Other

Dresser Equipment Group, Inc.

Forward Spin Consulting, Inc.

Chris M Leinen

Stephen Samuel Hodgson

An adjustable IV stand has an adjustable support, which can be adjusted from a first compact configuration to a second expanded configuration that provides increased stability and a stand suitable for use to assist an ambulatory patient with walking.

Adjustable wheeled IV stand

An internal diffuser on a diffuser stem is disposed in a bore of a rotary control valve for attenuating vibration in gas service or cavitation in liquid service. The valve has a valve body and a valve element, and the valve element is rotatable with respect to the internal diffuser. The internal diffuser can be rotatable or non-rotatable with respect to the valve body. The valve element has a valve stem, and the internal diffuser can be arranged coaxially with the valve stem, but this is not a necessary requirement. In one embodiment the internal diffuser is positioned in the bore of the valve element, and the diffuser stem is parallel with the valve stem and spaced laterally apart from it. In another embodiment the internal diffuser is located in the bore of the valve outside of the valve element in either an inlet or an outlet passage of the valve body. The diffuser stem has an axis which can be nonparallel with respect to the axis of the valve stem. A valve actuator is provided for rotating the valve element, and where the internal diffuser is rotatable, a diffuser actuator is provided for rotating the internal diffuser. The diffuser actuator can be fixed to a plate securing the valve actuator so that the valve element and the internal diffuser first rotate together before an independent adjustment is made for rotating the internal diffuser. Where the internal diffuser is rotatable with respect to the valve body, the valve actuator and the diffuser actuator can be manipulated by a control system, the control system having inputs, outputs and logic for rotating the valve element and the internal diffuser into desired positions.

Valve with internal diffuser

A partial diffuser is provided in a flow path of a pipe or valve, dividing the flow path into an unrestricted flow region, a greater restricted flow region, and a lesser restricted flow region. The flow path is defined by an inside wall, and the lesser restricted flow region is proximate to the inside wall. The greater restricted flow region is distal to the inside wall, and the lesser restricted flow region lies between the greater restricted flow region and the inside wall. In one embodiment three partial diffusers project into the flow path in a ball valve. An inlet flow diffuser is installed in the inlet to the valve, and a valve element inlet flow diffuser is installed at an inlet to a valve element in the valve diametrically opposed to the inlet flow diffuser. A valve element outlet flow diffuser is installed in an outlet from the valve element at a position diametrically opposed to the valve element inlet flow diffuser. These partial flow diffusers reduce the formation of excess turbulence and vortices, thus reducing vibration and noise.

Control valve with partial flow diffuser

An improved low-noise rotary control valve is disclosed. Such valve includes a valve body (10) and a rotatable ball (12) mounted within the valve body. The improvement includes an upwardly extending diverter (28) in the entry flow passage (15) of the valve body (10). A downwardly extending diverter (30) is disposed on the leading edge of the upper half (50) of the valve (12). Such diverters (28, 30) provide only small impedance to flow when the rotary control valve is in the full open position, but provide a tortious path for fluid flow through the valve (20) when it is partially closed. Such tortious path of the fluid inhibits vortex formation within the flow passage of the valve (14) with the result that vibration and noise are reduced. A third impediment placed in the outlet flow passage (16) extends upwardly from the valve and inhibits vortex formation downstream of the valve. Transverse passages (40) in the lower portion (52) of the ball (12) are also provided to reduce vibration and noise as fluid passes through the valve.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Chris M Leinen