Ball Valve Seat Compression Using Mechanical Ring Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball valve assemblies rely on fluid pressure to compress annular seats against the ball, which may not provide sufficient force under certain operational conditions, leading to ineffective sealing.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve assembly design that utilizes mechanical force through a drive plate and bearing elements to compress annular seats against the ball, enhancing sealing effectiveness by using a combination of mechanical and hydraulic forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If fluid pressure is used to compress annular seats against the ball, then the sealing mechanism is simple, but the sealing force is insufficient under certain operational conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A driver is introduced as an intermediary component between the fluid pressure source and the annular seats. The driver converts fluid pressure into mechanical motion, pushing the annular seats against the ball with enhanced force. This mediator allows the system to achieve both simplicity and sufficient sealing force by decoupling the direct relationship between fluid pressure and seat compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pure hydraulic compression (fluid pressure directly on seats) with a hybrid system that incorporates mechanical elements (the driver component). This substitution allows for more effective force transmission while maintaining the overall simplicity of the valve design.
2Force
If mechanical force is added through a driver to compress annular seats, then sealing force is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driver is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a force amplifier for sealing, serves as a structural support element, and can be integrated with the valve body or actuator mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving improved sealing force.
3Reliability
If annular seats are compressed against the ball, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the valve may not operate under high pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The driver allows the annular seats to be actively positioned and compressed as needed, enabling the valve to adapt to varying pressure conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability expands the operational range while maintaining reliable sealing effectiveness across different conditions.
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 mechanical compression of annular seats allows the ball valve assembly to operate effectively in conditions unsuitable for assemblies relying solely on fluid pressure, ensuring robust sealing in challenging operational environments.
Implementation Method 1
fluid pressure is used to drive annular seats against the ball to substantially block fluid flow through the fluid passage
Data Source
AI summary
A ball valve assembly includes a ball configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. The ball valve assembly also includes an annular seat configured to engage the ball and a rotatable ring having a first engagement feature. In addition, the ball valve assembly includes a non-rotatable ring positioned adjacent to the rotatable ring. The ball valve assembly also includes a drive plate non-rotatably coupled to the ball. The drive plate includes a second engagement feature, and the second engagement feature is configured to engage the first engagement feature to drive the rotatable ring to rotate in response to rotation of the drive plate. Furthermore, the ball valve assembly includes a bearing element configured to drive the rotatable ring and the non-rotatable ring away from one another to compress the annular seat against the ball in response to rotation of the rotatable ring.