Abstract: A device for transferring articles between an atmospheric pressure environment and a vacuum environment includes a transfer housing having an atmospheric transfer port, a pumping port, a vacuum transfer port, and a venting port disposed in a circumferentially-spaced relationship. The vacuum transfer port is in communication with the vacuum environment and the atmospheric transfer port is in communication with the atmospheric pressure environment. The device can include a carrier disc rotatably disposed within the transfer housing, the carrier disc having a pocket formed in a sidewall thereof for holding an article. The device may further include an air bearing associated with the transfer housing and configured to expel gas to maintain a gap between the transfer housing and the carrier disc.

Abstract: A transfer system according to an embodiment includes a transfer room, a robot, a trajectory generator, a determination unit, and an output unit. The transfer room has an exclusive area defined by a predetermined distance. The robot has an arm unit that is equipped with a robot hand transferring a thin plate-like workpiece and that operates in horizontal directions. The robot is installed in the transfer room so that a minimum turning area of the arm unit overlaps with a part of the exclusive area. The transfer system generates a trajectory of the robot hand, then determines, based on the generated trajectory, whether a part of the arm unit is included in the exclusive area, and outputs a predetermined signal.

Abstract: There is provided a transfer module capable of enhancing strength of a transfer chamber. An openable/closable cover is provided at the transfer chamber configured to be evacuable to vacuum. A robot is provided in the transfer chamber. The robot has hollow rotation shafts at a part of a device for transferring a processing target object W. A pillar for supporting the cover in a closed state is positioned within the hollow rotation shafts of the robot. Since the pillar supports a load applied to the cover by an atmospheric pressure, a thickness of the cover can be reduced, so that manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, the robot is not interfered by the pillar when the robot rotates the processing target object W about the rotation shafts or moves the processing target object W in a radial direction.

