REVOLVING-DOOR TRANSPORTATION METHOD AND AIRLOCK SYSTEM

SYSTEME DE SAS ET METHODE DE TRANSPORT A PORTE TOURNANTE

English Abstract

.cndot. An airlock system for transporting an object between two
different atmospheric regions comprises a stationary divider for
vertically dividing atmosphere into a first atmospheric region
and a second atmospheric region, a revolving door for moving a
portion of atmosphere by rotating a plurality of rectangular
vanes around a vertical axis, two sets of linear tracks for
horizontally carrying an object, and means for synchronising
rotational movement of the rectangular vanes with linear
movement of the objects. Each rectangular vane has peripheral
edges which are capable of sealing pressure and temperature
between the two atmospheric regions. This invention relates to
transportation methods and airlock systems, and the principal
use of the invention is for transporting an object between two
different atmospheric regions.

French Abstract

Un système de sas pour transporter un objet entre deux régions atmosphériques différentes comprend un séparateur fixe pour diviser verticalement latmosphère en une première région atmosphérique et une deuxième région atmosphérique, une porte tournante pour déplacer une partie datmosphère en faisant tourner une pluralité daubes rectangulaires autour dun axe vertical, deux jeux de voies linéaires pour transporter horizontalement un objet et un moyen de synchronisation du mouvement rotatif des aubes rectangulaires avec un mouvement linéaire des objets. Chaque aube rectangulaire comporte des bords périphériques qui sont en mesure de maintenir la pression et la température entre les deux régions atmosphériques. La présente invention a trait à des méthodes de transport et des systèmes de sas, et sa principale utilisation consiste à transporter un objet entre deux régions atmosphériques différentes.

Claims

Claims
.cndot. The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property
or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A method for transporting an object between two different
atmospheric regions, comprising the steps of:
.circles. vertically dividing atmosphere into a first atmospheric
region and a second atmospheric region, the first
atmospheric region and the second atmospheric region having
identical dimensions;
.circles. simultaneously moving in synchronicity a portion of
atmosphere from the first atmospheric region to the second
atmospheric region, and moving a portion of atmosphere from
the second atmospheric region to the first atmospheric
region, by rotating a plurality of rectangular vanes around
a vertical axis, the plurality of rectangular vanes radially
extending from the vertical axis;
.circles. horizontally carrying an object with a first set of linear
tracks from the first atmospheric region to the second
atmospheric region, and another object from the second
atmospheric region to the first atmospheric region with a
second set of linear tracks, the two sets of linear tracks
being parallel and having identical dimensions, and;
.circles. synchronising rotational movement of the rectangular vanes
with linear movement of the objects;
in which each rectangular vane has peripheral edges capable of
hermetically sealing pressure and temperature between the two
atmospheric regions, in which the first set of linear tracks
moves an object in one direction, and the second set of linear
tracks moves another object in the opposite direction, in which
the first atmospheric region has high pressure and high
temperature, and the second atmospheric region has low pressure
and low temperature.
2. A method for transporting an object between two different
atmospheric regions, comprising the steps of:
.circles. vertically dividing atmosphere into a first atmospheric
region and a second atmospheric region, the first
atmospheric region and the second atmospheric region having
identical dimensions;
.circles. simultaneously moving in synchronicity a portion of
atmosphere from the first atmospheric region to the second
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atmospheric region, and moving a portion of atmosphere from
the second atmospheric region to the first atmospheric
region, by rotating a plurality of rectangular vanes around
a vertical axis, the plurality of rectangular vanes radially
extending from the vertical axis;
.circle. horizontally carrying an object with a first set of linear
tracks from the first atmospheric region to the second
atmospheric region, and another object from the second
atmospheric region to the first atmospheric region with a
second set of linear tracks, the two sets of linear tracks
being parallel and having identical dimensions, and;
.circle. synchronising rotational movement of the rectangular vanes
with linear movement of the objects;
in which each rectangular vane has peripheral edges capable of
hermetically sealing pressure and temperature between the two
atmospheric regions, in which the first set of linear tracks
moves an object in one direction, and the second set of linear
tracks moves another object in the opposite direction, in which
the first atmospheric region has high pressure and low
temperature, and the second atmospheric region has low pressure
and high temperature.
3. The method for transporting an object between two different
atmospheric regions as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, in which
the object is a tray.
4. The method for transporting an object between two different
atmospheric regions as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, in which
the number of rectangular vanes is four.
5. The method for transporting an object between two different
atmospheric regions as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, in which
the object is carried by magnetic force.
6. An airlock system for transporting an object between two
different atmospheric regions, comprising:
.circle. a stationary divider for vertically dividing atmosphere into
a first atmospheric region and a second atmospheric region,
the first atmospheric region and the second atmospheric
region having identical dimensions;
.circle. a revolving door for simultaneously moving in synchronicity
a portion of atmosphere from the first atmospheric region to
the second atmospheric region, and moving a portion of
atmosphere from the second atmospheric region to the first
atmospheric region, by rotating a plurality of rectangular
vanes around a vertical axis, the plurality of rectangular
7

