Bypass Valve With Perpendicular Ball Axes for Compact Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bypass valves are difficult to operate due to their large size and complex control mechanisms, making them challenging to use in inaccessible locations and requiring compact designs that hinder operator convenience, especially when installed in side-by-side hydraulic units.
Innovation Solution
A bypass valve design featuring perpendicular axes for its ball valves allows for larger control knobs and levers, enabling easier operation and recognition, with integral ducts and auxiliary channels for reduced size and increased manufacturing efficiency, and includes a balancing valve and removable Venturi device for flexible installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the bypass valve is designed with conventional parallel ball valves, then the valve structure is compact, but the control knobs and levers become too small to operate easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional parallel arrangement of ball valves to a perpendicular arrangement where the axes of the two ball valves are oriented at 90 degrees to each other. This dimensional change allows control knobs and levers to be positioned in different spatial planes, increasing their effective size and accessibility without increasing the overall valve body volume, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact size and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the bypass valve is designed with larger control knobs for ease of operation, then the valve is easier to operate, but the overall size of the valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
By orienting the axes of the two ball valves perpendicularly to each other, the patent enables control knobs to be positioned in different spatial dimensions. This allows larger control knobs to be accommodated within the same compact valve body volume, as they occupy different spatial planes rather than competing for the same linear space, thus achieving ease of operation without increasing overall valve size.
3Ease of operation
If the bypass valve is designed for easy operation in inaccessible locations, then the valve is easier to maintain, but the valve size increases making it unsuitable for side-by-side installation
Solution Approach 1:
The perpendicular arrangement of ball valve axes creates a more three-dimensional, compact configuration that reduces the overall length and footprint of the valve assembly. This allows the valve to be installed in tight side-by-side configurations while maintaining accessible control knobs that protrude in different directions, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and compact installation requirements.
4Device complexity
If the bypass valve uses conventional valve arrangement, then the structure is simple, but the valves interfere with each other when installed side-by-side
Solution Approach 1:
By orienting the ball valve axes perpendicularly, the patent creates a configuration where control knobs and operational elements are positioned in different spatial planes. This dimensional separation prevents interference between adjacent valves when installed side-by-side, as each valve's control elements occupy different spatial zones, thereby improving adaptability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bypass valve (10) is described comprising a delivery duct (20), a return duct (30) and a central duct (20) connecting the delivery and return ducts for the circulation of a heat-exchange fluid,. A first ball valve (50) is placed along the delivery duct and a second ball valve (60) is placed along the return duct, at the intersection between the central duct and the delivery and return ducts. The rotation axes of the balls of the ball valves are perpendicular to each other.