Auto-Drain Ball Valve Venting for High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic exhaust ball valves experience leakage and reduced lifespan due to deformation under high pressures (above 200-300 PSI), limiting their use in higher pressure environments and shortening their operational life.
Innovation Solution
A linked self-draining valve design featuring a needle valve at the bottom of the ball valve that automatically opens or closes with the rotation of the valve ball, preventing leakage by relieving pipe pressure and extending the valve's lifespan, capable of operating at pressures up to 600 PSI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the ball valve is used in high pressure environments (above 200-300 PSI), then the valve can operate in higher pressure working environments, but leakage occurs between the ball and the ball seat and through the open hole at the bottom of the valve body
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sealing function into multiple components: a primary sealing interface between the ball and ball seat, and a secondary sealing mechanism involving the needle valve and exhaust port. This segmentation allows each sealing interface to be optimized independently for high pressure conditions, preventing leakage through multiple potential paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle valve acts as an intermediary component that automatically responds to pressure changes. When high pressure causes deformation between the ball and ball seat, the needle valve opens to relieve pressure, serving as a mediator that protects the primary sealing interface from damage.
2Stress or pressure
If the ball valve operates at high pressure (above 200-300 PSI), then the valve can handle higher pressure working environments, but the deformation between the ball body and the ball seat shortens the life of the ball valve
Solution Approach 1:
The needle valve provides preliminary protection by detecting pressure-induced deformation early and opening to relieve pressure before significant damage accumulates. This preliminary action prevents the ball and ball seat from sustaining irreversible deformation that would shorten valve lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle valve creates a feedback mechanism where pressure deformation automatically triggers pressure relief. The deformation itself opens the needle valve, which then relieves the pressure causing the deformation, creating a self-regulating system that protects the valve from cumulative damage.
3Productivity
If the ball valve is in the fully open position with gas pressure greater than 200-300 PSI, then the valve can maintain flow, but leakage occurs between the ball and the ball seat
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different sealing qualities to different locations: the primary ball-to-ball-seat interface provides sealing during normal operation, while the needle valve provides localized pressure relief sealing at the exhaust port. This local differentiation allows full flow capacity while preventing leakage through the exhaust path.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is ball valve with automatic safety exhaust function, which is suitable for working environments in high pressure applications, such as up to 600 psi of water, oil, and gas. The ball valve includes a valve body, cap, ball with a vent hole, stem, a built-in vent needle valve, and seals. When the valve is in the closed position, the built-in needle valve is in the open state. The downstream gas enters the bottom of the valve cavity from the exhaust hole on the ball and exits the valve body through the needle valve hole. When the ball valve is in the open position, the built-in needle valve is in the closed state. The built-in needle valve design ensures that under high-pressure use (open state), the gas will not leak out of the valve body.