Large, all-metal-sealed, vacuum gate valve for fusion application

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1116/1.577787· OSTI ID:7192512

Batzer, T H; Lang, D D; Moir, R W ^[1]

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1. Batzer Vacuum Technology Associates, Inc., 1730 Murdell Lane, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)

Two large (30 cm and 1 m in diameter), innovative, fusion-reactor-compatible, vacuum gate valves have been developed which should contribute significantly to the vacuum hardware needs of the next-generation, tritium-burning fusion devices. Because no organic materials are used, the valves are tritium-compatible and radiation-hardened as well as compatible with toxic gases. These valves should also find applications in semiconductor manufacturing and in similar industries that have requirements for large, all-metal vacuum valves. We have designed, built, and successfully tested a 30-cm-diam valve, and we have designed and are fabricating a 1-m-diam valve that we plan to assemble and test in 1992. This work makes use of the all-metal-sealed, radially directed, fluid-pressure-loaded seal design that was developed under a Department of Energy contract at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This seal, due to its radially directed loading, is easily scaled to larger diameters, and scales with the atmospheric loading of the gates, rather than with the seal loading. The valves are designed for high reliability: the 30-cm-diam valve utilizes double gates to provide two seals, and differential pumping; the 1-m-diam valve has a single gate with a double metal seal, and differential pumping. These valves are relatively light weight due to the unique radial seal. Typically, leak-tight closures are obtained on every operation without differential pumping at pressures of 500--1000 psi applied to the radially sealing diaphragm. The seal components are fabricated from 304 stainless steel, but can also be made from aluminum.

• DOE Contract Number: AC03-87ER80537
• OSTI ID: 7192512
• Journal Information: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, A (Vacuum, Surfaces and Films); (United States) Vol. 10:6; ISSN JVTAD; ISSN 0734-2101
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700480* -- Fusion Technology-- Component Development
ALLOYS
AUSTENITIC STEELS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CHROMIUM-NICKEL STEELS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
DESIGN
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
HEAT RESISTANT MATERIALS
HEAT RESISTING ALLOYS
HIGH ALLOY STEELS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MATERIALS
Ma
Materials Studies-- (1992-)
NICKEL ALLOYS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SEALS
STAINLESS STEEL-304
STAINLESS STEELS
STEEL-CR19NI10
STEELS
TESTING
THERMONUCLEAR REACTORS
VACUUM SYSTEMS
VALVES