Patent ID: 12209688

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures have different scales and are in part shown in a simplified manner.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained hereunder with reference toFIGS.1to19.

Shown by way of example in the figures is a closure device which has the valve plate1that can be adjusted between an opened position (FIG.1) and a closed position (FIG.2). In the opened position of the valve plate, an opening2in a wall3is exposed; in the closed position the opening2is closed by the valve plate1in a vacuum-tight manner.

Closing in a vacuum-tight manner is understood to mean a leakage rate Q of at least less than 10−4mbar l/s.

The valve plate1is supported by a valve rod4having a longitudinal axis26. In the exemplary embodiment, the valve plate1is adjusted between the opened position and the closed position simply by an axial adjustment of the valve rod4.

A drive5, which in the exemplary embodiment is formed by pneumatic piston-and-cylinder unit serves for adjusting the valve rod4, so as to adjust the valve plate1between the opened position and the closed position. The valve rod4is connected to the piston rod of this piston-and-cylinder unit or is configured so as to be integral to the latter.

A seal ring8from an elastomer material, which is attached to the front side of the valve plate1, serves for sealing between the valve plate1and the wall3when the closure device is in the closed state. The opening2in the wall3is surrounded by a seal face13which forms the seal seat on which the seal ring8bears when the valve plate1is in the closed position.

The seal ring8can be disposed in a groove on the front side of the valve plate1and be held in it, or said seal ring8can be vulcanized onto the front side of the valve plate1.

The wall3can be part of a valve housing, which is only partially illustrated in each ofFIGS.1to4. The remaining part of the valve body is indicated inFIG.5by dashed lines. This valve housing thus has an interior in which the valve plate1is disposed. Moreover, such a valve housing has a second opening9, also indicated inFIG.5, for example opposite the opening2, in order to form a passage through the valve housing when the valve plate1is in the opened position. In this exemplary embodiment, the closure device thus also comprises the valve housing having the wall3with the opening2, and forms a vacuum valve.

The valve housing has a further opening11through which the valve rod4is guided out of the interior of the valve housing. This opening11is closed in a vacuum-tight manner by a connector piece10to which the drive5is attached, whereby the valve rod4penetrates a passage duct through the connector piece10and is axially guided by the latter. An annular seal12serves for sealing between the valve housing and the connector piece10. In the exemplary embodiment, a bellows6serves for sealing the valve rod4in relation to the passage duct through the connector piece10. Instead of a bellows, a slide ring seal with at least one seal ring could also be provided for sealing.

In a modified embodiment, the closure device, which is configured as shown inFIGS.1to4, thus configured as inFIG.5without the dashed lines, could also be attached to the outside of a wall of a vacuum chamber, whereby the opening2is co-aligned with an opening in this wall of the vacuum chamber and the wall3in the region surrounding the opening2is sealed in relation to the wall of the vacuum chamber. In such an application, the closure device could also be referred to as a door.

In yet another embodiment, the wall3having the opening2could also be part of a vacuum chamber. This vacuum chamber thus possesses a further opening, corresponding to the opening11illustrated in the figures, through which the valve rod4is guided out of the interior of the vacuum chamber and which is closed by the connector piece10, the drive5in turn being attached to the connector piece and the valve rod extending through a passage duct in the connector. The valve rod can in turn be guided into the vacuum region of the vacuum chamber in a sealed manner by means of a bellows (or by means of a slide ring seal). The wall3having the opening2is therefore not part of the closure device in this embodiment.

The valve plate1is configured with a substantially rectangular circumferential contour. “Substantially rectangular” here means that the valve plate is configured so as to be rectangular with rounded corners.

The opening2possesses a corresponding contour.

The valve plate1lies in a plane14, which could also be referred to as the central plane or main plane of the valve plate. The seal ring8extends parallel to this plane14.

On the rear side of the valve plate1, which is opposite the front side of the valve plate1on which the seal ring8is disposed, the valve plate has a projecting portion1ain which a depression29is disposed, as will be explained in more detail below.

In the exemplary embodiment, the valve rod4is connected to the valve plate1by means of a connecting device15which enables mobility between the valve plate1and the valve rod4. For this purpose, the connecting device15has a swivel head16, which is rigidly connected to the valve rod4and is disposed in the inner receptacle space18of a housing-type joint body, which comprises a connecting piece17awhich possesses a socket-shaped depression, and a cap part17bwhich closes the connecting piece and is sealed in relation to the latter by an annular seal21. The connection between the cap part17band the connecting piece17ais performed by screws22.

The connection to the valve plate1takes place via the connecting piece17a, as will be described in more detail below.

The connection of the valve rod4to the swivel head16is performed by means of a connecting screw23which penetrates a central through bore24through the swivel head16and is screwed into a threaded bore25on the front end of the valve rod4. The valve rod here possesses a connecting portion4awith an at least substantially square cross section, and the swivel head16possesses a depression16awith a corresponding external contour into which the connecting portion4aof the valve rod4protrudes so as to secure the valve rod against rotation relative to the swivel head.

