Multi-Bore Ball Valve Assembly for Flexible Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex fluid systems in machines and industrial systems require multiple valve components, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity due to limited actuation states in existing ball valve assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve assembly with a bore valve system allowing fluid communication through first and second bores, enabling rotation to align or misalign with valve ports for various operational states, including bidirectional and unidirectional flow control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate valve components are used to control fluid flow, then reliable flow control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple valve functions (on-off valve, check valve, flow control) into a single ball valve assembly with multiple bores and a bore valve. The ball contains both a first bore with a bore valve and a second bore, allowing multiple flow control functions to be integrated in one component, thereby reducing the total number of valve components while maintaining reliable flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball valve assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it can control fluid flow direction, regulate flow rate through the bore valve, and prevent backflow through the check valve function. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized valves, reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive flow control capability.
2Reliability
If multiple separate valve components are used, then comprehensive flow control is achieved, but fluid pressure losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple valve functions into a single integrated ball valve assembly with direct-bore design, the patent eliminates multiple connection points and sealing interfaces that would otherwise cause cumulative pressure drops. Fluid can flow directly through the bores without passing through multiple separate components, reducing energy losses while maintaining comprehensive flow control.
3Device complexity
If a simple ball valve design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but actuation states are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ball is segmented into multiple functional bores: a first bore containing a bore valve for flow regulation and a second bore for alternative flow paths. This segmentation allows the single ball valve to achieve multiple actuation states (full open, closed, partial flow through bore valve, flow through second bore) without increasing overall structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball for a valve assembly, a valve assembly comprising such a ball, a machine comprising such a valve assembly and a method of operating such a valve assembly. The ball comprises a first bore for communicating fluid through the ball and a second bore for communicating fluid through the ball. A bore valve is located in the first bore for selectively enabling fluid communication through the first bore