Abstract: Software for controlling processes in a heterogeneous semiconductor manufacturing environment may include a wafer-centric database, a real-time scheduler using a neural network, and a graphical user interface displaying simulated operation of the system. These features may be employed alone or in combination to offer improved usability and computational efficiency for real time control and monitoring of a semiconductor manufacturing process. More generally, these techniques may be usefully employed in a variety of real time control systems, particularly systems requiring complex scheduling decisions or heterogeneous systems constructed of hardware from numerous independent vendors.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for loading and unloading substrate carriers onto and off of a transport system. The invention includes a substrate carrier handler adapted to transfer a substrate carrier between a docking station and a transport system, the substrate carrier handler including an end effector adapted to support the substrate carrier; a controller coupled to the substrate carrier handler and operative to control the substrate carrier handler such that the end effector of the substrate carrier handler is operative to selectively engage and disengage the substrate carrier to and from the transport system while the substrate carrier is in motion; and a sensor coupled to the controller and operative to provide a signal to the controller indicative of information about the substrate carrier.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a substrate loading station is served by a conveyor which continuously transports substrate carriers. A substrate carrier handler that is part of the substrate loading station operates to exchange substrate carriers with the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion. A carrier exchange procedure may include moving an end effector of the substrate carrier handler at a velocity that substantially matches a velocity of the conveyor. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a tray and tray holder, including a vertically positioned tray formed with coupling holes and a tray holder having coupling arms to couple with the coupling holes, and to prevent the bending of the tray and the tray holder. The tray includes a substrate frame that can receive a substrate, and the tray holder is coupled with a drive shaft for transferring the tray in the vertical position to a mask for vapor deposition. One end of a plurality of guide shafts securely contacts the rear side of the tray holder to prevent bending of the tray holder. The tray can have magnetic attaching members and the tray holder can have supporting members corresponding to the attaching members. The supporting members can magnetically couple with the attaching members in a position determined by corresponding grooves or protrusions to align the tray and tray holder.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a wafer loading station adapted to exchange wafer carriers with a wafer carrier transport system comprises a biasing element adapted to urge the end effector of the wafer loading station away from a moveable conveyor of the wafer carrier transport system upon the occurrence of a unscheduled event such as a power failure or an emergency shutdown. In a second aspect, an uninterruptible power supply commands a controller to cause the wafer carrier handler to retract the end effector from the wafer carrier transport system upon the occurrence of the unscheduled event, and provides the power necessary for the same. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: The method invented is based on sluice system according to which the product is first conveyed through a portioning device, which produces a sequence of uniform product portions divided by uniform particle free spaces, and subsequently the product portions are conveyed individually through a sluice device, which comprises at least one sluice chamber and two pressure locks of which at least one at any time secures a pressure tight barrier between the two pressure zones, and the product portions are force loaded from the first zone into a sluice chamber by means of a piston screw, the axis of which is practically in line with the axis of the sluice chamber, and the product portions are force unloaded from the sluice chamber and into the second pressure zone by means of said piston screw or a piston or by means of gas, steam or liquid supplied at a pressure higher than that of the second pressure zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a work piece in a vacuum environment includes a master process chamber that can be exhausted to a sub-atmospheric air pressure or to be filled with a desirable gas, a transfer chamber configured to receive the work piece from outside of the master process chamber, one or more processing stations inside the master process chamber, a rotation plate configured to receive the work piece and to move the work piece to receive one or more processing operations, and a first transport mechanism configured to transfer the work piece from the transfer chamber on to the rotation plate. The transfer chamber is at least partially enclosed in the master process chamber and can be vacuum sealed off from the master process chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing a function or an operation involving a material and/or a device, in particular a non-gaseous material such as a biological material or an electronic material subjected to an operation as a scientific investigation, a medical test or a handling during production, under a gaseous atmosphere in an inner chamber. The invention provides a new principle for avoiding contamination by gaseous materials, airborne particles and other contamination to an inner space, such as a workbench or working chamber, from an adjacent surrounding space such as the ambient atmosphere, or emigration of materials such as hazardous medical material, toxic substances or other pollution to the adjacent surrounding space from the inner space. A workbench is obtained fulfilling all the strictest requirements to a clean working chamber.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a substrate loading station is served by a conveyor which continuously transports substrate carriers. A substrate carrier handler that is part of the substrate loading station operates to exchange substrate carriers with the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion. A carrier exchange procedure may include moving an end effector of the substrate carrier handler at a velocity that substantially matches a velocity of the conveyor. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: The arrangement is for the adjustment of wear of the position of the rotor of a sluice feeder within a feed casing. The rotor has the form of a truncated cone and the play between the rotor and the surrounding casing is adjusted depending on the wear between the rotor and the casing through the rotor being axially displaced a predetermined displacement. A complete driving unit, motor and gear box are suspended on the journal of the rotor. The driving unit receives support from a torque support in the form of a beam fixed in the casing. The complete driving unit accompanies the rotor shaft during adjustment and makes contact with the torque-absorbing beam through sliding bearing supports.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a substrate loading station is served by a conveyor which continuously transports substrate carriers. A substrate carrier handler that is part of the substrate loading station operates to exchange substrate carriers with the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion. A carrier exchange procedure may include moving an end effector of the substrate carrier handler at a velocity that substantially matches a velocity of the conveyor. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a substrate loading station is served by a conveyor which continuously transports substrate carriers. A substrate carrier handler that is part of the substrate loading station operates to exchange substrate carriers with the conveyor while the conveyor is in motion. A carrier exchange procedure may include moving an end effector of the substrate carrier handler at a velocity that substantially matches a velocity of the conveyor. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A high speed device and method for transporting work pieces from one container to another is disclosed. This high speed device utilizes a rotary wheel having a number of pick heads located along the circumference of the rotary wheel. These pick heads are utilized to lift work pieces from a container. The rotary wheel then rotates to position the next pick heads over the next workpiece which it then picks up. Once all work pieces in a container are picked up they may then be deposited in a similar manner in a receiving container. This device and method reduces the time involved in moving work pieces and reduces the cost of manufacturing.

Abstract: A rotary airlock valve has a plurality of material receiving pockets having leading edges that are narrower than the trailing edges thereof, preferably having walls tapering inwardly so as to define a narrowed pocket opening for directing any material expansion due to pressurization to a center of a discharge outlet, to reduce wear and increase seal life.

