High energy loss fluid control

Abstract

High energy loss fluid control is attained by subdividing flow of high pressure fluid into a plurality of individual streams in respective passageways having a long length to diameter ratio to impart high frictional resistance losses to the fluid flow, the passageways being in and between laminar surfaces and configurated along their lengths. For extremely high efficiency the passageways are in labyrinth formation.

I claim as my invention: 
     
       1. In a high energy loss flow control .[.device.]. .Iadd.valve including a reciprocal valve plug to regulate the quantity of fluid flowing therethrough .Iaddend.for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists .Iadd.such that heretofore cavitation, erosion and severe noise will occur.Iaddend.: a rigid structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough .Iadd.to a degree that damaging cavitation, erosion and severe noise do not occur in said passageways.Iaddend.; and   means for compelling flow of the fluid through said passageways whereby potential energy will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled.[...]..Iadd., said plug being in slidable contact with said stack of members, said inlet ends being positioned relative to said plug so they are selectively opened and closed to flow by the reciprocal action of said plug..Iaddend.   
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1, in which said members comprise annular disks. 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 2, in which said grooves are located on respective sectoral areas of said disks. 
     
     
       4. A device according to claim 3, in which each of said grooves has at least one angular turn in its length. 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim 3, in which each of said grooves defines a tortuous path. 
     
     
       6. A device according to claim 5, in which the tortuous path of each of the grooves comprises a plurality of reverse bends. 
     
     
       7. A device according to claim 5, in which the tortuous path spreads circumferentially .Iadd.and generally radially .Iaddend.from the .[.radially .]. inner .Iadd.opening .Iaddend.to the .[.radially.]. outer .Iadd.opening on the circumference .Iaddend.portion of the .[.respective sector.]. .Iadd.sectoral .Iaddend.area. 
     
     
       8. A device according to claim 5, in which said grooves have a plurality of substantially right angular turns. 
     
     
       9. A device according to claim 8, in which said turns direct the fluid alternately radially and circumferentially. 
     
     
       10. A device according to claim 9, in which each of the grooves has a plurality of successive sections in each of which there is a plurality of similar turns. 
     
     
       11. A device according to claim 10, in which each of the sections has eight turns. 
     
     
       12. .[.A device according to claim 10, in which.]. .Iadd.In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists: a rigid structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough; and means for compelling flow of the fluid through said passageways whereby potential energy will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled, said members comprise annular disks said grooves are located on respective sectoral areas of said disks, each of said grooves defines a tortuous path, said grooves have a plurality of substantially right angular turns, said turns direct the field alternately radially and circumferentially, and each of the grooves has a plurality of successive sections in each of which there is a plurality of similar turns, .Iaddend.each of the grooves has a circumferentially extending section which joins successively radially located and successively increasing number of sections having the respective pluralities of turns.   
     
     
       13. A device according to claim 1, in which each of the grooves provides a labyrinth flow path. 
     
     
       14. .[.A device according to claim 13, in.]. .Iadd.In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists: a rigid structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough; and means for compelling flow of the fluid through said passageways whereby potential energy will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled, each of the grooves provides a labyrinth flow path, .Iaddend.which .[.the labyrinth flow path.]. progressively increases in length and cross-sectional flow area from the inlet to the outlet.   
     
     
       15. .[.A device according to claim 13,.]. .Iadd.In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists: a rigid structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough; and means for compelling flow of the fluid through said passageways whereby potential energy will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled, each of the grooves provides a labyrinth flow path, which progressively increases in length and cross-sectional flow area from the inlet to the outlet and .Iaddend.in which the outlet for each of the .[.grooved passageways.]. .Iadd.passageway grooves .Iaddend.has a plurality of openings.   
     
     
       16. .[.A device according to claim 1,.]. .Iadd.In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists: a rigid structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough; and means for compelling flow of the fluid through said passageways whereby potential energy will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled, and .Iaddend.having, in combination, a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, said device comprising an annular structure mounted in said housing and across said passage to compel all fluid flowing through said passage to travel therethrough, and a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably within said annular structure.   
     
