Cam Or Wedge Patents (Class 251/203)
  • Patent number: 11525517
    Abstract: A slide valve having a valve disc that is slidably movable between a fully-retracted fully-open position and a fully-extended fully-closed tight shutoff position by an actuating stem. The actuating stem is flexibly coupled to the valve disc. The valve disc is selectively modulated between the fully-extended fully-closed tight shutoff position and a partially-retracted non-tight shutoff position to prevent sticking of the valve disc in the fully-extended fully-closed tight shutoff position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: BLAC INC.
    Inventor: Philip B. Black
  • Patent number: 10808850
    Abstract: A plug valve includes a valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, an interior surface, and an interior cavity extending from the inlet to the outlet, the interior surface defining the interior cavity, the interior surface including a seat proximate to a one of the inlet and the outlet, the seat defining a seat surface; and a valve plug positioned inside the interior cavity and configured to rotate inside the interior cavity between an open position of the valve and a closed position of the valve, the valve plug including a ridge, the ridge defining a radially outermost portion of the valve plug with respect to the axis of the valve, the valve plug contacting the seat of the valve body in the closed position of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Ashraf Abouelleil, Steve Sharp, Vadim Lorman
  • Patent number: 8905374
    Abstract: The invention provides a double disc gate valve where the discs are movable in a casing by a disc manipulation structure which can change an orientation of at least one of the valve discs relative to the center plane away from an initial orientation by movement of an outer disc carrier relative to an inner disc carrier. The relative movement between the disc carriers is initiated automatically during opening and closing of the valve. The change in orientation facilitates sealing between the discs and valve seats by a gradually established contact between the discs and the seats and the required opening and closing force may therefore be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Kongsberg Esco AS
    Inventors: Anders Nygaard, Roar Gravningen
  • Patent number: 8888068
    Abstract: A system includes a split gate valve with first and second gate sections coupled together and configured to move together within a cavity of the split gate valve between an open position and a closed position. The split gate valve includes a rolling actuator to reduce friction and to convert a rotational input into a linear motion to move the first and second gate sections between the open and closed positions. The split gate valve also includes at least one expansion bar configured to bias the first and second gate sections from one another to seal against opposite seats of the split gate valve, wherein each expansion bar includes a spring mechanism configured to compress upon moving the first and second gate sections into and beyond the closed position to prevent buckling of the expansion bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Loc Gia Hoang, S. Mark Svoboda
  • Patent number: 8840085
    Abstract: A multi-seal knife gate valve includes: a valve body coupled to a pipe; a disk inserted into the valve body to move vertically; and a valve seat pressed against the disk so as to maintain a tight seal, wherein the disk installed in the valve body moves vertically to open or close a passage through which fluid flows, and the valve seat is pressed against the disk and includes at least one metal seat and one rubber seat to maintain a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hifly Valve Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yeon Chil Choo, Jae Hun Baek
  • Patent number: 8800956
    Abstract: A parallel movement mechanism including guide grooves and guide rollers and a vertical movement mechanism including cam grooves and cam rollers are interposed between a drive rod and a valve shaft of an air cylinder, and a valve seal of a valve plate is moved vertically toward and away from a valve seat surface to open and close the opening by moving the valve shaft in parallel to the valve seat surface by the parallel movement mechanism and moving the same vertically with respect to the valve seat surface by the vertical movement mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneo Ishigaki, Hiromi Shimoda, Hiroshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8590861
    Abstract: A gate valve apparatus is disclosed. The gate valve apparatus is provided with a valve casing that includes a first valve seat and a second valve seat, and in which an opening portion is formed; and a closure element that includes a sealing member that contacts the first valve seat to seal the opening portion. In addition, the gate valve apparatus is provided with a shutoff member that contacts the second valve seat to thereby be deformed, so that a space between the opening portion and a sealing member is shut off by the shutoff member when the closure element closes the opening portion. The shutoff member is deformed and continues to contact the second valve seat under normal and high temperature environments when the closure element closes the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsutomu Hiroki, Masaaki Nose, Masanao Matsushita, Takehiro Nishiba
  • Publication number: 20130256575
