Aerodynamic noise reducing element and control valve comprising same

An aerodynamic noise reducing element adapted for use with a valve assembly having a valve body defining an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat coupled to the valve body between the inlet and the outlet, and a valve closure member coupled to the valve body and displaceable relative to the valve body between a first closed position and a second fully-open position, wherein in the first closed position, a sealing portion of the valve closure member sealingly engages a sealing portion of the valve seat, and in the second fully-open position, the sealing portion of the valve closure member is offset from the sealing portion of the valve seat, the aerodynamic noise reducing element comprising:

• a plurality of flow channels, the plurality of flow channels including:
• a first flow channel extending along a first flow axis from an open first end to an open second end, the first flow channel having an inner surface that defines a first flow area, the inner surface of the first flow channel having a first cross-sectional shape and a third cross-sectional shape normal to the first flow axis, and the first flow channel including a first expansion chamber;
• and
• a second flow channel extend along a second flow axis from an open first end to an open second end, the second flow channel having an inner surface that defines a second flow area, the inner surface of the second flow channel having a second cross-sectional shape normal to the second flow axis, and the second flow channel having a second expansion chamber,
• wherein the first cross-sectional shape is different than the second cross-sectional shape,
• wherein the first flow channel includes a plurality of first fluid expansion chambers arranged in series,
• wherein the fluid expansion chambers in the plurality of first fluid expansion chambers are continuous, forming a single fluid expansion chamber with a progressively increasing staged volume, and
• wherein the expansion between two of the fluid expansion chambers in the plurality of first fluid expansion chambers is gradual.

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, 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, a sealing portion of the valve closure member sealingly engages a sealing portion of the valve seat to prevent flow of a compressible fluid from the inlet of the valve body to the outlet of the valve body, and in the second fully-open position, the sealing portion of the valve closure member is offset from the sealing portion of the valve seat to permit flow of the compressible fluid from the inlet of the valve body to the outlet of the valve body;
• and
• an aerodynamic noise reducing element, wherein the aerodynamic noise reducing element includes a flange, a circumferential wall, and a plurality of flow channels laterally bounded by the circumferential wall, the flange being disposed outside of the valve body and the plurality of flow channels including:
• a first flow channel extending along a first flow axis from an open first end to an open second end, the first flow channel having a first fluid expansion chamber;
• and
• a second flow channel extending along a second flow axis from an open first end to an open second end, the second flow channel having a second fluid expansion chamber,
• wherein the first flow channel includes a plurality of first fluid expansion chambers arranged in series,
• wherein the fluid expansion chambers in the plurality of first fluid expansion chambers are continuous, forming a single fluid expansion chamber with a progressively increasing staged volume, and
• wherein the first flow channel defines an exclusively linear flow path and consists of a single passage configured to guide the flow of the compressible fluid.