A gas ball valve

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of gas valve technology, specifically a gas ball valve, including a valve body, a valve cover, a sealing cover, a valve ball, and a sealing sleeve fitted on the outer surface of the valve ball. The sealing sleeve has a sealing cavity inside and is made of an elastic material. An internal channel communicating with the sealing cavity is axially provided inside the valve stem. A piston is slidably sealed within the internal channel, and the upper end of the piston is hinged to one end of a movable handle via a connecting rod. This invention allows control of the contraction or expansion of the sealing sleeve via the movable handle, reducing or eliminating the frictional force of the valve ball's rotation and reducing or preventing wear on the sealing sleeve. Increasing the length of the connecting rod increases the sealing surface area, thereby improving the ball valve's sealing performance. When the sealing sleeve is in a pressurized and expanded state, the valve can be locked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of gas valve technology, and specifically to a gas ball valve. Background Technology

[0002] Gas pipelines typically use a large number of valves, including on / off valves, safety valves, and regulating valves. When valves have been in use for a long time, their seals may weaken or fail, leading to gas leaks. In severe cases, this can cause loss of life and property. Therefore, valve sealing is a very important aspect of gas valves.

[0003] Currently, gas ball valves are commonly used as on / off valves for gas pipelines to cut off gas supply. They have high reliability. However, the sealing structure of current gas ball valves is basically based on a valve seat with a sealing ring and a rigid ball for sealing. The sealing surface between the two is small, resulting in low sealing performance. At the same time, during the valve opening and closing process, rotating the valve ball can easily cause wear on the sealing ring, reducing the valve's sealing performance.

[0004] Some ball valves use an inflatable bladder-type sealing ring for the valve seat. When rotating the ball, the bladder on the valve seat is first deflated, causing the valve seat to disengage from the ball or reducing the contact force, thus allowing the ball to rotate. This reduces the friction between the ball and the sealing ring, minimizing wear. However, this type of ball valve requires separate operation of the bladder and then the valve stem to rotate the ball, which is cumbersome and prone to errors. Furthermore, the contact area between the bladder-type valve seat and the ball is relatively small, resulting in lower sealing reliability. Additionally, the ball cannot be locked; even with the bladder fully inflated and sealed, the valve can easily rotate, leading to misoperation and a lack of locking effectiveness. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems of poor sealing, easy wear and misoperation of gas ball valves in the prior art, and to propose a gas ball valve with a sealing sleeve.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a gas ball valve, comprising a valve body, a valve cover, a sealing cover, and a valve ball assembly. The valve body has a valve channel, and the upper part of the valve body has an installation port. The valve cover is fixedly installed on the valve body to close the installation port. A sealing cover is installed inside the installation port. The connection between the valve channel and the installation port forms an installation cavity. The installation cavity contains a valve ball assembly, which includes a valve ball and a sealing sleeve fitted onto the outer surface of the valve ball. The valve ball has a valve ball channel, and the sealing sleeve has a sealing sleeve cavity. The sealing sleeve is made of an elastic material. A hollow valve stem is fixedly connected to the upper part of the valve ball. The valve stem has an axially oriented valve stem channel. The lower side of the valve stem has a valve stem side hole communicating with the sealing sleeve cavity and the valve stem channel. The upper part of the sealing sleeve has a sealing sleeve opening, which is fixedly connected to the valve stem by a fastening sleeve. A fixing handle is fixedly connected to the top of the valve stem. The valve body is hinged to the movable handle via a first hinge; a piston is slidably sealed within the valve stem's inner channel, the upper end of which is hinged to one end of a connecting rod via a second hinge, and the other end of the connecting rod is hinged to one end of the movable handle via a third hinge. A torsion spring is provided on the first hinge, and the torsion spring always applies an upward force to the other end of the movable handle. A conical first sealing surface is provided on the inner wall of the bottom of the valve body, and a conical second sealing surface is provided at the lower part of the sealing cover. When the movable handle is pressed down, the piston is lifted to a higher first position, the air pressure inside the sealing sleeve cavity decreases, the sealing sleeve contracts, and gaps are formed between the sealing sleeve and both the first and second sealing surfaces. When the movable handle is released, the movable handle returns to its original position under the elastic force of the torsion spring, the piston descends to a lower second position, the sealing sleeve cavity is compressed and expands, and the sealing sleeve is in a tightly sealed state with both the first and second sealing surfaces.

[0007] Preferably, a disc spring is provided between the sealing cover and the valve cover, and the sealing cover and the valve cover are threadedly connected.

[0008] Preferably, a first packing element is provided between the sealing cover and the valve cover, and the sealing cover is provided with a packing installation groove, wherein the first packing element is disposed in the packing installation groove.