    Abstract: A gate valve for blocking a pipe, wherein the gave valve comprises a valve body and a wedge, which is insertable into a wedge receptacle disposed in the valve body, wherein the wedge has a wedge plate on at least one side in the passage direction of the pipe, which is disposed on the wedge with a clearance in the direction of the center longitudinal axis of the pipe, wherein the wedge plate is adapted to be pressed by at least one elastic element against the wedge receptacle in the valve body, wherein the at least one elastic element is configured as an approximately circular-shaped circumferential bellows having a central opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Phonix Armaturen-Werke Bregel GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Schubert, Gunter Wodara, Hannes Kellermann
  • Patent number: 8534311
    Abstract: A cartridge heater is accommodated in a heater bore in a shaft connected to a valve element, and a heating portion provided at an end portion of the cartridge heater is located at a joint portion of the shaft and the valve element. At the joint portion, a heat receiving groove and a pressurizing portion communicating with the heater bore are provided at a position between a surface of the valve element and that of the shaft located so as to oppose and to contact each other. The heat receiving groove includes an arcuate groove portion of the same radius as that of the heating portion of the cartridge heater, and the heating portion is pressed by the pressurizing portion to enter into plane-to-plane contact with an inner circumferential surface of the arcuate groove portion of the heat receiving groove, upon fastening the valve element and the shaft to each other with a bolt, with the heating portion located between the heat receiving groove and the pressurizing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneo Ishigaki, Hiroshi Ogawa, Hiromi Shimoda
  • Patent number: 8474791
    Abstract: Roller insertion grooves are formed along the longitudinal direction of inner wall portions of side frames, which are provided in the interior of a housing that makes up a gate valve. Respective pairs of retaining rollers are inserted into the roller insertion grooves. A valve disk is tilted, such that in a valve closed state in which the valve disk is seated on a valve seat, a load imposed from a displacement block, which is connected to a valve rod and tiltably displaced thereby, is imposed on the retaining rollers, the load being borne by first and second pressure receiving bodies, which abut against the retaining rollers and are disposed on the side frames. The first and second pressure receiving bodies are formed from a material having a hardness greater than that of the side frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ogawa, Takeshi Nishikawa, Jiro Ishibe
  • Publication number: 20130004267
    Abstract: A gate valve includes a plurality of openings through which objects to be processed are loaded and unloaded; a valve body to be pressed toward the openings; a pressed portion provided to the valve body; a main slider slidable in parallel with a surface where the openings are formed; and a cam provided to the main slider and having a protrusion and an inclined portion inclined from the protrusion in a sloped shape, for pressing the pressed portion of the valve body in a state where the valve body faces the openings. The valve body has one or more slit-shaped openings serving as opening portions for opening the openings, and portions adjacent to the slit-shaped openings serving as blocking portions for blocking the openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventor: Koichi TATESHITA
  • Patent number: 8215612
    Abstract: A sliding valve including a valve body (1) with a wall having a valve opening (3) and a valve seat (4) surrounding the valve opening (3), a valve plate (5), at least one valve rod (8) that can move in the axial direction and can be moved for closing the valve starting from a first position in which the valve plate (5) assumes its open position, to a second position in which the valve plate (5) assumes an intermediate position covering the valve opening (3) but lifted from the valve seat (4), into a third position in which the valve plate (5) assumes its closed position. At least one lifting element (10, 11) moves the valve plate (5) from its intermediate position into its closed position, and at least one support unit (12) with at least one front and at least one rear support element (14, 13) that interact in the closed position of the valve plate (5) with at least one valve-body-fixed, front support element and at least one valve-body-fixed, rear support element (16, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Florian Ehrne
  • Patent number: 8002238
    Abstract: A valve has a closure member for closing a valve orifice, particularly so as to be tight against gas, in a closed position of the closure member. The closure member can be moved in a closing process by at least one actuator starting from a first position of maximum opening at least along a first partial distance with a linear movement component in direction of its closed position, and the actuator carries out a closing stroke with a linear stroke direction for a movement of the closure member with this movement component. The actuator is so arranged in relation to the closure member that an angle diverging from 0° and 180° is provided between the linear movement component of the closure member along the first partial distance, proceeding from the first position of maximum opening, and the linear stroke direction of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventors: Urs Gantner, Bernhard Litscher
  • 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: 7975983
