Ball valve
Through the modular guide ring, retaining ring and sealing ring structural units, combined with elastic fit and flexible transition design, the problems of complex assembly and unstable sealing of ball valves in ultra-low temperature environments are solved, the stability and durability of sealing performance are improved, and the long-term stable operation of the system is ensured.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521170664.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-06-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing ball valves are difficult to assemble in ultra-low temperature environments due to the complex structure of multiple retaining rings, gaskets and springs. The sealing performance is unstable, and the difference in thermal expansion coefficient of the materials may cause sealing failure or structural damage.
It adopts a modular structural unit of guide ring, retaining ring and sealing ring, combined with elastic fit and flexible transition design, and automatically compensates the sealing gap through the slidable retaining ring and sealing ring combination structure. The arc groove and valve disc are fitted to reduce stress concentration. Stainless steel and butterfly springs are used to ensure the stability and durability of the seal.
It significantly simplifies the assembly process, improves sealing stability and pressure resistance, prevents leakage, extends the sealing life, and ensures long-term stable operation of the system in an environment with rapid switching between ultra-low temperature and normal temperature.
Smart Images
Figure CN223344741U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to a ball valve, belonging to the field of ball valves. Background Art
[0002] Typically, ball valves are used in fluid conveying systems such as powders and liquids, and the opening and closing of the opening and closing holes are achieved by rotating the ball.
[0003] Existing ball valves in ultra-low temperature environments involve a combination of multiple retaining rings, gaskets, seat rings and springs. The large number of parts and complex structure make assembly and maintenance difficult, which may increase manufacturing costs and error rates. In extreme temperature difference environments (such as rapid switching between ultra-low temperature and normal temperature), the thermal expansion coefficients of multiple metal and non-metallic seals are different, which can easily lead to loose fit or extrusion damage, affecting sealing performance. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a ball valve in order to overcome the shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art.
[0005] A ball valve comprises a valve body, a valve stem, a valve disc, a valve seat, an inlet flow channel and a water outlet flow channel, the valve disc is arranged at the bottom of the valve stem for controlling the on-and-off of the water inlet flow channel and the water outlet flow channel, the valve seat is provided with a first sealing component located on the side of the water inlet flow channel and a second sealing component located on the side of the water outlet flow channel, the first sealing component comprises a guide ring which is tightly attached to the valve seat on the outside, the guide ring is provided with a mounting groove, a first retaining ring is provided in the mounting groove, a first sealing ring for abutting with the valve disc to form a sealing connection is provided on the first retaining ring; the second sealing component comprises a mounting ring which is tightly attached to the valve seat, a second retaining ring is embedded in the mounting ring, and an arc groove is provided at the front end of the mounting ring for abutting with the valve disc to form a sealing connection. Compared with the complex sealing structure of the prior art that uses a combination of multiple retaining rings, washers and springs, the present invention modularizes the sealing assembly into a structural unit consisting of a guide ring, a retaining ring and a sealing ring, which significantly simplifies the number of components and reduces the complexity of the assembly process. The first sealing assembly uses a slidable retaining ring and sealing ring combination structure, which can automatically compensate for the sealing gap under changes in fluid pressure or temperature difference, keep the sealing surface and the valve disc tightly fitted, and effectively prevent leakage. The second sealing assembly is fitted with the valve disc by setting an arc groove at the front end of the mounting ring, thereby reducing local stress concentration while ensuring the sealing effect and extending the sealing life. The elastic fit and flexible transition design between the various sealing components can effectively absorb the dimensional changes caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficients of different materials in the rapid switching environment between ultra-low temperature and normal temperature, prevent sealing failure or structural damage caused by excessive gaps or mutual extrusion, and thus ensure the long-term stable operation of the system.
