Valve Screen and Annular Cavity Structure for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Valves in industrial applications generate significant audible noise due to fluid flow, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a perforated screen with a pattern of apertures and annular cavities within the valve body to disperse sound waves, aligning the screen and cavities concentrically with the flow direction to attenuate noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fluid flows through a valve, then the valve controls fluid flow between inlet and outlet, but significant audible noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful sound waves generated by fluid flow into beneficial effects by using them to create acoustic pressure that opens closure elements in the annular cavities, allowing sound waves to escape and reducing overall noise levels. The harmful acoustic energy is thus transformed into a mechanism for its own reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs screens with apertures and closure elements that can open and close within annular cavities. These porous-like structures allow selective passage of sound waves while maintaining fluid flow control, effectively filtering and reducing noise while preserving the valve's primary function.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a screen with apertures is added to disperse sound waves, then noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve body into multiple sections with annular cavities distributed along the flow path. Each cavity contains closure elements that can independently respond to acoustic pressure, segmenting the noise reduction function into multiple distributed units rather than requiring a single complex noise control device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests closure elements within annular cavities that are themselves embedded in the valve body structure. The screens with apertures are positioned within these nested cavities, creating a compact hierarchical structure where multiple functions are integrated into concentric 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
Significantly reduces audible noise by disrupting and dispersing sound waves, effectively dampening high noise levels associated with fluid flow through the valve.
Implementation Method 1
a screen positioned within the inner cavity, the screen at least partially surrounded by the annular cavities and including a pattern of apertures to disperse sound waves generated when the fluid moves therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed to reduce noise in valve. An example valve includes a valve body defining an inner cavity that fluidly couples an inlet of the valve and an outlet of the valve, the inner cavity having an inner wall with annular cavities spaced apart from one another along a direction of flow of the valve body, a trim to vary a degree of flow of fluid between the inlet and the outlet, and a screen positioned within the inner cavity, the screen at least partially surrounded by the annular cavities and including a pattern of apertures to disperse sound waves generated when the fluid moves therethrough.