The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 10, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 25, 2000
James Botelho, Salisbury, MA (US);
Leo V. Klos, Newburyport, MA (US);
Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc., Gloucester, MA (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for shielding a valve gate from potentially harmful environmental conditions. A valve gate can be moved from a closed position, in which the valve gate closes a valve passage and is potentially exposed to harmful environmental conditions, to a retracted position, in which the valve gate is shielded from the harmful environmental conditions. For example, the valve gate can be retracted inside a housing and a door can be closed over an opening in the housing to protect the valve gate. Other portions of the valve, such as a valve seat, can also be protected from harmful conditions, e.g., by closing a valve seat opening to prevent substances or other environmental conditions from leaving the valve passage.