Ball Valve Seal with Angled Grooves and Dual-Modulus Seals
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball valve seals face challenges in providing a fluid-tight seal across varying pressures and temperatures, being compatible with different fluids, and withstanding repeated opening and closing operations while maintaining minimal effort and wear resistance, due to their annular rectangular profile leading to incomplete mating surface contact.
Innovation Solution
A valve seal system for ball valves featuring an annular seat ring with angled grooves accommodating seals of different Young's moduli, including a frusto-conically shaped first seal and a polymer second seal, which are easily assembled and provide improved contact with the ball, reducing wear and enhancing sealing efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional annular seals with rectangular profile are used, then the valve structure is simple, but the mating surfaces are not in full contact leading to ineffective sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed with a curved profile matching the spherical ball surface instead of a rectangular profile. The seal includes a first portion with a curved outer surface that contacts the ball, and a second portion with a curved inner surface that contacts the tail piece, ensuring full surface contact and effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is divided into multiple functional portions: a first portion for contacting the ball, a second portion for contacting the tail piece, and intermediate portions connecting them. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall seal integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single seal material is used, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it is difficult to provide a seal that functions across a range of pressures and temperatures and is compatible with a variety of fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is constructed from multiple materials with different properties. The first portion contacting the ball is made from a material compatible with the fluid and capable of withstanding pressure, while the second portion contacting the tail piece is made from a different material optimized for mechanical strength and wear resistance. This composite construction allows the seal to function across a wide range of pressures and temperatures and be compatible with various fluids.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional seals are used, then the valve structure is simple, but it is difficult to provide wear resistance to withstand repeated opening and closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the seal are made from materials with properties optimized for their specific functions. The portion contacting the ball is made from a wear-resistant material to withstand repeated opening and closing operations, while other portions are made from materials optimized for their specific functions. This local optimization of material properties enhances overall seal durability.
4Ease of operation
If conventional rectangular profile seals are used, then the groove design is simple, but the seals are difficult to place in their respective grooves and assembly is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The seal's curved profile is designed to match the spherical ball surface, and the grooves are correspondingly shaped to accommodate these curved seals. This geometric compatibility simplifies the installation process by allowing the seals to be easily placed into their grooves while ensuring proper contact and sealing.
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
The solution ensures a fluid-tight seal across a wide range of pressures, improves durability, and facilitates easy assembly and maintenance by maintaining full contact between mating surfaces, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional seals.
Implementation Method 1
the first seal having a different Young's modulus from the second seal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
In an embodiment of the present invention, a valve seal (26) for a ball valve includes a ball (14) configured to mate with a tail piece (22), an annular seat ring (28) to facilitate the mating of the ball (14) with the tail piece (22), the seat ring (28) having an angled wall having a first groove for accommodating a first seal (36) and a second groove for accommodating a second seal (38), the first seal (36) having a different Young's modulus from the second seal (38).