The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 02, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 12, 1996
Chris M Leinen, Austin, TX (US);
Forward Spin Consulting, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
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.