Ball element for a rotary valve and method of manufacturing the same

A rotary valve is provided for use in highly corrosive and abrasive applications. The valve includes a valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a valve interior in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet. The valve also includes a ball element disposed within the valve interior via a valve stem to control fluid flow through the valve, and a valve seat to sealingly engage the ball element. The ball element includes a body having an outside portion, a bore disposed through a center portion of the body, and at least one brace disposed between the bore and the outside portion to strengthen the ball element during highly corrosive and abrasive applications of the valve.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure generally relates to rotary valves and, more specifically, to a ball element for a rotary valve and a method of manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Process control systems often employ rotary valves, such as ball valves, butterfly valves, eccentric-disk valves, eccentric-plug valves, etc., to control the flow of process fluids. Rotary valves typically include a valve trim assembly having a seat disposed in the fluid path and surrounding a flow aperture, and a fluid control element (e.g., a disk, a ball, etc.) disposed in the fluid path and rotatably coupled to the body of the valve via a shaft. To control the flow of fluid through some rotary valves, the position of the fluid control element may be varied from a closed position at which the fluid control element is in sealing engagement with the seat, thereby preventing fluid flow through the flow aperture, to a fully open or maximum flow rate position at which the fluid control element is spaced away from the seat, thereby allowing fluid flow through the flow aperture.

In some rotary valves, the fluid control element is a ball element. The weight of the ball element in a floating ball valve design, for example, directly influences the amount of spring force required to push that ball into a seat to maintain a required seat load and subsequent maximum leak rate. This load results in higher friction of the ball against the seat, resulting in higher torques required to open/close the valve. This is especially important at low pressure drops when there is not much force developed from the pressure drop to assist in pressing the ball element into the seat, for example.

Conventional ball elements of the rotary valves are not very elastic, which prevents the ball element from more easily conforming to the shape of a sealing surface of the valve seat, for example. This is particularly a problem in metal ball or metal seat seals, for example. In addition, temperature variations of various operating environments of the valve often cause the shape of the ball element and valve seat to change, making it more difficult for the existing ball elements to sealingly engage the valve seat in an effective manner.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first exemplary aspect, a rotary valve comprises a valve body defining a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and a control passage in fluid communication with the valve inlet and the valve outlet. A ball element is disposed within the control passage via a valve stem to control fluid flow between the valve inlet and the valve outlet. The ball element includes a body having an outer portion, a bore disposed in a center portion of the body, and at least one brace disposed in the body between the bore and the outer portion of the ball element. A valve seat is disposed in the control passage proximate to the valve inlet and sealingly engages the ball element. Upon rotation of the ball element, the bore of the ball element may be moved from a closed position to an open position, in which the bore of the ball element is exposed to the control passage, allowing fluid flow through the bore.

In accordance with a second exemplary aspect, a method of manufacturing a ball element of a rotary valve comprises forming a body having an outside portion. The method further comprises forming a bore disposed within the body. The method still further comprises forming at least one brace disposed between the body and the bore, the at least one brace disposed one or more of radially from the bore to the outer portion of the body, perpendicular to the bore, parallel to the bore, and/or the at least one brace formed by variations in thicknesses of the body at one or more of the outer portion and the bore.

In further accordance with any one or more of the foregoing first or second exemplary aspects, the ball element may further comprise one or more of a slot or recess for receiving the valve stem. In addition, the at least one brace may include a plurality of braces and each brace of the plurality of braces may include a radial brace. Each radial brace may have a first portion extending to the bore and a second portion in contact with the outer portion of the ball element. Further, each radial brace may be spaced equidistantly from each of the other braces around the bore.

In another aspect, the at least one brace may be disposed parallel to the bore. In yet another form, the at least one brace may be disposed perpendicular to the bore. In addition, the at least one brace may be spaced equidistantly from each of the other braces.

Further, the at least one brace may include a plurality of braces having at least one brace. The at least one brace may have a first thickness T1and be disposed between a slot for receiving a shaft and the bore. The plurality of braces may further include a second brace having second thickness T2and disposed between an aperture and the outer portion of the ball element. Further, a third brace may have a third thickness T3and be disposed between the aperture and the bore, and a fourth brace may have a fourth thickness T4and be disposed between two apertures, wherein the first thickness T1may be greater than the second, third, and fourth thicknesses, T2, T3, and T4. In addition, the fourth thickness T4may be greater than the second and third thicknesses, T2and T3, resulting in braces having various thicknesses around the ball element.

