Stackable Noise Attenuating Disk with Variable Outlet Passages
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure reduction devices, such as stacked disk valve cages and vent diffusers, face challenges in reducing noise levels effectively while maintaining cost efficiency, as smaller uniformly-sized outlet passages are required to break up flow jets and push noise frequencies out of the audible spectrum, leading to increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of stackable noise attenuating disks with a combination of first and second outlet passages of different widths, and vent diffusers with circular apertures of varying diameters, disperses noise peak frequencies, reducing overall noise levels without the need for excessive manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If uniformly-sized outlet passages are made smaller to break up flow jets and reduce noise, then noise levels are reduced, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the sizes of outlet passages within the same device. Instead of using uniformly-sized passages throughout, the invention incorporates multiple outlet passages of different sizes (including smaller passages for noise reduction and larger passages for cost efficiency) in specific locations, allowing different regions of the device to have different properties optimized for their specific functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the outlet passages into different size categories rather than using a single uniform size. This segmentation allows the flow to be divided into multiple streams with different characteristics, achieving noise reduction through frequency dispersal while maintaining manufacturing efficiency by not requiring all passages to be uniformly small.
2Productivity
If the number of outlet passages is increased to handle fluid flow, then fluid handling capacity is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically placing outlet passages of different sizes in different locations to optimize both fluid handling and manufacturing. Larger passages are positioned where high flow capacity is needed, while smaller passages are placed where noise reduction is prioritized, avoiding the need to increase the total number of passages unnecessarily.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If outlet passages are made non-uniform in size, then noise peak frequencies are dispersed and overall noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by introducing size variations only in specific outlet passages rather than making the entire device complex. The non-uniform configuration is applied selectively to achieve noise frequency dispersal while keeping the overall device structure simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by using outlet passages of different sizes rather than symmetric uniform passages. This asymmetric configuration creates the necessary frequency dispersal for noise reduction while maintaining a relatively simple device structure that does not require complex geometries or arrangements.
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 effectively reduces noise levels by creating non-uniform outlet jet lengths and sizes, lowering the overall trim noise level while minimizing the cost increase to manufacturing, primarily through reduced cutting time and simpler production patterns.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of the first outlet passages and the plurality of the second outlet passages cooperate to disperse the noise peak frequencies of fluid exiting the plurality of outlet passages, thereby reducing the overall noise level 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 is disposed along the outer perimeter edge. The plurality of outlet passages includes a plurality of first outlet passages and a plurality of second outlet passages. Each of the plurality of first outlet passages have a first width and each of the plurality of second outlet passages have a second width that is greater than the first width. Fluid entering the inlet passages passes through a plenum section of adjacent disks to exit through the first and second outlet passages. The first outlet passages and second outlet passages cooperate to disperse the noise peak frequencies of fluid exiting the plurality of outlet passages, thereby reducing the overall noise level of fluid exiting the plurality of outlet passages.