Hollow Ball Valve Member Temperature Control via Stub Shafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball valve assemblies are heavy, costly, and lack efficient temperature control, which can lead to material deformation, clogging, and operational issues due to temperature-related problems.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve assembly with a hollow ball member made of steel, nickel base alloy, or titanium alloy, featuring a truncated sphere design with integrated stub shafts and temperature control means through injection and removal of a medium with a predetermined temperature, minimizing material usage and maintaining structural integrity while allowing for efficient temperature management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a solid ball member is used to ensure sufficient material strength, then the ball valve assembly has adequate structural integrity, but the ball valve assembly becomes heavy and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The ball member is segmented into a hollow structure with an outer wall and an inner wall forming a hollow space between them. This segmentation reduces the amount of material required while maintaining the structural integrity needed for adequate strength, thereby reducing weight and cost without sacrificing material strength
Solution Approach 2:
The ball member utilizes a hollow composite structure combining outer and inner walls with a hollow space between them, creating a lightweight yet strong configuration that reduces weight while maintaining sufficient material strength for valve operation
2Temperature
If temperature control means are added to the ball member, then temperature management is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control means are merged with the ball member by integrating inlet and outlet openings directly into the hollow space structure of the ball member itself. This combination allows temperature management functionality to be incorporated without adding separate external temperature control devices, thereby improving temperature control while minimizing the increase in device complexity
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 solution results in a lighter, cost-effective ball valve assembly with improved material strength, reduced deformation, and enhanced operational performance by maintaining optimal temperatures within the valve, preventing clogging and ensuring smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
temperature control means, comprising at least an inlet and an outlet for injecting and removing a medium with a predetermined temperature into the hollow space
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2
AI summary
A ball member for a ball valve assembly including a valve housing, wherein the ball member (4) is rotatably arranged relative the valve housing (20) about an axis of rotation (B) and is provided with a through hole (41) forming a passageway for fluids, the ball member (4) having an outer wall (42) facing the valve housing (20) and an inner wall (43) facing the through hole (41) arranged such that a hollow space (40) is formed between the walls (42, 43), the ball member (4) further comprising temperature controlling arrangement for injecting a temperature controlling medium into the hollow space (40) so that a temperature of the inner wall and/or outer wall can be controlled and a first stub shaft (10) and a second stub shaft (11), wherein said first stub shaft (10) extending from the inner wall (43) along said axis of rotation (B), and said second stub shaft (11) extending from the inner wall (43) along said axis of rotation (B) on an opposite side of the through hole (41).