Rotating Ball Valve for Independent Respiratory Gas Outlet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Respiration circuits require two separate sources of pressurized gas, which is difficult to manage in a home setting and can be awkward or harmful when one source needs to be terminated without affecting the other.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve with a rotatable ball mechanism that allows selective fluid communication between a gas inlet and multiple outlets, enabling independent control of gas flow to each outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a Y-splitter is used to provide pressurized gas to two devices from a single source, then the complexity of providing two separate gas sources is reduced, but the ability to independently control gas flow to each device is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve divides the single gas inlet flow path into multiple independent outlet paths by segmenting the internal ball structure with separate channels for each outlet. This allows the gas flow to be segmented and directed to different outlets independently through rotation of the ball, resolving the contradiction by maintaining system simplicity while enabling independent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball valve employs a rotatable ball mechanism that dynamically redirects gas flow between multiple outlets. By rotating the ball to different angular positions, the internal channels align with different outlet ports, enabling dynamic and independent control of gas flow to each device while maintaining a simple single-inlet structure.
2Ease of operation
If the gas supply is cut off to terminate one device's gas flow, then the gas flow to that device is stopped, but the gas flow to other devices is also interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve segments the gas distribution function so that each outlet has its own independent control channel within the ball structure. This segmentation allows the gas supply to be terminated for one specific outlet by rotating the ball to misalign that outlet's channel, while other outlets remain aligned and continue receiving gas flow uninterrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable ball acts as an intermediary flow distributor that mediates between the single gas inlet and multiple outlets. It enables selective termination of gas flow to specific devices by redirecting the flow through its internal channels, allowing one outlet to be closed while maintaining flow to other outlets through the same inlet source.
3Ease of operation
If two separate sources of pressurized gas are provided to support multiple devices, then independent gas supply to each device is achieved, but the complexity and difficulty of managing the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball valve merges the function of multiple gas supply sources into a single integrated valve body with one inlet and multiple outlets. The internal structure combines multiple flow paths within a single component, achieving independent control for each device while using only one external gas source, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining independent supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single ball valve performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate devices: it distributes gas to multiple outlets, controls flow to each outlet independently, and can terminate flow to any outlet while maintaining flow to others. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate gas sources while maintaining full independent control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy management of multiple gas sources in respiration circuits, enhancing patient comfort and safety by allowing independent control of gas flow without interrupting both sources simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
A ball is received in the ball chamber, the ball being configured for rotation about an axis of rotation within the ball chamber. The ball has a channel extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the channel terminating in a channel inlet configured for fluid communication with the gas inlet.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball valve for a use in a respiration circuit, including a housing defining a ball chamber. The ball chamber communicating with a gas inlet and at least two gas outlets. A ball received in the ball chamber. The ball being configured for rotation about an axis of rotation within the ball chamber. The channel having a channel inlet configured for selective fluid communication with the gas inlet. The channel inlet being in fluid communication with a channel outlet configured for selective fluid communication with at least one of the at least two gas outlets.