    Abstract: A split gate is movably mounted within a valve body along a valve axis between valve seats. The split gate has gates, each extending between one of the valve seats and the other gate. In an open position, gate holes register with a fluid aperture and the valve seats to permit fluid flow. In the closed position, the holes do not register with the fluid aperture to prevent fluid flow. The split gate valve also has a gate guide located in the body for moving the gates with respect to the valve seats along the fluid axis. The gate guide forces the pair of gates apart along the fluid axis and into contact with the valve seats in both the open and closed positions. The gates have axial play along the fluid axis when the split gate is between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Comeaux, Robert K. Law, Anton J. Dach, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7780143
    Abstract: An object is to provide a gate valve capable of preventing operational deficiencies caused by particulate materials accumulating in a valve box, thus providing superior sealing properties and high durability, having a simple structure, and allowing inspection and maintenance to be performed easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Hirata Valve Industry Co., Ltd., Clean Coal Power R&D Co., Ltd., Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Incorporated, Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc., The Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc., Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc., Hokuriku Electric Power Co., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc., Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc., Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., Electric Power Development Co., Ltd., Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry
    Inventors: Yasunari Shibata, Yoshinori Koyama, Soken Takase, Taizo Hoshino, Shuji Kameyama, Yasuhiro Suzuki, Yoshihiko Horie, Hitoshi Terada, Hirofumi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7766305
    Abstract: A rectangular gate valve having an improved driving action is disclosed. The rectangular gate valve of the present invention includes a sealing member, which opens or closes a wafer moving passage, a main shaft, which is coupled to the sealing member and has a guide member, and a housing bracket, which has a first guide slot, into which the guide member is inserted. The gate valve further includes a valve drive unit, which is provided in the housing bracket and has an air cylinder, a piston, a piston shaft, a moving unit and a connection link. The gate valve further includes a guide bracket, which has a vertical bracket, a second guide slot and a horizontal bracket. The gate valve further includes a guide link, which is moved along the second guide slot to guide movement of the main shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Presys Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bae-Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 7735804
    Abstract: A sealing valve is disclosed. The valve comprises a valve seat, a power element and an elevation section. The valve seat is provided with through hole from front to rear, and the upper end of the valve seat is connected to a guiding body having a guiding slot and a directional slot. The power element is mounted at the upper end of the valve seat to control the elevating movement of the elevation section. The elevation section is downward extended to mount within a sealing element. The sealing element is driven to the through hole to seal the hole or to be driven away from the through hole, this avoid wearing within the valve seat in the course of sliding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Highlight Tech Corp.
    Inventors: Ying Chen Chu, I-Cheng Wang, Hsing-Chen Chen, Chien-Chih Yu
  • Publication number: 20080099710
    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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 7281700
    Abstract: A gate valve apparatus includes a valve body to open and close a target object transfer port in a vacuum processing system. The valve body is reciprocated in a first direction relative to the transfer port. A support rod is connected to the valve body and extends in the first direction. A driving mechanism is configured to drive the valve body through the support rod. The driving mechanism includes a movable shaft structure reciprocated in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first cam structure coupling the movable shaft structure to the support rod includes a portion that converts reciprocation movement of the movable shaft structure in the second direction into reciprocation movement of the support rod in the first direction. A swing drive is configured to swing the support rod and valve body about the central axis of the movable shaft structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Tsutomu Hiroki
  • Patent number: 7258256
    Abstract: A surface pressure releasing plate and a surface pressure releasing bar are slidable relative to each other smoothly by compressing compression springs uniformly. A surface pressure applying device for a slide valve according to the present invention compresses compression springs uniformly in applying and releasing surface pressure and makes a surface pressure releasing plate and a surface pressure releasing bar smoothly slide relative to each other by matching an arrangement center of projections on the surface pressure releasing plate with an arrangement center of the compression springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Shinagawa Refractories Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Mitsui, Mototsugu Osada
  • Patent number: 7234679
