Hydraulically assisted seal globe valve

Abstract

This utility model discloses a hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve, relating to the field of valve sealing technology. The rotary ball valve includes a valve body with three openings at both the top and bottom: two at the top and one at the bottom. The two top openings are respectively equipped with inlet pipe one and inlet pipe two, while the bottom opening is equipped with an outlet pipe. The inlet pipe one, inlet pipe two, and outlet pipe can be depressurized before valve opening to achieve active control. This utility model uses hydraulic adjustment to position the floating valve seat, making sealing relatively easy, easy to disengage, and with low torque. Hydraulic drive causes the valve seat to actively conform to the ball under medium pressure, forming a pressure-adaptive seal. Under positive pressure conditions, the medium pushes the valve seat towards the ball, compensating for initial installation deviations and ensuring uniform contact of the sealing surface. Under reverse pressure conditions, the valve seat retracts to form a micro-gap, preventing leakage due to increasing pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of valve sealing technology, and in particular to a hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve. Background Technology

[0002] The rotary ball valve is an industrial valve that combines the sealing performance of a ball valve with the structural advantages of a butterfly valve. It achieves media flow control and regulation through the rotation of an eccentric ball, and is widely used in harsh operating conditions in metallurgy, power, chemical, and municipal industries. The rotary ball valve can reliably shut off not only under forward pressure but also under reverse pressure or when the reverse pressure is significantly greater than the forward pressure. Furthermore, it automatically aligns itself and automatically compensates for wear during over-travel. When closing, it fully utilizes the energy of the medium inside the valve, automatically applying an extremely high sealing pressure to ensure reliable zero leakage between the high-hardness sealing surfaces. It achieves instantaneous closing and opening with no friction between the sealing surfaces.

[0003] In existing applications of rotary ball valves, the basic requirement is a hard seal with bidirectional sealing capability. This leads to increased manufacturing difficulty, susceptibility to scratches on the hard seal surface, shortened valve lifespan, and the need for a higher torque actuator due to the high opening torque required for hard seals, which complicates cost control. Furthermore, the hard seal pair is prone to scratches during opening and closing due to particulate media or installation deviations, resulting in increased sealing surface roughness and leakage rate. Moreover, the bidirectional pressure-bearing design requires the ball and seat to maintain a seal under both forward and reverse pressure, but reverse pressure may exacerbate sealing surface deformation, leading to a phenomenon where leakage increases with pressure.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues of high processing difficulty and easy scratching of the hard seal surface, a hydraulically adjusted floating valve seat position is employed, making sealing relatively easy, disengaging readily, and requiring low torque. Hydraulic actuation causes the valve seat to actively conform to the ball under medium pressure, forming a pressure-adaptive seal. Under forward pressure conditions, the medium pushes the valve seat towards the ball, compensating for initial installation deviations and ensuring uniform contact of the sealing surface. Under reverse pressure conditions, the valve seat retracts, creating a micro-gap to prevent leakage from increasing with pressure.

[0005] However, the existing rotary ball valves are cumbersome to operate because opening and closing the large valve requires manually operating two smaller valves first. Furthermore, forgetting to open the bypass valve first or reversing the closing sequence can lead to excessive pressure difference across the main valve, causing water hammer during opening and closing, which can result in pipeline vibration, seal failure, or even valve body rupture. In automated production lines, increased manual intervention leads to system cycle mismatch, causing upstream and downstream equipment to wait or idle, significantly reducing overall production efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and propose a hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve, which solves the problems of high processing difficulty and easy scratching of the hard sealing surface.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve includes a valve body with three openings at both its top and bottom ends: two at the top and one at the bottom. The top two openings are respectively equipped with an inlet pipe (first and second), and the bottom opening is equipped with an outlet pipe. The inlet pipes (first, second, and outlet) can be depressurized before valve opening to achieve active control. Before valve opening, a pressure relief device is connected to either inlet pipe (first or second) to release the high-pressure medium between the valve seat and the valve plate sealing surface in advance, preventing impact deformation of the sealing surface caused by direct high-pressure valve opening.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, an inlet ball valve is provided between the first inlet pipe and the second inlet pipe, and an outlet ball valve is fixedly connected to the end of the outlet pipe away from the orifice, while the end of the outlet ball valve away from the outlet pipe is fixedly connected to the second outlet pipe. This allows the inlet ball valve to independently control the on / off state of the first and second inlet pipes.

[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, valve seats are provided on the side of the inlet pipe and outlet pipe near the valve body. A movable cavity is formed inside the valve body outside the valve seat, and several sealing rings are provided between the movable cavity and the valve seat. A valve plate is provided inside the movable cavity outside the valve seat. This forward and reverse sealing separation design ensures that each flow channel is protected by a double layer of hard and soft seals. Even if the hard seal fails due to wear, the soft seal can still maintain its sealing performance.

