Pipes and tubular conduits – With flow regulators and/or baffles
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-06
2001-08-21
Brinson, Patrick (Department: 3752)
Pipes and tubular conduits
With flow regulators and/or baffles
C138S044000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276397
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of fluid flow and, more specifically, to an apparatus and method for shaping fluid flow.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fluid piping systems often include junctions between devices where the cross-sectional flow area changes abruptly. A ball valve, which provides volumetric control of fluid flow in a piping system, adjoining a circular pipe is an example of this. Often, immediately preceding a ball valve is a venturi meter, which measures flow rate by measuring a pressure drop across the venturi meter.
The abrupt changes in cross-sectional flow area at these junctions create turbulence in the piping system. Generally, turbulence is undesirable in most piping systems because it results in greater pressure drops, noise, and erosion in the piping system. Furthermore, turbulence makes volumetric control of fluid flow in a piping system difficult.
Some prior systems have recognized the desirability of providing particular cross-sectional flow areas immediately preceding certain devices. For example, controlling volumetric flow rate through a ball valve is difficult because of the nature of the ball valve when the ball valve is being closed. The shape of the bore in the ball valve, and the corresponding shape of the fluid entering the ball valve, combine to produce difficult conditions for providing the desired throttling of fluid flow. Therefore, prior systems have utilized washers having particular shapes immediately preceding the ball valve. However, the shape of these washers do not address turbulence that is created due to abrupt changes in cross-sectional flow areas, and in fact, create additional turbulence, noise, and erosion. Another method for aiding volumetric flow control is to either machine the bore of a ball valve into a predetermined shape, or to provide an insert having a predetermined shape in a ball valve, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,890. However, these methods result in the same problems as the washers discussed above. Additionally, these bores and/or inserts may be expensive to manufacture and may result in extra assembly costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, a need has arisen for a new apparatus and method for shaping fluid flow. In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method for shaping fluid flow is provided that addresses disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed apparatuses and methods.
An apparatus for shaping fluid flow comprises a body having upstream and downstream ends and formed with a characterizing channel. The characterizing channel has a first cross-section adjacent the upstream end that gradually changes to a second cross-section adjacent the downstream end that is different in configuration from the first cross-section.
A method for shaping fluid flow includes allowing fluid to flow through a characterizing channel formed within a body having upstream and downstream ends, and shaping the fluid by gradually changing the cross-section of the characterizing channel from a first cross-section adjacent the upstream end to a second cross-section adjacent the downstream end that is different in configuration from the first cross-section.
Embodiments of the invention provide numerous technical advantages. For example, a technical advantage of one embodiment of the present invention is that it provides better constant flow control through a ball valve as the ball valve is being turned from open to closed. Another technical advantage of one embodiment of the present invention is that less pressure drop occurs over the length of the apparatus because there are less frictional losses as a result of the characterizing section of the apparatus. An additional technical advantage of one embodiment of the present invention is the characterizing section of the apparatus reduces turbulence, noise, and erosion in the piping system. A still further technical advantage of one embodiment of the present invention is that the performance of a flow measurement device is improved as a result of a higher signal produced by the flow shaping apparatus.
Other technical advantages arc readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2005385 (1935-06-01), O'Hara
patent: 2397655 (1946-04-01), Francis
patent: 5085058 (1992-02-01), Aaron et al.
patent: 5174113 (1992-12-01), Deville
patent: 5433243 (1995-07-01), Griswold et al.
patent: 5592974 (1997-01-01), Grohs et al.
patent: 5632242 (1997-05-01), Harde
patent: 5647201 (1997-07-01), Hook et al.
patent: 5937890 (1999-08-01), Marandi
patent: 5992466 (1999-11-01), Weise
patent: 6024129 (2000-02-01), Schima
patent: 6119728 (2000-09-01), Seidel-Peschmann et al.
Trantham John M.
Watson, III George T.
Weber Robert T.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Brinson Patrick
Flow Design Inc.
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for shaping fluid flow does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for shaping fluid flow, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for shaping fluid flow will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2471485