3-Way Ball Sector Valve for Stable Flow Direction Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spherical sector valves are limited in their application range and do not allow for precise control of fluid flow across multiple ports, leading to fluctuations in flow rate and requiring adjustments in pumping capacity when flow direction changes.
Innovation Solution
A 3-way ball sector valve design with a throttling element shaped like a spherical sector, featuring two openings with coordinated opening contours and positions to allow precise control of fluid flow through three ports, ensuring a substantially constant flow rate across all positions and directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional spherical sector valve is used, then the structure is simple, but the application range is limited and flow rate fluctuates when flow direction changes
Solution Approach 1:
The throttling element is divided into multiple opening cross-sections (first, second, and third openings) with different flow areas, allowing the valve to control flow through different ports independently. This segmentation enables the valve to adapt to multiple flow directions and applications while maintaining stable flow rate through coordinated opening design
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed as a 3-way valve with three ports (first, second, and third ports) that can handle multiple flow configurations: flow from one port to another, or flow from one port to both other ports simultaneously. The coordinated opening contours ensure that the sum of flow areas remains substantially constant across all positions, providing universal applicability while maintaining flow stability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the throttling element is rotated to change flow direction, then different flow paths are enabled, but the flow rate fluctuates and pumping capacity must be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The opening cross-sections are designed with specifically coordinated contours and positions such that the sum of the flow areas through the different openings remains substantially constant regardless of the throttling element's rotational position. This parameter coordination ensures that flow rate remains stable while flow direction changes, eliminating the need for pumping capacity adjustments
3Adaptability or versatility
If a 3-way valve design is implemented, then flow control flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple opening cross-sections are integrated into a single throttling element that rotates as one piece within the valve body. This merging of multiple flow control functions into a single rotating component achieves 3-way flow control flexibility while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate valves or complex mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a ball sector valve (1) with a valve housing (10) and a throttling element (30) rotatably mounted in the valve housing (10) about an axis of rotation (31), the throttling element being designed as a hollow spherical sector, wherein a flow channel (39) runs in the throttling element (30), wherein the ball sector valve (1) is designed as a 3-way valve with a first, second and third port (12, 16, 20) and wherein the throttling element (30) has exactly two openings (34, 36) opening into the flow channel (39), namely a first opening (34) and a second opening (36), wherein these two openings (34, 36) are opposite each other and have different opening cross-sections. The ball sector valve (1) is characterized by the fact that it is designed with a first and second end position of the throttling element (30).