US3713461A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seal rotary distribution valve
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-23
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1991-03-23
Abstract
Abstract A distribution valve for a device for evacuating and filling a vessel with gas. This valve comprises a rotatable part and a stationary part; the rotatable part having a number of ports which are connected to the vessels to be processed and the stationary part having a corresponding number of ports which are connected to the evacuating and filling apparatus. In order to prevent the entrance of air into the ports, a number of concentric circumferential grooves are provided in the confronting surfaces between the circumference and the center of the rotating and stationary parts. These grooves are maintained under a slight positive pressure by an inert gas supply.
Inventors
- 👤 V Notelteirs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:30
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J9/00; H01J9/38; H01J9/395; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/4238; Y10T137/4358; Y10T137/4456; Y10T137/4621; Y10T137/4628; Y10T137/4636; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86558
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A distribution valve for a device for evacuating and filling a vessel with another fluid comprising two circular plates having abutting surfaces, one of said circular plates being stationary and the other being rotatable about a common axis, said plates each having a plurality of ports at different angular locations around said axis and adapted to be aligned with each other upon relative rotation of the plates, means connecting the ports in the stationary plate to said evacuating and filling apparatus, means connecting the ports in the moving plate to the vessel, a plurality of circumferential grooves positioned in the surface of said stationary plate, a lubricant filling at least one of said grooves, means connecting a groove without lubricant therein to a supply of inert gas under pressure to fill said groove with inert gas, means connecting said gas filled groove to a container maintained at a pressure lower than that of said inert gas supply, thereby preventing air from entering said ports between the abutting surfaces of said circular plates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A distribution valve for a device for evacuating and filling a vessel with another fluid comprising two circular plates having abutting surfaces, one of said circular plates being stationary and the other being rotatable about a common axis, said plates each having a plurality of ports at different angular locations around said axis and adapted to be aligned with each other upon relative rotation of the plates, means connecting the ports in the stationary plate to said evacuating and filling apparatus, means connecting the ports in the moving plate to the vessel, a plurality of circumferential grooves positioned in the surface of said stationary plate, a lubricant filling at least one of said grooves, means connecting a groove without lubricant therein to a supply of inert gas under pressure to fill said groove with inert gas, means connecting said gas filled groove to a container maintained at a pressure lower than that of said inert gas supply, thereby preventing air from entering said ports between the abutting surfaces of said circular plates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
172 words
A distribution valve for a device for evacuating and filling a vessel with another fluid comprising two circular plates having abutting surfaces, one of said circular plates being stationary and the other being rotatable about a common axis, said plates each having a plurality of ports at different angular locations around said axis and adapted to be aligned with each other upon relative rotation of the plates, means connecting the ports in the stationary plate to said evacuating and filling apparatus, means connecting the ports in the moving plate to the vessel, a plurality of circumferential grooves positioned in the surface of said stationary plate, a lubricant filling at least one of said grooves, means connecting a groove without lubricant therein to a supply of inert gas under pressure to fill said groove with inert gas, means connecting said gas filled groove to a container maintained at a pressure lower than that of said inert gas supply, thereby preventing air from entering said ports between the abutting surfaces of said circular plates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
172 words
A distribution valve for a device for evacuating and filling a vessel with another fluid comprising two circular plates having abutting surfaces, one of said circular plates being stationary and the other being rotatable about a common axis, said plates each having a plurality of ports at different angular locations around said axis and adapted to be aligned with each other upon relative rotation of the plates, means connecting the ports in the stationary plate to said evacuating and filling apparatus, means connecting the ports in the moving plate to the vessel, a plurality of circumferential grooves positioned in the surface of said stationary plate, a lubricant filling at least one of said grooves, means connecting a groove without lubricant therein to a supply of inert gas under pressure to fill said groove with inert gas, means connecting said gas filled groove to a container maintained at a pressure lower than that of said inert gas supply, thereby preventing air from entering said ports between the abutting surfaces of said circular plates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A distribution valve as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an adjustable pressure valve in the means connecting said gas filled groove to said container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A distribution valve as claimed in claim 1 comprising two of said gas filled grooves, one of said grooves being located near the circumference of said circular plates, said lubricating groove surrounding said gas filled groove near the circumference of said circular plates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A distribution valve as claimed in claim 3 wherein one of said gas filled grooves is located between the circumference of said circular plates and said plurality of ports.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |