection. A vertically mounted valve rod provided with a handwheel and having at the lower end a structure of a cylindrical contact portion is further included. The contact portion is vertically movable in coupling arrangement with the valve rod and capable of contacting with the contacting projection on the valve disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Inventor: Ping-Song Kuo
  • Patent number: 4838520
    Abstract: A valve for a vacuum enclosure, the valve comprising a valve body (1) which is hollow about an axis .DELTA. and which opens out to the outside via two opposite end openings (24, 25) of the valve body, thereby enabling the valve to be inserted in a pumping circuit, the inside of said valve body being provided by closure means constituted by a strip (7) which is movable in its own plane, which plane extends perpendicularly to the axis .DELTA. said strip being provided with at least one opening (8) and being associated with two pay-out and take-up drums (9, 10) provided with drive means, said valve body being further provided with sealing means situated between the two drums and comprising a fixed gasket (15) fixed to the valve body and situated on a first side of the strip and a moving gasket system capable of moving parallel to the axis .DELTA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Alcatel Cit
    Inventors: Sebastien Frindel, Jacques Mimeur
  • Patent number: 4650151
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated actuator for a sliding gate valve designed for use in a subsea environment. The actuator includes a manual override system that functions independently of the actuator's hydraulic piston and return spring, an externally accessible valve gate drift adjustment, an externally adjustable upstop for the actuator stem, a stem thread assembly that can be manufactured from a material different from the actuator stem to prevent or reduce the possibility of thread galling, a hydraulic control pressure porting system integral with the hydraulic cylinder to minimize space requirements, and a facility for accommodating an optional external electrical stem position indicator package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: John N. McIntyre
  • Patent number: 4603835
    Abstract: A shutter mechanism which includes simultaneous translation of a shutter in two planes of motion prolongs the life of the sealing material of the shutter as well as ensures that, when open, an optical beam passes through a sample compartment without interference or disruption. A further advantage of such a mechanism lies in the positive sealing of a port with sufficient pressure applied via the shutter plate to prevent vapor or fluid communication across the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation
    Inventor: Charles F. deMey, II
  • Patent number: 4570670
    Abstract: A gate valve with inlet and outlet body portions with annular valve seats thereon and a gate assembly movable between open and closed positions between said body portions and carrying sealing rings in opposite faces thereof adapted to be brought into sealing relationship with said valve seats when the valve is open and when the valve is closed. The body portions of the valve have a plurality of bolts passing therethrough which are adapted to threadably engage the sealing rings to uniformly draw the rings toward their respective valve seats to clamp a gasket structure between a ring and its seat in positive sealing relationship. The bolts are adapted to be withdrawn from the rings to permit the gate assembly to be moved between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Inventor: Charles D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4535811
    Abstract: An air flow control apparatus is disclosed which is characterized by essentially zero leakage in its closed position, and by minimal air resistance in its open position. The apparatus includes a housing having an interior framework which defines a plurality of troughs of V-shaped cross section, and with each side of each trough including an opening. A closure is associated with each trough, which includes a pair of pivotally mounted plates which are movable between a spread apart position covering and closing the openings in the trough, and a collapsed position wherein the plates are substantially aligned with each other and spaced from the associated openings to permit free air flow therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: Flanders Filters, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Wood, William C. Peebles, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4534540
    Abstract: A gate valve having a casing, a seat, a gate having a tapered face made in the gate surface in the direction of its movement in the shut-off direction on the side opposite to the side facing toward the seat, a stop provided for engaging the tapered face of the gate, the stop being secured to a rod which is installed transversely of the centerline of a passage of the casing, a sleeve installed in the casing wall for rotation relative to the casing, the inner surface of the sleeve being coaxial with, and surrounding the rod, and the longitudinal centerline of the outer surface of the sleeve being eccentric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Voroshilovgradsky Mashinostroitelny Institut
