Abstract:
An apparatus includes a variable valve placed into the interior of a ball valve for various advantages. In one embodiment a variable valve comprised of rollers is engineered into a standard ball valve thereby providing the advantages of the high sealing pressure of a ball valve and the fine flow control of a variable valve using rollers. In one embodiment a plurality of variable ball valves enhance flow in a system. In another embodiment superior sealing and high pressure operation is achieved. In another embodiment high voltage is added to ionize gasses.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61/799,289, filed on Mar. 15, 2013. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
       [0002]    The present invention is in the technical area of variable control valves. In the current art the most common way to vary the flow of a gas, liquid or other media is to make use of a butterfly valve or a ball valve. The problem with butterfly valves is in the way they are connected to the inner surface of the conduit. Typically the body or plate of the valve is attached to a rod. This rod is inserted into openings in the interior of the conduit to secure the plate. This is a very weak structure and cannot handle much pressure before failure. Another disadvantage of a butterfly valve is that the resulting flow on the downstream side of the valve is very turbulent. This causes problems when exacting pressure is needed for a certain application such as mixing gases etc . . . The pressure is hard to maintain because of the turbulent conditions. A further disadvantage of a butterfly valve is the significant resistance when the valve is fully open due to the stem and valve plate interfering with the continuous and even flow of gas liquid or other media. 
         [0003]    A ball valve does not have the weakness aspect but does have significant turbulence. As a ball valve opens partially water is forced into the side of the conduit creating turbulence and cavitation. Cavitation is the formation of vapor cavities in a liquid—i.e. small liquid-free zones (“bubbles” or “voids”)—that are the consequence of forces acting upon the liquid. It usually occurs when a liquid is subjected to rapid changes of pressure that cause the formation of cavities where the pressure is relatively low. When subjected to higher pressure, the voids implode and can generate an intense shockwave. 
         [0004]    Cavitation is a significant cause of wear in some engineering contexts. Collapsing voids that implode near to a metal surface cause cyclic stress through repeated implosion. Repeated implosion results in surface fatigue of the metal causing a type of wear also called “cavitation”. The most common examples of this kind of wear are to pump impellers and bends where a sudden change in the direction of liquid occurs. Cavitation is usually divided into two classes of behavior: inertial (or transient) cavitation and non-inertial cavitation. 
         [0005]    Inertial cavitation is the process where a void or bubble in a liquid rapidly collapses, producing a shock wave. Inertial cavitation occurs in nature in the strikes of mantis shrimps and pistol shrimps, as well as in the vascular tissues of plants. In man-made objects, it can occur in control valves, pumps, propellers and impellers. Cavitation can also occur in a ball valve. 
         [0006]    Non-inertial cavitation is the process in which a bubble in a fluid is forced to oscillate in size or shape due to some form of energy input, such as an acoustic field. 
         [0007]    Since the shock waves formed by collapse of the voids are strong enough to cause significant damage to moving parts, cavitation is usually an undesirable phenomenon. It is very often specifically avoided in the design of valves. Eliminating cavitation is a major field in the study of fluid dynamics. However, it is sometimes useful and does not cause damage when the bubbles collapse away from machinery, such as in supercavitation. 
         [0008]    What is clearly needed is a variable valve that has the strength and sealing characteristics of a ball valve with the ability to vary the flow in said valve with a minimum of turbulence and to handle very high pressures. What is also needed is a variable valve that is adapted to inject gas, liquid, solids, semisolids and or plasma into an existing media stream via hollow or semi hollow rollers adapted for said purpose. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    One object of the invention is to provide a high pressure valve with a precise flow control with a minimum of turbulence and cavitation. 
         [0010]    Another object of the invention is to provide a variable ball valve adapted to engineer flow control through a plurality of conduits including the ability of inducing a vortex for flow control. 
         [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide a variable flow adjustable ball valve capable of causing purposeful cavitation. 
         [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide a variable ball valve that is adapted to ionize gasses into an existing media stream with the ability to control the flow of said media stream very precisely and with high pressure sealing capabilities. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment of the invention openings are incorporated into the interior of the rollers of a variable ball valve so that media may be mixed in this way. 
