Nested Cylinder Pressure Reducer Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid pressure reduction devices in process control systems face challenges in reducing aerodynamic noise while maintaining flow capacity, as they are limited by the size of apertures which can lead to plugging and flow impediments due to the inherent limitations of circular or rectangular cross-sections.
Innovation Solution
The use of fluid pressure reduction devices with apertures having a larger wetted perimeter-to-area ratio, such as triangular, hexagonal, or star-shaped apertures, arranged in alternating inverted patterns to increase the wetted perimeter and maintain or enhance flow capacity while effectively attenuating noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the size of apertures is minimized to induce peak frequency shift beyond audible range, then aerodynamic noise is reduced, but flow capacity is reduced and the device becomes susceptible to plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the aperture cross-section from conventional circular or rectangular shapes to non-circular shapes (triangular, hexagonal, star-shaped, etc.) that have higher wetted perimeter-to-area ratios. This parameter change allows the apertures to maintain smaller effective flow areas for noise reduction while preserving adequate flow capacity through increased perimeter efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric non-circular aperture shapes (such as triangular, hexagonal, or star-shaped cross-sections) instead of symmetric circular or rectangular shapes. These asymmetric geometries provide higher wetted perimeter-to-area ratios, enabling improved noise attenuation performance without sacrificing flow capacity or increasing plugging susceptibility.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional circular or rectangular cross sections are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but noise reduction performance is limited due to lower wetted perimeter-to-area ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the cross-sectional geometry parameters from standard circular or rectangular shapes to non-circular shapes with optimized wetted perimeter-to-area ratios. This parameter optimization improves noise reduction performance while the patent acknowledges that manufacturing methods (such as stacked discs or investment casting) can accommodate these non-conventional shapes.
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 design effectively reduces aerodynamic noise and maintains or increases flow capacity by utilizing apertures with higher wetted perimeter-to-area ratios, allowing for more efficient noise attenuation and reduced susceptibility to plugging.
Implementation Method 1
a larger wetted perimeter-to-area ratio... effectively attenuating noise
Implementation Method 2
reduce the energy, pressure, and/or noise associated with process fluids
Data Source
AI summary
An example fluid pressure reduction device includes a plurality of nested cylinders forming a hollow structure comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The device also includes a plurality of passageways extending between the inner and outer surfaces through the nested cylinders. At least one of the cylinders includes first apertures substantially differently shaped from second apertures in a second one of the cylinders. At least one of the first apertures has a first wetted perimeter that is greater than a second wetted perimeter of another aperture having the same area as the at least one of the first apertures.