    Abstract: A gate valve has a transfer chamber-side valve element and a process chamber-side valve element connected to a single shaft. A rotary latch pivotably supported on an inner surface of one of the valve element with the rotary latch having a latch surface at a forward end thereof, wherein when a rotational force is applied to the rotary latch in one direction, the latch surface is pressed against a joint surface of the single shaft, whereby the valve element is latched to said single shaft, and when a rotational force is applied to the rotary latch in the opposite direction, the latch surface is separated from the joint surface of the single shaft to unlatch the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuneo Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 7163191
    Abstract: A high-pressure gate valve for control of bulk materials includes a main body with an opening for passing bulk material, an upper body, a slideable blade, and lifting structure configured to raise the blade in a planar motion, perpendicular to the primary direction of travel and seal it against the upper body when the blade is extended. An actuating cylinder coupled with a rear edge of the blade extends and retracts the blade. A rear portion of the valve is enclosed to protect the rear edge of the blade, the actuating cylinder, and the coupling between the two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Salina Vortex Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Edward Young, Shawn Michael Werner
  • Patent number: 7156369
    Abstract: The device (1) comprises a support structure (2) in which at least a first opening (8, 9) is defined, a shutter (13) which is mounted for piloting in that structure (2) and which is adapted to take up a least a first and a second angular position, in which it closes and opens at least partially the first opening (8, 9) of the structure (2), respectively, and an actuator device (25) which is capable of bringing about a controlled angular movement of the shutter (13) relative to the support structure (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Elbi International S.p.A
    Inventors: Pietro Villani, Leo Querio
  • Patent number: 7066443
    Abstract: A gate valve has a transfer chamber-side valve element and a process chamber-side valve element connected to a single shaft actuated with a single three-position air cylinder to selectively close a process chamber opening and a transfer chamber opening or fully open both the openings to allow an object to pass therethrough. A lever member is secured to the single shaft. A roller supported by the lever member is kept in engagement with a cam groove of a cam member. A cam support member for supporting the cam member is connected to the piston rod of the three-position air cylinder. A spring is interposed between the lever member and the cam support member. When the piston rod is in the first (lower extremity) position, both the transfer chamber-side valve element and the process chamber-side valve element fully open the transfer chamber opening and the process chamber opening, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: SMC Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuneo Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 6994317
    Abstract: A regulating vacuum valve comprises a valve housing with a through-channel, first and second valve plates which lie in adjacent and parallel planes and are mounted so as to be adjustable in their planes and can be moved into the through-channel from different sides proceeding from an open position in which they lie laterally adjacent to the through-channel to form a through-opening through the valve, the size of the through-opening being adjustable; a seal connection piece which is supported so as to be displaceable in the through-channel and is sealed relative to the valve housing, wherein, in order to provide a sealed state of the valve, the first valve plate is movable into a position in which it completely cover the through-channel and in which the seal connection piece is adjustable to the first valve plate and is accordingly sealed relative to the first valve plate by at least one sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Richard Fischer
  • Publication number: 20040164264
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a housing having a flow channel, a slide plate movable between a closed position and an opened position, and a seal ring surrounding the flow channel and engaging the slide plate in the closed position and disengaging the slide plate in the opened position. The seal ring has a plurality of bores aligned, respectively, with holes formed in an adjacent surface of the housing. Each bore includes an undercut defining a lip. A plurality of fasteners are arranged in the holes of the annular surface of the housing and extend into the corresponding bores of the seal ring. Side walls of the fasteners include slots, which catch on the lips of the bores of the seal ring when the fasteners are inserted into the bores of the seal ring, and the seal ring is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Paul D. Lucas
  • Patent number: 6776394
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a housing having an opening defined by a valve seat, a valve body movable within the housing between a completely opened position disengaged from the valve seat and a completely closed position engaging the valve seat, and a sleeve movable longitudinally along, and rotatably about, a longitudinal axis. The sleeve is connected to the valve body so that the valve body can rotate and move longitudinally with the sleeve. One of the housing and the sleeve includes a cam surface, and the other of the housing and the sleeve includes a cam follower received by the cam surface. A rotatable shaft is in threaded engagement with the sleeve so that rotation of the shaft causes at least one of rotation and longitudinal movement of the sleeve against the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul D. Lucas
