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:
Sep. 09, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 22, 2002
Kenneth A. Thurston, Salem, UT (US);
Alan H. Glenn, Salem, UT (US);
Flowserve Management Company, Irving, TX (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides a cost effective means by which pressure reduction in a fluid flow control device is optimized. The pressure reduction achieved according to the present invention also minimizes valve wear and presents new solutions in reducing, attenuating, eliminating, damping, redirecting, or otherwise defeating valve noise. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a flow control device is provided including a valve trim assembly comprising a plurality of valve trim disks defining a plurality of flow paths along a fluid passage between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the flow control device. Respective flow paths defined by the valve trim disks comprise an expansion/contraction mechanism, a velocity control mechanism, an acoustic chamber, and frequency shifting passages. The expansion/contraction mechanism has a cross section including rapid increases and decreases in cross-sectional flow area. The velocity control mechanism defines a cross-sectional flow profile defining a relatively low cross-sectional flow area proximate the fluid inlet and a relatively high cross-sectional flow area proximate the fluid outlet. The acoustic chamber is configured to defeat acoustic disturbances generated in the expansion/contraction mechanism and the velocity control mechanism. The frequency shifting passages are configured to direct fluid flow from the acoustic chamber to the fluid outlet and increase the sonic frequency of acoustic disturbances associated with the directed fluid.