Multi-Angular Ball Valve Sealing for Coolant Flow Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coolant control regulators with ball valves are limited to a single open or closed state, restricting the number of sealing and flow states within a 360° rotation, which limits additional flow control options.
Innovation Solution
A coolant control regulator assembly featuring a plurality of modular housings with internal ball valves, each having multiple apertures that align with inlet and outlet ports at various rotational positions, allowing for multiple sealing and flow states, enabling increased cooling and heating mode capacity and control over multiple control circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional ball valve with a single seal is used, then the structure is simple, but the number of sealing and flow states is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve is segmented into multiple quadrants with separate seal elements positioned at different angular locations. Each seal can independently engage with the housing to create distinct sealing zones, allowing the valve to achieve multiple sealing states (e.g., 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° positions) within a single 360° rotation cycle, thereby increasing adaptability without requiring multiple separate valves
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-plane sealing approach to a multi-angular sealing architecture by distributing seal elements around the circumference of the ball valve. This dimensional expansion from one sealing location to multiple angular positions enables the valve to control multiple flow paths simultaneously, achieving greater versatility while maintaining a unified valve body structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If a ball valve with multiple sealing states is implemented, then flow control capability increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-angular seal ball valve is designed as a universal component that can control multiple coolant flow circuits through a single valve body. By positioning seal elements at different angular locations around the ball, the valve can selectively open or close multiple flow paths by rotating to different positions, enabling one valve to perform the function of multiple separate valves and thereby managing complexity through consolidation
Data Source
AI summary
A coolant control regulator assembly that comprises a plurality of modular housings, an actuator, and a plurality of ball valves. The actuator is operatively connected to at least one of the plurality of modular housings. Each of the modular housings comprises an internal cavity, at least one inlet port, and at least one outlet port. Further, each of the internal cavities includes one of the plurality of ball valves positioned therein. At least one of the plurality of ball valves comprises a plurality of apertures that are configured to align with the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port in certain rotational positions.