Cam-Positioned Ball Valve Assembly for Fill and Overfill Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball valves for fluid flow control in aircraft water systems are large, heavy, and sensitive to vibrations, requiring separate valves for fill and overfill functions, which is inefficient in terms of size, weight, and number of parts.
Innovation Solution
A single ball valve assembly with a rotatable ball element having two flow channels and a cam shaft with microswitches for precise rotational positioning, allowing both fill and overfill functions with a 45-degree rotation, minimizing waste and maintaining compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional separate valves are used for fill and overfill functions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate valve functions (fill and overfill) into a single ball valve assembly. The ball element contains two flow channels that can be independently controlled by rotating the ball to different positions, eliminating the need for two separate valves while maintaining the reliability of both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The single ball valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions - both fill control and overfill prevention - within one device. The ball element with its two flow channels can be positioned to control each function independently, making the device universal and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional overfill valve is used, then overfill prevention is achieved, but size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The overfill prevention function is merged with the fill valve into a single integrated assembly. The ball element's second flow channel handles overfill prevention while the first channel handles fill operations, eliminating the need for a separate overfill valve and reducing overall weight.
3Ease of operation
If conventional ball valve is used, then fluid flow control is achieved, but vibration sensitivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball element is segmented into two independent flow channels, each capable of being controlled separately. This segmentation allows the valve to maintain precise fluid flow control while reducing the impact of vibrations on overall valve performance, as each channel can be optimized independently.
4Device complexity
If single ball valve assembly is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a cam shaft system that uses cam profiles to automatically position the ball element at precise angles. This substitution reduces the need for high-precision mechanical assemblies while maintaining accurate rotational positioning through the cam-follower mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball valve assembly includes a ball element arranged to be rotated by rotation of a shaft in engagement with the ball element, the ball element having first and second flow channels defined therethrough, a first inlet port at a first end of said first flow channel, a first outlet port at a second end of the first channel, a second inlet port at a first end of the second flow channel and a second outlet port at a second end of the second channel.