         [0014]    Another aspect of the invention is to provide a variable ball valve with rounded shaped rollers. This shape causes less turbulence as gas or liquid flows through a conduit. In addition because of the cylindrical shape of the rollers a boundary layer effect enables the gas or media to flow more smoothly through the valve. 
         [0015]    Another object of the invention is to provide a valve that is capable of splitting water through cavitation through electromagnetic frequency adjustments and or via the utilization of piezoelectric elements in rollers of valves. 
         [0016]    Another object of the invention is to provide a variable flow valve inside a ball valve capable of hydraulic actuation, mechanical actuation, electrical actuation, wireless actuation and magnetic actuation. 
         [0017]    Another object of the invention is to provide a variable flow valve inside a ball valve capable of being used to adjust PH and to mix chemicals as they are moving through the conduit. 
         [0018]    Another object of the invention is to provide a variable valve incorporating a transformer into the interior of one or each rollers so that the high voltage may be accomplished in this way. In this way one can control high pressure gas with precision with a variable valve that has a high pressure seal and at the same time ionize said gas with high voltage of any frequency. 
         [0019]    Another object of the invention is to provide a variable valve with sensors that can detect shock waves in any media and alter said waves to a different form. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of turbulence patterns in a typical state of the art butterfly valve. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of turbulence patterns in a typical state of the art ball valve. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a variable valve in the closed position according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4   a  is an illustration of a variable valve in the partially open position incorporating an elliptical shape according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4   b  is an illustration of a variable valve in the open position incorporating a square shape according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4   c  is an illustration of a variable valve in the open position incorporating a triangle shape according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4   d  is an illustration of a variable valve in the open position incorporating a star shape according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4   e  is an illustration of a variable valve in the open position incorporating a square shape with corrugated upper edges according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a variable valve open to the full position. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a variable valve assembly constructed into the interior of a ball valve according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a variable ball valve according to one embodiment of the present invention with side actuation. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of variable valve rollers in a double opening configuration. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of a variable ball valve according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of the back side of the roller opening of a partially open variable valve illustrating media injection through spherical openings in hollow rollers according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of the back side of the opening of a partially open variable valve with raised protrusions for directing flow of media. 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of sound and shock waves being controlled by a variable valve inside a conduit according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates the turbulence of a butterfly valve of the prior art. This turbulence causes heat and a disruption in the flow of the liquid or gas flowing through a pipe or conduit. Typically an additional length of material is needed to allow the turbulence to dissipate thereby causing additional cost. This causes problems with applications in which space is at a premium. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a typical illustration of the turbulence caused by a ball valve that is partially open. This turbulence causes the same problems as stated above with a butterfly valve. In a high pressure application this kind of turbulence causes major problems with heat and cavitation generated by the turbulence. If abrasive material is being transported the turbulence can cause much quicker wear on the conduit and the valve itself. