Metering Ball Valve With V-Groove and Diffuser Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metering ball valves do not provide a proportionate, linear increase/decrease in fluid flow rate with rotation, resulting in poor metering control.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a ball with a circumferentially extending, V-shaped groove and a diffuser insert with longitudinally extending diffuser grooves, allowing for superior metering capability and higher flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional ball valve is used, then high flow rates are achieved, but metering control is poor due to non-linear flow rate change with ball rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The ball surface is modified with a specific groove pattern that creates different flow characteristics at different rotational positions. The groove depth varies from shallow to deep, creating localized flow control zones that enable linear metering while maintaining high flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve transitions from a static flow control mechanism to a dynamic one where the ball rotation position directly controls flow rate. The groove pattern on the ball surface creates a dynamic relationship between rotation angle and flow rate, enabling precise metering control.
2Measurement precision
If the groove depth is increased to improve metering control, then flow rate capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The ball surface is segmented into multiple grooves with varying depths rather than a single deep groove. This segmentation allows the valve to maintain high flow capacity through multiple flow paths while the depth variation provides metering control. The grooves work together to balance flow rate and control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include a valve having a body, a diffuser, and a ball. The body defines a cavity and inlet and outlet ports extending to the cavity. A first diffuser end defines a diffuser central channel extending to a second diffuser end. The diffuser insert is disposed within the cavity such that the second diffuser end is adjacent the outlet port. The ball outer surface defines a groove extending circumferentially along a center line at least partially around a circumference of the ball. The groove has a V-shaped profile in a plane perpendicular to the center line. A depth of the groove tapers along the centerline from a shallowest groove portion to a deepest groove portion. The ball is rotatably disposed within the cavity such that the ball is adjacent the first diffuser end and the inlet port.