In accordance with other aspects, the at least one brace may include at least one integral radial brace and the body of ball element may have varying thicknesses around one or more of the slot, the outer portion of the ball, and the bore. In addition, the body of the ball element may include at least one area perpendicular to the bore that is thicker than other areas of the body. In addition, the at least one brace may include a plurality of braces, and the braces of the plurality of braces may be disposed one or more of radially from the bore to the outer portion of the ball element, parallel to the bore, perpendicular to the bore, or any combination thereof.

In one preferred form, forming the body may comprise creating the body using one of an additive manufacturing technique, a casting technique or a sintering technique. In addition, forming the bore within the body may comprise creating the bore within the body using one or more of an additive manufacturing technique, a casting technique, or a sintering technique. Further, forming at least one brace within the body may comprise creating the at least one brace within the body using one or more of an additive manufacturing technique, a casting technique, or a sintering technique.

In another aspect, the additive manufacturing technique may comprise 3D printing. In addition, the method may further comprise forming one of a slot or a recess in an outer portion of the body of the ball, one of the slot or the recess for receiving the valve stem.

In accordance with other aspects, the method may further comprise applying a coating to the outside portion of the body one of: (1) after fabrication of the ball element; or (2) during fabrication using an additive manufacturing technique. In addition, forming one or more of the body, the bore and the at least one brace may comprise forming one or more of the body, the bore and the at least one brace by one or more of casting or sintering and then joining one or more of the body, the bore and the at least one brace by fabrication. Further, one or more of the body and the braces may be fabricated out of sheet, machined bar, or plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to a braced ball element for a rotary valve. The rotary valve includes a valve body defining a valve inlet, a valve outlet, and a control passage in fluid communication with the valve inlet and the valve outlet. The ball element is disposed within the control passage via a valve stem to control fluid flow between the valve inlet and the valve outlet and includes a body having an outer portion. A bore is disposed in a center portion of the body, and at least one brace is disposed in the body between the bore and the outer portion of the ball element. The at least one brace may include a plurality of braces and may be disposed one or more of radially from the bore to the outer portion of the ball element, parallel to the bore, perpendicular to the bore, or any combination thereof. Further, the at least one brace may include at least one integral radial brace, such that the body of the ball element may have varying thicknesses around one or more of the slot, the outer portion of the ball, and the bore. So configured, the hollow, braced ball element is more elastic than the conventional solid ball element, allowing the ball element to more easily conform to the shape of a sealing surface. In addition, the hollow ball element reduces the weight of the ball element, reducing an amount of spring force required to push the ball element into a valve seat to maintain a required seat load and subsequent maximum leak rate.

Referring now toFIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, an exemplary rotary valve10of the type commonly employed in process control systems is depicted. The control valve10includes a valve body12, a valve inlet14, a valve outlet16, and a flow path18that extends between the inlet14and the outlet16. The flow path18includes a control passage20, and a control element22is movably disposed in the control passage20. In the example ofFIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, the control element22in the control valve10takes the form of a rotating control element and includes a new ball element22of the present disclosure.

More specifically, the control element22ofFIGS. 1B and 2is a floating ball element connected to a valve stem24, such as a rotary stem. The valve stem24is operatively coupled to an actuator26by an actuator shaft28, and the actuator26may be any kind of suitable actuator of the types commonly employed in the art. The ball element22is positioned such that the floating ball is disposed in the control passage20. Using the actuator26, the position of the control element22within the control passage20may be controlled, thereby controlling the amount of fluid flow through the control passage20. The floating ball valve stem24may be supported by a shaft adapter30and a side-mounted bracket32, which operatively attaches the actuator26and the valve body12.