[0009] Preferably, a second packing element is provided between the valve stem and the valve cover, and a packing gland is provided above the second packing element, the packing gland being threadedly connected to the valve cover.

[0010] Preferably, the piston has a first mounting groove on its outer peripheral surface, and a first sealing ring is installed in the first mounting groove.

[0011] Preferably, a second sealing ring is provided on the mounting surface of the sealing cover and the valve body, and a second mounting groove is provided on the valve body, with the second sealing ring located in the second mounting groove.

[0012] Preferably, the sealing sleeve is made of rubber material.

[0013] Preferably, the length of the connecting rod is adjustable.

[0014] The gas ball valve proposed in this invention has the following advantages: 1. A sealing sleeve is provided on the surface of the valve ball, and the contraction or expansion of the sealing sleeve can be controlled by the movable handle. When the valve ball needs to be rotated, the contraction of the sealing sleeve is controlled to reduce or eliminate the friction of the valve ball rotation, reduce or avoid the wear of the sealing sleeve, and maintain the good sealing performance of the ball valve.

[0015] 2. A sealing surface that mates with the sealing sleeve is provided on the valve body and the sealing cover. The length of the connecting rod is adjustable. The longer the connecting rod, the greater the expansion of the sealing sleeve, the larger the contact surface between the sealing sleeve and the valve body and the sealing cover, and the better the sealing performance of the ball valve.

[0016] 3. When the sealing sleeve is under pressure and expansion, there is a strong adsorption force between the sealing sleeve and the contact surfaces of the valve body, valve ball, and sealing cover, keeping them relatively fixed and thus keeping the valve in a locked state.

[0017] 4. Both the fixed handle and the movable handle can be operated with one hand simultaneously, making valve operation more convenient and less prone to errors. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gas ball valve of the present invention; Figure 2 This is another structural schematic diagram of the gas ball valve of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: Valve body 1, valve passage 101, mounting port 102, first sealing surface 103, valve cover 2, sealing cover 3, second sealing surface 301, valve ball 4, valve ball passage 401, sealing sleeve 5, sealing sleeve cavity 501, sealing sleeve opening 502, fastening sleeve 503, valve stem 6, valve stem inner passage 601, valve stem side hole 602, packing gland 7, piston 8, fixed handle 9, movable handle 10, first hinge 11, torsion spring 12, connecting rod 13, disc spring 14, first packing piece 15, second packing piece 16, second hinge 17, third hinge 18.

[0020] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory, and do not limit this document. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments described herein clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments described herein, not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments described herein without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this document. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

[0022] Unless the context explicitly requires it, the words "comprising," "including," or similar terms throughout the specification and claims should be interpreted as encompassing rather than being exclusive or exhaustive; that is, meaning "including but not limited to."

[0023] Reference Figure 1 , 2 This invention proposes a gas ball valve, comprising a valve body 1, a valve cover 2, a sealing cover 3, and a valve ball assembly. The valve body 1 has a valve channel 101 and an installation port 102 on its upper part. The valve cover 2 is fixedly installed on the valve body 1 to close the installation port 102. The sealing cover 3 is installed in the installation port 102. The connection between the valve channel 101 and the installation port 102 is an installation cavity. The installation cavity contains a valve ball assembly, which includes a valve ball 4 and a sealing sleeve 5 fitted on the outer surface of the valve ball 4. The valve ball 4 has a valve ball channel 401, and the sealing sleeve 5 has a sealing sleeve cavity 501. The sealing sleeve 5 is made of an elastic material, preferably made of rubber.

[0024] A hollow valve stem 6 is fixedly connected to the upper part of the valve ball 4. The valve stem 6 has an axially arranged valve stem inner channel 601. The lower side of the valve stem 6 has a valve stem side hole 602 that communicates with the sealing sleeve cavity 501 and the valve stem inner channel 601. The upper part of the sealing sleeve 5 has a sealing sleeve opening 502. The sealing sleeve opening 502 is fixedly connected to the valve stem 6 by a fastening sleeve 503. A fixed handle 9 is fixedly connected to the top of the valve stem 6. The middle part of the fixed handle 9 is hinged to the movable handle 10 through a first hinge member 11. A piston 8 is slidably sealed in the valve stem inner channel 601. The upper end of the piston 8 is hinged to one end of the connecting rod 13 through a second hinge member 17. The other end of the connecting rod 13 is hinged to one end of the movable handle 10 through a third hinge member 18.

