Method of Manufacturing a Fluid Pressure Reduction Device

• US 20180340630A1
• Filed: 02/19/2018
• Published: 11/29/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: McCarty, Michael W., Gabriel, Thomas N.
• Granted Patent: US 10,697,561 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 3/00 Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the manner of compacting or sintering; Apparatus specially adapted therefor ; Presses and furnaces
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 10/00 Processes of additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/52 Means for additional adjustment of the rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 47/04 for decreasing pressure or noise level, the throttle being incorporated in the closure member
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 47/08 for decreasing pressure or noise level and having a throttling member separate from the closure member , e.g. screens, slots, labyrinths
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0605 with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/027 Throttle passages
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/033 Noise absorbers F16L55/027 takes precedence

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.

Claims

1. A fluid pressure reduction device for use in a fluid flow control device, the fluid pressure reduction device comprising:

a unitary body having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall, the unitary body extending along a longitudinal axis; and

a plurality of flow paths defined between the inner wall and the outer wall of the unitary body, each of the flow paths comprising an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet apertures, wherein at least a portion of the intermediate section extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

2. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 1, wherein a substantial portion of the intermediate section extends in the direction.

3. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 1, wherein the unitary body has a length defined between a top end and a bottom end of the unitary body, and wherein at least the portion of the intermediate section extending in the vertical direction travels at least a majority of the length of the unitary body.

4. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flow paths comprises at least a first flow path having a first length and a second flow path having a second length different from the first length.

5. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 1, wherein the inlet and outlet apertures are oriented along an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

6. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of pressure restrictions defined in the intermediate section.

7. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate section comprises a first vertical portion connected to the inlet portion and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second vertical portion that is connected to the outlet portion and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a curved portion that connects the first and second vertical portions.

8. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 7, wherein the inlet and outlet apertures are positioned proximate a bottom end of the unitary body, and wherein the curved portion of the intermediate section is positioned proximate a top end of the unitary body.

9. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 1, wherein a first flow path and a second flow path of the plurality of flow paths share a common intermediate section.

10. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 1, wherein the intermediate section comprises a first vertical portion that is connected to the inlet section and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second vertical portion that is connected to the outlet section and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of intermediate apertures that connect the first and second vertical portions and are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

11. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 10, wherein the inlet aperture has a first diameter, the intermediate apertures of the intermediate section each have a second diameter larger than the first diameter, and the outlet aperture has a third diameter larger than the second diameter.

12. A fluid pressure reduction device for use in a fluid flow control device, the fluid pressure reduction device comprising:

a unitary body 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 unitary body, each of the flow paths comprising an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and an intermediate section connecting the inlet and outlet apertures, wherein the intermediate section extends between a position proximate the bottom end of the body and a position proximate the top end of the body.

13. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 12, wherein the perimeter is defined by an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall, and wherein the flow paths are defined between the inner wall and the outer wall.

14. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of flow paths comprises at least a first flow path having a first length and a second flow path having a second length different from the first length.

15. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 12, wherein the unitary body extends along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the intermediate section comprises a first vertical portion that is connected to the inlet aperture and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second vertical portion that is connected to the outlet section and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a curved portion that connects the first and second vertical portions.

16. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 15, wherein the inlet and outlet apertures are positioned proximate the bottom end of the unitary body, and wherein the curved portion of the intermediate section is positioned proximate the top end of the unitary body.

17. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 12, wherein the unitary body extends along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the intermediate section comprises a first vertical portion that is connected to the inlet aperture and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second vertical portion that is connected to the outlet aperture and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of intermediate apertures that connect the first and second vertical portions and are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

18. The fluid pressure reduction device of claim 17, wherein the inlet aperture has a first diameter, each of the intermediate apertures has a second diameter larger than the first diameter, and the outlet aperture has a third diameter larger than the second diameter.

19. A method of manufacturing, comprising:

creating a fluid pressure reduction device using an additive manufacturing technique, the creating comprising;

forming a body having an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall, the body extending along a longitudinal axis; and

forming a plurality of flow paths in the body between the inner wall and the outer wall of the body, each of the flow paths comprising an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet apertures, wherein at least a portion of the intermediate section extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the additive manufacturing technique comprises 3-D printing.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the intermediate section comprises a first vertical portion connected to the inlet section and being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second vertical portion that is connected to the outlet section and being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a curved portion that connects the first and second vertical portions.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the intermediate section comprises a first vertical portion that is connected to the inlet aperture and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a second vertical portion that is connected to the outlet aperture and being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of intermediate apertures that connect the first and second vertical portions and are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.