[0006] Preferably, the front end of the first retaining ring is provided with an interlocking groove, the first sealing ring is interlocked in the interlocking groove, and the front end of the first sealing ring is provided with an arc-shaped protrusion, which is used to abut against the valve disc to form a tight fit. The front end of the first sealing ring adopts an arc-shaped convex surface design, which can achieve surface contact with the spherical valve disc, effectively increasing the sealing contact area, and is more adaptable to slight displacements or eccentric changes compared to the flat sealing method, thereby improving the sealing stability and pressure adaptability. The interlocking structure can form dual axial and radial positioning of the sealing ring, effectively preventing the seal from falling off, rotating or dislocating during assembly or use, and ensuring structural stability under long-term use. The arc-shaped sealing end has a certain elastic buffering performance, which can absorb the thermal stress generated by slight vibrations and temperature differences during equipment operation, prevent damage or leakage caused by hard contact, and extend the service life of the seal.
[0007] Preferably, a gap is provided between the guide ring and the first retaining ring, and a first spring is positioned within the gap to propel the first sealing ring toward the valve disc. The first spring constantly applies forward thrust, maintaining constant pre-tightened contact between the first sealing ring and the valve disc. This allows the sealing surface gap to be compensated for, preventing leakage, even during fluctuations in medium pressure or slight disc deflection. The spring force automatically adjusts the contact pressure between the sealing ring and the valve disc, compensating for wear of the sealing ring due to long-term use or dimensional changes caused by temperature differences, thereby maintaining the long-term reliability of the sealing performance.
[0008] Preferably, a first sealing groove is provided on the rear side of the guide ring, a sealing gasket is provided in the first sealing groove, and a flange is provided on the valve seat to extend into the first sealing groove to compress the gasket. The first sealing groove and the gasket therein cooperate with the extended flange to form a butterfly plate type extrusion sealing structure, which can achieve secondary sealing in the lateral and radial directions of the valve stem, significantly reducing the risk of side leakage caused by sealing failure. The flange is directly pressed onto the sealing gasket, which can keep the gasket stable under the action of high-pressure medium, and is not easy to shift or bulge, ensuring the perfect fit of the sealing tongue surface and improving the overall pressure resistance level. The gasket is pre-assembled in the sealing groove of the guide ring, and then pressed integrally by the valve seat flange, without the need for additional fasteners, to achieve an integrated design of "one-install-and-tight"; when replacing, only the guide ring or valve seat needs to be disassembled to quickly replace the gasket.
[0009] Furthermore, the guide ring and first retaining ring are made of stainless steel, and the first spring is a disc spring. Stainless steel maintains excellent corrosion resistance and high strength and rigidity even in ultra-low temperature and high humidity environments, ensuring the dimensional stability and durability of the guide and retaining rings and resisting failure due to media corrosion or environmental aging. The disc spring, with its high load density and rapid elastic response, provides a uniform and adjustable initial preload within a compact installation space, ensuring continuous and stable pressure on the first sealing ring and a tight fit on the sealing surface.
[0010] Preferably, a first step is provided at the upper end of the second retaining ring, and a peripheral edge is provided on the outer side of the mounting ring. A packing cavity is formed between the first step and the peripheral edge of the mounting ring, and a graphite packing for sealing is provided in the packing cavity. The first step and the peripheral edge of the mounting ring together form the packing cavity, providing a reliable mechanical limit for the graphite packing, preventing the packing from being squeezed out or shifted under the action of the medium pressure, and effectively ensuring secondary sealing in the lateral and radial directions. The graphite packing itself has excellent high and low temperature adaptability and slight rebound ability. In the temperature difference between ultra-low temperature and normal temperature environment, the reserved space in the packing cavity can absorb the thermal expansion or contraction changes of metal parts, maintaining a stable seal.
