Monolithic Choke Trim Channels for Cavitation and Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow control devices face issues with cavitation, vibration, and erosion due to high velocity and pressure fluctuations, and require complex assembly with multiple pins and O-ring seals, which can lead to leakage and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
The development of fluid flow control devices with a substantially cylindrical body featuring channels that intersect and converge to reduce fluid pressure, formed through additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for multiple pins and O-ring seals, and designed to impinge fluid streams towards the center, reducing erosion and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional choke trim is held together using multiple pins and O-ring seals, then the device can be assembled with traditional manufacturing methods, but the device experiences potential leakage paths and complicated assembly that may cause undesirable failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the choke trim components into a single monolithic structure formed by additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for multiple pins and O-ring seals that were required in conventional assembled designs. This merging of components removes leakage paths and simplifies assembly while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the separate pins and O-ring seals from the device architecture, relying instead on the monolithic structure's inherent integrity to prevent leakage and maintain component integrity under pressure
2Loss of energy
If fluid flows through conventional tortuous fluid flow paths, then the fluid pressure and energy are dissipated through friction and direction changes, but the fluid experiences turbulence that causes erosion, noise, vibration, and cavitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs smooth curved transitions and rounded flow paths within the monolithic choke trim structure, eliminating sharp angles and abrupt direction changes that cause turbulence. The curved geometry maintains laminar flow while achieving the necessary pressure reduction, thereby preventing cavitation and erosion
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the flow path geometry parameters including channel width, curvature radius, and transition angles to minimize turbulence intensity. By carefully controlling these geometric parameters, the device achieves pressure reduction while maintaining flow stability and preventing harmful cavitation effects
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional designs use multiple seals and pins, then the device can be manufactured using traditional methods, but the seals complicate assembly and may cause undesirable failures due to leakage paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all seals and pins from the device architecture by forming the entire choke trim as a single monolithic component through additive manufacturing. This extraction of sealing elements eliminates the complexity of seal installation and the reliability issues associated with seal leakage and failure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple previously separate components (body, trim elements, seals, and fasteners) into a single integrated monolithic structure, eliminating the need for assembly and the associated sealing requirements while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through additive processes
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 effectively reduces fluid pressure and turbulence, minimizes cavitation and erosion, and simplifies the assembly process by eliminating potential leakage paths and complex sealing requirements, while enabling customization and increased production flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid pressure and energy of the fluid is partially dissipated along such paths as a result of losses caused by friction between walls of the path
Implementation Method 2
Channels extend through an interior portion of the substantially cylindrical body from the fluid inlet at the first axial end to the fluid outlet at the second axial end. The channels collectively define fluid pathways through the substantially cylindrical body to reduce a pressure of a fluid traveling through the fluid pathways
Implementation Method 3
designed to impinge fluid streams towards the center, reducing erosion
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid flow control devices, systems, and methods may include a body extending along a longitudinal axis. The body has a fluid inlet at a first axial end of the body and a fluid outlet at a second axial end of the body. Channels may extend through an interior portion of the body between the fluid inlet at the first axial end and the fluid outlet at the second axial end. The channels collectively define fluid pathways through the body.