To enable the connecting screw23to be screwed into the threaded bore25of the valve rod4, the connecting piece17ahas a window opening20in the base.

The cap part17bhas a window opening27through which the valve rod4protrudes in the region of an end portion. In a central position of the connecting device, in which the valve plate1is aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis26of the valve rod4(i.e. the plane14in which the valve plate1lies is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis26), there is an annular gap s between the valve rod4and the periphery of the window opening27in the cap part17b. Proceeding from the central position, this enables (limited) pivoting of the valve plate1about an arbitrary axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis26of the valve rod4.

A first and a second joint socket part35,36are disposed in the receptacle space18of the joint body17a,17b. The joint socket parts35,36each possess a concave joint face35a,36a. This concave joint face35a,36ahas in each case the shape of a spherical internal surface. The concave joint faces35a,36aof the joint socket parts35,36are placed on the swivel head16from opposite sides and interact with respectively assigned convex joint faces16b,16cof the swivel head16. The convex joint faces16b,16care in each case configured in the form of a portion of a spherical surface and represent in each case a portion of the external surface of the swivel head16.

The joint socket parts35,36are pressed against the swivel head16by a spring-elastic element37in the form of a spring disk. The spring-elastic element37is screwed to the connecting piece17aby means of screws38. In the region adjoining the opening37a, said spring-elastic element37has radial incisions and the segments severed from the incisions are bent upward. In this region, the spring-elastic element37bears on the second joint socket part36and presses it against the swivel head16, whereby the swivel head16is pressed against the first joint socket part35which rests on a base at the base of the socket-shaped depression in the connecting piece17a.

The swivel head is thus held by a friction-fit in the currently prevailing position. This friction-fit is so strong that, as a result, the weight of the valve plate1can also be absorbed without the position of the swivel head16changing, specifically independently of the spatial orientation of the closure device.

The opening37aof the spring-elastic element37is larger than the window opening27of the cap part17b. In this way, a seal ring19disposed on the swivel head16in a region surrounding the depression16acan penetrate the opening37aof the spring-elastic element37and be pressed against the inside of the cap part17bin a region surrounding the window opening27.

The swivel head16has projecting studs on mutually opposite sides. A respective stud16dprotrudes into a respectively assigned groove17cin the connecting piece17a. A respective one of the grooves17cis formed in a wall delimiting the socket-shaped recess. In the central position of the connecting device, the grooves17crun parallel to the longitudinal axis26of the valve rod4.

As a result of the studs interacting with the grooves, the swivel head16is blocked in terms of rotating relative to the joint body about the longitudinal axis26of the valve rod4. However, the swivel head16can be tilted about any arbitrary axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis26of the valve rod4(until the annular gap s is used up).

The connecting device thus forms a ball-and-socket joint which is blocked in terms of rotation about an axis orthogonal to the equator plane of the swivel head16, i.e. about the longitudinal axis26of the valve rod4connected to the swivel head.

A depression29is disposed in the projecting portion1aon the rear side of the valve plate1. The depression29emanates from the upper side of the projecting portion1a, which is parallel to the plane14of the valve plate1, and extends from this upper side in a direction orthogonal to the plane14of the valve plate1. In the direction toward the front of the valve plate, the depression is delimited by a base of the depression.

In regions of two mutually opposite lateral walls of the depression29, a respective extension30extends from the latter. The dimensions of the two extensions, measured in all directions parallel to the plane14in which the valve plate lies, are substantially smaller than, preferably less than half, the dimensions of the depression29(without these extensions) measured in the corresponding directions. The extensions30emanate from the depression29in opposite directions which are parallel to the longitudinal extent of the valve plate.

A threaded bore31opens out in each case on a lateral wall of a respective extension. In the exemplary embodiment, the threaded bores31are here parallel to the plane14of the valve plate and at an angle of 90° to the longitudinal extent of the valve plate. The end of the respective threaded bore31that lies opposite the opening into the respective extension30opens out on a lateral face of the projecting portion1a.

On the side directed away from the valve rod4, the connecting piece17ahas an appendage17ewhich in the state connected to the valve plate1is inserted into the depression29of the valve plate1. The appendage17ethus protrudes into the depression29in a direction orthogonal to the plane14of the valve plate1. This appendage17eof the connecting piece17ahas a circumferential contour that deviates from the circular shape, and the depression29has a corresponding circumferential contour, as a result of which an anti-twist safeguard is formed between the connecting piece17aand the valve plate1(in terms of an axis orthogonal to the plane of the valve plate).

There is a stepped surface17dsituated between the appendage17eand the remaining part of the connecting piece17a. In the state of the connecting piece17aconnected to the valve plate1, this stepped surface17dbears on the upper side of the projecting portion1aof the valve plate1. Disposed on the stepped surface17dis an annular seal33which in the connected state with the valve plate1is pressed against a seal face34of the valve plate1, said seal face34surrounding the depression29conjointly with the extensions30and being disposed on the upper side of the projecting portion1aof the valve plate1. The seal face34could also be disposed on the stepped surface17d, and the annular seal33could also be disposed on the valve plate1.