Still referring toFIGS. 1B and 2, a valve seat34is disposed in the control passage20proximate to the valve inlet14and sealingly engages the ball element22. A valve seat holder35for receiving the valve seat34is also disposed proximate to the valve inlet, and a spring36, such as a Belleville spring, is disposed upstream the valve seat holder35to bias the ball element22in the closed position, as depicted inFIG. 2, for example. The ball element22includes a body38having an outer portion40, a bore42disposed in a center portion C of the body38, and at least one brace disposed in the body38between the bore and the outer portion40of the ball element22, as described more below. Upon rotation of the ball element22, the bore42of the ball element22may be moved from a closed position to an open position, in which the bore42of the ball element22is exposed to the control passage20, allowing fluid flow through the bore42, for example.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the ball element22ofFIGS. 1B and 2is depicted. As shown therein, the ball element22includes the body38having an outer portion40, a bore42disposed in a center portion C of the body38, and at least one brace44disposed in the body38between the bore42and the outer portion40of the ball element22. More specifically, in this example, the at least one brace44includes a plurality of braces46, as explained more below. In addition, one or more of a slot47or recess for receiving the valve stem24is disposed within the ball element22, as depicted inFIG. 3.

In the example ball element22ofFIG. 3, the at least one brace44includes the plurality of braces46, and each brace44of the plurality of braces46includes at least one radial brace48. Each radial brace48includes a first portion50extending to the bore42and second portion52in contact with the outer portion40of the ball element22. In addition, each radial brace48is spaced equidistantly from the other radial brace48of the plurality of braces46extending around the bore42of the ball element22. While the braces44,48are depicted inFIG. 3as generally cylindrical in shape, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one or more of the braces44,48may alternatively include various other shapes, such as one or more of triangular, triangular-in part, circular, circular-in part, and/or spherical shapes, and still fall within the scope of the present application. In addition, one or more of the braces44,48may additionally and/or alternatively have a thicker and/or different cross-sectional width, for example, than depicted inFIG. 3and also still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of another exemplary ball element122of the present disclosure is depicted. The ball element122may replace the ball element22and/or alternatively be used with the rotary valve10ofFIGS. 1A, 1B and 2. Parts of the ball element122the same or similar to the ball element22ofFIG. 3are numbered100more than the parts of the ball element22.

Like the ball element22, the ball element122includes the body138having an outer portion140, a bore142disposed in a center C of the body38, and at least one brace144disposed in the body138between the bore142and the outer portion140of the ball element122. More specifically, in this example, the at least one brace144include a plurality of braces146, as explained more below. In addition, one or more of a slot147or recess for receiving the valve stem24is disposed within the ball element122, as depicted inFIG. 3.

Unlike the plurality of braces44ofFIG. 3, however, the plurality of braces146ofFIG. 4are each disposed parallel to the bore142. In addition, each brace144is spaced equidistantly from the other braces148of the plurality of braces146extending around the bore142of the ball element122. While the braces144,148are depicted inFIG. 4as generally cylindrical in shape, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one or more of the braces144,148may alternatively include various other shapes, such as one or more of triangular, triangular-in part, circular, circular-in part, and/or spherical shapes, and still fall within the scope of the present application. In addition, one or more of the braces144,148may additionally and/or alternatively have a thicker and/or different cross-sectional width, for example, than depicted inFIG. 4and also still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Still further, while the plurality of braces146ofFIG. 4includes seven braces148, more or fewer braces148may alternatively be used and still fall within the scope of the present disclose. For example, and in one example, only a pair of braces may be included within the ball element122, and the pair of braces may be disposed on either side of the center C of the ball element122and along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A of the ball element122, for example. More generally any number of braces148disposed parallel to the bore142may alternatively be used, such as more than a pair of braces or any number less than seven braces, in one example.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of another exemplary ball element222of the present disclosure is depicted. The ball element222may replace the ball element22and/or alternatively be used with the rotary valve10ofFIGS. 1A, 1B and 2. Parts of the ball element222the same or similar to the ball element22ofFIG. 3are numbered200more than the parts of the ball element22.

Like the ball element22, the ball element222includes a body238having an outer portion240, a bore242disposed in a center C of the body238, and at least one brace244disposed in the body238between the bore242and the outer portion240of the ball element222. More specifically, in this example, the at least one brace244includes a plurality of braces246, as explained more below. In addition, one or more of a slot247or recess for receiving the valve stem24is disposed within the ball element222, as depicted inFIG. 5.

