Stackable Noise Attenuating Disk With Offset Outlet Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Stacked disk vent diffusers and valve cages generate high noise levels due to fluid exiting the outlet passages, which can be damaging and costly to mitigate through traditional noise reduction methods that increase manufacturing costs and do not effectively address flow/pressure tones.
Innovation Solution
The use of stackable noise attenuating disks with a plurality of outlet passages of varying widths and angularly offset longitudinal axes, arranged in a configuration that shifts noise peak frequencies and reduces overall noise levels by creating multiple noise reduction paths and preventing flow/pressure tone interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the number of outlet passages is increased to reduce noise by breaking up flow jets, then noise reduction is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the width of different outlet passages within the same stackable disk. Instead of making all outlet passages uniformly small (which would increase manufacturing complexity), the design incorporates outlet passages of different widths (e.g., first outlet passages with width W1, second outlet passages with width W2) to achieve noise reduction across different frequency ranges. This allows targeted noise attenuation without requiring an excessive number of uniformly sized passages, thereby controlling manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by intentionally creating non-uniform outlet passage widths and angular offsets from the radial axis. The outlet passages are configured with different widths and angled orientations rather than being symmetric and uniform. This asymmetric configuration breaks up the coherence of noise waves and flow jets, shifting noise frequencies away from the human audible range while maintaining a manageable number of passages, thus resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and manufacturing cost.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If outlet passages are made smaller to shift noise frequency above human hearing range, then apparent noise attenuation is improved, but the number of outlet passages must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the width of different outlet passages within the same stackable disk. Instead of making all outlet passages uniformly small (which would increase manufacturing complexity), the design incorporates outlet passages of different widths (e.g., first outlet passages with width W1, second outlet passages with width W2) to achieve noise reduction across different frequency ranges. This allows targeted noise attenuation without requiring an excessive number of uniformly sized passages, thereby controlling manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the problem by varying the angular orientation of outlet passages relative to the radial axis. Instead of only adjusting the number and size of passages, the design incorporates angular offsets (e.g., outlet passages angled at different theta values) as an additional degree of freedom. This dimensional approach allows noise frequency shifting through geometric configuration rather than solely through increasing the number of small passages, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Device complexity
If stacked disks are arranged in a vertical pattern with outlet passages exhausting in the same direction, then structural simplicity is maintained, but flow/pressure tones combine to increase noise levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by intentionally creating non-uniform outlet passage widths and angular offsets from the radial axis. The outlet passages are configured with different widths and angled orientations rather than being symmetric and uniform. This asymmetric configuration breaks up the coherence of noise waves and flow jets, shifting noise frequencies away from the human audible range while maintaining a manageable number of passages, thus resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the problem by varying the angular orientation of outlet passages relative to the radial axis. Instead of only adjusting the number and size of passages, the design incorporates angular offsets (e.g., outlet passages angled at different theta values) as an additional degree of freedom. This dimensional approach allows noise frequency shifting through geometric configuration rather than solely through increasing the number of small passages, thereby reducing device complexity.
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 configuration achieves a significant reduction in noise levels, including broadband noise reduction and A-weighted levels, while maintaining subsonic flow and dispersing sound energy across non-uniform outlet frequencies, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and noise-related damage.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of first outlet passages and the plurality of second outlet passages cooperate to shift the noise peak frequencies of fluid exiting the plurality of outlet passages
Data Source
AI summary
A stackable noise attenuating disk includes an inner perimeter edge and an outer perimeter edge. A plurality of inlet passages is disposed along the inner perimeter edge and a plurality of outlet passages disposed along the outer perimeter edge. The plurality of outlet passages includes first outlet passages having a first width and second outlet passages having a second width, which is greater than the first width. Each of the plurality of outlet passages defines a longitudinal axis that is offset by a predetermined angle from a radial axis extending through a corresponding outlet passage. The plurality of inlet passages and the plurality of outlet passages are arranged such that fluid entering one of the plurality of inlet passages exits through at least one of the plurality of outlet passages.