High-pressure gate valve

Abstract

A high-pressure gate valve for control of bulk materials includes a main body with an opening for passing bulk material, an upper body, a slidable blade, and lifting structure configured to raise the blade in a planar motion, perpendicular to the primary direction of travel and seal it against the upper body when the blade is extended. An actuating cylinder coupled with a rear edge of the blade extends and retracts the blade. A rear portion of the valve is enclosed to protect the rear edge of the blade, the actuating cylinder, and the coupling between the two.

1 . A seal for surrounding a component which component is subject to a force which is perpendicular to the seal, said seal being positioned in a rigid housing and comprising: 
 an elastomeric material complemental in shape to the shape of said housing;    a continuous closed air passage formed in said material;    a ridge in the exterior surface of said material overlying said passage,    whereby when said perpendicular force is applied to said component said elastomeric material is compressed and said ridge engages said housing thereby displacing air from said passage in the area of application of said force moving the displaced air to other areas of said passage to thereby increase the pressure within said elastomeric material in said other areas.    
   
   
       2 . A seal according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said closed air passages and a plurality of said ridges are provided.