External Thread Ball Valve Sealing Ring for High-Pressure Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing one-piece screw thread ball valves for chemical engineering face issues such as deformation of sealing gaskets under high pressure, complex and costly manufacturing, and limited suitability for high-pressure applications.
Innovation Solution
An internally-sealed one-piece external thread ball valve design featuring a left sealing gasket with an inverted trapezoidal shape, made of non-rubber plastic material, which expands outward under pressure to form a seal with the valve body, simplifying manufacturing and enhancing high-pressure resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing gaskets are used in existing one-piece screw thread ball valves, then sealing effect is improved, but sealing gaskets deform under high pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism changes from relying on elastic deformation of rubber gaskets to utilizing the elastic recovery of PTFE material. The PTFE sealing ring deforms elastically under compression to fill gaps and maintain sealing, then recovers its original shape after pressure is released, preventing permanent deformation and enabling reuse.
2Reliability
If inclined planes are processed on valve body and valve seat gland, then sealing effect is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the valve body and valve seat gland structures (removing the need for inclined planes) and transferred to a dedicated PTFE sealing ring component. This simplifies the main body structures while maintaining effective sealing through the specialized sealing ring material and design.
Solution Approach 2:
A PTFE sealing ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the valve body and valve seat gland. This mediator provides the sealing function without requiring complex machining of the main components, as the sealing is achieved through the sealing ring's material properties and elastic deformation rather than precision-machined inclined surfaces.
3Reliability
If large size sealing gaskets are used, then sealing coverage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism changes from requiring large rubber gaskets to using a compact PTFE sealing ring with optimized dimensions. The PTFE material's unique elastic properties allow a smaller sealing ring to achieve effective sealing coverage, reducing material consumption and manufacturing cost while maintaining or improving sealing performance.
4Reliability
If rubber sealing gaskets are used, then sealing is achieved, but high-pressure resistance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing component transitions from rubber material to PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) material. PTFE exhibits superior elastic recovery properties and high-pressure resistance compared to rubber. Under high pressure, the PTFE sealing ring deforms to maintain sealing, then fully recovers its original shape after pressure release, enabling the valve to withstand higher pressures and allowing reuse of the sealing ring.
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 design achieves reliable sealing, reduced manufacturing costs, and improved high-pressure resistance, with the ability to reuse sealing gaskets and simplify the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
the left sealing gasket expands outwards under an action of pressure formed by tightening the nuts during valve assembly
Data Source
AI summary
An internally-sealed one-piece external thread ball valve includes a valve seat gland and a left sealing gasket. The valve seat gland and the left sealing gasket are installed into a valve body. The contact part of the valve body and the valve seat gland is an internal thread. The contact part of the valve body and the left sealing gasket is a smooth inner circular surface. The left sealing gasket is in an inverted trapezoidal shape with a thin inner part and a thick outer part. The left sealing gasket expand outwards under an action of pressure formed by tightening a left nut during valve assembly. The outer circular surface of the left sealing gasket and a smooth inner circular surface of the valve body form sealing.