Ball Valve Modal Silencer Using Perforated Screen and Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing noise reduction devices for control valves, such as multi-port cages and sound-absorbing materials, either reduce fluid flow rates or are heavy and difficult to assemble, and often fail to effectively target specific sound frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A ball valve design featuring a perforated screen and annular chambers within the control element, where the chambers and screen work together to disrupt sound waves by reflecting them back, thereby reducing noise with minimal flow restriction, and can be customized to target specific sound frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If multi-port cages or trims are used to reduce noise, then noise is reduced, but fluid flow rates are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is segmented into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) separated by partition walls, with each chamber having specific volumes and configurations. This segmentation allows sound waves to be reflected and disrupted within individual chambers while maintaining open flow paths for fluid, thus reducing noise without significantly restricting fluid flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
Different chambers are designed with different local qualities - specific volume ratios, partition wall positions, and perforated screen configurations in each chamber to target specific sound frequencies. The first chamber targets lower frequencies with larger volume, while subsequent chambers target higher frequencies with progressively smaller volumes, allowing selective noise reduction at different frequency ranges while maintaining overall flow efficiency
2Object-generated harmful factors
If sound absorbing materials are disposed in the flow path, then sound waves are absorbed, but fluid flow through the material is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional sound-absorbing materials with a mechanical acoustic reflection system using chambers and partition walls. Sound waves are reflected and disrupted by the chamber boundaries and perforated screens rather than being absorbed by materials that would restrict fluid flow. This substitution eliminates the need for sound-absorbing materials in the flow path while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
Perforated screens with specific porosity are used within the chambers to allow fluid flow while providing acoustic reflection surfaces. The screens have openings that permit fluid to pass through with minimal restriction while reflecting sound waves back into the chambers where they are disrupted, thus maintaining both fluid flow and noise reduction functions
3Object-generated harmful factors
If modal suppression device is located downstream of the valve, then noise is reduced, but valve components are exposed to noise effects
Solution Approach 1:
The noise reduction chambers are integrated within the control element itself, upstream of the valve outlet, so that sound waves are reflected and disrupted before they can propagate through the valve body and expose internal components to noise effects. This preliminary noise reduction action protects valve components from acoustic exposure while still achieving the desired noise reduction at the outlet
4Object-generated harmful factors
If modal suppression device is designed to be effective, then noise reduction is achieved, but device becomes heavy and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is divided into multiple separable chambers with partition walls, allowing the device to be manufactured in sections and assembled by positioning the partitions within the control element body. This segmentation enables modular manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the complex multi-chamber configuration needed for effective noise reduction across multiple frequency ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The control element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls fluid flow through the valve, reduces noise across multiple frequency ranges, and protects valve components from noise exposure. By integrating these functions into a single multi-chamber control element rather than separate components, the device achieves comprehensive noise reduction without requiring additional heavy downstream attachments
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides efficient noise reduction with minimal impact on fluid flow, allowing for smaller and lighter designs that can be combined with traditional noise suppression devices for comprehensive noise reduction, effectively disrupting sound waves to reduce noise amplitude.
Implementation Method 1
Sound waves pass through the perforated screen and are reflected back by the plurality of chambers to disrupt other sound waves
Implementation Method 2
reflected back by the plurality of chambers to disrupt other sound waves, thereby reducing noise
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A ball valve includes a control element including a perforated screen (90) disposed within the control element and spaced apart from an inner surface of the control element to form an annular space (76) and a plurality of chambers (74) disposed within the control element. When fluid flows through the control element, sound waves pass through the perforated screen and are reflected back by the plurality of chambers to disrupt other sound waves, thereby reducing fluid noise in the rotary valve.