Pin-shaped connecting parts32protrude from the stepped surface17dof the connecting piece17a. For this purpose, in the exemplary embodiment, the connecting parts32have an external thread by way of which they are screwed into a respective threaded bore40in the connecting piece17a.

Corresponding to the two extensions30present in the exemplary embodiment, there are thus two pin-shaped connecting parts32provided, one of which protrudes into one extension30and the other into the other extension30when the connecting piece17aby way of its appendage17eis inserted into the depression29. The connecting parts, in a direction orthogonal to the plane14of the valve plate, protrude into the respective extension30.

Retaining bolts39are screwed into the threaded bores31. An end portion of the respective retaining bolt39, the former thus being parallel to the plane14of the valve plate1, protrudes from the respective threaded bore31into the region of the respective extension30and there into the groove32ain the shank of the respective connecting part32. The end portion of the respective retaining bolt39is configured without a thread and tapers conically towards its end. The grooves32aof the connecting parts32have a corresponding form that tapers in cross section conically towards the bottom of the groove, cf. in particularFIG.17. The lateral wall of the respective groove32a, distal from the connecting piece17a, thus forms a ramp which interacts with the end portion of the respective retaining bolt39. Thus, when the retaining bolt is screwed in, with the end portion entering the groove32a, the connecting piece17ais pulled towards the valve plate1, compressing the seal33and causing the stepped surface17dof the connecting piece17ato bear on the upper side of the projecting portion1aof the valve plate1.

A stable, rigid connection is thus formed between the valve plate1and the connecting piece17a, which can be released in a simple manner by unscrewing the retaining bolts39.

As a result of the receptacle space18of the joint body17a,17bbeing sealed by the seal21between the cap part17band the connecting piece17aand by the seal ring19between the cap part17band the swivel head16, and the depression29of the valve plate1being sealed in relation to the connecting piece17aby the seal33, particles which are created in particular during the movement of the swivel head16relative to the joint socket parts35,36cannot make their way into the space surrounding the valve plate1. The retaining bolts39, preferably in the region of their heads, can also be expediently sealed in relation to the protruding section1aof the valve plate1by means of seals. This can be seen in particular inFIG.17(the seals are not denoted).

Various modifications of the embodiment of the invention shown are conceivable and possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

For instance, a connecting device that provides mobility between the valve plate1and the valve rod4could be dispensed with. A connecting piece could then be rigidly connected to the valve rod, for example screwed to the latter. The socket-shaped depression having the grooves could then be dispensed with, as could the seal21and the threaded bores for the screws22,38. On the side distal from the valve rod, such a connecting piece could be configured analogously to the connecting piece17ashown in the figures. An integral configuration of the valve rod with such a connecting piece, for example by welding, is also conceivable and possible.

Instead of a protruding portion1a, the valve plate1on the rear side could also have a transverse beam which in a central portion of the longitudinal extent thereof is unencumbered by a plate-shaped main body of the valve plate1and is connected to the main body of the valve plate only in the two end regions. The depression29would in this instance be disposed in the central portion of the longitudinal extent of the transverse beam of the valve plate. Such a transverse beam could be welded or screwed to the main body of the valve plate in the two end portions. In turn, the depression in the direction toward the front side of the valve plate would advantageously be delimited by a base, whereby an interior space of the depression may be sealed in relation to the surrounding space.

In a further potential modified configuration, it is conceivable and possible that the pin-shaped connecting parts32are dispensed with and instead the connecting piece17ahas an appendage of such a shape that this appendage projects not only into the depression29but also into the lateral extensions30. In these regions projecting into the lateral extensions30, the appendage could be provided with grooves with which the retaining bolts39interact, or a single groove could be provided annularly surrounding the extension, with the retaining bolts39interacting with a respective section of this groove. This appendage would thus form a single connecting part with at least one groove with which the end portion of a respective one of the retaining bolts interacts. In such a configuration, the connecting piece17acould in turn be movably or rigidly connected to the valve rod, or be configured so as to be integral to the latter.

The depression29could also have more than two extensions into which the connecting part or a respective connecting part protrudes from the side of the valve rod, whereby end portions of retaining bolts protrude through the openings of the threaded bores into these extensions and engage in the at least one groove of the at least one connecting part.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1Valve plate1aProjecting portion2Opening3Wall4Valve rod4aConnecting portion5Drive6Bellows8Seal ring9Opening10Connector piece11Opening12Seal13Seal face14Plane15Connecting device16Swivel head16aDepression16bJoint face16cJoint face16dStud17aConnecting piece17bCap part17cGroove17dStepped surface18Receptacle space19Seal ring20Window opening21Seal22Screw23Connecting screw24Through bore25Threaded bore26Longitudinal axis27Window opening29Depression30Extension31Threaded bore32Connecting part32aGroove33Seal34Seal face35Joint socket part35aJoint face36Joint socket part36aJoint face37Spring-elastic element37aOpening38Screw39Retaining bolt40Threaded bore