     
       17. A combination according to claim 16, in which said annular structure comprises a stack of annular disks having said passageways in their faces and extending between and having openings at the inner and outer perimeters of the annular structure and adapted to be selectively opened and closed by movement of said plug in the annular structure. 
     
     
       18. .[.A device according to claim 1,.]. .Iadd.In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists: a rigid structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough; and means for compelling flow of the fluid through said passageways whereby potential energy will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled, and .Iaddend.having, in combination, a muffler hood, said rigid structure being mounted in said hood, means defining .[.said.]. .Iadd.a .Iaddend.fluid passage connected with said structure to compel all fluid to pass through said passageways, and a fluid path through said hood leading from said structure and having a plurality of baffles defining a tortuous flow path for the fluid after it leaves said structure.   
     
     
       19. In a combination according to claim 18, said structure comprising an annular disk stack in which said passageways comprise grooves on the faces of the disks, and a valve plug operable within the disk stack to control flow of the fluid therethrough. 
     
     
       20. A device according to claim 1, having at least one restriction and a succeeding abrupt expansion portion in the length of each of the grooves. 
     
     
       21. In a high energy loss flow control .[.device.]. .Iadd.valve including a reciprocal plug to regulate the fluid flowing therethrough .Iaddend.for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists .Iadd.such that heretofore cavitation, erosion and severe noise will occur: .Iaddend. a rigid structure comprising members having abutting faces and enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageways grooves each having at least one restriction and a succeeding abrupt expansion portion in its length between inlet and outlet ends thereof and each having an effective long length to diameter ratio to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough.[.;.]. .Iadd.to a degree that damaging cavitation, erosion and severe noise do not occur in said passageways .Iaddend.and means for compelling flow of the fluid into the inlet ends of said passageways .Iadd.whereby potential energy will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled, said plug being in slidable contact with said members, said inlet ends being positioned relative to said plug so they are are selectively opened and closed to flow by the reciprocal action of said plug. .Iaddend..[.22. In a high energy loss fluid control device having means defining a fluid flow passage, the improvement of means in said passage subdividing and confining fluid flow through the passage into a plurality of individual passageways, each having a long length to diameter ratio and a substantial number of abrupt turns between the inlet and outlet ends thereof creating a frictional drag and pressure drop on fluid flowing therethrough to dissipate potential   
     
     
        energy of the fluid and control velocity of the fluid..]. 23. .[.The device of claim 22.]. .Iadd.In a high energy loss fluid control valve having means defining a fluid flow passage including a reciprocal valve plug to regulate the quantity of fluid flowing therethrough, the improvement of means in said passage subdividing and confining fluid flow through the passage comprising members having abutting faces enclosing a plurality of individual passageways, said individual passageways being arranged in said means so that there are a plurality of circumferentially spaced entrances of said passage ways on an axial level of said means, and a plurality of levels of said entrances, said plug in sliding contact with said members and all of said passageway entrances to selectively open and close said passageways to flow to thereby control the quantity of flow, each passageway having a long length to diameter ratio and a substantial number of abrupt turns between the inlet and outlet ends thereof creating a frictional drag and pressure drop on fluid flowing therethrough to dissipate potential energy of the fluid and control velocity of of the fluid to a degree that damaging cavitation, erosion and severe noise do not occur in said passageways, said improved second named means .Iaddend.wherein the passageways increase in flow area from the inlet to the outlet ends thereof to accommodate expansion of fluid as the pressure 
     
