Importance

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Abstract

A vacuum gate valve includes a spreading mechanism with an actuating member extending between first and second valve plates and movable transversely of the axis of the valve, and parallelepiped spreading members disposed between the first valve plate and the actuating member and between the second valve plate and the actuating member. In the open position of the valve, the spreading members include an acute angle with the direction in which the actuating member is moved for closing the valve. When the actuating member is moved in order to spread apart the valve plates and to close the valve, the spreading members pivot about intersecting lines of contact surfaces formed in the valve plates and in the actuating member. In the closed position of the valve, the spreading members extend perpendicularly to the direction of the movement of the actuating member. The structural components of the spreading mechanism have linear contact with one another during operation, so that they move relative to one another practically without generating any friction. In addition, the spreading mechanism is capable of keeping the closed valve in the closed position without requiring external forces.

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First Claim