Abstract: A plurality of liquids, the flow of each controlled by a volumetric flowrate controller, are mixed in a mixer to form a final precursor that is misted and then deposited on a substrate. A physical property of precursor liquid is adjusted by adjusting the volumetric flowrate controllers, so that when precursor is applied to substrate and treated, the resulting thin film of solid material has a smooth and planar surface. Typically the physical property is the viscosity of the precursor, which is selected to be relatively low, in the range of 1-2 centipoise.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacuum stage device that moves a substrate to be processed in a vacuum environment. In a substrate transfer device in accordance with the present invention, a wafer mounted to a wafer platen is moved in a vacuum processing chamber. This substrate transfer device includes a first driving mechanism for moving the wafer platen in a Y1 direction, and a second driving mechanism that is provided in the vacuum processing chamber and linearly reciprocates the wafer platen in X1 and X2 directions at a high speed.

Abstract: A revolver valve includes a housing with a cylindrical inner chamber, and a pair of end caps respectively attached to each end of the housing. One of the end caps includes an inlet opening and the other end cap includes an outlet opening. A cylindrical rotor body is rotatably disposed within the inner chamber of the housing. The rotor body includes a pair of end faces respectively positioned closely adjacent to the end caps, and a plurality of longitudinally extending cylinders extending between the end faces. Each cylinder is positioned generally concentrically about an axis of rotation of the rotor body, whereby the plurality of cylinders are sequentially disposed in communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening during rotation of the rotor body within the inner chamber during use. The revolver valve is preferably used in a fiber stock preparation system in conjunction with a fiber loading apparatus having a pressurized vessel.

Abstract: A transfer valve assembly (10) for use as a feed valve or a discharge valve includes a series of open-faced pockets (46) biased by leaf springs (48) off of a central hub (44) and an arcuate saddle piece (22) mounted at an opening (14) of a sterilizer vessel (12) for transferring containers from an infeed conveyor (34) onto an interior reel (18). The engagement of open-faced pockets (46) with saddle (22) creates a seal to prevent the escape of steam, but gaps are provided between pockets (46) which allow for a controlled escape of steam in a manner that allows the pressure within the sterilizer vessel to be maintained at a slightly elevated level.

Abstract: A revolver valve includes a housing with a cylindrical inner chamber, and a pair of end caps respectively attached to each end of the housing. One of the end caps includes an inlet opening and the other end cap includes an outlet opening. A cylindrical rotor body is rotatably disposed within the inner chamber of the housing. The rotor body includes a pair of end faces respectively positioned closely adjacent to the end caps, and a plurality of longitudinally extending cylinders extending between the end faces. Each cylinder is positioned generally concentrically about an axis of rotation of the rotor body, whereby the plurality of cylinders are sequentially disposed in communication with the inlet opening and the outlet opening during rotation of the rotor body within the inner chamber during use. The revolver valve is preferably used in a fiber stock preparation system in conjunction with a fiber loading apparatus having a pressurized vessel.

Abstract: A rotary valve consisting generally of a housing having a cylindrical chamber provided with radially disposed inlet and outlet passageways; a shaft journaled in the housing extending through and disposed coaxially relative to such chamber; and a rotor mounted on said shaft within such chamber having a first set of circumferentially spaced material receiving pockets communicable with the inlet and outlet passageways for receiving material through the inlet passageway, conveying it through the chamber and discharging it through the outlet passageway, and a second set of circumferentially spaced material receiving pockets communicable with the outlet passageway for discharging material through the outlet passageway; a cylindrical wall of the chamber having a passageway having an inlet communicating with a leading side of the inlet passageway and an outlet communicating with the second set of pockets for guiding material received through the inlet passageway and not received within the first set of pockets, to th

Abstract: In an air lock for continuous introduction into and/or removal of workpieces from spaces (1,4) separated atmospherically, the individual substrates (3,13) are transported through a transfer channel (24). At least one lock chamber (7a-7m) serving to accommodate the substrates (3,13) is arranged movably in the transfer channel (24). During the substrate transport in the transfer channel (24), the lock chamber (7a-7m) is atmospherically separated both from the exterior (1) having normal pressure and from the coating chamber (4). The air lock (2) includes a carrousel lock which has a carrousel housing (24) and a lock chamber wheel (10). On the periphery in the lock chamber wheel (10) individual lock chambers (7a-7m) are provided, in which the workpieces (3,13) to be brought into the chamber to be loaded (4) are inserted freely accessible on the normal pressure side.