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a variable valve of the present invention in a closed position. Gears  303  drive the rollers in opposite directions or the same direction. Element  304  is a stem that may be driven which is connected to gear  303 . Element  302  is an inlet port through which other media or gases may be injected through rollers  301 . Element  305  are separate conduits through which media may be communicated to rollers  301 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 4   a  is a variable valve  404  in a partially open position. Rollers  401  are rotated in opposite directions so that the opening forms an elliptical eye like shape  402 . This shape causes less turbulence as gas or liquid flows through a conduit. In addition because of the cylindrical shape of the rollers  401  a boundary layer effect enables the gas or media to flow more smoothly through the valve. Element  403  can function as a gear driver driving the whole assembly and may incorporate a media injection function whereby additional media may be injected into main stream of media being controlled by variable valve assembly  404 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4   b  is a variable valve  404  in a partially open position. Rollers  401  are rotated in opposite directions so that the opening forms a square opening  402 . This square shape may be designed for many purposes one of which may be to purposefully cause cavitation in main media stream being controlled by variable valve  404 . Rollers  401  may be tuned to exhibit a certain frequency which is desirable for obtaining cavitation in the main media stream in concert with the square shape. In addition, because of the cylindrical shape of the rollers  401 , a boundary layer effect enables the gas or media to flow more smoothly through the valve. Element  403  can function as a gear driver driving the whole assembly and may incorporate a media injection function whereby additional media may be injected into main stream of media being controlled by variable valve assembly  404 . In one embodiment variable valve  404  is used to control the flow of air or hydrogen through a hydrogen or hydroxy gas generation system. In is known to the inventor that the cavitation of water and other solutions produces the constituents of the H2o molecule as hydrogen and oxygen. Incorporating valve  404  into the inlet, outlet or in the water solution used during electrolysis can enhance the production of hydrogen and oxygen by inducing cavitation in the solution. Valve  404  can also be utilized to produce cavitation in gas streams associated with electrolysis systems. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4   c  is a variable valve  404  in an open position. Rollers  401  are rotated in opposite directions so that the opening forms a triangle shaped opening  402 . This triangle shape may be designed for many purposes one of which may be to purposefully cause cavitation in media or gas streams. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4   d  is a variable valve  404  in an open position. Rollers  401  are rotated in opposite directions so that the opening forms a star shaped opening  402 . This star shape may be designed for many purposes one of which may be to purposefully cause cavitation in media or gas streams. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4   e  is a variable valve  404  in an open position. Rollers  401  are rotated in opposite directions so that the opening forms a corrugated square shaped opening  402 . This corrugated square shape may be designed for many purposes one of which may be to purposefully cause cavitation in media or gas streams. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a variable valve in an open position. Rollers  501  are rotated in opposite directions so that the opening forms a round shaped opening. This round shape may be designed for many purposes one of which may be to purposefully cause cavitation in media or gas streams. In one embodiment element  502  is a piezoelectric element which can be operated in a range from 0 KHZ to all known frequency ranges. By energizing piezoelectric elements  502  the media contained within the rollers  501  may be energized and or enhanced or ionized as it is injected into the main media stream controlled by the variable valve. In one embodiment the shape of the opening of main variable valve may be engineered to cause cavitation and ionization by adjusting the frequency of piezoelectric elements  502  and by enhancing the shape of the opening of the main valve to purposefully cause cavitation. 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a variable valve of the present invention incorporated into a ball valve. Surface  601  is the sealing surface as seen as element  903  of  FIG. 9 . Outer ball valve housing surface  900  of  FIG. 9  is not shown in  FIG. 6 . Element  605  is an actuation mechanism for actuating the rollers  602  and  603 . In this embodiment the rollers are rotating in opposite directions. In other embodiments the rollers may rotate in the same direction. In this embodiment element  605  is rotated to turn element  611  which is connected to element  606  which changes direction of rotation like a gear box. Element  606  may be of any design as long as direction of torque or rotation is changed so that gear  607  may be rotated in the proper direction for functioning of the variable valve. The actuation of the rollers  602  and  603  may take many forms such as hydraulic actuation, mechanical actuation, electrical actuation, wireless actuation and magnetic actuation. The actuation of the rollers  602  and  603  are not intended to be a limitation of the invention. 
