Rolling Ball Valve Sealing for Leak-Free Dispensing Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dispensing systems, particularly carbonated dispensing head valves, face issues with leakage and sealing due to the need for components to penetrate the liquid chamber, and 'wet' pistons require precise machining and are not self-cleaning, with the fluid acting as a lubricant, which can be problematic.
Innovation Solution
A novel valve mechanism using a rolling ball that opens and closes the orifice without penetrating the chamber wall, utilizing magnetic or electro-magnetic control to manage the ball's position, allowing for efficient fluid flow and self-cleaning with the ball returning to the orifice when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a paddle valve with an arm penetrating through the chamber wall is used, then the valve can be actuated to open and close, but leakage and sealing issues occur at the penetration point
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the actuation mechanism from the liquid chamber by using a magnetic field that acts through the chamber wall without physical penetration. The magnetic field activates the ball valve from the outside, eliminating the need for mechanical components to penetrate the sealing environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical arm penetration system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. Instead of a physical arm penetrating the chamber wall, a magnetic field is used to move the ball valve through the wall, substituting mechanical penetration with non-contact magnetic actuation.
2Ease of operation
If a wet piston is used in the solenoid, then the valve can be controlled, but precise machining is required to maintain closing of the orifice
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a simple ball valve instead of a complex wet piston mechanism. The ball valve is a simpler, more robust component that does not require precise machining of sliding surfaces, effectively replacing a high-precision component with a simpler alternative that is easier to manufacture and maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical wet piston system with a magnetic ball valve system. The magnetic actuation eliminates the need for precision-machined sliding surfaces and lubrication systems, substituting a complex mechanical control system with a simpler magnetic field-based system.
3Device complexity
If a fixed piston is used, then the valve structure is simple, but it is not self-cleaning and requires external intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a movable ball valve that can be dynamically positioned by the magnetic field. The ball valve moves between blocking and allowing fluid flow positions, and this movement enables it to be self-cleaning as fluid flow can clear debris from the orifice when the ball is in the open position.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball valve is designed to be self-cleaning through its own movement. When the magnetic field moves the ball to the open position, fluid flow naturally cleans the orifice and surrounding areas, eliminating the need for external cleaning intervention while maintaining simple structure.
4Ease of operation
If the fluid acts as a lubricant for sliding surfaces, then lubrication is provided, but the character of the fluid can have problems serving as a lubricant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the sliding piston mechanism that requires fluid lubrication with a magnetic ball valve system. The ball valve rotates or moves within the magnetic field without requiring sliding surfaces that need lubrication, eliminating the dependency on fluid character for effective lubrication.
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
This solution eliminates leakage and sealing issues, reduces the need for precise machining, and allows for efficient fluid control with minimal energy required to open and close the valve, enhancing the reliability and operation of dispensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A valve device is provided including a magnetic field movable between a first position and a second position
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein relate to conduits, devices, systems and methods, which may include a dispensing device including a valve configured to interact with an inlet stream, the inlet stream having a first pressure, the valve having an outlet area with an outlet stream, the outlet stream having a second pressure; and a solenoid configured to interact with the outlet stream.