Fluid Regulator Outlet Protrusions for Flow Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid regulators exhibit unpredictable flow and pressure at their outlets, leading to inaccurate readings from downstream sensors and inconsistent maintenance of set downstream pressure, which degrades their accuracy classification and capacity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating surface structures such as apertures, protrusions, and texturing within the outlet paths of fluid regulators to create consistent and uniform fluid flow patterns, reducing boost and maintaining stable pressure gradients across the outlet cross-section, allowing for accurate pressure measurements and increased capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional smooth outlet paths are used in fluid regulators, then manufacturing is simpler, but fluid flow pattern uniformity deteriorates leading to unpredictable flow and pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow pattern uniformityVSAvoidoutlet path structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing protrusions at specific locations within the outlet path rather than modifying the entire structure. These localized features create controlled turbulence and mixing zones that improve flow pattern uniformity without requiring complete restructuring of the outlet path, thus balancing flow stability with manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If surface structures are added to outlet paths to improve flow uniformity, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure reading accuracyVSAvoidoutlet path structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the outlet path by introducing protrusions with specific dimensions, spacing, and distributions. These parameter modifications create predictable flow patterns and pressure distributions that improve measurement precision while keeping the structural changes manageable and manufacturable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If protrusions are added to increase flow uniformity, then regulator capacity increases, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulator capacityVSAvoidoutlet path fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the outlet path structure by adding discrete protrusions rather than creating a completely new complex geometry. This segmentation approach allows the base outlet path to remain relatively simple while achieving enhanced flow uniformity and capacity through the addition of separate, manufacturable protrusion elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10760712B2Fluid regulators

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 EMERSON PROCESS MANAGEMENT REGULATOR TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Fluid regulators are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vale body, a valve seat, and protrusions. The valve body has an inlet and an outlet. The valve seat is located within the valve body and is positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The protrusions are formed by and extend along an inner wall of the valve body between the valve seat and the outlet, and end adjacent the outlet. At least one of the protrusions is spaced relative to others of the protrusions. The protrusions are to increase a uniformity of a flow pattern of fluid flowing through a cross-section of the outlet. Each of the protrusions has a central axis oriented perpendicularly to a corresponding surrounding portion of the inner wall.