Noise attenuation device and fluid coupling comprised thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of a noise attenuation device comprise a plurality of stacked plates that form channels to reduce energy in a flow of working fluid that transits the noise attenuation device. In one embodiment, the stacked plates include plates having openings in different patterns. Orientation of the plates align the patterns in a housing to form the channels. In one example, the plates are disposed in a fluid coupling (e.g., a valve and/or flow regulator) that includes a throttling element. The plates are spaced apart from the throttling element, thereby permitting the working fluid to flow through all of the channels whether the throttling element is fully or partially open.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A noise attenuation device, comprising:
 a plurality of stacked plates forming channels to allow a working fluid to flow from an upstream side to a downstream side through the plurality of stacked plates, the plurality of stacked plates comprising a first plate having openings in a first pattern and a pair of second plates comprising an upstream plate on the upstream side of the first plate and a downstream plate on the downstream side of the first plate, the upstream plate and the downstream plate having openings in a second pattern that is different from the first pattern, wherein the upstream plate has a side proximate the first plate that is different from the side of the downstream plate that is proximate the first plate.   
     
     
         2 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 1 , wherein the first plate and the second plates comprise a mounting feature that aligns to form a mounting aperture through the plurality of stacked plates. 
     
     
         3 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 1 , wherein the first plate and the second plates comprise a material section that aligns to form a column structure in the plurality of stacked plates. 
     
     
         4 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 1 , wherein the openings comprise rectangular openings. 
     
     
         5 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 1 , wherein the first plate and the second plates have a body with an outer edge that aligns in the plurality of stacked plates. 
     
     
         6 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 5 , wherein the body comprises an orientation feature disposed on the outer edge. 
     
     
         7 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern comprises a first set of first openings and a second set of second openings that is different from the first set of first openings. 
     
     
         8 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 1 , wherein the first pattern comprises a first set of openings and a second set of openings that are a mirror image of the first set about a centerline of the first plate. 
     
     
         9 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 1 , wherein the openings in the first pattern have a first area and the openings in the second pattern have a second area that is less than the first area. 
     
     
         10 . A noise attenuation device, comprising:
 a first plate having openings in a first pattern; and   a second plate having openings in a second pattern that is different from the first pattern,   wherein the first pattern and the second pattern form channels to allow a working fluid to flow from an upstream side to a downstream side through the first plate and the second plate, and   wherein the first plate and the second plate have a form factor with a peripheral edge forming an elongated peripheral surface and a curvilinear surface having ends terminating proximate a first end and a second end of the elongated peripheral surface.   
     
     
         11 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 10 , where one or more openings in the first pattern and the second pattern have a first edge and a second edge that is perpendicular to the first edge. 
     
     
         12 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 11 , wherein the first edge is longer than the second edge in at least one of the first pattern and the second pattern. 
     
     
         13 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 12 , wherein the first edge is parallel with the elongated peripheral surface in at least one of the first pattern and the second pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 11 , wherein the first edge is the same length as the second edge on at least one of the first plate and the second plate. 
     
     
         15 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 10 , wherein the curvilinear surface has a first surface perpendicular to the elongated peripheral surface proximate one or more of the first end and the second end of the peripheral surface. 
     
     
         16 . The noise attenuation device of  claim 10 , wherein the curvilinear surface includes a surface parallel to the elongated peripheral surface. 
     
     
         17 . A fluid coupling, comprising:
 a throttling element; and   a noise attenuation device spaced apart from the throttling element, the noise attenuation device comprising a plurality of stacked plates forming channels to allow a working fluid to flow from an upstream side to a downstream side through the plurality of stacked plates, the plurality of stacked plates comprising a first plate having openings in a first pattern and a pair of second plates comprising an upstream plate on the upstream side of the first plate and a downstream plate on the downstream side of the first plate, the upstream plate and the downstream plate having openings in a second pattern that is different from the first pattern,   wherein the upstream plate has a side proximate the first plate that is different from the side of the downstream plate that is proximate the first plate.   
     
     
         18 . The fluid coupling of  claim 17 , further comprising a diaphragm disposed on the downstream side of the throttling element. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid coupling of  claim 17 , wherein the first plate and the second plate have a form factor with a peripheral edge forming an elongated peripheral surface and a curvilinear surface having ends terminating proximate a first end and a second end of the elongated peripheral surface. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid coupling of  claim 17 , wherein the first plate and the second plates comprise a material section that aligns to form a column structure in the plurality of stacked plates.