Method of manufacturing a fluid pressure reduction device
First Claim
1. A fluid pressure reduction device for use in a fluid flow control device, the fluid pressure reduction device comprising:
- a monolithic body having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall, the monolithic body extending along a longitudinal axis; and
a plurality of flow paths defined between the inner wall and the outer wall of the monolithic body, each of the flow paths comprising an inlet aperture oriented along an inlet axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, an outlet aperture oriented along an outlet axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet apertures, wherein at least a majority of each intermediate section extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis,wherein the intermediate section of a first flow path of the plurality of flow paths is at least partially separate from the intermediate section of a second flow path of the plurality of flow paths.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of custom manufacturing a fluid pressure reduction device for use in a process control valve. The method includes creating the fluid pressure reduction device using an additive manufacturing technique, which generally includes forming a body and forming a plurality of flow paths in the body. The body has an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall. The flow paths are formed in the body between the inner wall and the outer wall of the body. Each of the flow paths includes an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet apertures. At least a portion of the intermediate section extends in a substantially vertical direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, such that the flow paths are able to utilize previously un-used space in the device.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A fluid pressure reduction device for use in a fluid flow control device, the fluid pressure reduction device comprising:
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a monolithic body having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall, the monolithic body extending along a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of flow paths defined between the inner wall and the outer wall of the monolithic body, each of the flow paths comprising an inlet aperture oriented along an inlet axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, an outlet aperture oriented along an outlet axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet apertures, wherein at least a majority of each intermediate section extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the intermediate section of a first flow path of the plurality of flow paths is at least partially separate from the intermediate section of a second flow path of the plurality of flow paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A fluid pressure reduction device for use in a fluid flow control device, the fluid pressure reduction device comprising:
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a monolithic body extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising a central opening and a perimeter surrounding the central opening, the perimeter having a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end; a plurality of flow paths defined in the perimeter of the monolithic body, each of the flow paths comprising an inlet aperture oriented along an inlet axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, an outlet aperture oriented along an outlet axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an intermediate section connecting the inlet and outlet apertures, wherein each intermediate section extends between the bottom end of the monolithic body and the top end of the monolithic body, wherein a majority of each of the flow paths extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the intermediate section of a first flow path of the plurality of flow paths is at least partially separate from the intermediate section of a second flow path of the plurality of flow paths. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of manufacturing, comprising:
creating a fluid pressure reduction device using an additive manufacturing technique, the creating comprising; forming a monolithic body having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall, the monolithic body extending along a longitudinal axis; and forming a plurality of flow paths in the monolithic body between the inner wall and the outer wall of the body, each of the flow paths comprising an inlet aperture oriented along an inlet axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, an outlet aperture oriented along an outlet axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet apertures, wherein at least a majority of each intermediate section extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the intermediate section of a first flow path of the plurality of flow paths is at least partially separate from the intermediate section of a second flow path of the plurality of flow paths. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
Specification