Valve Flow Conditioner Channels for Noise and Cavitation Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve assemblies experience unwanted noise due to fluctuating pressure waves caused by fluid flow, leading to cavitation and turbulent flow, which can damage internal components and produce audible noise.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a flow conditioner that includes a body with varying channel segments and wall thicknesses, arranged to condition fluid flow by gradually increasing cross-sectional areas and altering wall thicknesses, reducing turbulence and noise propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a control valve is used to regulate fluid flow, then flow control is achieved, but unwanted noise and cavitation are generated due to fluctuating pressure waves
Solution Approach 1:
The flow conditioner divides the fluid flow into multiple parallel channels separated by walls of varying thicknesses. This segmentation breaks up large pressure waves into smaller fluctuations across multiple channels, reducing the intensity of cavitation and noise generation while maintaining overall flow control capability
Solution Approach 2:
The flow conditioner walls have non-uniform thicknesses, with thinner sections in certain channels and thicker sections in others. This local variation in wall thickness creates different flow resistance characteristics in different channels, allowing the system to optimize flow distribution and pressure wave attenuation across the entire flow conditioner structure
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform wall thickness is used in the flow conditioner, then manufacturing is simplified, but flow conditioning effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow conditioner incorporates walls with varying thicknesses (first thickness, second thickness, third thickness) to create localized flow conditioning zones. This non-uniform structure optimizes flow distribution and pressure wave attenuation in different channels, improving overall flow conditioning effectiveness while remaining manufacturable
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 flow conditioner effectively reduces noise levels and delays cavitation, enhancing the longevity of the valve assembly by mitigating erosive effects and improving fluid flow efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
unwanted noise is produced by fluctuating pressure waves that arise from fluid flowing through a control valve. Hydrodynamic noise, for example, may be caused by cavitation, which is the formation and collapse of vapor cavities of a flow stream subject to rapid pressure changes
Implementation Method 2
Hydrodynamic noise, for example, may be caused by cavitation, which is the formation and collapse of vapor cavities of a flow stream subject to rapid pressure changes. When the vapor cavities in the fluid are subject to higher pressure, the vapor cavities implode and can generate an intense shock wave
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly including a valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, a fluid flow path, and a chamber. A control element is disposed in the chamber and in the fluid flow path, and is rotatable by a valve stem about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position. A flow conditioner coupled to the valve body and including a first end, a second end, and a plurality of channels extending between the first end and the second end. The plurality of channels are in flow communication with the fluid flow path of the valve body when the control element is in the open position. A plurality of walls separate the plurality of channels and include a first thickness and a second thickness different than the first thickness.