Ball Valve Thermostat Sealing Reservoir for Debris Bypass
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ball valve thermostats in vehicle coolant systems experience debris accumulation at the seal surface, leading to increased friction and potential valve seizure due to debris being forced into close clearance areas, particularly on the inlet side of the engine where contaminants settle under gravity.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve with a recessed surface offset from the outer sealing surface forms a reservoir that creates a gap during rotation, allowing debris to pass through and prevent accumulation between the ball valve and housing sealing surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a ball valve thermostat is used in a vehicle coolant system, then low flow restriction is achieved, but debris accumulates at the seal surface leading to increased friction and potential valve seizure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface is segmented into two distinct surfaces: an outer sealing surface that contacts the housing seal, and an inner sealing surface that is offset from the outer surface. This segmentation creates a debris reservoir between the surfaces, preventing debris accumulation at the seal interface while maintaining low flow restriction through the valve.
2Ease of operation
If the ball valve is positioned on the inlet side of the engine, then it is located at a low point for coolant flow, but contaminants accumulate under gravity at this position
Solution Approach 1:
The valve design incorporates localized quality variations through the dual sealing surfaces and debris reservoir. The inner sealing surface area is specifically designed to be offset from the outer sealing surface, creating a localized debris collection zone that prevents contaminants from reaching the seal interface, thereby addressing the gravity-induced accumulation issue at the inlet side position.
3Productivity
If a partially closed valve position is used to control coolant flow, then flow restriction is reduced, but debris is forced into close clearance areas increasing friction
Solution Approach 1:
The debris reservoir acts as an intermediary space between the inner and outer sealing surfaces. During partial valve closure, debris is captured in this reservoir rather than being forced into the close clearance areas of the seal interface, thereby maintaining smooth valve operation and reducing friction forces while still achieving effective coolant flow control.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball valve for a ball valve assembly having a housing with a housing sealing surface configured to selectively seal against the ball valve. The ball valve includes an outer sealing surface configured to selectively seal against the housing sealing surface, and a recessed surface set inward of the outer sealing surface and defining a reservoir within the outer sealing surface. As the ball valve rotates between open and closed positions, the reservoir establishes a gap between the recessed surface and the housing sealing surface that enables debris to pass therethrough and facilitate preventing debris accumulation between the ball valve and the housing sealing surface.