vanes radially extending from the vertical axis;
.circle. a first set of linear tracks for horizontally carrying an
object from the first atmospheric region to the second
atmospheric region, and a second set of linear tracks for
horizontally carrying another object from the second
atmospheric region to the first atmospheric region, the two
sets of linear tracks being parallel and having identical
dimensions, and;
.circle. means for synchronising rotational movement of the
rectangular vanes with linear movement of the objects;
in which each rectangular vane has peripheral edges capable of
hermetically sealing pressure and temperature between the two
atmospheric regions, in which the first set of linear tracks
moves an object in one direction, and the second set of linear
tracks moves another object in the opposite direction, in which
the first atmospheric region has high pressure and high
temperature, and the second atmospheric region has low pressure
and low temperature.
7. An airlock system for transporting an object between two
different atmospheric regions, comprising:
.circle. a stationary divider for vertically dividing atmosphere into
a first atmospheric region and a second atmospheric region,
the first atmospheric region and the second atmospheric
region having identical dimensions;
.circle. a revolving door for simultaneously moving in synchronicity
a portion of atmosphere from the first atmospheric region to
the second atmospheric region, and moving a portion of
atmosphere from the second atmospheric region to the first
atmospheric region, by rotating a plurality of rectangular
vanes around a vertical axis, the plurality of rectangular
vanes radially extending from the vertical axis;
.circle. a first set of linear tracks for horizontally carrying an
object from the first atmospheric region to the second
atmospheric region, and a second set of linear tracks for
horizontally carrying another object from the second
atmospheric region to the first atmospheric region, the two
sets of linear tracks being parallel and having identical
dimensions, and;
.circle. means for synchronising rotational movement of the
rectangular vanes with linear movement of the objects;
in which each rectangular vane has peripheral edges capable of
hermetically sealing pressure and temperature between the two
8

atmospheric regions, in which the first set of linear tracks
moves an object in one direction, and the second set of linear
tracks moves another object in the opposite direction, in which
the first atmospheric region has high pressure and low
temperature, and the second atmospheric region has low pressure
and high temperature.
8. The airlock system for transporting an object between two
different atmospheric regions as defined in claim 6 or claim 7,
in which the object is a tray.
9. The airlock system for transporting an object between two
different atmospheric regions as defined in claim 6 or claim 7,
in which the number of rectangular vanes is four.
10. The airlock system for transporting an object between two
different atmospheric regions as defined in claim 6 or claim 7,
in which the object is carried by magnetic force.
9