  • Patent number: 6736368
    Abstract: A gate valve having a valve body, a valve rod, a regulation device, a cam mechanism and a drive for supplying a straight-move force to the cam mechanism is provided. The valve rod is held so that it can move in a straight-move direction of opening and closing the valve via a pair of linear guides provided on both sides of the valve rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Osawa, Koichi Mori
  • Patent number: 6565066
    Abstract: A gate valve includes: a valve plate; a valve rod which the valve plate is fixed to and is supported to be able to tilt; a seal bellows and a dust sealing portion; a stopper member; a tilting cam mechanism which converts supplied straight moving force into tilting force, and tilts the valve rod of which the straight movement is restricted at a closed position in the direction where the valve plate 2 seals an aperture; a seal-releasing cam mechanism which tilts the valve rod in the direction to release the sealing of the valve plate; and an air cylinder as an actuator which supplies the straight movement force for the tilting cam mechanism and the seal-releasing cam mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignees: Eagle Industry Co., Ltd., NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Osawa, Koichi Mori, Yuzuru Tamura
  • Publication number: 20030038265
    Abstract: Disclosed is a slide valve suitable for very high temperature service, such as extremely high temperatures (2200° F. and higher), having a metal shell and a liner of refractory material, has ceramic internals and a wedging system including wedge means for wedging the slide valve against the orifice plate and seating around its orifice and wedge means for wedging the guides against the downstream side of the orifice plate thereby stabilizing the internals against movement due to thermal expansion and contraction. The slide valve is also desirable for use under lower temperatures as its wedge system firmly wedges the disc into stable sealing engagement with the orifice plate and closing the orifice under conditions of flow. Depending on the conditions of use, either one or a combination of the wedge means may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Andre F. Koerner
  • Patent number: 6431518
    Abstract: A vacuum valve comprises a valve opening which is provided in a valve housing and can be closed by a valve plate arranged at least one valve rod, at least a first piston-cylinder unit by which the valve plate is displaceable from its open position releasing the valve opening into a position which is located opposite the valve opening but is lifted from the valve seat, and at least a second piston-cylinder unit by which the valve plate can be moved toward the valve seat and pressed against it from its position which is located opposite the valve opening but is lifted from the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Friedrich Geiser
  • Patent number: 6410948
    Abstract: A memory device includes memory cells, bit lines, active area lines running generally in parallel to the bit lines, and transistors formed in each active area line and electrically coupling memory cells to corresponding bit lines. Each bit line includes slanted portions that intersect a corresponding portion of an active area line at an angle. Contacts electrically coupling the bit line to portions of the active area line are formed in a region generally defined by the angled intersection of the bit line to the active area line. The memory cells can have an area of about 6F2, and the bit lines can be coupled to sense amplifiers in a folded bit line configuration. Each bit line includes a first level portion and a second level portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Luan Tran, D. Mark Duncan, Tyler A. Lowrey, Rob B. Kerr, Kris K. Brown
  • Publication number: 20020027214
    Abstract: In a gate valve having a rectangular gate, generation of flection &dgr; at opposite end portions due to bending moment applied to the gate is suppressed easily. For this purpose, in the gate valve in which a central portion of a longer side of the rectangular gate 5 is mounted to a tip end of a shaft 6 operated by driving of a cylinder device 2 and the gate 5 is pressed against a valve seat 8 provided around a rectangular valve opening 7 by tilting the shaft 6 after the gate 5 is moved to a position facing the valve opening 7 by movement of the shaft 6 by driving of the cylinder device 2, the gate 5 is formed to have an uneven wall thickness including a large thickness in a vicinity of a fulcrum portion connected to the shaft 6 and a small thickness on each of opposite end portion sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneo Ishigaki, Seiichi Furutate, Kenji Waragai
  • Publication number: 20020000531
    Abstract: A gate valve includes: a valve plate 2; a valve rod 6 which the valve plate 2 is fixed to and is supported to be able to tilt; a seal bellows 10 and a dust sealing portion 90; a stopper member 12 as a restriction means; a tilting cam mechanism 31 which converts supplied straight moving force into tilting force, and tilts the valve rod 6 of which the straight movement is restricted at a closed position in the direction where the valve plate 2 seals an aperture 51; a seal-releasing cam mechanism 70 which tilts the valve rod 6 in the direction to release the sealing of the valve plate 2; and an air cylinder 60 as an actuating means which supplies the straight moving force for the tilting cam mechanism 31 and the seal-releasing cam mechanism 70.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Yoshio Osawa, Koichi Mori, Yuzuru Tamura
