Ball Valve Sealing Ring Resilient Core Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball valve sealing rings face challenges with deformation under temperature and load conditions, leading to shortened lifespan due to issues like degradation, loss of tempering, and sagging, particularly with springs such as coiled springs.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve sealing ring design featuring a resilient core with a curved cross-section and angled ends, providing bending resistance and oriented towards the valve member-contacting surface, which helps maintain a seal with reduced internal stress and creep, and is formed from materials like stainless steel or polymers for enhanced resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional sealing ring without resilient core is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the sealing ring deforms under temperature and load conditions leading to shortened lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring uses a composite structure combining a resilient core material (such as spring steel or elastomer) with an outer sealing material (such as PTFE or rubber). This composite construction allows the resilient core to provide bending resistance and maintain structural integrity under temperature and load conditions, while the outer material provides sealing functionality. The result is extended lifespan without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring is divided into distinct functional segments: a resilient core component providing structural support and bending resistance, and an outer sealing layer providing the actual seal. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the core resists deformation from thermal expansion and mechanical loads, while the outer layer maintains sealing contact.
2Strength
If a resilient core with curved cross-section is implemented, then bending resistance and seal maintenance are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient core features a curved or arcuate cross-sectional shape that provides optimal bending resistance. This curvature allows the core to flex and conform to thermal expansion and mechanical deformation while maintaining structural integrity. The curved geometry is particularly effective at distributing stresses and preventing permanent deformation of the sealing ring.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient core's curved cross-section parameters (radius of curvature, thickness distribution) are optimized to provide sufficient bending resistance while remaining manufacturable. By carefully selecting these geometric parameters, the design achieves the needed strength without requiring excessively tight manufacturing tolerances.
3Reliability
If the resilient core ends are angled towards the valve member-contacting surface, then seal tightness is improved with reduced internal stress, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient core features asymmetric end configurations where the ends are angled or tapered towards the valve member-contacting surface rather than being perpendicular to the ring axis. This asymmetry creates a self-centering effect that improves seal tightness and reduces internal stresses by distributing loads more evenly across the sealing interface. The angled ends help the core conform to the sealing geometry while maintaining structural integrity.
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 resilient core design significantly reduces deformation and creep, maintaining a tight seal without permanent deformation, thereby increasing the lifespan of the sealing ring and ball valve by resisting sagging, loss of resilience, and thermal expansion.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient ring core for providing bending resistance
Implementation Method 2
having a curved cross-section with a convex side oriented towards the member-contacting surface
Data Source
AI summary
A ball valve sealing ring is provided for sealing between a ball valve member a valve body. The sealing ring may comprise a ring body having a ball valve member-contacting surface and one or more valve body-contacting shoulders for contacting the valve seat. The sealing ring may comprise a resilient ring core for providing bending resistance. The resilient ring core may be at least partially conical and may have a curved cross-section with a convex side oriented towards the member-contacting surface. The cross section may be of a geometry corresponding to the outer contour of the ring body or shoulders and may have ends bent towards the member-contacting surface. The ring core may also have a plurality of apertures spaced about its circumference. The sealing ring may be elastically deflected upon contact with the valve member. Also provided is a ball valve seating arrangement comprising the aforementioned sealing ring.