Control Valve Trim Assembly With Internal Plenum for Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional control valve trim assemblies face limitations in implementing multiple noise attenuation principles due to manufacturing constraints, primarily restricted to radially plane geometry and requiring large outer diameters and wide cross sections, which hinders effective noise reduction and fluid flow management.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an annular body with a plenum and elongated fluid passages, utilizing Additive Manufacturing Technology to create complex geometries and features like baffles, allowing for improved noise attenuation and reduced part size, by positioning a plenum in typically unused dead-space and using elongated fluid passages for additional staging and pressure drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional drilled holes through circumferential wall are used to form passages, then manufacturing is simple, but noise attenuation principles cannot be fully implemented and part size must be large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D radial passages to 3D curved passages with longitudinal, radial, and tangential components. The passages extend through the trim assembly body with complex spatial trajectories, utilizing the third dimension to achieve staged pressure reduction and improved noise attenuation while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent varies passage parameters including cross-sectional area, curvature radius, and orientation along the flow path. The passages feature changing geometric parameters that enable staged pressure reduction and optimize fluid flow characteristics, allowing multiple noise attenuation principles to be implemented simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If radially plane geometry is used for passages, then manufacturing is easier, but noise reduction effectiveness is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs three-dimensional curved passages that incorporate longitudinal, radial, and tangential components, moving beyond simple radial plane geometry. This dimensional complexity enables staged pressure reduction and improved noise attenuation while maintaining manufacturability through additive manufacturing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The passages are divided into multiple segments or zones along the flow path, each with different geometric characteristics. This segmentation allows different sections to perform different functions such as initial pressure reduction, staged pressure reduction, and final flow stabilization, thereby improving overall noise attenuation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If large outer diameter and wide cross section are used, then multiple noise attenuation principles can be implemented, but part size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional curved passages that efficiently pack multiple noise attenuation functions into a compact cross-sectional area. By using the longitudinal dimension and complex spatial trajectories, the design achieves effective noise reduction without requiring large outer diameter or wide cross section.
Solution Approach 2:
The passages are nested within the trim assembly body with efficient spatial arrangement. Multiple passages with different functions are integrated within the same volume, allowing staged pressure reduction and noise attenuation to occur within a compact footprint.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If passages are spaced to prevent jet convergence for noise reduction, then aerodynamic noise is reduced, but flow passage spacing constraints limit design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses three-dimensional curved passages with varying orientations and spacing in multiple directions (longitudinal, radial, tangential). This allows optimization of jet convergence prevention in 3D space rather than being constrained to two-dimensional radial spacing, providing greater design flexibility while maintaining noise reduction effectiveness.
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
This approach enhances noise attenuation and flow management, achieving better noise reduction with smaller part sizes and increased pressure drop, overcoming the limitations of traditional manufacturing techniques.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the fluid passages has at least one radially extending portion and at least one longitudinally extending portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A control valve trim assembly (100) has a solid, one-piece unitary body (102) having an inner surface (108) and an outer surface (110). A plenum (120) is formed within the body and is spaced apart from the inner surface and the outer surface. A plurality of first openings (130) are formed in the inner surface of the body and are in fluid communication with the plenum via a corresponding first fluid passages (132) formed through the body. A plurality of second openings (140) are formed in the outer surface of the body and are in fluid communication with the plenum via a corresponding second fluid passages (142) through the body.