Dual Ball Valve Interlock to Prevent Open-State Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual ball valves lack safety mechanisms, leading to potential fluid leakage during separation and misoperation due to the lack of anti-removing devices, and existing solutions require complex position cooperation.
Innovation Solution
A valve with dual ball valves featuring first and second anti-misoperation devices, including rotating members and sliding members to ensure separation only in the closed state, and locking mechanisms to prevent misoperation, enhancing safety by ensuring handles can only be rotated when the valves are clamped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two ball valves are clamped together without anti-removing devices, then the assembly is simple and easy to operate, but the safety coefficient is low and fluid leakage may occur during separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing anti-misoperation devices that prevent unwanted separation of the ball valves. The sliding members and clamping grooves create a mechanical interlock that actively prevents the valves from separating when in the open state, countering the potential harmful effect of fluid leakage before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sliding members as intermediary elements between the two ball valves. These sliding members engage with clamping grooves to create a reliable connection that prevents misoperation while maintaining ease of assembly. The intermediary mechanism mediates between the simplicity of direct clamping and the safety requirements.
2Reliability
If three anti-misoperation devices are provided with position cooperation between limiting seat and handle, then misoperation is prevented, but the device complexity increases and applicability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the anti-misoperation function into two distinct devices: a first anti-misoperation device with sliding members and clamping grooves for preventing separation, and a second anti-misoperation device with locking mechanisms for maintaining the closed state. This segmentation allows each device to perform its specific function with simpler, more focused structures, reducing overall complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex position cooperation between limiting seats and handles as in existing solutions, the patent inverts the approach by using sliding members that move along guided paths and locking mechanisms that engage with positioning grooves. This inverted mechanism achieves the same anti-misoperation capability with simpler, more universally applicable structures.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a valve with dual ball valves, including two ball valves arranged side by side and clamped with each other, wherein each ball valve includes a valve body, a valve rod and a handle, the valve bodies include abutting surfaces provided with clamping structures, and the valve rods make the ball valves switch between a through-flow state and a closed state in a process of rotating along its own axes. The ball valves further include first anti-misoperation devices and second anti-misoperation devices. The two anti-misoperation devices provide multiple protections for the ball valves to avoid misoperation on the valve.