Three position 270 degree actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional three-way ball valves transition between fluid supplies or returns by only 90 degrees, leading to mixing of fluids and increased friction losses due to reduced-bore passages, which complicates flow control and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A 270-degree rotatable valve assembly that prevents fluid mixing by maintaining full-size ports and passages, allowing precise control of fluid flow between multiple supplies and returns without reducing bore size, using an actuator-driven valve member that rotates through a defined arc to modulate flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional three-way ball valve uses a 90-degree rotation to transition between fluid supplies, then the valve can switch between two fluid supplies, but the fluids mix during transition and friction losses increase due to reduced-bore passages
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is segmented into multiple positions (first position, second position, and intermediate position) along a 270-degree rotation path. This segmentation allows the valve to transition through distinct states where fluid mixing is prevented, and full-bore passages are maintained during transitions, thereby reducing friction losses while preserving flow control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the rotation path from the conventional 90-degree arc to a 270-degree arc, adding dimensional complexity to the valve operation. This extended rotation path allows the valve member to traverse through positions that prevent fluid mixing and maintain full-bore passages, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and energy loss.
2Reliability
If a conventional three-way ball valve uses reduced-bore passages to prevent fluid mixing, then fluid mixing is prevented, but friction losses and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to preliminarily close one port before opening another during the 270-degree rotation transition. This preliminary action ensures that fluid mixing is prevented without requiring reduced-bore passages, thereby maintaining full-bore passages and reducing friction losses and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition process is segmented into distinct phases along the 270-degree rotation path, with the valve member passing through an intermediate position where neither inlet port is connected to the outlet port. This segmentation ensures reliable fluid separation while maintaining full-bore passages, reducing energy consumption.
3Productivity
If a conventional three-way ball valve transitions between fluid supplies by incremental flow rate changes, then the valve can switch between supplies, but fluid mixing occurs during the transition
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to preliminarily close one inlet port before opening the other inlet port during the transition, as evidenced by the 270-degree rotation path that includes an intermediate position. This preliminary action ensures that fluid separation is maintained throughout the transition, preventing mixing while preserving flow switching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a 270-degree rotation path instead of a 90-degree rotation, adding dimensional complexity to the transition process. This extended path allows the valve to switch between fluid supplies while maintaining fluid separation through intermediate positions, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
4Device complexity
If a conventional three-way ball valve uses a 90-degree rotation path, then the valve structure is simple, but flow control precision and ability to prevent mixing are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the rotation path from 90 degrees to 270 degrees, adding dimensional complexity to the valve operation. This extended path improves flow control precision by allowing the valve member to traverse through intermediate positions that prevent fluid mixing, while the overall valve structure remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The 270-degree rotation path is segmented into distinct positions (first position, second position, and intermediate position), allowing precise control of fluid flow. This segmentation improves flow control precision without significantly complicating the valve structure, as the segmentation is achieved through the rotation path rather than additional mechanical components.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator controls the operation of a valve member to achieve desired flow or no-flow states through different inlet ports of the valve in response to different types of input signals from one or more input sources. In some embodiments, the actuator drives the valve member along a first portion of a travel path to regulate flow through a first inlet port using analog or binary input signal(s) from a first input source, and drives the valve member along a second portion of the travel path to regulate flow through a second inlet port using analog or binary input signal(s) from a second input source. In some embodiments the actuator drives the valve member along the entire travel path to regulate flow through each of the first inlet port and the second inlet port responsive to an analog input signal from a single input source.