Toothed Gate Valve Seat Vortex Generators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gate valves experience acoustic resonance due to fluid flow, leading to pressure pulsations and vibrations in piping systems, which can weaken structural integrity and cause noise interference in operational environments.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating vortex generators on seat rings within the valve to induce streamwise vortices, disrupting the feedback loop that causes resonance and reducing pressure pulsations without significant pressure loss or mass flow reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gate valves are used to control fluid flow, then fluid flow control is achieved, but acoustic resonance occurs causing pressure pulsations and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vortex generators that deliberately create controlled vortices in the fluid flow. These artificial vortices interact with the acoustic resonance to disrupt the feedback loop that sustains the resonance, effectively converting the harmful acoustic energy into beneficial flow structures that reduce pressure pulsations and vibrations while maintaining flow control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex generators modify the flow parameters by introducing streamwise vorticity and changing the velocity profile distribution. This parameter change disrupts the shear layer instability that excites acoustic resonance, thereby reducing pressure pulsations without significantly affecting the overall flow rate or pressure drop across the valve
2Productivity
If higher fluid velocities are used to increase flow capacity, then productivity increases, but pressure pulsations and vibrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex generators create controlled rotational flow structures that dissipate the energy of pressure pulsations. By introducing these artificial vortices, the system converts the harmful high-velocity induced pressure fluctuations into beneficial mixed flow patterns that reduce vibration and noise while allowing higher average flow velocities
3Object-affected harmful factors
If larger valves are used to reduce velocity and pressure pulsations, then acoustic resonance is reduced, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex generators act as intermediary elements introduced into the flow path. These small geometric features serve as mediators that disrupt the acoustic resonance feedback loop without requiring changes to the overall valve size. The vortex generators locally modify the flow field to reduce pressure pulsations while maintaining a compact valve design
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
Effectively attenuates acoustic resonance, reducing pressure pulsations and vibrations, allowing higher fluid velocities without unacceptable noise or structural damage, and enabling the use of smaller valves for the same flow requirements.
Implementation Method 1
Each seat ring includes a plurality of vortex generators radially disposed about the inner periphery thereof for generating streamwise vorticies within the fluid flow to suppress acoustic resonance within the fluid flow system
Implementation Method 2
acoustic resonance may occur in the side cavities of the valve, which may cause pressure pulsations in the cavities. The acoustic resonance may be excited by shear layer instability at the gaps between the seats and between the seats and the disks
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided is a fluid control valve configured to attenuate acoustic resonance generated by a fluid flow. The fluid control valve includes a valve body defining a fluid passageway. A pair of seat rings are coupled to the valve body, with each seat ring defining an opening disposed about the fluid passageway. Each seat ring includes a plurality of vortex generators disposed about the radial periphery thereof for generating streamwise vorticies which suppress acoustic resonance.