Flow control valve and its ball holder

Abstract

FIELD: valves.SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to a valve ball holder. A fluid flow control valve is proposed, comprising: a valve body (1) having a first air channel (11) and a second air channel (12). Between the first air channel (11) and the second air channel (12), the first air channel (13) of the valve is arranged. The valve body (1) comprises an annular shut-off part (14) on the surface of its inner wall, and a second air channel (141) of the valve passes through the annular shut-off part (14). A ball holder (2) that structurally combines a connecting part (22) and an elongated mounting hole (211) at its two opposite ends. The connecting part (22) comprises an air channel (221), in the holder (2) of the ball in the section between the elongated installation hole (211) and the connecting part (22) there are lateral through holes (23) communicating with the first air channel (13) of the valve and the air channel (221). The mounting elongated hole (211) is provided with a magnetic element (24), the connecting part (22) is connected to the inner wall of the first air duct (11), and the mounting elongated hole (211) faces the annular shut-off part (14). The valve comprises a magnetic ball (3), wherein the magnetic ball (3) is mounted and adapted for movement in the first air channel (13) of the valve and is located between the annular shut-off part (14) and the mounting elongated hole (211). When the magnetic ball (3) does not block the movement of the fluid and does not regulate its flow rate, the magnetic ball (3) adjoins the mounting elongated hole (211) under the action of the magnetic attraction of the magnetic element (24), due to which its free movement is excluded.EFFECT: elimination of spontaneous movement of the magnetic ball in the valve, as well as the absence of vibration and displacement.9 cl, 12 dwg

Description

[0001] Field of technology to which the present invention pertains

[0002] The present invention relates to the regulation of fluid flow, in particular to the regulation of fluid flow in gas pipelines and liquefied gas pipelines, which includes such fluid flow control operations as preventing backflow, interrupting flow and limiting flow.

[0003] Background Art of the Present Invention

[0004] Flammable gas refers to gases that can be used as fuel (e.g., natural gas, methane, and coal gas) and that are capable of releasing significant amounts of heat energy when burned. Consequently, they are widely used in everyday life. For example, devices commonly used to burn gas as a source of energy in the home include water heaters and gas stoves.

[0005] However, regulators are typically installed in gaseous or liquefied gas transmission lines to control the flow of fluids to prevent certain common gas emergencies. For example, in a centralized gas pipeline system, a check valve is installed between the manifold pipe and individual gas cylinders to prevent gas from flowing from other cylinders into a damaged pipeline. Alternatively, an excess flow valve is used in gas pipelines to immediately block gas leakage from the source if a pipeline is damaged.

[0006] Currently marketed products, both excess flow valves and check valves, typically incorporate a check ball to regulate fluid flow according to their specific design. However, existing products with check balls have installation angle limitations. In other cases, the check ball tends to vibrate or slightly shift within the product when flow is not interrupted, disrupting the stability of fluid flow through the valve body.

[0007] Brief Disclosure of the Present Invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a ball holder mounting portion containing a magnetic element. When the ball holder is mounted in a valve body such that the magnetic element faces the magnetic ball, the magnetic ball can be attracted to the mounting portion by the magnetic force of the magnetic element. When a fluid flows around the magnetic ball, if the pressure generated by the fluid exceeds the attractive force between the magnetic element and the magnetic ball, the magnetic ball separates from the mounting portion, interrupting the flow of the fluid or preventing backflow. When the abnormal condition that caused the magnetic ball to separate from the mounting portion disappears, the magnetic ball returns to a state of attraction to the mounting portion due to the magnetic force of the magnetic element.Accordingly, it should be understood that when the ball holder is installed in the valve body, the magnetic ball does not move arbitrarily when the flow interruption control is not performed, due to the magnetic attraction of the magnetic element to the installation part.

[0009] The present invention relates to a fluid flow control valve comprising: a valve body including a first air passage and a second air passage, wherein a first air passage of the valve is defined between the first air passage and the second air passage, the valve body contains an annular shut-off part formed on its inner wall and located between the second air passage and the first air passage of the valve, and a second air passage of the valve passes through the annular shut-off part, which communicates with the first air passage of the valve;a ball holder comprising a mounting portion, a connecting portion and a lateral through hole located between the mounting portion and the connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion comprises at least one air passage, the lateral through hole communicates, respectively, with the first air passage of the valve and the air passage, the mounting portion is provided with a magnetic element, the connecting portion is connected to the inner wall of the first air passage, and the mounting portion faces the annular shut-off portion; and a magnetic ball mounted with the possibility of movement in the first air passage of the valve and located between the annular shut-off portion and the mounting portion.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present invention, the mounting portion of the ball holder comprises a mounting elongated hole, the inner wall of which is provided with a thread, wherein one end of the magnetic element is provided with a screw element that mates with the threaded inner wall of the mounting elongated hole.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present invention, the screw element is provided with a working groove defined at one of its ends and facing the connecting part.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic element is located in the center of the mounting portion.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present invention, a fluid flow control valve ball holder comprises a mounting portion, a connecting portion, and a lateral through hole located between the mounting portion and the connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion comprises at least one air channel, the lateral through hole communicates with the air channel, and the mounting portion is provided with a magnetic element.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the mounting portion of the ball holder comprises a mounting elongated hole, the inner wall of which is provided with a thread, wherein one end of the magnetic element is provided with a screw element that mates with the threaded inner wall of the mounting elongated hole.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present invention, the screw element is provided with a working groove defined at one of its ends and facing the connecting part.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic element is located in the center of the mounting portion.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of lateral through holes are provided that are arranged in a circle.

