Velocity reducer

Abstract

A device for reducing the velocity of gases flowing therethrough has a tube and baffles carried within, including a rearmost first baffle, an intermediate second baffle, and a forward third baffle. Each baffle has a central portion having a central aperture, the apertures defining a longitudinal bore. A first inner chamber is located rearward of the first baffle, a second inner chamber is located between the first and second baffles, and a third inner chamber is located between the second and third baffles. The device has a circumferential first outer chamber and a first entrance port communicating the first inner chamber and the first outer chamber. A first exit port communicates the first outer chamber with the third inner chamber, such that gases can flow from the first inner chamber through the first outer chamber to the third inner chamber without passing through the second inner chamber.

Description

VELOCITY REDUCERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This disclosure claims the benefit of the filing date of US63 / 613744, filed on 21 Dec2023 and titled VELOCITY REDUCER, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to devices for reducing the velocity of gases flowing therethrough.BACKGROUND

[0003] Gas tubes provide for the transport of gases from an inlet to an outlet and may be formed to have a selected size or shape for the application. A gas tube may be used in conjunction with another gas tube, such that each tube transport gases of different types. Alternatively, a single flow of gases may be split so that portions of the gases flow via separate tubes or paths within the tubes, and various means have been utilized for altering the velocity and pressure of the gases while flowing therethrough.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 is an oblique view of an embodiment of a device according to this disclosure.

[0005] Figure 2 is a rear view of the device of Figure 1.

[0006] Figure 3 is a cross-section side view of the device of Figure 1.

[0007] Figure 4 is a cross-section bottom view of the device of Figure 1.

[0008] Figure 5 is an oblique cross-section side view of the device of Figure 1 .DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of this disclosure, the devices, members, apparatuses, etc. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” or other like terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, respectively, as the device described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

[0010] This disclosure divulges a device for reducing the exit velocity of gases flowing through the device.

[0011] Figures 1 through 5 illustrate an embodiment of a velocity reduction device 101 , which is preferably printed as a unitary component. Device 101 is configured to slow the velocity of gases and particulates (“gases”) entering a rear end 103 and exiting a front end 105. An outer tube 107 encloses a baffle stack 109 comprising a plurality of baffles 111. In various embodiments, stack 109 may be formed together with tube 107 as a unitary component, as a unitary component assembled with a separate tube 107, as an assembly of separate baffles 111 assembled with a separate tube 107, or as separate baffles 111 that each comprise a portion of tube 107 which form tube 107 when baffles 111 are assembled into stack 109. As shown, device 101 has an elliptical lateral crosssection, though other shapes may be used.

[0012] The baffles of device 101 each comprise an elliptical cone protruding rearward and formed from walls that cooperate with inner tube 107 to form circumferential outer chambers surrounding inner chambers defined by the cones. Each inner and outer chamber may have a varying cross-sectional area. Optional support ribs 112 may be used for strengthening rearmost baffles 111 to oppose higher forces from the initial gas flow.

[0013] As gases approach rearmost baffle 111, a portion of gases flow into cone 113 of first baffle 111 through aperture 115 and into inner chamber 117, and a portion of gases pass though circumferential port 119 into outer chamber 121. Gases entering port 119 flow around inner chamber 117 within outer chamber 121 and enter subsequent inner chamber 123 at port 125 of second baffle 111. An optional aperture notch 127 is shown formed in each cone 113 and intersecting aperture 115. An optional scoop 129 is shown extending outward from a periphery of each notch 127, scoop 129 guiding additional gases into notch 127, especially a portion of gases exiting from each port 125. The walls of each scoop 129 may be formed as normal to the surface of the associated cone or may be formed at another angle, and the walls of each scoop 129 may be of a height like that shown or extend to port 125 of the previous baffle 111. Another portion of gases may enter inner chamber 117 through port 125 of first baffle 111 and may pass through aperture notch 127 of second baffle 111 into inner chamber 123.

[0014] Likewise for gases within chamber 117 and for subsequent inner chambers, a portion of gases in chamber 117 can flow through aperture 115 of cone 113 (and notch 127) of second baffle 111 into inner chamber 123. Another portion of gases flows forward into outer chamber 131 through circumferential port 133 between portions of the first and second cones 113 and can exit chamber 131 through port 125 in third baffle 111 into inner chamber 135.

