Threaded Ball Valve Actuation for Compact Quarter-Turn Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art quarter turn valves are large, heavy, costly, and difficult to integrate into systems due to their material composition, lacking the fine control and compactness required for certain applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact actuation ball valve with a cylindrical knob and nut design featuring a thread system that allows for a quarter turn movement, incorporating washers and a self-threading screw for rotation control, and a spring clip for locking, enabling efficient and customizable on/off actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art quarter turn valves are used, then reliable flow control is achieved, but the valve size and weight become large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the traditional quarter turn valve into separate functional components: a compact actuator mechanism with knob and nut, a ball valve body, and integration elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, resulting in significant weight reduction while maintaining the reliable flow control function of the original valve
2Strength
If prior art quarter turn valves are used, then durable flow control is achieved, but the material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different material qualities locally to each component based on functional requirements. The ball valve body uses durable materials for reliable sealing and flow control, while the actuator components (knob, nut, integration elements) use lighter, more cost-effective materials. This local quality differentiation maintains overall valve durability while reducing total material cost
3Reliability
If prior art quarter turn valves are used, then secure closing is achieved, but integration into systems becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs the actuator mechanism with universal integration capabilities, allowing it to be adapted to various system configurations and mounting requirements. The separate actuator components can be integrated into different system types while maintaining the secure closing function through the preserved ball valve mechanism and actuator linkage
4Measurement precision
If a thread system with knob and nut is implemented, then precise quarter turn control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thread system with knob and nut is designed to be self-contained and self-explanatory, where the threaded connection naturally provides the quarter turn motion conversion without requiring additional complex mechanisms. The self-threading screw and integrated fastening elements further reduce the need for separate adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining precise rotation control
Data Source
AI summary
An actuation ball valve has an elongated knob which replaces prior art quarter turn valves. The knob comprises a thread that runs along a cylindrical portion of the knob, wherein the nut has a corresponding cut-out for the thread. This helps the knob move/slide in and out of the nut. The knob and nut are designed so that a specific distance can be covered in a quarter turn, as the valve moves from its horizontal (OFF) position to its vertical (ON) position. The knob and nut can be modified to travel various distances at different degrees of turn to actuate the system being controlled. The knob has a cut-out at the bottom which is used to insert one or more washers and a self-threading screw to stop the rotation of the knob with respect to the nut at it moves out in the OFF position.