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Anti-cavitation element for use with valves

  • US 10,724,643 B2
  • Filed: 10/13/2017
  • Issued: 07/28/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A valve assembly comprising:

  • a valve body defining an inlet and an outlet;

    a valve seat coupled to the valve body;

    a valve closure member coupled to the valve body and comprising a ball member having a sealing surface and an inner surface opposite the sealing surface, the valve closure member displaceable relative to the valve body between a first closed position and a second fully-open position, wherein in the first closed position, the sealing surface of the valve closure member sealingly engages a sealing portion of the valve seat to prevent flow of a fluid from the inlet of the valve body to the outlet of the valve body, and in the second fully-open position, the sealing surface of the valve closure member is offset from the sealing portion of the valve seat to permit flow of the fluid from the inlet of the valve body to the outlet of the valve body;

    an anti-cavitation element, wherein the anti-cavitation element includes;

    a circumferential wall;

    a plurality of hollow tubes bounded by the circumferential wall, the plurality of hollow tubes including;

    a first tube extending along a first flow axis from an open first end to an open second end, the first tube having an inner surface that defines a first flow area, the inner surface of the first tube having a first cross-sectional shape normal to the first flow axis;

    a second tube extend along a second flow axis from an open first end to an open second end, the second tube having an inner surface that defines a second flow area, the inner surface of the second tube having a second cross-sectional shape normal to the second flow axis; and

    a third tube extend along a third flow axis from an open first end to an open second end, the third tube having an inner surface that defines a third flow area, the inner surface of the third tube having a third cross-sectional shape normal to the third flow axis,wherein the second end of the first tube is between a portion of the valve closure member and the first end of the first tube along the first flow axis when the valve closure member is in the first closed position, the second end of the second tube is between a portion of the valve closure member and the first end of second tube along the second flow axis when the valve closure member is in the first closed position, and the second end of the third tube is between a portion of the valve closure member and the first end of third tube along the third flow axis when the valve closure member is in the first closed position, andwherein the first tube, the second tube, and the third tube are integrally formed as a single, unitary structure; and

    an annular flange disposed on the circumferential wall at or immediately adjacent an end of the anti-cavitation element and around the plurality of tubes, wherein the annular flange is configured to be seated against an external portion of the valve body to couple the anti-cavitation element to the valve body, such that the annular flange is disposed outside of the valve body,wherein when the valve closure member is in the first closed position, each of the second end of the first tube, the second end of the second tube, and the second end of the third tube is positioned closer to the inner surface of the valve closure member than the sealing surface of the valve closure member.

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