Clamping device
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorsMichael Webster, Jeff Adams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clamping device having a front member, a back member opposing the front member, a pair of opposing side members, a stop block and a clamping mechanism. The side members extend between and connect the front member and the back member. The work piece is supported by and between the side members. The stop block is interposed between the back member and the work piece. The clamping mechanism, which is operatively coupled between the front member and the work piece, exerts a clamping force against the work piece to press the work piece against the stop block. In this way, the work piece is clamped between the front member and the back member.
Claims37
A clamping device for a mass flow controller, comprising:
- a clamp body;
- a clamping mechanism coupled to the clamp body to exert a force against a portion of the mass flow controller;
- a plurality of discrete stop blocks individually mountable in the clamp body to respectively engage a portion of mass flow controller, wherein only one of the plurality of discrete stop blocks are mounted in the clamp body at a time to contact a respective portion of the mass flow controller.
A method of tightening a flow controller coupling, comprising:
- supporting at least a portion of a first end and a second end of a flow controller body using a first retainer and a second retainer, respectively;
- confining the flow controller body between a first side and a second side surface using two or more plates;
- securing the flow controller body using the first and the second retainer and the two or more plates;
- and
- advancing an arm for a specified distance to tighten a seal of the flow controller coupling.
A method of coupling a flow metering unit, comprising:
- positioning a first end and a second end of a body associated with a flow metering unit in a first retaining block and a second retaining block, respectively;
- enclosing one or more sides of the body using one or more slotted panels;
- clamping at least a portion of the body using the first and the second retaining blocks;
- and
- tightening a seal associated with at least one of the first and the second ends of a body.
A fixture for tightening a seal of a gas or liquid flow unit, comprising:
- a plurality of retainers comprising:
- a carriage shaped to accept at least a portion of a body of a flow meter;
- at least one stop;
- an adjustable portion;
- wherein the adjustable portion is operatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of retainers;
- and
- a socket coupled to the adjustable portion.
An apparatus comprising;
- at least one block shaped to accept a plurality of predetermined rigid forms;
- means for securing a means for confining flow of a gas or a liquid;
- and
- means for tightening one or more sealing surfaces associated with the means for confining flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.