Multi-Port Inline Ball Valve for 1/8-Turn Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inline, two-port ball valves require a 90-degree rotation to fully open or close, limiting their operational efficiency and precision in fluid control.
Innovation Solution
A ⅛-turn ball valve design with intersecting bores allowing for faster and more precise fluid control, utilizing a spherical ball with two or more bores positioned at specific angles for rapid alignment with the fluid passage, and optionally incorporating magnetic and Hall-effect sensors for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional single-bore ball valve is used, then the valve structure is simple, but the valve requires a 90-degree rotation to open or close, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The ball is segmented into multiple bore sections, with each bore positioned at specific angles (e.g., 45 degrees apart) to enable 1/8-turn operation. This segmentation allows different bores to align with the fluid passage at different rotation angles, achieving rapid valve operation without requiring a full 90-degree turn.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-bore configuration to a multi-bore configuration in three-dimensional space. By positioning bores at different angular positions around the ball's circumference, the valve achieves multiple flow paths that can be activated with minimal rotation, effectively utilizing spatial arrangement to reduce operational complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a 1/8-turn ball valve with multiple bores is used, then the fluid control precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies precise angular parameters for bore positioning (e.g., 45-degree intervals) that enable 1/8-turn operation. By carefully controlling these angular parameters during manufacturing, the valve achieves precise fluid control while maintaining feasible manufacturing tolerances through standardized angular relationships.
3Measurement precision
If magnetic sensors and Hall-effect sensors are added for precise positioning, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Magnetic sensors and Hall-effect sensors provide real-time feedback on the ball's rotational position. This feedback mechanism allows the control system to precisely determine when the valve reaches desired positions (e.g., when a specific bore aligns with the fluid passage), enabling accurate fluid control through electronic feedback rather than purely mechanical positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical positioning indicators with magnetic and Hall-effect sensors. This substitution uses electromagnetic fields to detect ball position, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages or visual indicators while achieving superior positioning accuracy through non-contact sensing.
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 fluid flow control, minimizing over- or under-spraying of agricultural chemicals, and timed liquid application during planting operations.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic sensor positioned on the valve body can detect when the bore openings are in alignment with the passage
Implementation Method 2
A Hall-effect sensor can be used instead of the magnetic sensor
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.