Unlike the plurality of braces44ofFIG. 3, however, the plurality of braces244ofFIG. 5are each disposed perpendicular to the bore242. In addition, each brace244is spaced equidistantly from the other braces248of the plurality of braces246extending around the bore242of the ball element222. While the braces244,248are depicted inFIG. 5as generally cylindrical in shape, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one or more of the braces244,248may alternatively include various other shapes and still fall within the scope of the present application. In addition, one or more of the braces244,248may additionally and/or alternatively have a thicker and/or different cross-sectional width, for example, than depicted inFIG. 5and also still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Still further, while the plurality of braces246ofFIG. 4includes five braces248, more or fewer braces248may alternatively be used and still fall within the scope of the present disclose. For example, and in one example, only a pair of braces may be included in the ball element122, such as the pair of braces disposed on either side of the center C of the ball element222and along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis B of the ball element222. More generally, any number of braces248disposed perpendicular to the bore242may alternatively be used, such as more than a pair of braces or any number less than seven braces, in one example.

Still referring toFIG. 5, the at least one brace244or each brace248of the plurality of braces246includes a first end254adjacent to a first area255of outer portion240of the ball element222and a second end246adjacent to a second area258of the outer portion240of the ball element222. In one example, the second area258is disposed on a side of the ball element222opposite to the first area255of the outer portion240. In a similar manner, each of braces248also includes a first end254and a second end256. The second end256is disposed on a side of the ball element opposite to a side of the ball element222of the first end254of the brace248.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a cross-sectional view of another exemplary ball element322of the present disclosure is depicted. The ball element322may replace the ball element22and/or alternatively be used with the rotary valve10ofFIGS. 1A, 1B and 2. Parts of the ball element322the same or similar to the ball element22ofFIG. 3are numbered300more than the parts of the ball element22.

Like the ball element22, the ball element322includes a body338having an outer portion340, a bore342disposed in a center C of the body338, and at least one brace344disposed in the body338between the bore342and the outer portion340of the ball element322. More specifically, in this example, the at least one brace344may include a plurality of braces346, as explained more below. In addition, one or more of a slot347or recess for receiving the valve stem24may be disposed within the ball element322, as depicted inFIG. 6.

Unlike the plurality of braces46ofFIG. 3, however, the plurality of braces346ofFIG. 6are integral braces344, such as integral radial braces, disposed around the bore340between the outer portion340of the ball element322and the bore342. More specifically, ball element322further includes a plurality of apertures348disposed around the bore342between the outer portion340of the ball element322and the bore342. In one example, the braces344are disposed between one or more of the apertures348, and, thus, also between the outer portion340and the bore342. In addition, each aperture348may have a different shape and size of another aperture348of the plurality of apertures348For example, and as depicted inFIG. 6, the plurality of apertures348includes four apertures348. Two of the four apertures348are disposed within an area below a center C of the ball element322and include a first size, while the other two apertures348are disposed within an area of the ball element322above the center C depicted inFIG. 6and include a second size smaller than the first size. Said another way, the body338of the ball element322is separated into two halves, a first half360and a second half362. The first half360includes an aperture348having a first size and another aperture348having a second size. Likewise, the second half362includes an aperture348having of the first size and another aperture348having the second size, such that the two apertures348disposed on the second half362of the body338of the ball element322are the same as the two apertures348disposed on the first half360of the body338of the ball element322. So configured, the body338of the ball element322includes braces344disposed between the various apertures348, the braces344having different thicknesses around one or more of the slot347, the outer portion340of the ball element322, and the bore342, as explained more below

More specifically, and in one example, the body338of the ball element322has a brace344, such as a first brace, having a first thickness T1and disposed between the slot347and the bore342, and another brace344, such as second brace, having a second thickness T2and disposed between the aperture348and the outer portion340of the ball element322. In addition, the body338may also include a third brace344having a third thickness T3and disposed between the aperture348and the bore342and a fourth brace344having fourth thickness T4and disposed between the two of the apertures348. Further, in other examples, the body338of the ball element322may include other braces344, such as a fifth brace, having a fifth thickness T5and disposed between the slot347and an adjacent aperture348disposed in the body338around the outer portion340of the bore342, for example. In one example, the first thickness T1of the brace344is greater than the second, third, and fourth thicknesses T2, T3and T4, of the corresponding braces344, and the fourth thickness T4of the brace344is greater than the second and the third thicknesses T2, T3, of the corresponding braces344, resulting in various thicknesses of braces344in the body338disposed around the ball element322. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, additional thicknesses of braces344of the body338not indicated may be disposed within the body338. Further, in other examples, the number, shapes, and sizes of the apertures348may vary from that depicted inFIG. 6, affecting the thicknesses T1-T5of corresponding braces344. For example, in another example, and depending upon the number, size and shape of the apertures348within the body338of the ball element322, the first thickness T1may be less than one or more of the second, third, fourth, and fifth thicknesses T2, T3, T4, T5and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now toFIG. 7, a cross-sectional view of another exemplary ball element422of the present disclosure is depicted. The ball element422may replace the ball element22and/or alternatively be used with the rotary valve10ofFIGS. 1A, 1B and 2. Parts of the ball element422the same or similar to the ball element22ofFIG. 3are numbered400more than the parts of the ball element22.