  • Patent number: 6237892
    Abstract: A gate valve wherein a valve disc 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 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. A cylindrical bellows is provided at the outside of the valve housing, one end of the cylindrical bellows being sealingly secured to the valve housing and the other end of the cylindrical bellows being sealingly secured to the valve rod. The valve rod is inclined centering arround a center of the axial direction of said cylindrical bellows in the compressed state thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: V Tex Corporation
    Inventor: Ichio Ito
  • Patent number: 6089537
    Abstract: A pendulum valve assembly comprises a housing including an interior space and a pair of openings through which fluid can enter and exit the interior space; a valve seat disposed in the interior space around the edge of a first of the openings; a disk mounted relative to the housing so that the disk is movable within the interior space between a completely opened position and a completely closed position, the disk being constructed so that when the disk is moved to the closed position the disk engages the valve seat and seals the first opening so that fluid can not pass therethrough; a longitudinal shaft defining a longitudinal axis, fixedly coupled to the disk through at least one pivot arm and at least partially mounted within the housing so that (a) the shaft and disk can rotate about the longitudinal axis between a first angular position where the disk is in the completely opened position and a second angular position where the disk is substantially axially aligned with the first opening but spaced therefr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Olmsted
  • Patent number: 6082706
    Abstract: A non-sliding vacuum gate valve according to the present invention has a curved cam lead member provided to end of a valve rod, and a pair of rollers provided to a connection rod. The cam lead member and the rollers are engaged with each other and move relatively, so that vertical movement and slant movement of a valve plate and the valve rod are guided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Irie Koken Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Norikimi Irie
  • Patent number: 5934646
    Abstract: A gate valve in which the structure is simplified and inexpensive, movement of a valve body is smooth and high in speed, a force of inclination moving the valve body is strong, and a sealing property of an opening portion can be improved. The gate valve has a valve body capable of sealing the opening portion; a valve rod to which the valve body is fixed; a roller rotatably provided on the other end portion of the valve rod; a roller receiving member having a first holding portion for holding the roller when the valve rod moves the roller straight, an inclined surface for inclining the valve rod, and a second holding portion for holding the roller when the valve rod is inclined up to a predetermined angle; a driving means for moving the roller receiving member straight; and stoppers limiting the straight movement of the valve rod at predetermined positions at which the valve body closes the opening portion. This gate valve is preferably driven by the cylinder apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Nok Corporation
    Inventors: Yuzuru Tamura, Isamu Kinno
  • Patent number: 5927684
    Abstract: Single-plate slide, especially single-plate pipe bridge slide (10) with a slide-plate (16) and if necessary a pipe bridge (20), which is or are movable by means of an actuating device (18, 19) within this casing (11) in order to close or open a fluid passage (17) formed in a casing (11), the slide plate (16) or pipe bridge (20) having lateral seal surfaces which correspond with seal surfaces located on the casing side, especially annular seal surfaces (14, 15). At least one of the seal surfaces (14, 15) on the casing side forms part of a seal ring (23) located in the casing (11), which abuts with resilient pre-stressing on the facing seal surface of the slide plate (16) or pipe bridge (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Zimmerman & Jansen GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Marx, Gunter Nagler
  • Patent number: 5755255
    Abstract: A friction-free gate valve for regulating gas flow in semiconductor manufacturing comprises a gate which, prior to being lifted up for the valve-opening position, is horizontally flitted away from the passage wall surface against which it was pressed against for valve closure, lest undesirable frittered particles should occur from rubbing the gate against the passage wall surface. The gate is axially coupled to and made integral with a vertically and horizontally movably disposed valve stem. The valve stem is also operatively coupled to a cam mechanism which is actuated by a reciprocating piston rod which, in an earlier part of its stroke, drives vertically the valve stem through the cam mechanism, moving the gate to a lower position where the gate blocks the passage. While the piston rod further moves to cover the remaining part of stroke, additional pressure exerted on the cam mechanism causes the valve stem to tilt, thereby pressing the gate into tight contact with the opposed wall surface of the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Benkan Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Iwabuchi
  • Patent number: 5722636
