Ball-Lock Check Valve Assembly for Precise Rotational Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing check valves face challenges in achieving precise alignment and assembly efficiency, particularly in high-pressure applications, due to misalignment issues and complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece check valve design using male and female housings with exterior and interior annular channels forming a toroidal tube, secured by ball locks that allow axial locking and rotational adjustment, ensuring precise alignment and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single valve body design is used, then the structure is simple, but alignment precision and assembly efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into male and female housing portions that can be assembled together. The male housing includes an exterior annular channel while the female housing includes an interior annular channel, allowing precise alignment through the mating interface between these segmented components.
2Device complexity
If a single valve body design is used, then the structure is simple, but assembly efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into male and female housings that can be assembled together. The male housing includes an exterior annular channel while the female housing includes an interior annular channel, allowing precise alignment through the mating interface between these segmented components.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball lock mechanism provides dynamic locking capability. The balls can be inserted into pin holes to lock the male and female housings in a specific rotational position, enabling quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining precise alignment during operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If ball locks are added for axial locking, then assembly precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball lock mechanism provides dynamic locking capability. The balls can be inserted into pin holes to lock the male and female housings in a specific rotational position, enabling quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining precise alignment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball locks act as intermediary elements between the male and female housings. These balls fit into corresponding pin holes to transmit and maintain the precise rotational alignment between the two housing portions during assembly and operation.
4Manufacturing precision
If rotational locking is added for precise alignment, then flow area control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball lock mechanism provides dynamic locking capability. The balls can be inserted into pin holes to lock the male and female housings in a specific rotational position, enabling quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining precise alignment during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball locks act as intermediary elements between the male and female housings. These balls fit into corresponding pin holes to transmit and maintain the precise rotational alignment between the two housing portions during assembly and operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve device includes male and female housings having, respectively, exterior and interior annular channels. The male housing is receivable into the female housing such that the exterior and interior annular channels together define a toroidal tube. The male and female housings together define a fluid through-passage. There are first and second valve elements disposed, respectively, in the male and female housings. Ball locks are receivable into the toroidal tube. The ball locks axially lock the male and female housings together but permit rotation between the male and female housings. A lock includes first and second pin holes in, respectively, the male and female housings. The lock is engageable to rotationally lock the male and female housings when the first and second pin holes are in alignment.