Rotating Ball-Shape Valve Seal Reducing Assembly Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems for valves are complex and costly to assemble, with a high risk of leakage due to the large number of components and uneven stresses on the sealing body, particularly in gas meters where reliable fluid flow interruption is required.
Innovation Solution
A sealing system comprising an inlet adapter, a valve body, a seal with a seal opening, and a rotatable sealing body with a ball segment-shaped sealing surface element and bearing elements, utilizing a spring element to ensure a secure seal in both open and closed positions, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing system with multiple individual components is used to ensure reliable fluid flow interruption, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sealing components into an integrated sealing body with a unified structure. The sealing body includes a sealing surface element and bearing elements formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate assembly of multiple sealing components. This merging approach maintains sealing reliability while significantly reducing assembly complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing body is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing contact with the seal, supports rotational movement through bearing elements, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functional design reduces the number of individual components needed while ensuring reliable fluid flow interruption.
2Reliability
If a sealing system with multiple individual components is used to ensure reliable fluid flow interruption, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the risk of leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the sealing surface element and bearing elements into a single sealing body, the patent eliminates gaps and interfaces between separate components that could serve as leakage paths. The unified structure ensures continuous sealing contact with the seal, reducing the risk of leakage while maintaining reliable fluid flow interruption.
3Reliability
If a sealing body is pressed onto the seal with spring element to ensure complete closure, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the uneven stresses on the seal increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface element is designed with specific geometric features that distribute the contact pressure evenly across the seal surface. The local geometry of the sealing surface ensures uniform stress distribution while maintaining adequate sealing force, preventing uneven stresses that could damage the seal or compromise sealing reliability.
4Reliability
If the sealing body is designed to completely close the seal opening, then the fluid flow interruption is improved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves complete closure of the seal opening through a unified sealing body structure that integrates the sealing surface element and bearing elements. This single component design provides full sealing capability without requiring multiple separate parts, thus ensuring reliable fluid flow interruption while minimizing component count.
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 solution provides a reliable, cost-effective, and leak-proof sealing system that minimizes uneven stresses on the seal, allowing for efficient fluid flow interruption and reduction in energy expenditure, suitable for automation and miniaturization.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element, the spring element is arranged with limited movement within the sealing system and the seal and the sealing surface element of the sealing body are pressed onto each other by the spring element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a sealing system (1) for a valve for interruption of a fluid flow along a fluid flow path passing through the valve, the sealing system includes an inlet adapter (10), a valve body (7) connected to the inlet adapter (10), a seal (5) arranged between the inlet adapter (10) and the valve body (7) with a seal opening (6) through the seal for the fluid flowing when the valve is open, and a sealing body (2) with a ball segment-shaped sealing surface element (3) and bearing element (4) arranged on the side of the sealing surface element (3). The sealing body (2) is mounted within the valve body (7) so as to be rotatable around an axis running substantially perpendicular to the fluid flow path and through the bearing element (4).