Three-dimensional tortuous path flow element for control valves

A flow control element comprising:

• an element body formed as a unitary structure and disposed about a body axis and having:
• a first surface;
• a second surface in spaced relation to the first surface;
• an inner peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces and defining a central bore extending along the body axis;
• an outer peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces in spaced relation to the inner peripheral surface;
• and
• a plurality of passageways extending between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface, each passageway having a pair of side surfaces extending in generally opposed relation to each other and a pair of beveled surfaces extending toward each other from respective ones of the pair of side surfaces, at least two of the plurality of passageways being offset in a direction parallel to the body axis.

A fluid control valve comprising:

• a valve housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
• a flow control element disposed within the valve housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the fluid control valve being formed as a unitary structure and disposed about a central axis, the flow control element having:
• a first surface;
• a second surface in spaced relation to the first surface;
• an inner peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces and defining a central bore extending along the body axis;
• an outer peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces in spaced relation to the inner peripheral surface;
• and
• a plurality of passageways extending between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface, each passageway having a pair of side surfaces extending in generally opposed relation to each other and a pair of beveled surfaces extending toward each other from respective ones of the pair of side surfaces.