Ciena has been granted a patent for an apparatus that includes a housing with two openings, a valve connected to one opening, and a channel extending between the openings. The apparatus also includes a vacuum maintaining mechanism within the channel to hold a partial vacuum. The vacuum maintaining mechanism can be a diaphragm, spring-piston, foam, rubber, or any component that can deform and store mechanical energy. GlobalData’s report on Ciena gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Ciena, Data center optical networking was a key innovation area identified from patents. Ciena's grant share as of September 2023 was 76%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Vacuum apparatus for maintaining partial vacuum in a channel
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11772280B2) describes an apparatus for creating a suction connection with a transportable component. The apparatus includes a housing with multiple openings, a valve, a channel, and a vacuum maintaining mechanism. The vacuum maintaining mechanism, which can be a diaphragm, spring-piston, foam, rubber, or any component capable of deforming and storing mechanical energy, is designed to hold a partial vacuum within the channel.
The housing also features a release mechanism connected to a third opening, which allows fluid to enter the channel and relieve the suction between the apparatus and the transportable component. The release mechanism can be a check valve, electromagnet, twist release valve, pin activated release, or any force actuated valve.
The valve in the apparatus can be a check valve that restricts fluid flow once the suction connection is formed, or it can include a sensor to detect whether the suction connection is established. The first opening of the housing includes a seal to assist with the suction connection between the apparatus and the transportable component.
When the apparatus is contacted with the transportable component and connected to a vacuum source at the valve, it forms a partial vacuum within the channel, creating a suction connection with a pressure ranging from about 0.01 atm to about 0.99 atm. Importantly, the apparatus can maintain the vacuum or partial vacuum with the transportable component even when disconnected from the vacuum source.
Additionally, the apparatus includes locators positioned on the outer surface of the housing near the first opening. These locators align with the shape of the transportable component and assist in creating a suction connection between the apparatus and the component.
Overall, this patented apparatus provides a reliable and efficient method for creating and maintaining a suction connection with a transportable component. Its various components and mechanisms work together to ensure a secure and effective connection, making it suitable for a range of applications.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
