Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps – Method of operation
Reexamination Certificate
2002-12-30
2004-11-30
Nguyen, Ninh H. (Department: 3745)
Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps
Method of operation
C415S202000, C415S149100, C415S151000, C415S026000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06824347
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Fluid distribution networks are used in a variety of applications to distribute fluid from a central reservoir to one or more remote locations where the fluid is available for use. Typically one or more main transmission lines convey the fluid from the reservoir to one or more branch transmission lines that, in turn, convey the fluid to a respective one or more remote locations. Because most remote locations are designed to operate with a fluid having specific flow characteristics such as pressure and/or flow rate, the fluid-distribution network is designed to distribute more fluid than all the remote locations can simultaneously consume. Furthermore, the fluid distribution network is designed to provide the maximum amount of fluid at a pressure significantly higher than the highest design pressure of all the remote locations. Consequently, fluid-distribution networks typically include pressure-reducing valves to reduce the pressure and flow rate of the fluid before the fluid reaches the remote locations.
For example, a typical water-distribution system used by a city to supply water for commercial and residential use includes one or more main water lines that convey water from a local reservoir or pump station to zones within the city. Each zone typically includes a secondary water line that conveys the water from the main lines to neighborhoods within the zone. And each neighborhood typically includes a consumer distribution line that conveys the water from the secondary lines to the individual consumers within the neighborhood. The design pressure of the fluid received by the individual consumer is typically 40 pounds per square inch (psi) while the design pressure of the fluid in the main water lines is typically 300 psi. Consequently, pressure reducing valves are typically placed at the junctions of the main and secondary water lines and at the junctions of the secondary water lines and the the consumer distribution lines. Pressure reducing valves, however, may also be placed within the main, secondary or consumer distribution lines.
FIG. 1
is a cut-away view of a conventional pressure reducing valve
10
incorporated in a typical fluid distribution network (omitted from
FIG. 1
for clarity). The valve
10
includes an inlet portion
12
for receiving fluid having an inlet pressure, an outlet portion
14
for discharging fluid having a discharge pressure that is less than the inlet pressure, and a gate assembly
16
for regulating the amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet portion
12
to the outlet portion
14
. The gate assembly
16
includes a piston
18
that can be moved relative to a piston seat
20
to increase or decrease the amount of fluid allowed to flow from the inlet portion
12
to the outlet portion
14
. Even when the piston
18
is fully open, the amount of fluid allowed to flow into the outlet portion
14
is less than the amount of fluid that would normally flow through a transmission line without the valve
10
. As the piston
18
closes, (moves toward the seat
20
) the amount of fluid allowed to flow into the outlet portion
14
from the inlet portion
12
is reduced even further. Consequently, the valve
10
reduces the pressure of the fluid flowing out of the outlet portion
14
by reducing the amount of fluid flowing through the valve
10
.
Because the valve
10
reduces the amount of fluid flowing from the inlet portion
12
to the outlet portion
14
, the inlet pressure causes the flow velocity of the fluid flowing between the piston
18
and the piston seat
20
to increase with respect to the velocity of the fluid into the inlet portion
12
. The flow velocity, and thus the flow energy of the fluid discharged from the outlet
14
is then reduced by turbulence that is generated within the flow as the fluid flows away from the valve
10
, by changes in the direction of the flow as the fluid proceeds through the network, and by friction between the interior walls of the transmission lines and the fluid.
Unfortunately, reducing the flow velocity by these means does not allow one to capture the energy released from the flow in a readily usable form. If the fluid-distribution network includes many valves for reducing pressure, the total amount of energy released by the aggregate pressure reduction can be significant.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a valve that can reduce fluid pressure and use the released energy to generate power.
SUMMARY
In one aspect of the invention, a valve for reducing fluid pressure uses the energy released from the fluid to generate power. The valve includes a housing, a turbine disposed within the housing, a valve outlet, and a flow control device operable to generate a turbine inlet flow having a flow velocity from an inlet flow having a fluid pressure. The turbine receives the turbine inlet flow, which rotates the turbine to generate power. The valve outlet discharges fluid having a desired fluid pressure that is less than the fluid pressure of the inlet flow. Thus, the pressure removed from the inlet flow releases energy that is used to generate power. Furthermore, the power generated by the turbine can be independent of the pressure of the fluid discharged from the valve. Consequently, the valve can provide a desired reduction in fluid pressure and/or flow rate while the turbine generates power. To convert this power to electricity, one can drive an electrical generator with the turbine.
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Graybeal Jackson Haley LLP
Nguyen Ninh H.
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