Like the ball element22, the ball element422includes the body438having an outer portion440, a bore442disposed in a center C of the body438, and one or more of a slot447or recess for receiving the valve stem24is disposed within the ball element422, as depicted inFIG. 7. However, unlike the ball element22ofFIG. 3and the other foregoing examples, the ball element422includes at least one brace444disposed in a thicker section TS of the body438that is perpendicular to the bore442. Said a different way, and as depicted inFIG. 7, the at least one brace444disposed in the thicker section TS is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis E of the bore442. In other words, the body438includes at least one brace444in the area TS that is perpendicular to the bore442that is thicker than other areas of the body438. The at least one brace444in the thicker section TS essentially braces the ball element422during use. Said another way, the thicker section TS may be and/or serve the same function as the at least one brace of the foregoing previous examples, in that the thicker section reinforces the body438due to potential structural weakness from the bore442, for example. In this way, the at least one brace444in the thicker section TS of the ball element422helps the ball element422maintain rigidity and structural integrity when the ball element422is pressed or pushed into the valve seat34of the valve10(FIGS. 1B and 3).

In view of the foregoing, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate several advantages of the ball elements22,122,222,322, and422of the present disclosure. For example, each of the at least one brace44,144,244,344,444serves to reinforce the ball elements22,122,222,322, and422having the bores42,142,242,342,442disposed therein. Said another way, the bores42,142,242,342,442are reinforced by one or more of the at least one brace44,144,244,344,444, in particular when the ball element22,122,222,322,422sealingly engages the valve seat34(FIGS. 1B and 2) during operation of the rotary valve10. The shape, size and location of the braces, such as the at least one brace44,144,244,344,444, may be modified to adjust flexibility and/or rigidity of the ball element22,122,222,322,422, as needed. For example, and in one example, the at least one brace44,144,244,344,444includes the plurality of braces46,146,246,346, and the braces44,144,244,344,444of the plurality of braces46,146,246,346may be disposed one or more of: (1) radially from the bore42,142,242,342to the outer portion40,140,240,340of the ball element22,122,222,322; (2) parallel to the bore42,142,242,342; (3) perpendicular to the bore42,142,242,342; and/or (4) any combination thereof.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a diagram of an example method or process500of manufacturing the ball element22,122,222,322,422of the rotary valve10according to the teachings of the present disclosure is depicted. More specifically, the method of manufacturing500includes the act502of forming the body38,138,238,338,438of the ball element22,122,222,322,422of the rotary valve10. The method500further includes the act504of forming the bore42,142,242,342,442disposed within the ball element22,122,222,322,422, and the act506forming at least one brace44,144,244,344,444disposed within the body38,138,238,338.

In one example, each of the acts502,504and506of the method of manufacturing500use one or more additive manufacturing techniques. Generally, the additive manufacturing technique may be any additive manufacturing technique or process that builds three-dimensional objects by adding successive layers of material on a material. The additive manufacturing technique may be performed by any suitable machine or combination of machines. The additive manufacturing technique may typically involve or use a computer, three-dimensional modeling software (e.g., Computer Aided Design, or CAD, software), machine equipment, and layering material. Once a CAD model is produced, the machine equipment may read in data from the CAD file and layer or add successive layers of liquid, powder, sheet material (for example) in a layer-upon-layer fashion to fabricate a three-dimensional object. The additive manufacturing technique may include any of several techniques or processes, such as, for example, a stereolithography (“SLA”) process, a fused deposition modeling (“FDM”) process, multi-jet modeling (“MJM”) process, a selective laser sintering (“SLS”) process, an electronic beam additive manufacturing process, and an arc welding additive manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the additive manufacturing process may include a directed energy laser deposition process. Such a directed energy laser deposition process may be performed by a multi-axis computer-numerically-controlled (“CNC”) lathe with directed energy laser deposition capabilities.