Abstract: A rotary valve with a rotor shroud and a cylinder wall. The rotary valve is sealed by injecting a fluid to compress a packing seal into sealing engagement with the rotor shroud and the cylinder wall.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for stripping the photoresist from a wafer while in a substantially parallel manner, another wafer is being transferred between a load lock chamber and a transfer chamber, where the processing occurs. Further, a system is described whereby two load lock chambers are employed so that processing of wafers can continue uninterrupted by a delay caused by the need to open, empty, reload and re-equilibrate a single load lock chamber. Still further, a system is described for performing multi-step dry-stripping applications requiring different conditions for two or more of the steps wherein the steps may be performed simultaneously or sequentially. Finally, a system combining a dry-stripping module and a wet-cleaning module is described which combination system permits the continuous, fully-automated dry-stripping and wet-cleaning of wafers and, upon completion of the entire processing cycle, returning wafers to their original wafer cassettes.

Abstract: A transfer device for passing material between two different fluid environments which uses a multi-passageway rotor member rotatable about a vertical axis and interposed between upper and lower ported members. Each passageway (or chamber) passes through the rotor and has a major axis parallel to the vertical axis of the rotor. Rotation of the rotor brings each passageway successively into fluid communication with the upper ported member whereby the passageway is filled with material, then to at least one position where the passageway is not aligned with either ported member, and finally to a position where the passageway is aligned with the lower ported member and the material is transferred to the second environment. The rotation may be continuous or incremental, and the fluid environments are maintained in isolation from each other. Methods of transferring solids, and a solids transfer system in a steam hydrolysis and drying plant are also disclosed.

Abstract: A low leakage rotary valve composes of a housing, a rotor, a driving end valve cover and a washing end valve cover. The driving end valve cover and the washing end valve cover are to secure the rotor in the housing. The driving end valve cover houses a detachable driving shaft which can transmit an external driving force to the rotor for rotation. The washing end valve cover allows the rotor to be removed for cleaning. Inside the driving end valve cover and washing end valve cover, there are provided respectively a sealing ring to prevent the material contained in the valve from contamination or to avoid pressure leakage. The edge of the blades of the rotor is extended to reduce gas leakage. A three-dimensional sealing is integrally provided on the outer edges of the rotor blades and the circumferential edges of the driving end valve cover and the washing end valve cover to further prevent gas leakage that may occur.

Abstract: A method of discharging particulate material from a first container to a lower positioned storage area being under a lower pressure than the first container. Particulate material is discharged via an upper tube section of a discharge tube communicating with the first container and permanently containing a column of the particulate material. The discharged material is directed into a pressurized stabilizer. The discharged material is directed via a lower tube section to a material feeder for forming columns of the particulate material in the upper and lower tube sections thereby reducing the pressure of the material to a predetermined normal pressure level at the input of the feeder. The material is fed to the storage area. The quantity of discharged material is controlled by the feeder.

Abstract: A rotary airlock valve is provided with a ring seal. The airlock includes a tapered tubular housing formed about a longitudinal axis. The housing includes inlet and outlet ports to receive and discharge the material. The housing further includes end plates at opposite ends thereof which rotatably support opposite ends of a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly rotates within the housing about the longitudinal axis. The rotor includes multiple vanes with shrouds on opposite ends thereof. Seal rings are mounted upon inner surfaces of the end plates and biased towards outer surfaces of the shrouds to maintain a sealed relation between the shrouds and end plates. An expandable biasing tube is mounted proximate the seal rings to bias each seal ring toward and against the shroud. Each biasing tube is hollow to receive a predetermined amount of pressurized air.

