Vacuum Valve Fluid-Actuated Clamping Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve technologies in vacuum applications face issues with particle generation due to abrasion from screw connections and oblique faces, which can disrupt processes and require replacement, necessitating an alternative method for connecting closure members to valve rods with minimal particle production.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating pressure chambers with elastically deformable boundary walls in the connecting sections, allowing for a clamping connection to be formed through fluid pressure, thereby reducing component interaction and abrasion, and enabling a releasable connection for easy disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw connections are used to fasten the closure member to the valve rod, then the connection is secure and reliable, but particles are produced by rubbing of screw heads on bearing faces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical screw connection system with a pneumatic or hydraulic actuation system. A piston is moved by fluid pressure (pneumatic or hydraulic) to directly push the closure member against the valve seat, eliminating the need for screw connections and their associated bearing faces where particle-generating rubbing occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to actuate the piston, which in turn moves the closure member. Fluid pressure chambers are used to control the piston position and force application, providing a particle-free mechanism for securing and actuating the closure member compared to traditional mechanical threading.
2Ease of operation
If oblique faces are used for connecting sections, then the closure member can be fastened to the valve rod, but particles are produced by abrasion during opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical oblique face connection system entirely by using fluid-pressure actuated pistons to provide both the fastening force and the actuation motion. The piston directly transmits force from the fluid pressure to the closure member, removing the oblique faces and their associated abrasion problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary between the fluid pressure source and the closure member. Instead of direct mechanical contact between connecting sections with oblique faces, the piston mediates the force transmission through fluid pressure, eliminating the rubbing and particle generation at the connection interfaces.
3Ease of repair
If closure members are frequently serviced or replaced, then maintenance can be performed, but particle generation occurs during connection and disconnection operations
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the mechanical screw or oblique face connection systems with a pneumatic or hydraulic piston system, the patent eliminates the particle-generating rubbing surfaces that would be engaged during frequent assembly and disassembly operations for maintenance.
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
This solution minimizes particle generation by avoiding direct component contact during connection, allowing for efficient and low-abrasion fastening and disconnection of closure members from valve rods, maintaining process integrity in vacuum technology.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastically deformable boundary wall, and it is possible for the boundary wall to be deformed elastically by the fluid which is arranged in the pressure chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A valve (1) having at least one closure member (2) for closing a valve opening (3) and at least one valve rod (4), at least one first connecting section (5) being provided in or on the valve rod (4), at least one second connecting section (6) being provided in or on the closure member (2), and the closure member being fastenable or fastened to the valve rod by the connection of the first connecting section to the second connecting section. The first connecting section (5) and/or the second connecting section (6) has/have at least one pressure chamber (8) for a fluid, this chamber being delimited by at least one elastically deformable boundary wall (7) and the boundary wall can be elastically deformed by the fluid provided in the pressure chamber (8) in order to form a clamped connection of the first connecting section (5) to the second connecting section (6).