Ball flow control valve

Claim 2

A fluid flow control valve comprising a first ball positioned within said valve and moveable to variably impede the flow of fluid therethrough, means defining a linear path of movement of said first ball, a second ball in engagement with said first ball, and a member for guiding said second ball for movement in a path parallel to but displaced from the path of movement of said first ball, whereby when said balls move they tend to roll in engagement with each other and with said means and said member.

Claim 3

A fluid flow control valve in accordance with claim 1 in which said member is the wall of a cylindrical bore formed in the housing of said valve.

Claim 4

A fluid flow control valve comprising, a housing formed to define a first cylindrical passageway to one end of which fluid under pressure is to be admitted, said housing also being formed to define an enlarged chamber into which the opposite end of said passageway opens, and from which chamber fluid output is to be taken, a first ball having a diameter substantially equal to that of said passageway and positioned on the axis thereof, means within said chamber for guiding said ball along a path such that the center of said ball moves along the axis of said passageway as said ball enters said chamber, said housing being formed to define a second cylindrical passageway the axis of which is parallel to but displaced from that of said first cylindrical passageway and which opens into said chamber approximately opposite said first passageway, a second ball having a diameter substantially equal to that of said second passageway and positioned on the axis thereof in engagement with said first ball, and means for applying a control force to said second ball in such a direction as to urge it into engagement with said first ball.

Claim 5

A fluid flow control valve comprising, a housing formed to define a first cylindrical passageway to one end of which fluid under pressure is to be admitted, said housing also being formed to define an enlarged chamber into which the opposite end of said passageway opens, and from which chamber fluid output is to be taken, a first ball having a diameter substantially equal to that of said passageway and positioned on the axis thereof, means within said chamber for guiding said ball along a path such that the center of said ball moves along the axis of said passageway as said ball enters said chamber, said housing being formed to define a second cylindrical passageway the axis of which is parallel to but displaced from that of said first cylindrical passageway and which opens into said chamber approximately opposite said first passageway, a second ball having a diameter substantially equal to that of said second passageway and positioned on the axis thereof in engagement with said first ball, and means for applying a control force to said second ball in such a direction as to urge it into engagement with said first ball.

Claim 6

A fluid flow control valve in accordance with claim 3 in which said means for guiding includes a plurality of plates each formed with a plurality of baffles on one face thereof, said plates being stacked together and formed with a central bore having the same diameter as said first cylindrical passageway so as to form a plurality of fluid paths between adjacent plates extending from said central bore to the outer edges of said plates, said stack being positioned in said chamber adjacent to and coaxial with said other end of said first cylindrical passageway whereby said first ball may roll in engagement with the inner edges of said plates.

Claim 7

A fluid flow control valve in accordance with claim 3 in which said second ball is larger than said first ball.

Claim 8

A fluid flow control valve in accordance with claim 3, including means for limiting the movement of said first ball.

Claim 9

A fluid flow control valve in accordance with claim 3 including an annular seat for receiving said first ball when positioned remotely from said chamber.

Claim 10

A fluid flow control valve in accordance with claim 3 in which said means for applying a control force includes auxiliary passageways formed in said housing for transmitting a fluid control pressure so as to urge said second ball into engagement with said first ball.

Claim 11

A fluid flow control valve in accordance with claim 8 in which said passageways are formed so as to apply said fluid control pressure directly to said second ball.

Claim 12

A fluid flow control valve in accordance with claim 9 including a spring urging said second ball into engagement with said first ball.

Claim 13

A fluid flow control valve in aCcordance with claim 3 in which said housing is formed to define a third cylindrical passageway coaxial with said first cylindrical passageway having a diameter equal to that of said second cylindrical passageway and communicating with said second passageway at a location remote from said chamber, said valve including a third ball having substantially the same diameter as and positioned within said third cylindrical passageway in engagement with said second ball.

Claim 14

A fluid flow control valve in accordance with claim 11 in which said means for applying a control force includes auxiliary passageways formed in said housing for transmitting a fluid control pressure to said third cylindrical passageway so as to urge said third ball into engagement with said second ball which in turn is thereby urged into engagement with said first ball.

Claim 15

A fluid flow control valve in accordance with claim 12 including a spring urging said third ball into engagement with said second ball. 14 A valve for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough, comprising, a housing formed to define an inlet passageway, an outlet passageway and a first cylindrical passageway one end of which is in communication with said inlet passageway, a plurality of circular plates each formed with a central bore having a diameter equal to that of said first cylindrical passageway and each formed with a plurality of raised baffles on one side thereof, said plates being positioned and fastened coaxially to form a stack having a central bore and defining a plurality of restrictive passages between each pair of adjacent plates for the passage of fluid from said central bore radially outward, said stack being fastened to said housing so as to be coaxial with and adjacent to said cylindrical passageway at the end opposite its point of communication with said inlet passageway, said housing being formed to define a chamber communicating with said outlet passageway and with the circumference of said stack of plates, a first ball having a diameter substantially equal to that of said first passageway and said central bore and moveably positioned therein, whereby when the center of said ball is within said first passageway the flow of fluid is substantially cut off and whereby as said ball is moved into said central bore the passages between adjacent plates are successively exposed whereby fluid flowing therethrough has its pressure reduced gradually without the generation of high velocities, said housing also being formed to define a second cylindrical passageway the axis of which is parallel to but displaced from that of said central bore, and which passageway is located adjacent to that end of said central bore which is remote from said first passageway, a second ball having a diameter substantially equal to that of and positioned within said second cylindrical passageway and in engagement with said first ball, and means for applying a control force to said second ball in a direction to urge it into engagement with said first ball, whereby when said balls move in response to said control force and to the force exerted on said first ball by fluid in said inlet passageway, said balls tend to roll along each other and along the walls of said cylindrical passageways and bores.