Multi-Bore Inline Ball Valve for 1/8-Turn Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ball valves require a 90-degree rotation to fully open or close, which is inefficient and lacks precise control for fluid flow management, especially in applications like agricultural chemical application where faster and more precise control is needed.
Innovation Solution
An inline, two-port ball valve design with intersecting bores allowing for ⅛-turn operation, enabling faster opening and closing with precise control of fluid flow, utilizing an actuator and magnet-Hall effect sensor system for calibration and rotation limitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional ball valve with a single bore is used, then the valve structure is simple and reliable, but the valve requires a 90-degree rotation to fully open or close, which reduces operational speed and precision
Solution Approach 1:
The ball is segmented into multiple bore sections, with at least two bores extending through the ball at different angles. This segmentation allows different portions of the ball to control fluid flow through different ports, enabling faster 1/8-turn operation while maintaining a relatively simple overall valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces angular/directional dimensionality to the ball bores, with bores extending at different angles (e.g., first bore at one angle, second bore at another angle). This dimensional change allows the valve to achieve multiple flow control positions within a limited rotation range, improving speed without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a conventional ball valve with a single bore is used, then the valve design is straightforward, but the valve lacks precise control capability for fluid flow management
Solution Approach 1:
The ball is divided into multiple bore sections that can be independently oriented at different angles. This segmentation provides precise control over fluid flow paths, allowing the valve to accurately manage flow distribution to different ports with high measurement precision while keeping the design relatively straightforward.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ball have different bore configurations and orientations. The first bore extends at a first angle while the second bore extends at a second angle, creating local quality variations that enable precise fluid flow control for specific applications without requiring complex overall design.
3Productivity
If a ball valve with multiple bores at different angles is used, then faster 1/8-turn operation is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball is manufactured as a segmented structure with multiple bores at different angles, enabling 1/8-turn operation for faster valve actuation. This segmentation approach balances productivity improvement with manufacturing feasibility by using standard machining operations to create the multi-bore configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the ball, specifically the angles and orientations of the bores. By optimizing these parameters (e.g., specific angle relationships between bores), the valve achieves high productivity through fast 1/8-turn operation while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized geometric configurations.
4Measurement precision
If a conventional quarter-turn ball valve is used, then the valve is easy to manufacture and operate, but the valve cannot provide precise fluid delivery timing for applications like agricultural chemical application
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-bore ball structure is segmented to provide precise control over fluid delivery timing. By having bores at different angles that can be independently positioned, the valve achieves accurate timing control for agricultural chemical application, reducing time loss through faster 1/8-turn operation while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes geometric parameters (bore angles, orientations) to achieve precise fluid delivery timing. These parameter changes enable the valve to rapidly transition between positions for accurate timing control in agricultural applications, reducing operational time loss while maintaining manufacturability.
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
Enables faster and more precise control of fluid flow, minimizing over- or under-spraying in agricultural applications by allowing ⅛-turn operation for full opening and closing, and adaptable configurations for specific fluid delivery timing in seed furrow applications.
Implementation Method 1
A position of the magnet may be detected by a Hall effect sensor to provide feedback for calibration of the actuator and/or limitation of rotation of the operating stem
Data Source
AI summary
A ball valve assembly having a valve body with a single inline fluid passage therethrough along a central longitudinal axis. A ball valve is sealingly seated in a valve seat within the valve body. The ball valve includes at least two through-bores, each of the at least two through-bores having a central axis intersecting one another, whereby the ball valve is rotatable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. In one application, the ball valve has two bores intersecting one another such that an angle α between adjacent bore openings of the ball valve are less than 90 degrees and an angle β between other adjacent ends of the ball valve are greater than 90 degrees for applying liquid product in a seed furrow before and after each seed in the furrow but not onto the seed.