     
        thereon is reduced. .Iadd.24.  In a high energy loss flow control device for installation of a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists: a rigid annular structure comprising members having abutting faces and enclosing therebetween a plurality of fixed resistance individual passageway grooves in parallel flow at spaced positions, each passageway groove configurated along its length (1) to have at least one restriction and a succeeding abrupt expansion portion in its length between inlet and outlet ends thereof and (2) to have an effective long length to diameter ratio to impart fixed high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough to dissipate potential energy of the fluid and control velocity of the fluid to a degree that damaging cavitation, erosion and severe noise do not occur in said passageways;   and means for compelling flow of the fluid into the inlet ends of said passageways, said means including a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, said rigid annular structure mounted in said housing and across said passage to compel all fluid flowing through said passage to travel therethrough, and a valve plug in controlling relation to said plurality of passageways at spaced positions movable reciprocably within said annular structure. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.25.  In a high energy loss flow control device having means defining a fluid flow passage, the improvement of means in said passage subdividing and confining fluid through the passage into a plurality of individual passageways in parallel flow at spaced positions, each passageway having a long length to diameter ratio and a substantial number of abrupt turns between the inlet and outlet ends thereof creating a frictional drag and pressure drop on fluid flowing therethrough to dissipate potential energy of the fluid and control velocity of the fluid said first-mentioned means including a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, said last-mentioned means comprising an annular structure mounted in said housing and across said passage to compel all fluid flowing through said passage to travel therethrough, and a valve plug in controlling relation to said plurality of passageways at spaced positions movable reciprocably within said annular structure, and the passageways increase in flow area from the inlet to the outlet ends thereof to accommodate expansion of fluid as the pressure therein is reduced..Iaddend. .Iadd.26. In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists: a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, a rigid annular structure mounted in the housing and across the passage to compel all fluid flowing through the passage to travel therethrough, the annular structure comprising a stack of annular disks, each adjacent pair of disks having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of sectoral areas for parallel fluid flow, each including an individual passageway grooves configured along its length to be angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof and to have an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough, and a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably within the annular structure..Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A device according to claim 26, wherein each of said passageways has only one inlet..Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A device according to claim 27, wherein each of said passageways has more than one outlet..Iaddend. .Iadd.29. In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists: a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, a rigid annular structure mounted in the housing and across the passage to compel all fluid flowing through the passage to travel therethrough, the annular structure comprising members having abutting faces and enclosing therebetween a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced individual passageway grooves configured along their length so that each has two restrictions and an abrupt expansion portion intermediate the restrictions in its length between inlet and outlet ends thereof and has an effective long length to diameter ratio to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough, and a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably within said annular structure..Iaddend. .Iadd.30. In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists: a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, a rigid annular structure mounted in the housing and across the passage to compel all fluid flowing through the passage to travel therethrough, the annular structure comprising members having abutting faces and enclosing therebetween a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced individual passageway grooves configured along their length so that each has one turn and two restrictions and an abrupt expansion portion intermediate the restrictions in its length between inlet and outlet ends thereof and has an effective long length to diameter ratio to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough, and a valve plug movable in controlling 
     
     
        relation reciprocably within said annular structure..Iaddend. .Iadd.31. In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists, a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, a rigid annular structure mounted in the housing and across the passage to compel all fluid flowing through the passage to travel therethrough, the structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves extending between the inner and outer perimeters of the annular structure and angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough, and means including a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably within the annular structure for compelling flow of the fluid through the passageway grooves whereby potential energy of the fluid will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled..Iaddend. .Iadd.32. In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists, a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, a rigid annular structure mounted in the housing and across the passage to compel all fluid flowing through the passage to travel therethrough, the structure comprising a stack of discs having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves extending between the inner and outer circumferential walls of the structure, each passageway groove configurated along its length to be (1) angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and (2) to have an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance loses to fluid flow therethrough, and means including a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably within the annular structure for selectively compelling flow of the fluid through the passageway grooves whereby potential energy of the fluid will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid 
     
