Patent ID: 6447233
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
An automated door assembly for providing access to a sealed environment, defined by at least a substantially vertical barrier wall that is approximately perpendicular to a fixed support surface, by selective retraction from and reengagement to an opening through the barrier wall into the environment comprising:a base pivotably mounted to the fixed support surface of the sealed environment, and a closure plate, supported on linearly movable structures secured to the base, the closure plate configured to seal the opening in the barrier; and a closure mechanism comprising: a closure anchor, mounted on the barrier wall facing the base, such that it limits travel of the closure plate in a vertical direction; a pivoting drive assembly coupled between the base and the closure anchor and operable to pivot the base toward and away from the barrier wall along an arcuate path; and a linear drive assembly coupled between the closure plate and the base operable to lift and lower the closure plate with respect to the base and further, in synchronization with the pivoting drive assembly, to force the closure plate to follow a substantially horizontal linear path defined by a set of surfaces in the closure anchor along an upper portion of the arcuate path of the base, bringing the closure plate adjacent and into contact with the barrier to close the opening.