Patent ID: 7484532
Filing Date: 2009-02-03
Classification: F16K,F16L

Abstract:
1. A flexible-film expandable gate disposed in a pipeline, and adjusting a cross-sectional area of a flow path within the pipeline by being inflated and collapsed by supply and discharge of a fluid for gate operation, the gate comprising: a plurality of flexible-film bodies disposed so as to divide an inner periphery of the pipeline into plural sections in a peripheral direction; a supply/discharge opening for supplying and discharging the fluid which inflates the flexible-film bodies; and a sealing member fixed within the pipeline, the sealing member having contact portions which can completely block-up the pipeline due to the flexible-film bodies, in inflated states, contacting the contact portions, wherein each of the contact portions comprises an arc shape corresponding to the curvature of the flexible-film bodies when the flexible-film bodies are inflated, wherein the arc shape of each of the contact portions extends linearly in a longitudinal direction of the pipeline.