[0011] Furthermore, a second step is provided on the rear side of the mounting ring, and a support ring is provided on the second step to support the mounting ring. One side of the support ring is connected to the mounting ring in a limited manner, and the other side is connected to the valve seat in a limited manner. The support ring is fixed to the second step of the mounting ring and is also connected to the valve seat in a limited manner. This can constrain the position and posture of the mounting ring in both the radial and axial directions, preventing ring displacement caused by media pressure or vibration, and ensuring that the sealing assembly is always in optimal working condition. The support ring forms a rigid connection between the mounting ring and the valve seat, distributing the radial and axial loads acting on the mounting ring and seal to the main body of the valve seat, reducing the force concentration on the mounting ring itself, and helping to improve the pressure resistance and fatigue resistance of the overall structure.
[0012] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: Compared with the complex sealing structure of the prior art that adopts a combination of multiple retaining rings, washers and springs, the present invention modularizes the sealing assembly into a structural unit consisting of a guide ring, a retaining ring and a sealing ring, which significantly simplifies the number of components and reduces the complexity of the assembly process. The first sealing assembly adopts a sliding retaining ring and a sealing ring combination structure, which can automatically compensate for the sealing gap under changes in fluid pressure or temperature difference, keep the sealing surface and the valve disc tightly fitted, and effectively prevent leakage. The second sealing assembly is fitted with the valve disc by setting an arc groove at the front end of the mounting ring, which reduces local stress concentration while ensuring the sealing effect and prolongs the sealing life. The elastic fit and flexible transition design between the various sealing components can effectively absorb the dimensional changes caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficients of different materials in the rapid switching environment between ultra-low temperature and normal temperature, prevent sealing failure or structural damage caused by excessive gaps or mutual extrusion, and thus ensure the long-term stable operation of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, without paying creative labor, other drawings obtained based on these drawings still fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0014] Figure 1 This is the main structure diagram of the utility model;
[0015] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified view of the details at center A;
[0016] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A magnified view of the detail at point B in the middle;
[0017] In the figure, 1. valve body; 2. valve stem; 3. valve disc; 4. valve seat; 41. flange; 42. water inlet channel; 43. water outlet channel; 5. first sealing assembly; 51. guide ring; 52. mounting groove; 53. first retaining ring; 54. fitting groove; 55. first sealing ring; 56. first spring; 57. sealing gasket; 6. second sealing assembly; 61. mounting ring; 62. surrounding edge; 63. second retaining ring; 64. arc groove; 65. first step; 66. packing cavity; 67. graphite packing; 68. second step; 69. support ring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clear, the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0019] It should be noted that all expressions using "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of distinguishing two non-identical entities or non-identical parameters with the same name. It can be seen that "first" and "second" are only for the convenience of expression and should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. Subsequent embodiments will not explain this one by one.
[0020] The directional and positional terms used in this invention, such as "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "left," "right," "inner," "outer," "top," "bottom," and "side," are used solely to refer to the directions or positions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional and positional terms used are intended to illustrate and facilitate understanding of this invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this invention.
[0021] like Figure 1-3As shown, an embodiment of a ball valve of the present invention includes a valve body 1, a valve stem 2, a valve disc 3, a valve seat 4, an inlet flow channel 42 and a water outlet flow channel 43. The valve disc 3 is arranged at the bottom of the valve stem 2 to control the on-off of the water inlet flow channel 42 and the water outlet flow channel 43. The valve seat 4 is provided with a first sealing component 5 located on one side of the water inlet flow channel 42 and a second sealing component 6 located on one side of the water outlet flow channel 43. The first sealing component 5 includes a guide ring 51 whose outer side is tightly attached to the valve seat 4, a mounting groove 52 is provided on the guide ring 51, a first retaining ring 53 is provided in the mounting groove 52, and a first sealing ring 55 for abutting with the valve disc 3 to form a sealed connection is provided in the first retaining ring 53; the second sealing component 6 includes a mounting ring 61 that is tightly attached to the valve seat 4, a second retaining ring 63 is embedded in the mounting ring 61, and an arc groove 64 is provided at the front end of the mounting ring 61 for abutting with the valve disc 3 to form a sealed connection. Compared with the complex sealing structure of the prior art that uses a combination of multiple retaining rings, washers and springs, the present invention modularizes the sealing assembly into a structural unit consisting of a guide ring 51, a retaining ring and a sealing ring, which significantly simplifies the number of components and reduces the complexity of the assembly process. The first sealing assembly 5 uses a sliding retaining ring and a sealing ring combination structure, which can automatically compensate for the sealing gap under changes in fluid pressure or temperature difference, keep the sealing surface and the valve disc 3 in close contact, and effectively prevent leakage. The second sealing assembly 6 is fitted with the valve disc 3 by setting an arc groove 64 at the front end of the mounting ring 61, thereby reducing local stress concentration while ensuring the sealing effect and extending the sealing life. The elastic fit and flexible transition design between the various sealing components can effectively absorb the dimensional changes caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficients of different materials in the rapid switching environment between ultra-low temperature and normal temperature, prevent sealing failure or structural damage caused by excessive gaps or mutual extrusion, and thus ensure the long-term stable operation of the system.