Description

CA 02593544 2014-02-06
Description
Title
= Revolving-Door Transportation Method and Airlock System
Technical Field
= This invention relates to transportation methods and airlock
systems, more particularly to a revolving-door transportation
method and an airlock system.
Background Art
= There are many instances where it would be desirable to be able
to transport an object between two different atmospheric
regions.
= A number of patents disclose various systems for transporting an
object between two different atmospheric regions.
= U.S. Patent 5 042 367 discloses "Revolving air lock". A
revolving air lock controls the flow of air, and the passage of
contaminants that may be entrained in the air, between two
separate areas. This prior art airlock does not have tracks to
transport objects between two separate areas.
= U.S. Patent 5 405 231 discloses "Conveyor with rotary airlock
apparatus". An apparatus for transferring objects from a first
region to a second region, the first and second regions having
differing atmospheric environments. The apparatus includes a
shell having an entrance and an exit, a conveyor belt running
through the shell from the entrance to the exit, and a
horizontally mounted "revolving door" with at least four vanes
revolving about its axis. This prior art airlock rotates
vertically, so the tracks to transport objects between two
separate areas are not linear. Also, it is not possible for this
prior art airlock to provide simultaneous transport in two
directions.
= These prior art arrangements do not have a revolving-door
airlock system for transporting an object between two different
atmospheric regions, in which two sets of linear tracks having
identical dimensions horizontally carry an object from the first
atmospheric region to the second atmospheric region, and another
object from the second atmospheric region to the first
atmospheric region.
Description of the Invention
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CA 02593544 2014-02-06
= It is a primary object of the invention to provide a method for
transporting an object between two different atmospheric
regions.
= It is another object of the invention to provide a method for
transporting an object between two different atmospheric
regions, in which rotational movement of the rectangular vanes
is synchronised with linear movement of the objects.
= It is another object of the invention to provide a method for
transporting an object between two different atmospheric
regions, in which the object is carried by magnetic force.
= It is another object of the invention to provide an airlock
system for transporting an object between two different
atmospheric regions.
= It is another object of the invention to provide an airlock
system for transporting an object between two different
atmospheric regions, in which rotational movement of the
rectangular vanes is synchronised with linear movement of the
objects.
= It is another object of the invention to provide an airlock
system for transporting an object between two different
atmospheric regions, in which the object is carried by magnetic
force.
= An airlock system for transporting an object between two
different atmospheric regions comprises a stationary divider for
vertically dividing atmosphere into a first atmospheric region
and a second atmospheric region, a revolving door for moving a
portion of atmosphere by rotating a plurality of rectangular
vanes around a vertical axis, two sets of linear tracks for
horizontally carrying an object, and means for synchronising
rotational movement of the rectangular vanes with linear
movement of the objects. Each rectangular vane has peripheral
edges which are capable of sealing pressure and temperature
between the two atmospheric regions.
Brief Description of the Figures in the Drawings
= In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
O Figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of an airlock
system according to the invention;
o Figure 2 is a side view of one embodiment of an airlock
system according to the invention;
o Figure 3 is a top view of the airlock system showing a first
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CA 02593544 2014-02-06
sequence; and
0 Figure 4 is a top view of the airlock system showing a
second sequence.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
= According to the present invention, a method for transporting an
object between two different atmospheric regions comprises the
steps of:
1. vertically dividing atmosphere into a first atmospheric
region and a second atmospheric region;
2. simultaneously moving a portion of atmosphere from the first
atmospheric region to the second atmospheric region, and
moving a portion of atmosphere from the second atmospheric
region to the first atmospheric region, by rotating a
plurality of rectangular vanes around a vertical axis, the
plurality of rectangular vanes radially extends from the
vertical axis;
3. horizontally carrying an object from the first atmospheric
region to the second atmospheric region, and another object
from the second atmospheric region to the first atmospheric
region, and;
4. synchronising rotational movement of the rectangular vanes
with linear movement of the objects.
= The first atmospheric region and the second atmospheric region
have identical dimensions.
= Each rectangular vane has peripheral edges which are capable of
hermetically sealing pressure and temperature between the two
atmospheric regions.
= The two sets of linear tracks are parallel, and have identical
dimensions.
= The first set of linear tracks 3-0 moves an object in one
direction, and the second set of linear tracks 3-0 moves another
object in the opposite direction.
= The first atmospheric region may have high pressure and high
temperature, and the second atmospheric region may have low
pressure and low temperature. Conversely, the first atmospheric
region may have high pressure and low temperature, and the
second atmospheric region may have low pressure and high
temperature.
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CA 02593544 2014-02-06
= Most likely object is a tray.
= Preferably, the number of rectangular vanes is four. If the
number of rectangular vanes were three or more than four, linear
movement of the object would be extremely difficult, if not
impossible.
= Ideally, the object is carried by magnetic force with a linear
motor.
= In one embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 (top view)
and in Figure 2 (side view), an airlock system for transporting
an object between two different atmospheric regions comprises:
1. a stationary divider 1-0 for vertically dividing atmosphere
into a first atmospheric region and a second atmospheric
region;
2. a revolving door 2-0 for simultaneously moving a portion of
atmosphere from the first atmospheric region to the second
atmospheric region, and moving a portion of atmosphere from
the second atmospheric region to the first atmospheric
region, by rotating a plurality of rectangular vanes 2-1
around a vertical axis 2-2, the plurality of rectangular
vanes 2-1 radially extends from the vertical axis 2-2;
3. two sets of linear tracks 3-0 having identical dimensions
for horizontally carrying an object 4-0 from the first
atmospheric region to the second atmospheric region, and
another object 4-0 from the second atmospheric region to the
first atmospheric region, and;
4. means for synchronising rotational movement of the
rectangular vanes 2-1 with linear movement of the objects
4-0.
= The first atmospheric region and the second atmospheric region
have identical dimensions.
= Each rectangular vane 2-1 has peripheral edges which are capable
of hermetically sealing pressure and temperature between the two
atmospheric regions.
= The two sets of linear tracks are parallel, and have identical
dimensions.
= The first set of linear tracks 3-0 moves an object in one
direction, and the second set of linear tracks 3-0 moves another
object in the opposite direction.
= The first atmospheric region may have high pressure and high
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CA 02593544 2014-02-06
temperature, and the second atmospheric region may have low
pressure and low temperature. Conversely, the first atmospheric
region may have high pressure and low temperature, and the
second atmospheric region may have low pressure and high
temperature.
= Most likely object 4-0 is a tray.
= Preferably, the number of rectangular vanes 2-1 is four. If the
number of rectangular vanes 2-1 were three or more than four,
linear movement of the object would be extremely difficult, if
not impossible.
= Ideally, the object 4-0 is carried by magnetic force with a
linear motor.
= The means for synchronising rotational movement of the
rectangular vanes 2-1 with linear movement of the objects 4-0
may be provided either mechanically, electronically or electro-
mechanically.
= Figure 3 shows the airlock system from above in a first
sequence. Figure 4 shows the airlock system from above in a
second sequence.
= In this example, the airlock rotates uni-directionally in
counter-clockwise movement. The objects move linearly in the
direction indicated by the arrows. The rotational movement of
the revolving door 2-0 is synchronised with the linear movement
of the objects 4-0.

Representative Drawing