Patent ID: 6443426
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A vacuum valve for controlling vacuum media flow, comprising,a valve housing defining a valve chamber and adapted to receive a movable valve plate within the valve chamber to prevent vacuum media flow, the valve housing including a removable end plate to which a valve plate actuator is secured, the valve plate actuator adapted to move the valve plate within the valve chamber, so that removal of the end plate in an upward direction separates the valve plate actuator, the valve housing also including an end plate engaging member, a clamp mechanism coupled to one of the end plate or end plate engaging member, the clamp mechanism having a first position allowing separation of the end plate from the end plate engaging member and a second position that securely holds the end plate to the end plate engaging member in a sealed manner, and a clamp actuator extending through the end plate-from above and connected to the clamp mechanism for moving the clamp mechanism between its first position and its second position.