Patent · US Expired

Rotary fluid coupling

US4848400A · kind A · utility

18Cited by
6References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 19, 1988
Grant dateJul 18, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 19, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/86276
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The rotary fluid coupling decreases the possibility of microcontaminates entering the fluid flow line and is thus especially suitable for processing equipment in manufacturing of wafers and other components for the microcomputer industry. The rotary fluid coupling interconnects a fluid conveying passageway and a spindle element to a duct in a second element such that the two elements are rotatable with respect to each other. An axial channel is provided along the length of the spindle. A planar faced plate is mounted on the spindle. A bore in the spindle plate is in axial alignment with the spindle channel, generally forming a single continuous fluid conveying passageway. A second element has a generally planar distal faced plate. A fluid conducting duct extends from an aperture on the distal face of the second plate to a fluid source with the two faces generally aligned in parallel relationship to each other creating a fluid permeable gap. A fluid flow resistant labyrinth may be provided on one or both faces. In use, fluid flowing from the fluid source through the fluid conducting duct and the aperture in the second element crosses the fluid permeable gap to enter the fluid convey…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.