Nested Pipe Sound Attenuator for Small-Diameter Flow Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound attenuators for fluid flow lines, particularly in smaller pipe diameters like refrigerant lines, face reduced sound attenuation efficiency due to limited stretching factors in internal high-pressure forming methods, leading to smaller chamber volumes and decreased sound reduction effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The design involves both the inner and outer pipes with varying diameters, where expansion sections of the inner pipe correspond to constriction sections of the outer pipe, forming larger resonator chambers through internal high-pressure forming, allowing for efficient sound attenuation even in smaller diameters by maximizing chamber volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If internal high-pressure forming method is used to manufacture outer pipe, then manufacturing simplicity and economy are maintained, but chamber volume is reduced due to limited stretching factor
Solution Approach 1:
The inner pipe is nested within the outer pipe, with both pipes having varying diameters. The inner pipe's expansion sections fit into the outer pipe's constriction sections, creating a compact nested structure that maximizes chamber volume within limited space while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through coordinated forming of both pipes
Solution Approach 2:
Both the inner and outer pipes are designed with varying diameter parameters along their lengths. The inner pipe has expansion sections with larger diameters while the outer pipe has constriction sections with smaller diameters, creating optimal chamber volume through parameter optimization rather than uniform dimensions
2Adaptability or versatility
If pipe diameter is reduced for smaller flow lines, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but sound attenuation efficiency decreases due to smaller chamber volume
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly reducing the entire pipe diameter, the invention applies local quality variations where specific sections (expansion and constriction sections) have optimized diameters. This allows the overall pipe to adapt to smaller applications while maintaining large chamber volumes in critical resonator sections for effective sound attenuation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from uniform one-dimensional diameter reduction to a more complex structure with varying diameters along the pipe length. By creating expansion and constriction sections, the design optimizes chamber volume in the radial dimension while maintaining compact overall dimensions for adaptability to smaller applications
3Volume of stationary object
If outer pipe is expanded in intermediate section, then chamber volume is increased, but mechanical strength is reduced due to thinner walls
Solution Approach 1:
The inner pipe is nested within the expanded outer pipe, providing internal structural support to the expansion sections. This nested configuration allows the outer pipe to achieve larger chamber volumes with thinner walls while the inner pipe reinforces the structure, maintaining mechanical strength despite wall thinning
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the wall thickness parameter by creating a dual-pipe system where the combined wall structure (outer pipe + inner pipe) provides sufficient strength. The parameter distribution is changed from a single thick-walled pipe to two thinner-walled pipes working together, achieving both volume increase and strength maintenance
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 sound attenuation efficiency in smaller pipe diameters by increasing the chamber volume, maintaining the economic and technical simplicity of internal high-pressure forming methods while ensuring reliable mechanical connections and fluid-tight seals.
Implementation Method 1
They essentially consist of an inner pipe, which is part of a fluid flow line, and an outer pipe, which concentrically encompasses a longitudinal portion of the inner pipe and has at least two axially spaced radial walls via which it is connected to the outer wall of the inner pipe, such that a ring chamber is formed between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, the axial end walls of which are formed by said radial walls. The wall of the inner pipe is open in the area of the ring chamber, such that the ring chamber acts as resonance space of the resulting Helmholtz resonator
Data Source
AI summary
A sound attenuator has an inner pipe (12) with expansion sections (121) of enlarged diameter corresponding to the constriction sections (141) of an outer pipe (14). The expansion sections (121) in pairs axially delimit an intermediate inner pipe section (122) containing a wall opening (18) and having a reduced diameter relative to the expansion sections (121). The inner surface of the outer pipe (14) in each of its constriction sections (141) is connected to the outer surface of the inner pipe (12) in its respective corresponding expansion section (121). A method of manufacturing such a sound attenuator (10) also is provided and uses internal high-pressure forming.