[0022] The front end of the first retaining ring 53 is provided with an interlocking groove 54, and the first sealing ring 55 is interlocked in the interlocking groove 54, and the front end of the first sealing ring 55 is set to be an arc-shaped protrusion, which is used to abut against the valve disc 3 to form a tight fit. The front end of the first sealing ring 55 adopts an arc-shaped convex surface design, which can achieve surface contact with the spherical valve disc 3, effectively increasing the sealing contact area. Compared with the flat sealing method, it can better adapt to slight displacement or eccentricity changes, and improve the sealing stability and pressure adaptability. The interlocking structure can form dual axial and radial positioning of the sealing ring, effectively preventing the seal from falling off, rotating or dislocating during assembly or use, and ensuring structural stability under long-term use. The arc-shaped sealing end has a certain elastic buffering performance, which can absorb the thermal stress generated by slight vibrations and temperature differences during equipment operation, prevent damage or leakage caused by hard contact, and extend the service life of the seal.
[0023] A gap is defined between the guide ring 51 and the first retaining ring 53. A first spring 56 is located within this gap, pushing the first sealing ring 55 toward the valve disc 3. This spring 56 exerts a constant forward thrust, ensuring that the first sealing ring 55 maintains constant pre-tightened contact with the valve disc 3. This compensates for the sealing surface gap and prevents leakage even when medium pressure fluctuates or the valve disc 3 deflects slightly. The spring force automatically adjusts the contact pressure between the sealing ring and the valve disc 3, compensating for wear of the sealing ring over time or dimensional changes due to temperature fluctuations, thereby maintaining long-term sealing reliability.
[0024] In the embodiment of the present application, unlike the above-described embodiment, a first sealing groove is provided on the rear side of the guide ring 51, in which a sealing gasket 57 is located. The valve seat 4 is provided with a flange 41 extending into the first sealing groove to compress the gasket. The first sealing groove and the gasket therein cooperate with the extended flange 41 to form a butterfly-type extrusion seal structure, which provides secondary sealing in the lateral and radial directions of the valve stem 2, significantly reducing the risk of leakage due to seal failure. The flange 41 directly presses against the sealing gasket 57, keeping the gasket stable under the action of high-pressure media and preventing it from shifting or bulging. This ensures a perfect fit of the sealing tongue surface and improves the overall pressure resistance rating. The gasket is pre-assembled in the sealing groove of the guide ring 51 and then integrally compressed by the flange 41 of the valve seat 4, eliminating the need for additional fasteners and achieving a "one-install, one-tight" integrated design. To replace the gasket, simply disassemble the guide ring 51 or the valve seat 4 to quickly replace it.
