Synchronized Ball Valve for Sequential Fluid Feeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stream switching systems for fluid measurement in pipelines are complex and prone to faults due to their electromechanical nature, lacking a reliable mechanical solution for preprogrammed sequential fluid feeding.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical stream switching valve with a housing and rotatable ball members, connected by cogwheels and actuated by a single mechanism, allowing synchronized rotation to alternately feed two fluids to an object of interest while ensuring no-dead-volume operation by emptying passages after each feed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electromechanical stream switching system is used, then fluid flow control capability is achieved, but device complexity and fault probability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional electromechanical stream switching system with a purely mechanical valve system. The mechanical valve uses a rotating element with predefined flow paths that physically connect different fluid sources to the outlet in a predetermined sequence, eliminating motors, sensors, and control electronics while achieving reliable sequential fluid feeding.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical valve is preprogrammed during manufacturing with fixed flow paths and switching sequences. The rotating element contains pre-defined channels that automatically direct fluid from specific sources to the outlet based on the rotation position, eliminating the need for real-time control decisions or spurious actions during operation.
2Reliability
If a mechanical stream switching valve is used, then fault probability decreases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical valve is designed as an integrated multi-component system where the housing, rotating element, and sealing components are manufactured as separate modules that can be independently produced and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific manufacturing process while simplifying quality control and assembly procedures.
3Reliability
If synchronized rotation of multiple ball members is achieved, then sequential fluid feeding reliability is improved, but mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ball members into a single integrated rotating element where all flow path switching actions occur simultaneously through one rotation. This merging eliminates the need for separate synchronization mechanisms between multiple independent valves, as the single rotating element inherently coordinates all fluid switching operations in perfect synchrony.
Data Source
AI summary
A stream switching valve for alternatively feeding two fluids to an object of interest comprises a housing having first, second and third cavities, first, second and third ball members sealably placeable into said first, second and third cavities, first and second inlet passages being in fluid communication with said first and second cavities, an outlet passage being in fluid communication with said third cavity; said outlet passage connectable to an object of interest; first and second intermediate passages fluidly connecting said first and second cavities to said third cavity, first, second and third vent passages fluidly connecting said into first, second and third cavities to environment. The first and second ball members are configured to connect said first and second intermediate passages to first and second inlet passages and first and second vent passages, respectively, in turn. The third ball member is rotatable and configured to connect said outlet passage to said first intermediate passage, said second intermediate passage and said third vent passage, in turn.