Apparatus for noise reduction in valves
AssigneeFisher Controls International LLC
InventorsThomas N. Gabriel, Jonathan W. Richardson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example valve includes a valve body defining a fluid passageway between an inlet and an outlet, a plug, and a cage in the fluid passageway. The plug is disposed in the cage. The plug is moveable in the cage to control fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The cage includes an inner wall having first openings, an outer wall having second openings, the outer wall disposed coaxially around the inner wall, and an insert having third openings. The insert is disposed between the inner wall and the outer wall.
Claims18
A cage to be disposed in a fluid passageway of a valve, the cage comprising:
- a first cylindrical wall having first passages extending between an inner surface and an outer surface of the first cylindrical wall, the first passages having constant diameters;
- and
- a second cylindrical wall disposed coaxially with the first cylindrical wall, the second cylindrical wall including a plurality of layers of a same material fused together, the second cylindrical wall having second passages extending between an inner surface and an outer surface of the second cylindrical wall, wherein the second passages have a maximum diameter that is less than a minimum diameter of the first passages, wherein the second cylindrical wall has a lattice structure, wherein an inner core of the lattice structure is constructed of a first material and an outer surface of the lattice structure is constructed of a second material that is harder than the first material.
A cage to be disposed in a fluid passageway of a valve, the cage comprising:
- a body including:
- a first cylindrical wall having first passages;
- a second cylindrical wall having second passages;
- and
- an end wall coupled between the first cylindrical wall and the second cylindrical wall, the first and second cylindrical walls and the end wall defining a cavity;
- a third cylindrical wall disposed in the cavity, the third cylindrical wall having third passages, the third cylindrical wall having a first end and second end opposite the first end;
- and
- a retainer at least partially extending into the cavity between the first and second cylindrical walls, the retainer engaged with the first end of the third cylindrical wall, the second end of the third cylindrical wall engaged with the end wall such that the third cylindrical wall is axially constrained between the retainer and the end wall, wherein a portion of the retainer extending into the cavity has a notch, the first end of the third cylindrical wall disposed in the notch.
A method comprising:
- 3D printing a first cylindrical wall;
- removing a second cylindrical wall from a cavity of a body of a cage installed in a valve;
- and
- installing the first cylindrical wall by inserting the first cylindrical wall into the cavity of the body of the cage after the second cylindrical wall has been removed, wherein the body of the cage remains in the valve while the second cylindrical wall is removed and while the first cylindrical wall is installed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.