Dual Gate Valve Support Bar for Even Valve Plate Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dual gate valve configurations face challenges in evenly opening and closing two valve openings in a vacuum chamber due to long distances between gates, leading to difficulties in alignment and efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A dual gate valve design featuring two valve plates supported by a linearly extended support bar, connected to a valve rod via elastic members that allow for tiltable attachment, ensuring even pressing force distribution and alignment of the valve plates with the valve seats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If two valve plates are attached to a valve rod to open and close two gates simultaneously, then the number of gate valves is reduced, but the distance between the two gates becomes too long to evenly open and close the openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of gate valvesVSAvoidalignment precision of valve plates

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support bar is divided into multiple sections with intermediate support points, breaking the long span into shorter segments. This segmentation allows each valve plate to be properly supported and aligned independently, preventing the alignment issues that would occur with a single long support bar spanning the entire distance between gates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate support bars are introduced as mediator elements between the main valve rod and the valve plates. These intermediate support bars provide additional support points and help maintain the proper positioning and alignment of each valve plate, enabling simultaneous operation of two gates over a longer distance while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If the distance between two gates is long, then the valve box size increases, but it becomes difficult to evenly open and close the two openings by two valve plates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance between gatesVSAvoidoperation uniformity of valve plates

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple sections with intermediate support points. This segmentation divides the long operational distance into manageable segments, allowing each valve plate to be operated uniformly without the difficulties associated with a single long span, thereby maintaining ease of operation over extended distances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support bar is designed with flexibility to allow dynamic adjustment and movement. This dynamic characteristic enables the support structure to adapt to the long distance between gates while maintaining the ability to evenly open and close both valve plates, preserving operational uniformity despite the increased length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If two gate valves are used to open and close two gates, then each gate can be operated independently, but the cost increases and attachment becomes difficult depending on the distance between gates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of gate valves

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Two separate gate valve operations are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The valve rod and support bar structure combines the functionality of two independent gate valves, allowing simultaneous operation of both gates while reducing the total number of separate valve components, thereby reducing cost and simplifying attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single valve rod and support bar structure is designed to perform multiple functions - controlling both the first and second valve plates simultaneously. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require two separate gate valves, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to operate both gates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design ensures even opening and closing of the valve plates, preventing misalignment and maintaining a compact structure while minimizing dust generation, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing maintenance complexity.

Implementation Method 1

one and the other of the two valve plates are tiltably attached to one end and the other end in the long direction of the support bar via elastic members, respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11668401B2Dual gate valve

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 SMC CORP

AI summary

A dual gate valve includes two valve plates that open and close two openings of a valve box, a support bar that supports the two valve plates, a valve rod connected to the support bar, and an operation unit that performs an open and close operation of the two valve plates via the valve rod. The support bar and the valve plate linearly and elongatedly extend in a lateral direction perpendicular to a central axis of the valve rod. The valve rod is connected to a central portion in the long direction of the support bar, and one and the other of the two valve plates are tiltably attached to one end and the other end in the long direction of the support bar via elastic members, respectively.