Abstract: A rotary valve apparatus comprises a rotor housing having an inlet and an outlet, a rotor rotatably fitted in the rotor housing, a plurality of pockets arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the rotor and adapted to be connected successively to the inlet and the outlet of the rotor housing as the rotor rotates, two communication ports arranged in separate regions extending from the inlet to the outlet of the rotor housing and from the outlet to the inlet, respectively, with respect to the rotating direction of the rotor, and pressure equalizing pipes for connecting one communication port in one region with the corresponding communication port in the other region. As the rotor rotates, the pockets moving from the inlet toward the outlet and the pockets moving from the outlet toward the inlet are subjected to two cycles of pressure equalization by means of one and the same equalizing pipe.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a sealed rotary feeder for use in an apparatus which continuously processes chips made of synthetic resin with a coating under high pressure and temperature without degrading its material strength. The sealed rotary feeder according to this invention consists of a cylindrical casing having a chip inlet on the upper side of the cylindrical casing and a chip outlet on the low side of the cylindrical casing, a rotor in the cylindrical casing, plural blades which are movably inserted into channels radially formed around the rotor, and divide the cylindrical casing into plural baskets, pressing apparatus which press the plural blades against the inner surface of the cylindrical casing, and walls which form the channels are extended at the vicinity of the inner surface of the cylindrical casing.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a sealed rotary feeder for use in an apparatus which continuously processes chips made of synthetic resin with a coating under high pressure and temperature without degrading its material strength. The sealed rotary feeder according to this invention consists of a cylindrical casing having a chip inlet on the upper side of said cylindrical casing and a chip outlet on the low side of said cylindrical casing, a rotor in said cylindrical casing, plural blades which are movably inserted into channels radially formed around said rotor, and divide said cylindrical casing into plural baskets, pressing means which press said plural blades against the inner surface of said cylindrical casing, and walls which form said channels are extended at the vicinity of the inner surface of said cylindrical casing.

Abstract: An electrically actuated valve for control of a pressurized fluid, particularly a sanitary valve, comprises a rotor (15) arranged in a housing (1) between an inlet passageway (6) and an outlet passageway (7). The rotor (15) is rotatable under the action of the pressurized fluid and transports portions of the fluid from the inlet passageway (6) to the outlet passageway (7). There is an operational connection between the rotor (15) and an element (19) rotatably arranged in a chamber (21) filled with an electro-viscous liquid (22). The electro-viscous liquid (22) is arranged between two electrodes (23, 24) to which as high voltage (25) can be applied. In one embodiment of the invention the rotor (15) also forms the closure element of the valve, which is braked to a various extent by the rotatable element (19) arranged in the electro-viscous liquid. In a further embodiment rotation of the rotor will supplied to a closure member via the rotatable element, which will then be an element of a clutch, and gear means.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring objects from a first region to a second reg, the first and second regions having differing atmospheric environments. The apparatus includes a shell having an entrance and an exit, a conveyor belt running through the shell from the entrance to the exit, and a horizontally mounted "revolving door" with at least four vanes revolving about its axis. The inner surface of the shell and the top surface of the conveyor belt act as opposing walls of the "revolving door." The conveyor belt dips as it passes under but against the revolving vanes so as not to interfere with them but to engage at least two of the vanes and define thereby a moving chamber. Preferably, the conveyor belt has ridges or grooves on its surface that engage the edges of the vanes and act to rotate the vane assembly.