    Abstract: A valve gate for sealing the inlet from the outlet of a block and bleed type valve consists of two independent disk-like members which are interconnected by a slide mechanism allowing the disk-like members to be moved simultaneously forwardly in a first configuration, to be moved simultaneously rearwardly in a second configuration and to float and, in a specially preferred embodiment, to pivot with respect to each other between the first and second configurations so as to facilitate release of the disk-like members from the valve seat on withdrawal. An upper disk-like member to seal the inlet and a lower disk-like member to seal the outlet are connected by one or more members engaging mounting frames fixed thereto. One of the mounting frames is connected to the valve stem for horizontal movement of one of the disk-like members into and out of substantial registration with either the inlet or the outlet in response to operation of the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: James L. Houston
  • Patent number: 5667198
    Abstract: A pivoting gate valve assembly includes a seat plate with an orifice therethrough, a stop plate and a gate. The stop plate is mounted on the seat plate and borders a portion of the orifice. The gate is pivotably mounted to the seat plate and pivots to a closed position against the stop plate and covering the orifice. The gate and the stop plate form a substantially flush contiguous surface when in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: L. A. Dreyfus Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Robert Sawicki, Edward R. Webb
  • 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: 5445359
    Abstract: A gate valve [10] is disclosed having a primary [300, 302] and secondary [316] seal on the upstream and downstream sides of the gate [15], wherein the gate [15] forms a seal with the seat [300] which is activated mechanically [320] and is fluid powered, and wherein a resilient seal [316a] is moved toward the gate [15] by mechanical actuation [31 ] to form a fluid powered secondary fluid-tight seal with the gate [15].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: John Beson
  • Patent number: 5427353
    Abstract: A drilling mud circulating tank clean out valve is formed by a wedge-shaped valve body having an apertured planar surface secured to the wall of the circulating tank around a cleanout opening adjacent its bottom to form a fluid outlet passageway. A wedge-shaped valve is vertically moveable in the valve body for seating and sealing with a valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Darrell R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 5409149
    Abstract: A dump gate assembly as for a feed mixer housing including first and second hinged gates swingable between upper closed condition and lower open condition, each gate having a cam track preferably in the form of a configurated gate stiffener cooperable with a cam follower on an actuator. The cam tracks have a portion causing greater force to be applied to the gates during the final movement of the gates to the closed condition. The actuators for the two respective gates are at opposite ends of the gates and are interconnected to cause timed gate closing. A special seal element causes a second seal between the closed gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Hough International, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard M. Hough
  • Patent number: 5129622
    Abstract: The invention provides a valve which comprises a body defining a passageway therethrough, a valve seat in the passage, a valve closure disposed in the passageway adjacent the valve seat, and an operating spindle projecting transversely into the passageway, the arrangement being one wherein movement of the spindle into the passageway causes the closure to be urged against the valve seat to close the valve, and movement of the spindle in a direction out of the passageway permits movement of the closure away from the seat to open the valve, the operating spindle being coupled to the closure by means of an intermediate articulated arm or roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Cactas CC
    Inventors: Gert N. J. Van Rensburg, Linda Horne
  • Patent number: 5116023
    Abstract: A low vibration, high cycle, high vacuum gate valve structure comprises a high vacuum housing defining a passageway, a valve actuator for providing a rectilinear displacement force, a translatable and pivotable gate valve assembly actuated by the valve actuator for translating from a fully retraction position outside of the passageway to an initial closure position adjacent to a fixed seal surface provided within the housing thereby blocking off the passageway. The gate valve assembly defines an angled sealing surface relative to an oppositely facing angled sealing surface of the fixed seal but displaced by a predetermined angular displacement at the initial closure position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: MDC Vacuum Products Corporation
    Inventor: Jose L. Contin
  • Patent number: 5013009
    Abstract: A cryogenic gate valve having a body with a full passage formed therein. A gate has opposed faces at an acute angle with a recess formed in one face of the gate. The recess receives a sealing means that is comprised of a sealing ring having a base flange and an annular flange, and a rigid securing disk having a peripheral flange. The annular flange on the sealing ring has multiple concentric sealing ribs. The interface surface between the disk and the sealing ring extends at a taper angle to the face of the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Goddard Valve Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Nelson