Stacked Annular Plate Fluid Pressure Reduction Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid pressure reduction devices are ineffective in high pressure-drop ratio applications, leading to unacceptably high levels of aerodynamic noise and vibration, and are not structurally suitable for valve trim or diffusers due to the need for large baffles and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A stacked plate assembly with multiple annular plates, each having inlet and outlet flow sectors, is used to create multiple pressure reduction stages with specific inlet-to-outlet area ratios to maintain subsonic fluid flow and reduce noise, featuring well-rounded or tapered apertures for inner stages and rectangular apertures for outer stages to control fluid velocities and prevent sonic flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional diffusers or spargers are used in high pressure-drop ratio applications, then fluid pressure reduction is achieved, but aerodynamic noise and vibration levels become unacceptably high
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the pressure reduction process into multiple stages using a series of stacked plates with progressively smaller apertures. Each plate creates a flow sector that divides the incoming fluid into smaller jets, and the multi-plate configuration creates multiple sequential pressure reduction stages. This segmentation prevents single-stage sonic flow and reduces aerodynamic noise while achieving the required pressure reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-plane flow control to a three-dimensional stacked plate configuration. The plates are arranged in series along the flow path, creating multiple flow sectors that extend in the axial dimension. This dimensional approach allows progressive pressure reduction across multiple stages, maintaining subsonic flow velocities and reducing noise.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If large baffles are added to reduce noise in high pressure-drop applications, then aerodynamic noise is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stacked plates serve multiple functions simultaneously: they reduce pressure, control flow velocity, attenuate noise, and provide structural support. Each plate acts as both a flow restriction element and a structural component, eliminating the need for separate noise-reducing baffles. The flow sectors created by the plates inherently provide noise attenuation while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the noise reduction function from the traditional baffle concept and integrates it directly into the flow control mechanism. The flow sectors and aperture geometry itself provide noise attenuation by controlling fluid velocities, removing the need for additional noise-reducing components and simplifying the overall device structure.
3Stress or pressure
If multi-stage fluid pressure reduction designs are used, then pressure reduction is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by varying the aperture characteristics at different stages. Inner plates have well-rounded or tapered apertures optimized for high-pressure differential flow, while outer plates have rectangular apertures optimized for lower-pressure differential flow and noise reduction. This localized optimization allows each stage to be manufactured with appropriate precision for its specific function, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes parameter changes by progressively altering the aperture area and geometry across the stacked plates. Each subsequent plate has smaller apertures than the previous one, creating a geometric progression that naturally provides the multi-stage pressure reduction. This parameter variation achieves complex pressure reduction in a systematic way that is easier to manufacture than conventional multi-stage designs.
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 aerodynamic noise and maintains structural integrity by ensuring subsonic fluid flow at the outlet stages, enhancing the performance of fluid pressure reduction devices in high pressure-drop ratio applications while minimizing manufacturing costs and physical constraints.
Implementation Method 1
fluid pressure reductions devices, commonly referred to as diffusers or spargers, are used. Diffusers are aerodynamically restrictive devices that reduce fluid pressure and temperature by transferring and/or absorbing fluid energy
Implementation Method 2
The fluid pressure reduction device may provide two stages of subsonic fluid flow to substantially reduce any associated aerodynamic noise
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid pressure reduction device comprises two or more stackable annular plates. Each disk having a perimeter and a hollow center aligned along a longitudinal axis when the annular plates are stacked one on top of the other. Each disk further comprising at least one inlet flow sector having an inlet flow stage for defining a first inlet area and a first outlet area, and at least one outlet flow sector having an outlet flow stage defining a second inlet area and a second outlet areas wherein the ratio of the second inlet area to the second outlet area is predetermined to define a backpressure at the outlet flow stage to provide a sub-sonic fluid flow at the perimeter.