Vacuum Closure Joint for Non-Circular Valve Plate Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure devices for vacuum-tight openings are limited in their ability to accommodate valve plates with shapes other than circular, as they rely on rotational mobility that is not compatible with non-circular shapes.
Innovation Solution
The closure device incorporates a swivel head with projecting studs that engage with grooves on the joint body, blocking rotation about the valve rod's longitudinal axis. This allows the valve plate to be positioned orthogonally to the valve rod and adapt to non-circular openings, ensuring uniform contact pressure and seal ring compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rotational mobility is provided for the valve plate relative to the valve rod, then uniform compression of the seal ring is achieved, but the device can only accommodate circular valve plates and cannot be used for non-circular shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational mobility function is segmented from the valve plate itself and transferred to the swivel head component. The valve plate is no longer directly connected to the valve rod but is instead connected via the swivel head, which provides the rotational capability. This segmentation allows the valve plate to maintain its shape (circular or non-circular) while the swivel head handles the rotation needed for seal compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The swivel head acts as an intermediary component between the valve rod and the valve plate. It receives the rotational motion from the valve rod and transfers it to the valve plate through the groove-stud mechanism. This intermediary allows the valve plate to be positioned correctly for sealing without requiring the valve plate itself to be circular or to rotate freely.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a ball joint with socket-shaped clearance and joint socket parts is used, then mobility about three orthogonal axes is achieved, but the device complexity increases and is only suitable for circular valve plates
Solution Approach 1:
The complex ball joint mechanism with socket-shaped clearance and multiple joint socket parts is extracted and replaced by a simpler groove-stud mechanism. The essential function of controlled mobility is retained, but the unnecessary complexity of the ball joint is removed. The groove-stud mechanism provides sufficient mobility for seal compression without requiring the valve plate to be circular.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a socket-shaped clearance that receives a spherical head (traditional ball joint), the invention inverts the approach by using a groove that receives a projecting stud. This inversion simplifies the mechanism while achieving the same functional result of controlled rotational mobility.
3Device complexity
If the valve plate is directly screwed to the swivel head, then a simple connection is achieved, but uniform contact pressure and seal ring compression cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the valve plate and swivel head is made dynamic rather than rigid. The groove-stud mechanism allows the valve plate to move and adjust its position relative to the swivel head, enabling it to self-align with the valve seat. This dynamic connection ensures uniform contact pressure and seal ring compression without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A closure device for closing an opening in a wall in a vacuum-tight manner has a valve plate, which by way of a connecting device is connected to a valve rod, for closing and exposing the opening. The connecting device has a swivel head of which at least portions of the external surface are of a spherical configuration and which is disposed in a receptacle space of a joint body. For blocking a rotation of the swivel head about the longitudinal axis of the valve rod, at least one projecting stud, that is disposed on the swivel head or joint body, protrudes into an assigned groove which is disposed in the other one of these two parts and which in a central position of the connecting device extends in a plane that lies parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve rod.