[0025] The guide ring 51 and first retaining ring 53 are made of stainless steel, and the first spring 56 is a disc spring. Stainless steel maintains excellent corrosion resistance and high strength and rigidity even in ultra-low temperature and high humidity environments, ensuring the dimensional stability and durability of the guide ring 51 and retaining ring, and resisting failure due to media corrosion or environmental aging. The disc spring, with its high load density and rapid elastic response, provides a uniform and adjustable initial preload within a compact installation space, ensuring continuous and stable pressure on the first sealing ring 55 and a tight fit on the sealing surface.
[0026] In the embodiment of the present application, unlike the above-described embodiment, a first step 65 is provided at the upper end of the second retaining ring 63, and a peripheral edge 62 is provided on the outer side of the mounting ring 61. A packing cavity 66 is formed between the first step 65 and the peripheral edge 62 of the mounting ring 61. A graphite packing 67 for sealing is provided within the packing cavity 66. The first step 65 and the peripheral edge 62 of the mounting ring 61 together form the packing cavity 66, providing a reliable mechanical limit for the graphite packing 67, preventing the packing from being squeezed out or displaced under the action of the medium pressure, and effectively ensuring secondary sealing in the lateral and radial directions. The graphite packing 67 itself has excellent high and low temperature adaptability and a slight rebound ability. In the temperature difference between ultra-low temperature and normal temperature, the reserved space in the packing cavity 66 can absorb the thermal expansion or contraction changes of metal parts, maintaining a stable seal.
[0027] A second step 68 is provided on the rear side of the mounting ring 61, and a support ring 69 is mounted on this second step 68 to support the mounting ring 61. One side of the support ring 69 is connected to the mounting ring 61 in a position-limiting manner, and the other side is connected to the valve seat 4 in a position-limiting manner. The support ring 69 is fixed to the second step 68 of the mounting ring 61 and is simultaneously connected to the valve seat 4 in a position-limiting manner. This constrains the position and posture of the mounting ring 61 in both the radial and axial directions, preventing ring displacement caused by media pressure or vibration, and ensuring that the sealing assembly always maintains optimal operating conditions. The support ring 69 forms a rigid connection between the mounting ring 61 and the valve seat 4, distributing the radial and axial loads exerted by the fluid on the mounting ring 61 and the seal to the main body of the valve seat 4, reducing the concentrated force on the mounting ring 61 itself and helping to improve the overall structure's pressure resistance and fatigue resistance.
[0028] The above disclosure is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and certainly cannot be used to limit the scope of rights of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent changes made according to the claims of the present invention are still within the scope covered by the present invention.
[0029] Although the present invention has been described with reference to several specific embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A ball valve, characterized in that: The closure of the valve seat is constructed so that when the closure is closed, the valve seat is closed and the closure is closed. The closure is constructed so that when the closure is closed, the valve seat is closed and the closure is closed. When the closure is closed, the valve seat is closed and the closure is closed.
2. The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein: The front end of the first retaining ring is provided with an engaging groove, the first sealing ring is engaged in the engaging groove, and the front end of the first sealing ring is arranged to protrude in a circular arc, and is used to abut against the valve disc to form a tight fit.
3. The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein: A gap is provided between the guide ring and the first retaining ring, and a first spring is provided in the gap for pushing the first sealing ring to move toward the valve disc.
4. The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein: A first sealing groove is provided at the rear side of the guide ring, a sealing gasket is provided in the first sealing groove, and a flange is provided on the valve seat to extend into the first sealing groove and press the gasket.
5. The ball valve according to claim 3, wherein: The guide ring and the first retaining ring are made of stainless steel, and the first spring is a butterfly spring.
6. The ball valve according to claim 1, wherein: A first step is provided on the upper end of the second retaining ring, a surrounding edge is provided on the outer side of the mounting ring, a packing cavity is formed between the first step and the surrounding edge of the mounting ring, and a graphite packing for sealing is provided in the packing cavity.
7. The ball valve according to claim 6, wherein: A second step is provided on the rear side of the mounting ring, and a support ring for supporting the mounting ring is provided on the second step. One side of the support ring is connected to the mounting ring limit, and the other side is connected to the valve seat limit.