Patent ID: 6517048
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: F16K

Abstract:
An isolation valve for selectively sealing a first region from a second region, the isolation valve comprising:a housing defining a channel between the first region and the second region, the channel extending at least between a first port and a second port; and a gate movable within the housing and displaceable between a stowed position in which communication is permitted between the first region and the second region, and a deployed position in which the gate substantially spans the channel, the gate including: a pair of outwardly extending channel members disposed on opposite ends of the gate, each adapted to slidably engage with guides extending from the housing, wherein the outwardly extending channel members and the guides provide gate mobility between the stowed and deployed positions; first and second sealing members, each of which has a respective outward-facing surface; and an expandable member disposed between the first sealing member and the second sealing member, wherein the expandable member is expandable from a first condition to a second condition and can be contracted from the second condition to the first condition, wherein, in the first condition, the gate is moveable between the stowed and deployed positions, and in the second condition, with the gate in the deployed position, the first and second sealing members are biased apart from each other by expansion of the expandable member so that the outward-facing surface of the first sealing member is sealingly engaged to the first port so as to seal the first region from the second region, and the outward-facing surface of the second sealing member is engaged to the housing.