     
        will be controlled..Iaddend. .Iadd.33.  In a high energy loss fluid control device having means defining a fluid flow passage, the improvement of means in said passage subdividing and confining fluid flow through the passage into a plurality of individual passages, said last named means including a rigid annular structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces forming axially separated rows of generally radially directed passageways extending between the inner and outer circumferential walls of the structure, the passageways of each row each having an effective long length to diameter ratio and a substantial number of abrupt turns between the inlet and outlet ends thereof creating a frictional drag and pressure drop on fluid flowing therethrough to dissipate potential energy of the fluid and control velocity of the fluid, and a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably within the annular structure to selectively open and close the passageways of each row to flow of fluid therethrough..Iaddend. .Iadd.34. A device according to claim 33, wherein each of said passageways provides a labyrinth flow path progressively increasing in cross-sectional flow area from the inlet to the outlet ends..Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A device according to claim 33, wherein each of said passageways provides two restrictions and an abrupt expansion portion intermediate the restrictions between the inlet and outlet ends..Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.36.  In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists, a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, a rigid annular structure mounted in the housing and across the passage to compel all fluid flowing through the passage to travel therethrough, the structure comprising a stack of discs having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves extending between the inner and outer perimeters of the structure and angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough, and means including a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably within the annular structure for selectively compelling flow of the fluid through the passageway grooves whereby potential energy of the fluid will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled..Iaddend. .Iadd.37. A device according to claim 36, wherein each of said passageway grooves provides a labyrinth flow path progressively increasing in cross-sectional flow area from the inlet to the outlet ends..Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.38.  A device according to claim 36, wherein each of said passageway grooves provides two restrictions and an abrupt expansion portion intermediate the restrictions between the inlet and outlet ends..Iaddend. .Iadd.39. In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists, a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, a rigid annular structure mounted in the housing and across the passage to compel all fluid flowing through the passage to travel therethrough, the structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces enclosing therebetween axially separated rows of individual passageway grooves extending between the inner and outer perimeters of the structure and angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet end thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance loses to fluid flow therethrough, and means for compelling flow of the fluid through the passageway grooves so that potential energy of the fluid will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled, said last named means including a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably within said annular structure to selectively open and close the passageway 
     
     
        grooves of each row to flow of fluid therethrough..Iaddend. .Iadd.40.  In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists, a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, a rigid annular structure mounted in the housing and across the passage to compel all fluid flowing through the passage to travel therethrough, the structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough, and means including a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably within the annular structure for compelling flow of the fluid through the passsageway grooves whereby potential energy of the fluid will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled. 
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.41.  In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists, a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, a rigid annular structure mounted in the housing and across the passage to compel all fluid flowing through the passage to travel therethrough, the structure comprising a stack of members having abutting faces enclosing therebetween axially separated rows of generally radially directed individual passageway grooves extending between the inner and outer circumferential walls of the structure and angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, the passageway grooves of each row each having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof to impart high frictional resistance losses to fluid flow therethrough, and means including a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably with the annular structure for compelling flow of the fluid through the passageway grooves whereby potential energy of the fluid will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be 
     
     
        controlled..Iaddend. .Iadd.42.  In a high energy loss flow control device for installation in a fluid transfer system where a potentially destructive or noise generating fluid pressure differential exists, a valve housing having a fluid passage of substantial cross-sectional flow area therethrough, a rigid annular structure mounted in the housing and across the passage to compel all fluid flowing through the passage to travel therethrough, the structure comprising a stack of discs having abutting faces enclosing therebetween a plurality of individual passageway grooves extending between the inner and outer perimeters of the structure and angular between inlet and outlet ends thereof to turn the fluid and provide a substantially longer fluid flow length than the distance between the inlet and outlet ends thereof, and each passageway groove having an effective long length to diameter ratio cooperating with the angular turn-inducing configuration thereof in order that potential energy of the fluid will be dissipated and velocity of the fluid will be controlled, and means including a valve plug movable in controlling relation reciprocably within the annular structure for selectively compelling flow of the fluid through the passageway grooves. .Iaddend.