Planetary Gear Ball Valve Torque Amplification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Stemless ball valves face limitations in torque compared to stemmed valves and experience hysteresis issues due to magnetic interlock, which can lead to slippage and malfunction, while also lacking the high torque requirements for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
A planetary gear assembly is interposed between the inner magnetic cartridge and the ball, increasing torque from the handle to the ball, allowing for higher torque applications while maintaining a leak-free environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnetic interlock is used to actuate the ball in a stemless ball valve, then the valve body remains leak-free with no external penetration, but the torque is limited and hysteresis causes slippage and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A planetary gear assembly is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the magnetic cartridges and the ball. The magnetic cartridges drive the planetary gear assembly, which in turn actuates the ball through guide channels. This intermediary mechanical transmission system amplifies the limited magnetic torque to sufficient levels for high-torque applications while maintaining the stemless leak-free design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct magnetic actuation system with a mechanical planetary gear transmission system. Instead of relying solely on magnetic torque to rotate the ball, the mechanical gear assembly provides torque multiplication, enabling the stemless valve to achieve torque levels comparable to traditional stemmed valves.
2Device complexity
If the inner and outer magnetic cartridges are placed in direct magnetic contact, then the structure is compact, but hysteresis lag occurs between the cartridges
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear assembly serves as a mechanical intermediary that decouples the direct magnetic contact between inner and outer cartridges. The guide channels in the planetary carrier provide precise mechanical guidance, eliminating hysteresis lag and ensuring accurate positional transmission from the magnetic drive to the ball.
3Force
If a planetary gear assembly is added between the magnetic cartridges and the ball, then torque is significantly amplified, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear assembly is nested within the existing magnetic cartridge structure. The sun gear is mounted on the inner cartridge, planetary gears orbit around it, and the ring gear connects to the outer cartridge. This nested configuration provides torque multiplication while minimizing the increase in overall device footprint and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary carrier serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support for the planetary gears, provides guide channels for precise ball actuation, and transmits the amplified torque to the ball. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
The planetary gear assembly significantly amplifies torque, reducing hysteresis and enabling stemless ball valves to match the torque of stemmed valves, enhancing operational reliability and accuracy by requiring more rotation at the upper end, thus reducing positional errors.
Implementation Method 1
the planetary gear assembly greatly increases the torque from the handle outside of the valve (the handle being coupled to the outer magnetic cartridge) to the ball itself
Implementation Method 2
the inner and outer magnetic cartridges actuate the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A stemless ball valve comprising a first flange, second flange, ball, inner magnetic cartridge, outer magnetic cartridge, and planetary gear assembly. The inner magnetic cartridge is situated inside of the outer magnetic cartridge, and the inner and outer magnetic cartridges actuate the valve. The planetary gear assembly is situated between the inner magnetic cartridge and the ball. The planetary gear assembly comprises one or more planetary gear phases, each planetary gear phase comprising a step-down gear. Each planetary gear phase comprises one or more planetary gears that engage with the inner teeth of the outer ring of the planetary gear assembly and with a step-down gear. The invention further comprises a pressure equalization system comprising inner and outer equalization tubes, a piston situated between the inner and outer equalization tubes, and either a piston spring or spring washer stack that biases the piston in the direction of the clean oil.