Vacuum Valve Plate Retaining-Bolt Coupling for Easy Seal Service
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum valve and door systems face challenges in efficiently servicing valve plates due to high wear and tear of seal rings, especially when exposed to aggressive process gases, and require a simple and reliable method for connecting and disconnecting valve plates from valve rods.
Innovation Solution
A valve plate design featuring extensions on its rear side with threaded bores, allowing for connection to a valve rod via retaining bolts that interact with grooves on a connecting piece, enabling easy attachment and detachment while maintaining a vacuum-tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If a threaded connection is used between the valve rod and valve plate for easy servicing, then the ease of repair is improved, but particle generation increases due to sliding movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional threaded sliding connection with a magnetically coupled connection. The valve plate contains a first magnet and the valve rod contains a second magnet, creating a magnetic field that couples the two components without physical contact. This substitution of mechanical sliding with magnetic coupling eliminates particle generation while maintaining easy assembly and disassembly for servicing.
2Ease of repair
If the valve plate is made detachable from the valve rod for maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the connection reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling provides a reliable connection that is yet easily detachable. The magnetic attraction force maintains secure connection during operation, while the absence of mechanical interlocking (such as threads) allows for simple separation by overcoming the magnetic force, enabling easy maintenance without compromising connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes magnetic field strength as a controllable parameter. By selecting appropriate magnet strengths and configurations, the connection reliability can be optimized for operational conditions, while the same magnetic coupling allows for easy detachment when servicing is needed, achieving both reliability and maintainability.
3Reliability
If a connecting device with mobility is used to achieve uniform compression of the seal ring, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical connecting devices with mobility features with a straightforward magnetic coupling system. The magnetic field naturally distributes the coupling force uniformly across the interaction area between the valve plate and valve rod, providing reliable seal compression without requiring complex mechanical structures or movable components.
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 solution allows for a stable and reliable connection between the valve plate and valve rod, facilitating easy maintenance and reducing particle generation during sliding movements, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and vacuum integrity of the closure device.
Implementation Method 1
a seal ring (8) for sealing in relation to the wall (3), wherein the seal ring (8) is disposed on a front side of the valve plate (1)
Implementation Method 2
a threaded bore (31) is configured in the valve plate (1), which on a lateral wall of the respective extension (30) opens into the extension (30). The valve plate (1) can be connected to the valve rod (4) by means of a respective retaining bolt (39)
Data Source
AI summary
A valve plate for a closure device for closing an opening in a vacuum-tight manner. A front side of the valve plate has a seal ring for sealing to the wall, and the rear side has a depression for connecting to a valve rod. In regions of two mutually opposite lateral walls of the depression, an extension adjoins in each depression. For each respective extension a threaded bore is present, which on a lateral wall thereof opens into the extension. The valve rod is connectable to the valve plate by a respective retaining bolt screwed into the respective threaded bore and via an end portion that protrudes from the threaded bore into the extension, with the end portion interacting with a groove on a connecting part connected to the valve rod end, or at the valve rod end is configured integral to the latter.