Valve and related methods for reducing fluid pressure and generating power
First Claim
1. A valve for reducing fluid pressure and generating power, the valve comprising:
- a housing;
a flow-control device mounted to the housing and operable to generate a turbine inlet flow having a flow velocity from an inlet flow having a fluid pressure;
a turbine disposed within the housing and operable to receive the turbine inlet flow and rotate to generate power; and
a valve outlet operable to discharge fluid having a fluid pressure lower than the fluid pressure of the inlet flow.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A valve for reducing fluid pressure in a fluid distribution network uses the energy released from the fluid to generate power. The valve includes a housing, a turbine disposed within the housing, a fluid reservoir, 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 fluid reservoir collects the flow of fluid discharged from the turbine and generates a valve discharge flow having a desired fluid pressure that is less than the fluid pressure of the inlet fluid. Thus, the energy from the inlet flow is used to generate power. Furthermore, the power generated by the turbine can be independent of the fluid pressure of the valve discharge flow. Consequently, the valve can provide a consistent reduction in fluid pressure and/or flow rate in a distribution network while the turbine generates power.
17 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A valve for reducing fluid pressure and generating power, the valve comprising:
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a housing;
a flow-control device mounted to the housing and operable to generate a turbine inlet flow having a flow velocity from an inlet flow having a fluid pressure;
a turbine disposed within the housing and operable to receive the turbine inlet flow and rotate to generate power; and
a valve outlet operable to discharge fluid having a fluid pressure lower than the fluid pressure of the inlet flow. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A fluid distribution network comprising:
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a first conduit operable to distribute fluid having a first pressure;
a second conduit operable to distribute fluid having a second pressure that is less than the first pressure; and
a valve that is operable to reduce fluid pressure and generate power, and that includes;
a housing;
a flow-control device mounted to the housing and operable to generate a turbine inlet flow having a flow velocity from fluid in the first conduit;
a turbine disposed within the housing and operable to receive the turbine inlet flow and rotate to generate power; and
a valve outlet operable to discharge fluid having a fluid pressure lower than the fluid pressure of the inlet flow. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of reducing pressure in a flow of fluid and generating power, the method comprising:
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generating, with a flow control device, a turbine inlet flow having a flow velocity from an inlet flow having a first pressure;
projecting the turbine inlet flow toward a turbine disposed in a housing;
diverting the turbine inlet flow with the turbine to rotate the turbine; and
generating a valve discharge flow having a desired second pressure that is less than the first pressure. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method, comprising:
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converting energy from an input fluid flow having a first pressure into mechanical work;
generating an output fluid flow having a second pressure that is less than the first pressure; and
maintaining the second pressure at a desired level by adjusting the input fluid flow in response to the output fluid flow. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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Specification