Bypass Shut-Off Valve for Minimum Flow Without Load Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shut-off valves with flow control mechanisms, such as those with a piston inside the ball plug, suffer from load losses when fully open and lack the ability to regulate fluid flow when closed, and are not easily reversible for ordinary users.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a bypass channel and a flow cut-off/regulation element within the valve body, allowing a guaranteed minimum fluid flow without internal flow control means, and a mechanism to prevent fluid flow reversal, ensuring the valve's closed state is secure and adjustable only by authorized personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a piston is installed inside the ball plug to control fluid flow, then a minimum quantity of fluid can pass when the valve is closed, but considerable load losses occur when the valve is fully open
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the flow control function into two separate components: the ball plug for main flow control and a piston with grooves for minimum flow control. This segmentation allows the piston to be positioned outside the main flow path when the valve is open, eliminating load losses, while still providing minimum flow capability when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary element that provides minimum flow control through grooves in its body. When the valve is closed, the piston's grooves allow a minimum quantity of fluid to pass; when open, the piston is positioned such that it does not interfere with the main flow path, avoiding load losses.
2Quantity of substance
If a piston with grooves is used to guarantee minimum fluid flow, then fluid can pass when the valve is closed, but the valve cannot regulate the fluid flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the flow control system dynamic by allowing the piston to be adjusted to different positions. The piston can be moved to expose different portions of its grooved surface, enabling regulation of the minimum flow rate. This dynamic adjustment capability allows operators to control the fluid flow rate passing through the valve when closed, without requiring valve replacement.
3Quantity of substance
If the valve is designed to allow minimum fluid flow when closed, then primary needs can be met, but the closed state may be easily reversed by ordinary users
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a covering cap that replicates the appearance of a standard valve cover, making it visually indistinguishable from a fully closed valve. This copying approach ensures that ordinary users cannot easily identify or reverse the closed state with minimum flow, as the external appearance remains unchanged. Only authorized personnel with knowledge of the specific configuration can operate the valve.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A fluid flow shut-off valve (1) is described, of the type comprising a main valve body (2) equipped with at least one first conduit (5) and at least one second conduit (6), at least one plug (3) equipped with at least one through conduit (7) and rotatably housed in at least one cavity (4) of said valve body (2) for its rotation between at least one open position of the valve and at least one closed position of the valve, said through conduit (7) placing said first conduit (5) in fluidic communication with said second conduit (6) in said open position of the valve, characterised by comprising at least one bypass channel for the direct or indirect fluidic connection of said first conduit (5) with said second conduit (6) of said valve at least when said plug (3) is in said at least one closed position of said valve, wherein in said at least one closed position of said valve, said plug (3) fluidically connects said first conduit (5) with said cavity (4) within which the plug (3) is housed, and wherein said bypass channel fluidically connects said second conduit (6) with said cavity (4), in which there is a flow cut-off and/or regulation element (11) inside said bypass channel, housed in a respective seat having a first end on said valve body (2), wherein said valve has a driving shaft (15) to drive said plug (3), and a covering cap (10) to cover said driving shaft (15) constrained to the valve body and such that, in at least one position of the plug, said covering cap covers at least partially said first end of said seat of said cut-off and/or regulation element (11).