[0018] Brief description of drawings

[0019] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a ball holder according to the present invention;

[0020] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a ball holder according to the present invention;

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a cross-section taken along the line Ш-П shown in Fig. 1;

[0022] Fig. 4 shows one embodiment of a valve body according to the present invention;

[0023] Fig. 5 shows a cross-section taken along the line VV shown in Fig. 4;

[0024] Fig. 6 shows how the magnetic ball is separated from the mounting part under the pressure of the fluid;

[0025] Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of a valve body according to the present invention;

[0026] Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the valve body according to the present invention, and also schematically shows the separation of the magnetic ball from the mounting part under the pressure of the fluid;

[0027] Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the ball holder;

[0028] Fig. 10 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the ball holder;

[0029] Fig. 11 shows a cross-section taken along line XI-XI shown in Fig. 9; and

[0030] Fig. 12 shows the adjustment of the position of the magnetic element.

[0031] Detailed Disclosure of the Preferred Embodiment of the Present Invention

[0032] As shown in Fig. 1-3, the ball holder (2) according to the present invention includes a mounting portion (21) and a connecting portion (22) at its two opposite ends. The connecting portion (22) includes an air passage (221), and the ball holder (2) includes a lateral through hole (23) located between the mounting portion (21) and the connecting portion (22). The lateral through hole (23) communicates with the air passage (221). The mounting portion (21) is provided with a magnetic element (24).

[0033] As shown in Fig. 4 and 5, the fluid flow control valve according to the present invention comprises a valve body (1) that includes a first air passage (11) and a second air passage (12). Between the first air passage (11) and the second air passage (12), a first air passage (13) of the valve is defined. The valve body (1) includes an annular shut-off portion (14) formed on its inner wall and located between the second air passage (12) and the first air passage (13) of the valve. A second air passage (141) of the valve passes through the annular shut-off portion (14) and communicates with the first air passage (13) of the valve. The connecting portion (22) is connected to the inner wall of the first air passage (11). The mounting portion (21) faces the annular shut-off portion (14).In the first air channel (13) of the valve, a magnetic ball (3) is installed with the possibility of movement, which is located between the installation part (21) and the annular shut-off part (14).

[0034] The magnetic ball (3) can be made of materials such as iron, cobalt, nickel, and other magnetic materials. Magnetic materials do not necessarily possess magnetism, but when approached by a magnet, they become magnetized and exhibit magnetic properties. Therefore, the magnetic element (24) can attract the magnetic ball (3) by magnetic force. The annular sealing part (14) can be a member containing a sealing ring (142).

[0035] As shown in Fig. 5, the mounting portion (21) of the ball holder (2) includes a magnetic element (24). When the ball holder (2) is mounted in the valve body (1) so that the magnetic element (24) faces the magnetic ball (3), the magnetic ball (3) can be attracted to the mounting portion (21) by the magnetic force of the magnetic element (24). When the fluid flows around the magnetic ball (3), and if the pressure generated by the fluid exceeds the attractive force between the magnetic element (24) and the magnetic ball (3), the magnetic ball (3) is separated from the mounting portion (21) and interrupts the flow of the fluid or prevents backflow. When the abnormal condition that caused the separation of the magnetic ball (3) from the mounting portion (21) disappears, the magnetic ball (3) returns to the state of attraction to the mounting portion (21) due to the magnetic force of the magnetic element (24).Accordingly, it should be understood that when the ball holder (2) is installed in the valve body (1), the magnetic ball (3) does not move arbitrarily when the flow interruption control is not performed, due to the magnetic attraction of the magnetic element (24) to the installation part (21).

[0036] The type of fluid flow control performed in the valve body (1) mainly depends on the normal flow direction at the inlet and outlet. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, if the fluid flows in the normal direction indicated by the arrows, where the first air passage (11) serves as the outlet for the fluid, and the second air passage (12) serves as the inlet for the fluid, then the fluid flow control in the valve body (1) is performed according to the operating principle of the backflow prevention valve. Therefore, if the fluid flows in the reverse direction, as shown in Fig. 6, and the pressure generated by the fluid exceeds the attractive force between the magnetic element (24) and the magnetic ball (3), then the magnetic ball (3) is separated from the mounting portion (21) and closes the communication between the first air passage (13) of the valve and the second air passage (141) of the valve.

[0037] When the valve body (1) is used in a liquefied gas manifold pipeline, with the shut-off mechanism closed, the pressure generated by the reverse flow of fluid in the manifold pipeline may be insufficient to separate the magnetic ball (3) from the mounting part (21). Consequently, a certain amount of fluid in the manifold pipeline can flow freely in the reverse direction, which prevents its accumulation in the manifold pipeline and thereby reduces the risk of rupture of said pipeline.