In another example, each of the acts502,504,506of the method of manufacturing500may include one or more of casting or sintering, manufacturing processes well known to persons having ordinary skill in the art. In yet another example, each of the acts502,504,506of the method of manufacturing500may further include joining one or more of the body38,138,238,338,448, the bore42,142,242,342,442, and the at least one brace44,144,244,344,444by fabrication after casting or sintering one or more of the same parts of the ball element22,122,222,322,422. More specifically, in one example, one or more of the body38,138,238,338,448and the at least one brace44,144,244,344may be fabricated out of sheet or machined bar or plate. Some materials may include one or more of polymers, carbon or alloy steel, stainless steels and exotics. Coating material, such as one or more of chrome, cobalt alloys, carbides, or others, may be applied after fabrication of the ball element22,122,222,322,422or as part of the fabrication process, such as during additive manufacturing, as explained more below. In one example, it is possible to make the ball element22,122,222,322,422completely out of the coating material. In another example, a substitute material different from the coating material may alternatively be used, making the use of the coating material unnecessary, as also explained more below.

More specifically, in some examples, forming the body38,138,238,338,438having the outer portion40,140,240,340,440may comprise creating the body using an additive manufacturing technique, such as one or more of the foregoing additive manufacturing techniques described above. In addition, forming the bore42,142,242,342,442within the body38,138,238,338,438may comprise creating the bore42,142,242,342,442using an additive manufacturing technique, such as one or more of the foregoing additive manufacturing techniques described above. Further, forming the at least one brace44,144,244,344,444within the body38,138,238,338may comprise creating the at least one brace44,144,244,344within the body38,138,238,338using an additive manufacturing technique, such as one or more of the additive manufacturing techniques described above.

In addition, the method of manufacturing500may further include forming one or more of the slot47,147,247,347,447or the recess in the outer portion40,140,240,340,440of the body38,138,238,338,438of the ball element22,122,222,322,422, one of the slot or recess47,147,247,347,447for receiving the valve stem24(FIGS. 1B and 2). In other examples, the method of manufacturing500may further comprise applying a coating to the outer portion40,140,240,340,440of the body38,138,238,338,438one of: (1) after fabrication of the ball element22,122,222,322,422; or (2) during fabrication of the ball element22,122,222,322,422using at least one additive manufacturing technique.

In still other examples, forming one or more of the body38,138,238,338,438may comprise creating the body38,138,238,338,438using one or more of a casting or a sintering technique. In addition, forming the bore42,142,242,342,442within the body38,138,238,338,438may comprise creating the bore42,142,242,342,442within the body38,138,238,338,438using one or more of a casting or sintering technique. Further, forming the at least one brace44,144,244,344,444within the body38,138,238,338may comprise creating the at least one brace44,144,244,344,444within the body38,138,238,338using one or more of a casting or a sintering technique. Still further, the method500may then further include joining one or more of the body38,138,238,338,438, the bore42,142,242,342,442, and/or the at least one brace44,144,244,344,444by fabrication.

From the foregoing, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the several advantages of the foregoing ball elements22,122,222,322,422when used in the rotary valve10and method500. For example, the hollow, braced ball elements22,122,222,322,422will be more elastic than a solid ball element, allowing the ball elements22,122,222,322,422to more easily conform to the shape of a mated sealing surface of the valve seat34, for example. This provides particular benefits when temperature variations cause the shape of the ball element22,122,222,322,422and valve seat34to change during operation of the rotary valve10or when there is a desire to assemble the rotary valve10without a mating process, such as grinding or lapping.

Although certain rotary valves have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, while the invention has been shown and described in connection with various preferred embodiments, it is apparent that certain changes and modifications, in addition to those mentioned above, may be made. This patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents. Accordingly, it is the intention to protect all variations and modifications that may occur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

As used herein any reference to “one implementation,” “one embodiment,” “an implementation,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation is included in at least one implementation. The appearances of the phrase “in one implementation” or “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation.

Some implementations may be described using the expression “coupled” along with its derivatives. For example, some implementations may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The implementations are not limited in this context.