Abstract: A rotary feeder wherein a housing defines a cylindrical internal chamber with an inlet for a flowable material and an outlet spaced from the inlet in the circumferential direction of the chamber. The chamber receives a rotor with a shaft having stubs journalled in pairs of adjustable antifriction bearings in the housing, two spaced-apart end walls on the shaft in the chamber, and a set of vanes extending from the shaft radially outwardly between the two end walls. The internal surface of the housing has a radial groove surrounding the peripheral surface of each end wall, an elastomeric seat in the bottom portion of each groove, and an annular seal disposed in each groove radially inwardly of the seat and biased by the seat against the peripheral surface of the adjacent end wall. The seats are in sealing engagement with the surfaces bounding the respective grooves as well as in sealing engagement with the respective seals which are biased into requisite sealing engagement with the adjacent end walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous gravimetric metering of pourable material includes a housing having arranged therein a rotor. The material is supplied to pockets of the rotor through a charging inlet and blown out of the pockets at a discharging outlet arranged on a side of the housing opposite to a charging device. The housing is mounted at a frame and is pivotal about an axis extending through centers of elastic coupling members connecting a supply bin and a feed-away duct, respectively, to the housing. The axis may extend inclined to the horizontal. Pressurized fluid for blowing out the pockets of the rotor may be used for cleaning an interior space of the rotor prior to being applied to the pockets of the rotor.

Abstract: The device comprises an external fixed hollow casing (20) provided with a concave surface (21) of revolution about a central axis A and with two apertures (22') and (22") for passage of the objects, each aperture communicating with a respective environment; within the casing (20) there is provided a structure (10) rotatable about the axis A and in sealed engagement with the concave surface (21); the structure (10) comprises at least one blind chamber (11) for containing the objects; the structure (10) rotates to carry the objects which it receives from one aperture (22') to the other aperture (22"); in whatever angular position the structure (10) lies, it closes communication between the two apertures (22') and (22"); the device is applicable in particular to sterilization or pasteurization plants and represents an improvement to known device, and in particular achieves very high productivity.

Abstract: The swipe transfer assembly is a mechanical assembly which is used in conjunction with glove boxes and other sealed containments. It is used to pass small samples into or out of glove boxes without an open breach of the containment, and includes a rotational cylinder inside a fixed cylinder, the inside cylinder being rotatable through an arc of approximately 240.degree. relative to the outer cylinder. An offset of 120.degree. from end to end allows only one port to be opened at a time. The assembly is made of stainless steel or aluminum and clear acrylic plastic to enable visual observation. The assembly allows transfer of swipes and smears from radiological and other specially controlled environments.

Abstract: A rotary valve and associated method of cleaning, including a generally cylindrical housing (104) defining a central axis, and a rotatable shaft (106) mounted in a first end plate (130) of the housing for rotation by a drive system (108) operating adjacent the first end plate. A vane rotor (102) is connectable to the shaft in an operating position entirely within the housing for transmitting the rotation of the shaft about the axis to the vanes (140) of the rotor. The rotor is selectively axially displaceable relative to the shaft, into a cleaning position entirely outside the housing. This is facilitated by the mounting of the rotor to the other, second end plate (110), such that the disassembly of the second end plate from the housing and the axial displacement thereof away from the first end plate, also displaces the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating a plurality of articles with a gaseous or liquid medium. The apparatus includes a cylindrical chamber in which the articles (14) are arranged in an ordered array in channels (16) which are configured on one or more circular plates (13) and which have substantially the form of evolvent lines which extend from the center of the plates to the periphery thereof. The plates (13) are rotatable about a horizontal shaft or axis (25) extending concentrically with the chamber, so that the articles can be successively introduced into or removed from the channels (16). A plurality of plates can be combined to form a plate pack, which is arranged for stepwise axial movement in the chamber.The apparatus is particularly suited for washing and sterilizing stoppers and capsules or caps used for sealing bottles and other containers, and the invention also relates to the use of the apparatus for this purpose.

Abstract: A rotary feeder includes a housing in which a rotary member is supported between two lateral bearing caps, with one journal fixedly supported in one bearing cap and the other journal loosely supported in the other bearing cap. For facilitating maintenance and cleaning of the rotary feeder, a carriage is securely mounted to the one bearing cap accommodating the fixed bearing. The carriage is movable and suitably guided in axial direction of the rotary member by at least the axial length of the rotary member so as to allow removal and return of the rotary member from and back into the housing in an accurate and safe manner.