[0025] The first hinge 11 is provided with a torsion spring 12, which always applies an upward force to the other end of the movable handle 10. The other end of the movable handle 10 is the grip part operated by the operator's hand. That is, the force of the torsion spring 12 always tends to separate the grip parts of the fixed handle 9 and the movable handle 10. When it is necessary to operate the valve, the grip parts of the fixed handle 9 and the movable handle 10 can be gripped by one hand at the same time to overcome the elastic force of the torsion spring 12 and make the movable handle 10 rotate around the first hinge 11. One end of the movable handle 10 is raised, which drives the connecting rod 13 and the piston 8 to move upward.

[0026] The valve body 1 has a conical first sealing surface 103 on its bottom inner wall, and the sealing cover 3 has a conical second sealing surface 301 at its lower part. The first sealing surface 103 and the second sealing surface 301 are conical rotating surfaces. When the sealing sleeve 5 expands, the outer surface of the sealing sleeve 5 can fit tightly with the first sealing surface 103 and the second sealing surface 301. The greater the pressure in the sealing sleeve cavity 501, the greater the degree of expansion of the sealing sleeve 5, and the larger the contact area between the outer surface of the sealing sleeve 5 and the first sealing surface 103 and the second sealing surface 301, the better the sealing effect. At the same time, the valve body 1, the valve ball 4, and the sealing cover 3 are made of metal materials, and the sealing sleeve 5 is made of rubber materials. When the rubber surface and the metal surface are squeezed, a strong adsorption force is generated. When the sealing sleeve 5 is in a state of pressure expansion, the contact surface between the sealing sleeve 5 and the valve body 1, the valve ball 4, and the sealing cover 3 is basically fixed. At this time, it is difficult to directly rotate the valve stem 6 by hand. In this way, the gas ball valve can have a certain locking ability to prevent accidental misoperation. When the sealing sleeve 5 is in a state of negative pressure contraction, the outer surface of the sealing sleeve 5 is out of contact with the first sealing surface 103 and the second sealing surface 301, forming a tiny gap. The surface of the sealing sleeve 5 no longer has an adsorption force. At this time, the valve stem 6 can be easily rotated directly by hand. During the rotation of the valve ball 4 and the sealing sleeve 5, the sealing sleeve 5 will not be affected by friction, that is, it will not cause wear to the sealing sleeve 5. The sealing performance of the gas ball valve will be well maintained.

[0027] Preferably, the length of the connecting rod 13 is adjustable. Specifically, the connecting rod can be configured as an adjustable two-section threaded rod, or the hinge joint between the connecting rod and the movable handle can be configured as a structure with an adjustable connecting rod length. These are easily implemented using existing technologies and will not be elaborated here. By making the connecting rod adjustable in length, the pressure inside the sealing sleeve 5 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the contact area between the outer surface of the sealing sleeve 5 and the first sealing surface 103 and the second sealing surface 301. Increasing the length of the connecting rod allows the piston to reach its lowest position when the grip of the movable handle 10 is released, resulting in greater pressure inside the sealing sleeve cavity 501 and a higher degree of expansion of the sealing sleeve 5. This leads to a larger contact area between the sealing sleeve 5 and the first sealing surface 103 and the second sealing surface 301, resulting in a higher sealing performance.

[0028] A disc spring 14 is provided between the sealing cover 3 and the valve cover 2, and the sealing cover 3 and the valve cover 2 are threaded together. The disc spring 14 can apply downward pressure to the sealing cover 3, so that even if the valve cover 2 is loose, the sealing cover 3 can always be kept in the predetermined position to maintain the good sealing performance of the gas valve.

[0029] A first packing element 15 is provided between the sealing cap 3 and the valve cover 2. The sealing cap 3 has a packing installation groove, and the first packing element 15 is disposed in the packing installation groove. A second packing element 16 is provided between the valve stem 6 and the valve cover 2. A packing gland 7 is provided above the second packing element 16, and the packing gland 7 is threadedly connected to the valve cover 2. A first mounting groove is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the piston 8, and a first sealing ring is installed in the first mounting groove. A second sealing ring is provided on the mounting surface of the sealing cap 3 and the valve body 1. A second mounting groove is provided on the valve body 1, and the second sealing ring is located in the second mounting groove. Through the above sealing structure, the sealing performance of the contact surfaces of the piston, valve stem, sealing cap, and valve cover can be improved, thereby improving the overall sealing performance of the valve.

[0030] Working principle of the invention: When the handle 10 is pressed down, it rotates around the first hinge 11, and one end moves upward, causing the connecting rod 13 and piston 8 to move upward. The piston 8 is lifted to a higher first position, which increases the volume of the valve stem inner channel 601 at the lower part of the piston 8 and reduces the air pressure. This causes the air pressure in the sealing sleeve cavity 501 to drop, causing the sealing sleeve 5 to contract. The sealing sleeve 5 forms gaps with both the first sealing surface 103 and the second sealing surface 301. In this way, the rotating rod can be easily rotated to open and close the ball valve without causing wear on the sealing sleeve.