[0015] A portion of gases in chamber 123 can flow through aperture 115 of cone 113 (and notch 127) of third baffle 111 into inner chamber 135. Another portion of gases flows forward into outer chamber 137 through port circumferential 139 between portions of the second and third cones 113 and can exit chamber 137 through port 125 in fourth baffle 111 into inner chamber 151.

[0016] A portion of gases in chamber 135 can flow through aperture 115 of cone 113 (and notch 127) of fourth baffle 111 into inner chamber 141. Another portion of gases flows forward into outer chamber 143 through circumferential port 145 between portions of the third and fourth cones 113 but is prevented from exiting chamber 143. Gases in inner chamber 141 can then flow out of device 101 through front end 105.

[0017] This segmented flow is repeated for subsequent baffles and communicates alternating inner chambers, though other chambers may be in communication in alternative embodiments.

[0018] It should be noted that a narrowed cross-section is formed in the transition between each inner chamber and the associated outer chamber (an example being indicated at reference number 187), in which the pressure and velocity of gases flowing into an outer chamber are varied, providing for a change in the timing of gases flowing through portions of device 101.

[0019] At least one embodiment is disclosed, and variations, combinations, and / or modifications of the embodiment(s) and / or features of the embodiment s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and / or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such express ranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative ranges or limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly stated ranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4, etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example, whenever a numerical range with alower limit, Ri, and an upper limit, Ru, is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range are specifically disclosed: R=Ri +k* (Ru-Ri), wherein k is a variable ranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, ...50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, .. . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 95 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbers as defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term "optionally" with respect to any element of a claim means that the element is required, or alternatively, the element is not required, both alternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader terms such as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentially of, and comprised substantially of. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above but is defined by the claims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention. Also, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “A and / or B and / or C” should each be interpreted to include only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A device for reducing a velocity of gases flowing therethrough, the device comprising: a tube; a plurality of baffles carried within the tube, comprising a rearmost first baffle, an intermediate second baffle, and a forward third baffle, each baffle comprising a central portion having a central aperture, the apertures defining a longitudinal bore; a first inner chamber located rearward of the first baffle, a second inner chamber located between the first and second baffles, and a third inner chamber located between the second and third baffles; a first outer chamber; a first entrance port communicating the first inner chamber and the first outer chamber; and a first exit port communicating the first outer chamber with the third inner chamber; wherein a first portion of gases in the first inner chamber flows forward through the aperture of the first baffle into the second inner chamber, a second portion of gases in the first inner chamber flows through the first entrance port into the first outer chamber, and gases in the first outer chamber flow through the first exit port into the third inner chamber.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a fourth baffle located forward of the third baffle, the fourth baffle comprising a central portion having a central aperture; a fourth inner chamber located between the third and fourth baffles; a second outer chamber located forward of the first outer chamber;a second entrance port communicating the second inner chamber and the second outer chamber; and a second exit port communicating the second outer chamber with the fourth inner chamber; wherein a first portion of gases in the second inner chamber flows forward through the aperture of the second baffle into the third inner chamber, a second portion of gases in the second inner chamber flows through the second entrance port into the second outer chamber, and gases in the second outer chamber flow through the second exit port into the fourth inner chamber.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer chamber has a varying cross-sectional area based on the angular position about the bore.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer chamber is circumferential.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the entrance port is circumferential.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a notch formed in the central portion of the third baffle; wherein gases flowing out of the exit port are directed at the notch.

7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising: a notch formed in the central portion of the third baffle; and a radial wall extending outward from the notch for guiding gases flowing out of the exit port toward the notch, the outer end of the wall being spaced from the exit port.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a notch formed in the central portion of the third baffle; and a radial wall extending outward from the notch for guiding gases flowing out of the exit port toward the notch, the wall extending between the notch and the exit port.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the entrance port has a narrowed cross-section for changing a velocity of gases flowing into the outer chamber.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the exit port is oriented to direct gases forward.

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