[0038] If the valve body (1) is used with the normal direction of fluid flow, as shown in Fig. 7, where the first air passage (11) serves as an inlet for the fluid, and the second air passage (12) serves as an outlet for the fluid, and the fluid flows in a normal manner, then the pressure generated may be insufficient to separate the magnetic ball (3) from the mounting portion (21). In this case, the flow rate of the fluid in the valve body (1) is controlled by the principle of operation of a bypass valve. In the event of an accident, for example, a rupture in the outlet pipeline, the pressure of the fluid inside the pipeline instantly increases, as shown in Fig. 8, and the pressure of the fluid may be sufficient to separate the magnetic ball (3) from the mounting portion (21), which will lead to the blocking of communication between the first air passage (13) of the valve and the second air passage (141) of the valve, preventing further leakage.

[0039] Accordingly, the ball holder (2) according to the present invention can ensure that the magnetic ball (3) is attracted to the mounting portion (21) by the magnetic force of the magnetic element (24) at times when the fluid flow is not interrupted, regardless of the type of fluid flow control performed in the valve body (1). Thanks to the technology of magnetically fixing the position of the magnetic ball (3), its displacement inside the valve body (1) is prevented at times when the fluid flow is not interrupted, regardless of the installation angle of the valve body (1) in the working position, which effectively eliminates the problems characteristic of conventional products.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 9-11, the mounting portion (21) of the ball holder (2) comprises a mounting elongated hole (211) with an inner wall provided with a thread. One of the ends of the magnetic element (24) is provided with a screw (25) that mates with a thread on the inner wall of the mounting elongated hole (211). The screw (25) comprises a working groove (251) on the side facing the connecting portion (22). The working groove (251) may have a hexagonal, straight, cross-shaped or other shape. In this embodiment of the present invention, a working groove (251) of a hexagonal shape is shown. This structure allows the user, as shown in Fig. 12, to adjust the position of the magnetic element (24) in the mounting elongated hole (211) by manually inserting a tool into the working groove (251).This adjustment changes the distance between the magnetic ball (3) and the magnetic element (24) when the magnetic ball (3) is attracted to the mounting portion (21), which makes it possible to adjust the amount of force required to separate the magnetic ball (3) from the mounting portion (21).

[0041] Although a specific embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other embodiments of the claimed invention can be devised without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A fluid flow control valve comprising: a valve body (1) comprising a first air channel (11) and a second air channel (12), wherein between the first air channel (11) and the second air channel (12) a first air channel (13) of the valve is defined, the valve body (1) comprises an annular shut-off part (14) formed on its inner wall and located between the second air channel (12) and the first air channel (13) of the valve, and through the annular shut-off part (14) a second air channel (141) of the valve passes, which communicates with the first air channel (13) of the valve; a ball holder (2) comprising a mounting portion (21), a connecting portion (22) and a lateral through hole (23) located between the mounting portion (21) and the connecting portion (22), wherein the connecting portion (22) comprises at least one air duct (221), the lateral through hole (23) communicates, respectively, with the first air duct (13) of the valve and the air duct (221), the mounting portion (21) is provided with a magnetic element (24), the connecting portion (22) is connected to the inner wall of the first air duct (11), and the mounting portion (21) faces the annular shut-off portion (14); and a magnetic ball (3) mounted with the possibility of movement in the first air channel (13) of the valve and located between the annular shut-off part (14) and the installation part (21).

2. A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1, in which the mounting portion (21) of the ball holder (2) comprises an elongated mounting hole (211) with an inner wall provided with a thread, wherein one end of the magnetic element (24) is provided with a screw element (25) which mates with the threaded inner wall of the elongated mounting hole (211).

3. A fluid flow control valve according to claim 2, in which the screw element (25) is provided with a working groove (251) defined at one of its ends and facing the connecting part (22).

4. A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1, in which the magnetic element (24) is located in the center of the mounting portion (21).

5. A holder (2) for a ball for a fluid flow control valve, comprising a mounting portion (21), a connecting portion (22) and a lateral through hole (23) located between the mounting portion (21) and the connecting portion (22); wherein the connecting part (22) contains at least one air channel (221), the lateral through hole (23) communicates with the air channel (221), and the mounting part (21) is provided with a magnetic element (24).

6. The ball holder according to claim 5, in which the mounting portion (21) of the ball holder (2) comprises an elongated mounting hole (211) with an inner wall provided with a thread, wherein one of the ends of the magnetic element (24) is provided with a screw element (25) which mates with the threaded inner wall of the elongated mounting hole (211).

7. The ball holder according to claim 6, in which the screw element (25) comprises a working groove (251) defined at one of its ends and facing the connecting part (22).

8. The ball holder according to claim 5, in which the magnetic element (24) is located in the center of the mounting part (21).

9. The ball holder according to item 5, in which a plurality of lateral through holes (23) are provided, arranged in a circle.

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