Patent ID: 7637477

Claim:
A gate valve apparatus of a vacuum processing system, comprising: a surrounding wall that defines a transfer space for a target object to pass therethrough; a transfer port formed in the surrounding wall for the target object to pass therethrough; a first valve seat defined by a part of the surrounding wall, which surrounds the transfer port; a valve body disposed to be movable within the surrounding wall and to open/close the transfer port; a first seal member disposed on the valve body to engage with the first valve seat; a maintenance port formed in the surrounding wall to perform maintenance of the first seal member; a second valve seat defined by a part of the surrounding wall, which surrounds the maintenance port; a second seal member disposed on the valve body to engage with the second valve seat, the second seal member surrounding the first seal member; a maintenance cover detachably attached on an outside of the surrounding wall to close the maintenance port; and a driving mechanism that drives the valve body within the surrounding wall.