Three-Way Valve Biasing for Stable Ball Seating Under Disturbance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Three-way solenoid valves experience reliability issues in environments with significant environmental disturbance, leading to inconsistent operating times and poor precision due to the supply ball being thrown off its seat by external or fluid forces.
Innovation Solution
A three-way valve with a resilient element, such as a coil spring or resilient net, biases the supply ball towards its seat, ensuring consistent return and maintaining precise control even in disturbed environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a three-way solenoid valve is used without a resilient element, then the valve structure is simpler, but the supply ball may be thrown off its seat by external or fluid forces in disturbed environments, leading to inconsistent operating time and poor precision
Solution Approach 1:
A resilient element (spring or resilient net) is introduced as an intermediary component between the supply ball and the valve body. This intermediary provides a biasing force that centers the supply ball on its seat, preventing it from being thrown off by external or fluid forces while maintaining the overall valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element applies a preliminary biasing force in the opposite direction to the harmful forces (external disturbances and fluid forces) that could throw the supply ball off its seat. This preliminary counter-action ensures the supply ball remains centered and sealed throughout operation.
2Measurement precision
If no resilient element is provided, then the valve has fewer components, but the opening time varies depending on how far the supply ball is from its seat, preventing precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element acts as a mediator that maintains consistent positioning of the supply ball relative to its seat. By providing a continuous biasing force, it ensures the supply ball starts from a predictable position, enabling precise control and consistent opening time regardless of environmental disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element performs a preliminary action by continuously biasing the supply ball toward its centered position on the seat before actuation occurs. This preliminary positioning ensures that every actuation cycle starts from the same reference point, enabling precise and repeatable control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If environmental disturbances are present, then the valve may be used in versatile applications, but the supply ball reliability deteriorates due to external forces throwing it off the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient element applies a preliminary counter-force to external disturbances and fluid forces before they can displace the supply ball. This continuous biasing action maintains reliable seating of the supply ball even in environments with significant vibrations, shocks, or fluid pressure variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element converts the potential harm of environmental disturbances into a benefit by using the spring force to actively counteract these disturbances. The same environmental forces that could throw the ball off its seat are now balanced by the resilient element's biasing force, maintaining reliability in previously unsuitable environments.
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 resilient element assists the supply ball in returning to its seat, maintaining consistent performance and response time, independent of environmental disturbances, without affecting the valve's operation.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element for biasing the supply ball towards the supply ball seat
Implementation Method 2
Actuation is often controlled by a solenoid. For example, in three-way solenoid valves, upon the solenoid being actuated or energized
Implementation Method 3
Three-way solenoid valves similar to the ones according to the present disclosure typically use a pressure differential to close the valve, by using the pressure differential to push the second ball back onto the corresponding seat
Data Source
AI summary
A three-way valve is provided. The three-way valve comprises a housing having three successive openings interconnected by a fluid flow path; a vent ball and a corresponding vent ball seat; a supply ball and a corresponding supply ball seat; and a separator pin between, and configured to bear against, the vent ball and the supply ball. The valve further comprises: a resilient element for biasing the supply ball towards the supply ball seat. A damper is also provided.