Abstract: A rotary feeder having a cylindrical casing having an upper inlet port and a lower outlet port in the vertical direction and a rotor disposed within said cylindrical casing and having a center axis being made eccentric with respect to a horizontal rotor driving shaft supported pivotally on the cylindrical casing, the rotor having further a plurality of blades provided in such that each tip of said blades is able to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical casing in the vicinity of said upper inlet port or lower outlet port by pressure differential between an upstream passage and a downstream passage.

Abstract: A rotary vane valve having a cylindrical housing with a pair of opposed end bells and an interior axial shaft. Opposed inlet and outlet openings on the side of the cylindrical housing allow transverse fluid flow through the housing and radial vanes project from the axial shaft to facilitate the transfer of fluid from the inlet at one pressure to the outlet at a different pressure. A pair of spaced shroud structures are fixed to the shaft at the ends of the vanes to generally separate the interior of the cylindrical housing from the end bells.

Abstract: A rotary vane valve having a cylindrical housing with a pair of opposed end bells and an interior axial shaft. A pair of spaced shroud structures are fixed to the shaft at the ends of the vanes to generally separate the interior of the cylindrical housing from the end bells. These shroud structures are spaced from the cylindrical housing at their outer peripheral edges, but an annular throttle plate is spaced axially outwardly at a close distance from these shrouds and adjacent at its outer edge to the cylindrical housing to increase the velocity of purge gas flowing inwardly between the cylindrical housing and the outer peripheral edge of the shroud so that the escape of gas from the interior of the cylindrical housing is effectively prevented. The inner lateral surface of the annular throttle plate is divided into a low pressure zone adjacent the inlet opening and a high pressure zone adjacent the outlet opening in situations where the inlet opening is at a lower pressure than the outlet opening.

Abstract: A divided rotary valve feeder includes an inlet conduit, an outlet divided into a plurality of passages by webs, and rotor mounted between the inlet conduit and the outlet. The rotor includes vanes defining troughs and partitions dividing the troughs into a plurality of compartments. The partitions engage the webs to assure discharge of material from each compartment to an aligned passage, and the passages are in communication with conveyors for moving the material to a point of use. Tiltable splitter plates may be provided in the inlet conduit in engagement with the partitions to evenly distribute the flow of material to the compartments in each trough. Compressed air or other gas may be fed to each of the compartments to assist the discharge of material either by direct contact or by flexing a flexible boot in each compartment.

Abstract: A valve structure including a valve body defining a valve chamber with a tapered bearing surface and a tapered valve member journaled in the tapered bearing surface. A spring-biased plunger mechanism constantly urges the valve member into slidable sealing engagement with the tapered bearing surface. A passage communicates between the valve chamber and the exterior of the valve body via the spring-biased plunger mechanism and is connected in fluid flow communication with a source of suitable fluid, whereby such fluid passes from the source into the valve chamber via the spring-biased plunger mechanism.

Abstract: A rotary valve adapted to be used in regulating the flow of a particulate material comprises a casing with inlet and outlet conduits and a rotor mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in the casing. The rotor has a ring of partially closed pockets to meter the particulate material passing through the valve and its periphery is spaced inwardly from the interior of the casing an amount sufficient to prevent squeezing and disintegration of the particulate material between the rotor and inlet conduit. A baffle prevents particulate material from flowing downwardly in the space between the rotor and casing at the up-turning of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotary valve adapted to be used in regulating the flow of a particulate material comprises a casing with inlet and outlet conduits and a rotor mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis in the casing. The rotor has a ring of open and closed pockets to meter the particulate material passing through the valve and its periphery is spaced inwardly from the interior of the casing an amount sufficient to prevent squeezing and disintegration of the particulate material between the rotor and inlet conduit. A baffle structure is provided to prevent particulate material from flowing downwardly in the space between the rotor and casing at the up-turning of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotary furnace volumetric feeder includes a hopper for receiving work pieces, a feed chute which includes two openings disposed therein, a measuring station and discharge chute. The discharge chute is normally sealed, thereby precluding the outside atmosphere from entering the furnace while permitting oven gases to slowly leak to the outside atmosphere providing a more controlled atmosphere in the oven yielding a more controllable process and an improved product.