[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, a slider is provided at one end of the valve seat near the interior of the movable cavity, and a sliding groove is provided on the side of the movable cavity near the valve seat. The slider is slidably connected inside the sliding groove. The slider is embedded in the sliding groove, restricting the valve seat to linear movement only along the axial direction, preventing the sealing surface from tilting due to valve plate deflection.

[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model, a filter screen is provided at the inlet of the second water inlet pipe. The filter screen is made of stainless steel sintered felt or perforated plate, and the pore size can be customized according to the working conditions, which can effectively intercept solid particles in the medium.

[0013] As a further improvement of this utility model, there is a difference in the movable area between the valve seat and the movable cavity, which allows the valve seat to slide inside the movable cavity. When the medium pressure acts on the valve seat, due to the existence of the movable area difference, the valve seat is subjected to an axial force towards the sealing surface, thereby pushing the valve seat to press tightly against the valve plate, forming a high-pressure seal.

[0014] As a further improvement of this utility model, both the inlet and outlet ball valves are solenoid valves. Upon receiving the opening command for the ball valve, the inlet ball valve automatically opens. After a delay of a few seconds, the ball valve begins to rotate. Upon receiving the closing command for the ball valve, the outlet ball valve automatically closes. After a delay of a few seconds, the ball valve stops rotating. After the opening command for the ball valve is issued, the inlet solenoid valve opens rapidly to establish initial pressure, and then starts rotating after a 2-5 second delay. This allows the medium to gradually fill the pipeline, avoiding sudden changes in medium flow rate due to the abrupt opening of the ball valve, thereby eliminating the water hammer effect.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are as follows:

[0016] 1. The floating valve seat position is adjusted hydraulically, making sealing relatively easy, easy to disengage, and requiring low torque. Hydraulic drive causes the valve seat to actively conform to the ball under medium pressure, forming a pressure-adaptive seal. Under forward pressure conditions, the medium pushes the valve seat towards the ball, compensating for initial installation deviations and ensuring uniform contact of the sealing surface; under reverse pressure conditions, the valve seat retracts to form a micro-gap, preventing leakage as pressure increases.

[0017] 2. The design incorporates dual solenoid valves at both the inlet and outlet ends. These valves automatically execute the logic of inlet, delay, valve opening, and outlet, delay, and valve shut-off according to a preset sequence. Operators only need to issue commands; no manual step-by-step operation is required. Furthermore, it achieves self-adaptive bidirectional sealing. In reverse flow, the solenoid valve on / off sequence is adjusted to automatically match the reverse sealing requirements without the need for additional structural modifications. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 This utility model Figure 1 A magnified structural diagram of point A in the middle.

[0020] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 1 A magnified structural diagram at point B in the middle.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Valve body; 2. Sealing ring; 3. Valve plate; 4. Valve seat; 5. Inlet pipe one; 6. Inlet ball valve; 7. Inlet pipe two; 8. Outlet pipe one; 9. Outlet ball valve; 10. Outlet pipe two. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a full understanding of this utility model. However, this utility model can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0023] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly attached to the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0024] See attached document Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 3 A hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve includes a valve body 1, a valve seat 4, an inlet pipe 1 5, an inlet ball valve 6, an inlet pipe 2 7, an outlet pipe 1 8, an outlet ball valve 9, and an outlet pipe 2 10.

[0025] The embodiment takes the use of this rotary ball valve as an example. When using this utility model, as follows... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, first, a hole is made on the top of the valve body 1, and the connected inlet pipe 5, inlet ball valve 6 and inlet pipe 7 are installed on the valve body 1, with one side leading directly to the inlet and the other side leading to the valve seat 4.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, then make a hole at the bottom of the valve body 1, and install the connected water outlet pipe 8, water outlet ball valve 9 and water outlet pipe 10 on the valve body 1, with one side leading into the valve seat 4 and the other side leading directly out of the water.

[0027] When the ball valve is closed, water enters from the inlet direction through inlet pipe 5, the inlet ball valve 6, and inlet pipe 7, and enters valve seat 4. Under water pressure, valve seat 4 is pushed closer to and pressed against the sealing surface of valve plate 3, assisting in low-pressure sealing and even high-pressure sealing. When the ball valve needs to be opened, water in valve seat 4 enters the outlet end through outlet pipe 8, the outlet ball valve 9, and outlet pipe 10. Valve seat 4 slightly separates from the sealing surface of valve plate 3, creating a gap between them. Then, the ball valve is opened by the drive device, reducing torque and friction between the hard sealing surfaces, thus reducing damage and increasing the service life of the ball valve. Conversely, water entering from the outlet end causes the ball valve to seal in the reverse direction, changing the operating sequence of the inlet and outlet ball valves, which also serves as an auxiliary seal. The position of the floating valve seat 4 is adjusted hydraulically, making sealing relatively easy, easy to disengage, and with low torque. Hydraulic drive causes valve seat 4 to actively adhere to the ball under medium pressure, forming a pressure-adaptive seal. Under positive pressure, the medium pushes the valve seat 4 towards the ball, compensating for initial installation deviations and ensuring uniform contact of the sealing surface. Under reverse pressure, the valve seat retracts to form a micro-gap, preventing leakage due to increasing pressure. Furthermore, the linkage control between the inlet ball valve 6 and the outlet ball valve 9 achieves automated logic for water inlet, sealing, drainage, and disengagement. When closing the rotary ball valve, simply open the inlet ball valve 6; the water pressure automatically pushes the valve seat 4 against the valve plate 3. When opening the rotary ball valve, open the outlet ball valve 9; the valve seat 4 automatically disengages, requiring no manual operation.

