Planetary Gear Valve Torque Amplification
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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 the valve to operate effectively in high-torque applications while maintaining a leak-free environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a stemless ball valve design is used to eliminate stem penetration and reduce emissions, then leakage prevention is improved, but torque capability deteriorates due to limitations of magnetic interlock
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 drives the ball. This mediator allows the magnetic drive to achieve high torque output without requiring direct magnetic coupling to the ball, thus maintaining the stemless design while overcoming torque limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the direct magnetic drive mechanism with a mechanical transmission system (planetary gear assembly). Instead of relying solely on magnetic torque transmission, the system uses mechanical gear multiplication to amplify torque, substituting a purely magnetic system with a hybrid magnetic-mechanical system that overcomes the torque limitations of magnetic interlock.
2Ease of operation
If magnetic cartridges are used to actuate the valve without a stem, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to hysteresis and slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The planetary gear assembly serves as a mechanical intermediary that converts small magnetic torque into large mechanical torque through gear multiplication. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the direct magnetic coupling required in stemless designs, thereby removing the source of hysteresis and slippage while maintaining ease of magnetic actuation.
3Power
If the magnetic drive system is designed to provide sufficient torque, then power is improved, but hysteresis increases causing slippage and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention substitutes a purely magnetic torque transmission system with a hybrid system that uses mechanical gear multiplication. The magnetic cartridges only need to provide sufficient torque to drive the planetary gear assembly, not the full torque required at the ball. This mechanical substitution allows high output torque without requiring high magnetic power, thereby eliminating hysteresis-related slippage.
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 slippage, enabling stemless ball valves to match the torque of stemmed valves and maintain a leak-free operation, enhancing the valve's performance in applications requiring higher torque.
Implementation Method 1
the planetary gear assembly comprises one or more planetary gear phases, and each planetary gear phase comprises a step-down gear
Implementation Method 2
This 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 3
the inner and outer magnetic cartridges actuate the valve
Implementation Method 4
magnetically-actuated valves tend to experience hysteresis, which is a lag that occurs between the outer and inner magnetic cartridges
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.