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:
Apr. 03, 2007
Filed:
Apr. 20, 2005
David L. Fritsche, Foristell, MO (US);
David L. Fritsche, Foristell, MO (US);
The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A clamp including a vacuum base having a seal adapted to engage a first object. A cavity is defined between the first object and the seal. The clamp includes a vacuum generator connected to the cavity for reducing pressure in the cavity and a clamping member mounted on the vacuum base for engaging a second object. The clamp further includes a valve connected between the cavity and the vacuum generator. The valve is selectably positionable between an open position allowing fluid communication between the vacuum generator and the cavity for generating a pressure inside the cavity that is lower than a pressure outside the cavity, and a closed position at least partially restricting fluid communication between the vacuum generator and the cavity for at least partially preventing air from entering the cavity when pressure inside the cavity reaches a predetermined maximum.