Abstract The specification and drawings disclose a valve particularly suited for use in critical vacuum systems. The valve shown comprises a body having a through flow passage of generally circular cross-section. A butterfly valve disc is positioned in the passage and has an outer periphery adapted to close the passage when rotated to a position transverse to the axis of the passage. A rotatable operating stem is connected to the valve disc and extends outwardly through the body. Joined with the operating stem is an actuating stem which has an outer end portion inclined at an angle relative to the axis of the operating stem. A bellows assembly encloses the actuating stem with a lower portion of the assembly joined to the body. The bellows assembly includes a flexible, gas impervious bellows member which encloses the actuating stem and is inclined throughout a portion of its length at an angle corresponding to the angle of the inclination of the outer end portion of the actuating stem. Additionally, the outer end of the bellows is rotatably engaged with the outer end of the actuating stem. Means are provided in the form of a rotatable housing member for applying a generally radially acting force to the outer end of the bellows assembly to produce rotation of the operating stem and deflection of the bellows without torsional loading of the bellows.
A valve comprising: a body having a through flow passage of generally circular cross-section and a longitudinal axis; a valve disc member positioned in said passage and having an outer periphery adapted to close said passage when rotated to a position generally transverse to the axis; a rotatable operating stem connected to said valve disc and extending outwardly through said body; an actuating stem positively connected to said operating stem and having an outer end portion inclined relative to the axis of rotation of said operating stem; a bellows assembly enclosing said actuating stem and having a lower end portion joined to said body and an outer end portion inclined at an angle generally corresponding to the angle of said actuating stem and rotatably engaged therewith; and, means for applying a generally radially acting force to the outer end of said stem whereby rotation of said stem produces deflection of said bellows substantially without torsional loading of said bellows.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A valve comprising: a body having a through flow passage of generally circular cross-section and a longitudinal axis; a valve disc member positioned in said passage and having an outer periphery adapted to close said passage when rotated to a position generally transverse to the axis; a rotatable operating stem connected to said valve disc and extending outwardly through said body; an actuating stem positively connected to said operating stem and having an outer end portion inclined relative to the axis of rotation of said operating stem; a bellows assembly enclosing said actuating stem and having a lower end portion joined to said body and an outer end portion inclined at an angle generally corresponding to the angle of said actuating stem and rotatably engaged therewith; and, means for applying a generally radially acting force to the outer end of said stem whereby rotation of said stem produces deflection of said bellows substantially without torsional loading of said bellows.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating stem and said actuating stem are integrally formed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein the outer end of said bellows assembly comprises a rigid cap member having an opening which receives the inclined end portion of said operating stem.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said bellows assembly is enclosed by a rigid, cup-shaped housing rotatably joined to said body for rotation about the axis of said operating stem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating stem is supported from said valve disc and loosely guided in aligned openings in said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating stem and said actuating stem are rotatably guided at least two points by bearing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The valve as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for applying a radial force to said stem includes a rigid, cup-shaped housing rotatably joined to said body for rotation about the axis of said operating stem, and wherein said cap member is rotatably received in said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve as defined in claim 7 wherein said cap member and said cup-shapEd housing are rotatably engaged through a bearing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said bellows assembly includes a hollow, generally cylindrical bellows member having an open lower end positioned about said operating stem with said lower end sealingly clamped to said body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A valve as defined in claim 9 including a clamp ring member having a flange which overlies a flange on the lower end of said bellows member.