Four-Way Ball Valve with Selective Sealing to Reduce Drag Torque
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern heat transfer systems require multiple valves to switch between air-conditioning and heat pump modes, leading to increased component count and cost, necessitating a more efficient, single-valve solution with improved sealing performance and reduced drag torque.
Innovation Solution
A four-way ball valve with a valve housing, rotating valve ball, and actuator, featuring three sealing seats and two passage channels, allowing two fluid connection channels to connect through one passage channel and the fourth to connect through the other, with one channel unsealed for high-pressure inlet to reduce drag torque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate valves are used to switch between air-conditioning and heat pump modes, then the system can achieve reliable mode switching, but the number of components and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions into a single four-way ball valve that integrates both air-conditioning mode switching and heat pump mode switching capabilities. The valve body contains multiple ports and internal passage configurations that enable one valve to perform the work of what would traditionally require separate valves, thereby reducing component count while maintaining reliable mode transition functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The four-way ball valve is designed with universal functionality to handle both air-conditioning and heat pump operations through a single device. The valve features multiple ports (first, second, third, and fourth ports) and configurable internal passages that can route refrigerant flow for different system modes, making it a multi-functional component that replaces several specialized valves
2Reliability
If all fluid connection channels are sealed, then sealing performance is improved, but drag torque on the valve ball increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies selective sealing where only three of the four fluid connection channels are equipped with sealing seats, while the fourth channel remains unsealed. This local differentiation allows the valve to maintain adequate sealing performance at critical interfaces while leaving the high-pressure inlet channel open to reduce pressure differential across the valve ball, thereby minimizing drag torque and facilitating easier valve operation
Data Source
AI summary
A four-way ball valve having a valve housing and four fluid connection channels arranged therein, a valve ball which can be rotated around an axis of rotation and has a first ball passage channel and a second ball passage channel, three sealing seats for positioning the ball, wherein three fluid connection channels are associated with a respective sealing seat, a drive shaft connected with the ball, and an actuator for rotating the ball, wherein the four fluid connection channels are arranged and the first ball passage channel and the second ball passage channel are wherein at least two switching states of the valve are set by rotation of the ball, wherein two of the fluid connection channels are connected to one another through the first ball passage channel, and the third fluid connection channel is connected to the fourth fluid connection channel through the second ball passage channel.