    Inventors: Boris F. Bragin, Alexandr S. Kolomiets, Jury B. Korotkikh, Felix D. Markuntovich, Evgeny P. Olofinsky, Petr V. Gladky, Evgeny F. Perepletchikov, Boris Y. Ekber
  • Patent number: 4524796
    Abstract: The invention is a flow and pressure-sealing valve for use with abrasive solids. The valve embodies special features which provide for long, reliable operating lifetimes in solids-handling service. The valve includes upper and lower transversely slidable gates, contained in separate chambers. The upper gate provides a solids-flow control function, whereas the lower gate provides a pressure-sealing function. The lower gate is supported by means for (a) lifting that gate into sealing engagement with its seat when the gate is in its open and closed positions and (b) lowering the gate out of contact with its seat to permit abrasion-free transit of the gate between its open and closed positions. When closed, the upper gate isolates the lower gate from the solids. Because of this shielding action, the sealing surface of the lower gate is not exposed to solids during transit or when it is being lifted or lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: William J. Ayers, Jr., Charles R. Carter, Richard A. Griffith, Richard B. Loomis, John E. Notestein
  • Patent number: 4421256
    Abstract: A sliding gate valve mechanism for use in teeming molten metal is provided with apparatus for accurately setting seal pressure between the valve plates and for adjusting the seal pressure during periods of valve operation. The invention enables such adjustments to be made to rectify malfunctions in valve operation without need to terminate teeming and to dismantle the valve mechanism. The invention is particularly advantageous in that the role played by mechanical springs in imparting valve seal pressure is relegated to secondary importance as leakage of molten metal between the plates can be terminated regardless of the operability of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: United States Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene V. Abarotin, Leroy V. Bonk
  • Patent number: 4220420
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement primarily for a sluice gate which comprises a frame and a door movable between an open position and a closed position in which it closes an opening in the frame and sealing faces of the door and the frame are in sealing engagement to prevent the flow of liquid through the opening. The sealing arrangement comprises an intermediate wedge section strip interposed between two side strips having inclined planar faces in contact with the inclined planar side faces of the intermediate strip. The intermediate strip is either arranged to bear against the door or secured to the frame, and either one of the side strips is secured to the frame or both side strips are arranged to bear against the door respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: Ham Baker & Company Limited
    Inventors: Raymond Aston, David T. Aston
  • Patent number: 4219183
    Abstract: An operating mechanism for valves and the like comprises a housing with a port situated therein which is to be opened and closed. Associated with the port is a seat and a valve plate for closing the port. A rotatable shaft drive mechanism for the valve plate includes a shaft which rotates in one direction to effect movement of the valve plate from its open position to its closed position followed by a pressing movement over the valve plate against the seat and rotates in the other direction to effect movement of the valve plate in the opposite direction. The rotatable shaft drive mechanism includes an intermittent drive for the transformation of the rotatory movement of the shaft to the desired movement of the valve plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignee: Leybold-Heraeus GmbH
    Inventors: Otto-Horst Hoffmann, Walter Heil, Friedrich Stark
  • Patent number: 4199086
    Abstract: The invention provides a slide gate mechanism for use on a pour vessel to control flow of molten metal through at least one outlet in the vessel shell, whereby refractory insert plates which are conveyed by said mechanism may be moved in very close cooperating contact with a perforated refractory outlet plate for the pour vessel, so as to control the flow of molten metal therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: Vesuvius International Corporation
    Inventor: Stanislav Szadkowski
  • Patent number: RE38318
    Abstract: A slot valve assembly (10) including a housing (11) having a central opening (19), a valve plate (32), a strongback (20) for carrying the valve plate, a pair of actuators (34, 36) for raising and lowering the strongback to position the valve plate over opening (19), and a second set of actuators (240) for moving valve plate (32) into seating engagement with housing (11). Second actuators (240) are in fluid communication with the working chambers (48, 50) of the first pair of actuators (34, 36). First actuators (34, 36) are located within housing (11) to give the housing a much shorter height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Arthur Brenes