VACUUM VALVE WITH PROTECTED SEALING SURFACE

摘要

A valve assembly disposed within a vacuum environment which is configured to protect the sealing surfaces thereof to prolong life of the valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a sealing piston and a flange portion that define a passage therethrough. The sealing piston is movable toward and away from the flange portion to define a chamber. When the valve assembly is in an open position, a valve seal attached to the sealing piston engages a surface of the flange portion. When the valve assembly is to be closed, the sealing piston is displaced away from the flange portion which disengages the valve seal from the surface of the flange and a gate is disposed within the space defined between the sealing piston and the flange portion. The gate includes a gate seal which engages the surface of the flange portion when the gate is disposed within the chamber.