         [0046]    Element  604  is an actuation device which is affixed to element  610 . Element  610  is affixed to surface  601  which is the sealing surface as seen as element  903  of  FIG. 9 . When element  604  is turned the whole assemble is rotated until a sealing condition is reached as seen in  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment handle element  605  can be rotated without handle  604  being rotated so that rollers may be rotated independently of surface  601 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a variable valve of the present invention incorporated into a ball valve. Surface  601  is the sealing surface as seen as element  903  of  FIG. 9 . Outer ball valve housing surface  900  of  FIG. 9  is not shown in  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment the actuation is accomplished through a side actuation. Handle  705  turns shaft  706  so that gear  707  is rotated thereby rotating rollers  703  in opposite directions. Opening  709  can be finely adjusted this way. Element  701  and  702  will turn the whole assembly within an outer ball valve sealing surface. Element  708  indicates the fully opened shape in this embodiment. In one embodiment a section of the outer surface  710  is made to be removable so that roller assembly may be removed and service may take place. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  illustrates  2  rollers  104  with ½ spheres cut out of each roller as seen in elements  103 ,  106 ,  105  and  107 . Gears  108  and  110  rotate rollers  104  through connection  114 . In this embodiment 2 media streams can be controlled at the same time. In other embodiments long rollers with multiple shapes can be utilized to control many media streams simultaneously. In this embodiment a mixture with many ingredients can be mixed at one time such as paint mixing etc . . . 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of a variable ball valve according to one embodiment of the present invention. Rollers  902  are affixed into the interior of ball valve  900 . In this way a very strong flow control can be maintained and a very good seal. This variable ball valve can be utilized under very high pressures without the disadvantages of turbulence and cavitation caused by the state of the art ball valves and butterfly valves. In this embodiment handle  904  will turn rollers  902  to one side of the interior surface of ball valve  900  thereby sealing the valve in the shut position. When in the open position the rollers  902  may be adjusted through handle  901 . Actuation of rollers  902  may also be accomplished via internal electric solenoid, electromagnetically, hydraulically, mechanically or any other method. Element  903  is the sealing surface of the ball part of the valve. The figure on the right of  FIG. 9  is an illustration of the variable ball valve in the closed position. 
         [0050]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of the back side of rollers  1001 . Openings  1002  communicate to the interior of the rollers  1001 . In this way other gases and media may be communicated into the main media stream  1003 . Openings  1002  may be of any shape desired to obtain the proper engineering for many applications. These openings can be used to adjust PH and to mix chemicals as they are moving through the conduit. 
         [0051]    Openings  1002  may also be slots or any other shaped opening. In one embodiment of the invention rollers  1001  are non-electrically conductive or coated with a non-conductive material so that a high voltage may be applied to rollers  1001 . The high voltage may be from 0 to any high voltage such as 20,000 volts. In this way a media or gas may be also ionized while traveling through variable valve or variable ball valve. Any media or gas injected through openings  1002  may also be ionized by passing through rollers charged with a very high voltage. In another embodiment a transformer is situated into the interior of one or each rollers  1001  so that the high voltage may be accomplished in this way. In this way one can control high pressure gas with precision with a variable valve that has a high pressure seal and at the same time ionize said gas with high voltage of any frequency. It is known to the inventor that with several valves in line adapted with the protrusions of  FIG. 11  and the openings of  FIG. 10  that an oil and water mixture can be separated into mostly oil and mostly water by adjusting the PH and squeezing the mixture through the multiple variable valves. 
         [0052]      FIG. 11  is an illustration of the back side of the rollers of a variable valve or a variable ball valve. In this embodiment protrusion  1101  are engineered into the back side of the rollers. In this way the media flow traveling through main opening (see  1003   FIG. 10 ) can be altered and directed to enhance flow and reduce undesirable effects and flow characteristics. In one embodiment the protrusions  1101  are designed to induce a vortex flow through main opening (see  1003   FIG. 10 ). It is known to the inventor that a media flowing through a conduit may be made to flow with less resistance when a vortex flow is induced. In one embodiment multiple variable ball valves of the present invention are strategically placed throughout a conduit system so that the flow of said system may be improved and enhanced via the strategically placed vortex inducing variable valves or variable ball valves of the present invention. 
         [0053]      FIG. 12  is an illustration of how one or more variable valves can disrupt, change or block a shock wave or a sound wave. By opening and closing the valve a user can change the frequency of sound waves or shock waves caused by a car or motorcycle exhaust for example. The shock waves are in one form on the upstream side of the variable valve and are in a different form on the other side of the valve based on how far closed the valve is when the shockwave approaches and enters the valve. The back side of the valve as seen in  FIG. 10  would be facing the source of the wave. This can be used for an adjustable sound for a motorcycle for example. This method can also be used to adjust and change the back pressure of an engine while running or driving. In one example a very loud exhaust on a Harley Davidson could be adjusted to a quiet setting when entering a quiet area. 
         [0054]    In a fluid application sensors can detect a shock wave and speed of travel through the conduit timing the partial closing of a variable valve to coincide with its arrival at the valve. This will decrease the shock wave and save vital machinery from damage in the case of line hammer in a fluid system.