1. Vacuum Research Corporation (VRC)

    was a pioneer in the high vacuum business when its first patent was issued in 1954. More patents followed, and the innovation is continuing at our headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Here are a few highlights of our last 60 years.
     
    1953
    Aluminum gate valve production began in northern California. Virtually every part was made by casting.
     
    1954
    Patented the first gate valve to provide 100% unobstructed flow and a rotary rather than sliding vacuum seal. No scuffing of the gate seal when opening or closing by using a 4 bar linkage. (Patent #2,850,260)
     
    1960
    Patented remote control of the rotary actuator gate valve with pneumatic cylinder. (Patent #3,141,647)
     
    1962
    We improved conductance even more with the oversized port design. (Patent #3,216,694)
     
    1963
    Patented the easy maintenance port and bonnet style gate valve creating the "Complete Rebuild in 5 Minutes" gate valve. (Patent #3,262,672)
     
    1987
    Valve manufacturing operations moved to Pittsburgh, PA.
     
    1988
    Vacuum gauge production begins in Newport News, VA.
     
    1992
    Introduced wide range manometer with 316L stainless steel diaphragm and a range of 10 -3 Torr to 2 atmospheres
     
    1993
    Began selling Rotary Vane Vacuum Pumps.
     
    1995
    Eliminated caste SP valve bodies and replaced them with porosity free extruded Aluminum bodies.
     
    1998
    Introduced Throttle Valves with ports up to 24 inch (60cm) that are controllable from any PLC with 4 to 20 mA or 0 to 10 VDC .
     
    2002
    Introduced electric motor operation of gate valves with ports up to 24 inch (ISO-600).
     
    2006
    All VRC products comply with RoHS Directives.
     
    2007
    Introduced our low cost stainless steel Diaphragm Manometer with a range of 50 mTorr to 1000 Torr and CE Mark.
     
    2008
    Began production of Water Cooled Gate Valves
     
    2008
    Introduced the 10-5 Torr to 1500 Torr Super Wide Range Diaphragm Manometer.
     
    2009
    An article appearing in Vacuum Technology & Coating acknowledges the superior aluminum welding capabilities of Vacuum Research Corporation.
     
    2009
    Began production of Water Jacketed Angle Valves
     
    Today
    Vacuum Research continues as a leader in the vacuum component industry. From Aluminum Gate Valves to Rotary Vane Vacuum Pumps, VRC offers a standard of quality and service that continues to evolve with every technology solution.