[0031] When the valve is operated to the set position, the hand grip of the movable handle 10 is released. The movable handle 10 returns to its original position under the elastic force of the torsion spring 12. One end of the movable handle 10 moves downward, driving the connecting rod 13 and the piston 8 to move downward. The piston 8 descends to a lower second position, reducing the volume of the valve stem inner channel 601 at the lower part of the piston 8 and increasing the air pressure. As a result, the sealing sleeve cavity 501 is compressed and expanded. The sealing sleeve 5 returns to a tightly sealed state with the first sealing surface 103 and the second sealing surface 301. At this time, the contact surfaces of the sealing sleeve 5 with the valve body 1, the valve ball 4, and the sealing cover 3 are basically fixed. At this time, it is difficult to directly rotate the valve stem 6 by hand to lock the ball valve.

[0032] Although preferred embodiments have been described herein, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of this document.

[0033] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this document without departing from its spirit and scope. Thus, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, the intent of this document also includes such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A gas ball valve, comprising a valve body (1), a valve cover (2), a sealing cover (3), and a valve ball assembly, wherein the valve body (1) has a valve channel (101) therein, the upper part of the valve body (1) has an installation port (102), the valve cover (2) is fixedly installed on the valve body (1) to close the installation port (102), the sealing cover (3) is installed in the installation port (102), the connection between the valve channel (101) and the installation port (102) is an installation cavity, and the installation cavity is provided with a valve ball assembly, characterized in that, The valve ball assembly includes a valve ball (4) and a sealing sleeve (5) fitted on the outer surface of the valve ball (4). The valve ball (4) has a valve ball channel (401) inside, and the sealing sleeve (5) has a sealing sleeve cavity (501) inside. The sealing sleeve (5) is made of elastic material. A hollow valve stem (6) is fixedly connected to the upper part of the valve ball (4). The valve stem (6) has an axially arranged valve stem inner channel (601). The lower side of the valve stem (6) has a valve stem side hole (602) that communicates with the sealing sleeve cavity (501) and the valve stem inner channel (601). The upper part of the sealing sleeve (5) has a sealing sleeve opening (502). The sealing sleeve opening (502) is fixedly connected to the valve stem (6) by a fastening sleeve (503). A fixed handle (9) is fixedly connected to the top of the valve stem (6). The middle part of the fixed handle (9) is hinged to the movable handle (10) through a first hinge (11). A piston (8) is slidably sealed in the inner channel (601) of the valve stem. The upper end of the piston (8) is hinged to one end of the connecting rod (13) through a second hinge (17). The other end of the connecting rod (13) is hinged to one end of the movable handle (10) through a third hinge (18). A torsion spring (12) is provided on the first hinge (11). The torsion spring (12) always applies an upward force to the other end of the movable handle (10). A conical first sealing surface (103) is provided on the inner wall of the bottom of the valve body (1), and a conical second sealing surface (301) is provided at the bottom of the sealing cover (3). When the movable handle (10) is pressed down, the piston (8) is lifted to a higher first position, the air pressure in the sealing sleeve cavity (501) decreases, the sealing sleeve (5) contracts, and the sealing sleeve (5) forms gaps with the first sealing surface (103) and the second sealing surface (301). When the movable handle (10) is released, the movable handle (10) is reset under the elastic force of the torsion spring (12), the piston (8) drops to a lower second position, the sealing sleeve cavity (501) is squeezed and expanded, and the sealing sleeve (5) is in a sealed and tight state with the first sealing surface (103) and the second sealing surface (301).

2. A gas ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that A disc spring (14) is provided between the sealing cover (3) and the valve cover (2), and the sealing cover (3) and the valve cover (2) are threaded together.

3. A gas ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that A first packing element (15) is provided between the sealing cover (3) and the valve cover (2). The sealing cover (3) is provided with a packing installation groove, and the first packing element (15) is located in the packing installation groove.

4. A gas ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that A second packing member (16) is provided between the valve stem (6) and the valve cover (2), and a packing gland (7) is provided above the second packing member (16). The packing gland (7) is threadedly connected to the valve cover (2).

5. A gas ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The piston (8) has a first mounting groove on its outer circumferential surface, and a first sealing ring is installed in the first mounting groove.

6. A gas ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing cover (3) and the valve body (1) are provided with a second sealing ring on their mounting surfaces. The valve body (1) is provided with a second mounting groove, and the second sealing ring is located in the second mounting groove.

7. A gas ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing sleeve (5) is made of rubber material.

8. A gas ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the connecting rod (13) is adjustable.

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