[0028] In the use of inlet ball valve 6 and outlet ball valve 9, the inlet ball valve 6 automatically opens after a command to open the rotary ball valve is issued. After a delay of a few seconds, the rotary ball valve starts rotating. Similarly, the outlet ball valve 9 automatically closes after a command to close the rotary ball valve is issued. After a delay of a few seconds, the rotary ball valve stops rotating. Through the design of dual solenoid valves, linked with the main drive rotary ball valve, the dual solenoid valves automatically execute the logic of inlet, delay, valve opening, and drain, delay, and valve stopping according to a preset sequence. Operators only need to issue commands; no manual step-by-step operation is required. Furthermore, it achieves self-adaptive bidirectional sealing. In reverse flow, by adjusting the on / off sequence of the solenoid valves, it automatically matches the reverse sealing requirements without requiring additional structural modifications.

[0029] The operation process of this utility model is as follows: Stainless steel water pipes and shut-off ball valves are installed in the inlet and outlet directions. When the ball valve is closed, if there is pressure in the inlet direction, the electric control automatically opens the inlet ball valves 6 on inlet pipe 1 (5) and inlet pipe 2 (7). Water enters the valve seat 4 through the stainless steel inlet pipe. There is a difference in the movable area between the movable chambers of the valve seat 4. The slider set near the movable chamber of the valve seat 4 is slidably connected to the inside of the groove. Then, the water pressure generates a thrust on the valve seat 4, causing the valve seat 4 to approach and adhere to the sealing surface of the valve plate 3, assisting in low-pressure or even high-pressure sealing. When the ball valve is opened, the outlet ball valves 9 on outlet pipe 1 (8) and outlet pipe 2 (10) are opened first to release the water pressure in the valve seat 4, causing the valve seat 4 to disengage from the sealing surface of the valve plate 3. When the ball valve is opened again, because there is a gap between the sealing surfaces of the valve seat 4 and the valve plate 3, the torque will decrease, and the damage to the hard sealing surface will be small. The reverse operation is also the same.

[0030] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve, comprising a rotary ball valve, characterized in that, The rotary ball valve includes a valve body (1). The valve body (1) has openings at both the top and bottom. There are three openings in total, two at the top and one at the bottom. The two openings at the top are respectively provided with a water inlet pipe one (5) and a water inlet pipe two (7). The opening at the bottom is provided with a water outlet pipe (8). The water inlet pipe one (5), water inlet pipe two (7) and water outlet pipe (8) can be depressurized before the valve is opened to achieve active control.

2. The hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, An inlet ball valve (6) is provided between the first inlet pipe (5) and the second inlet pipe (7). An outlet ball valve (9) is fixedly connected to the end of the outlet pipe (8) away from the hole. An outlet pipe (10) is fixedly connected to the end of the outlet ball valve (9) away from the outlet pipe (8).

3. A hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the inlet pipe (7) and the outlet pipe (8) are provided with valve seats (4) on the side near the valve body (1). The valve body (1) is provided with a movable cavity outside the valve seat (4). Several sealing rings (2) are provided between the movable cavity and the valve seat (4). A valve plate (3) is provided inside the movable cavity outside the valve seat (4).

4. A hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each valve seat (4) is provided with a slider at one end near the interior of the movable cavity, and each movable cavity is provided with a groove on the side near the valve seat (4), and the slider is slidably connected inside the groove.

5. A hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, A filter screen is installed at the inlet of the second water inlet pipe (7).

6. A hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, There is a difference in the movable area between the valve seat (4) and the movable cavity, and the difference in the area is used to allow the valve seat (4) to slide inside the movable cavity.

7. A hydraulically assisted sealing rotary ball valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, Both the inlet ball valve (6) and the outlet ball valve (9) are solenoid valves. After the opening command of the rotary ball valve is issued, the inlet ball valve (6) is automatically opened. After the inlet ball valve (6) is opened, the rotary ball valve is started to rotate after a delay of a few seconds. After the closing command of the rotary ball valve is issued, the outlet ball valve (9) is automatically closed. After the outlet ball valve (9) is closed, the rotary ball valve stops rotating after a delay of a few seconds.

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