Tapered Anti-Cavitation Cage

A control valve, comprising:

• a body having an inlet and an outlet;
• a valve seat positioned in a passageway of the body between the inlet and the outlet;
• a valve plug positioned within the body and movable between a closed position, in which the valve plug sealingly engages the valve seat, and an open position, in which the valve plug is spaced away from the valve seat;
• and
• a cage disposed within the body adjacent the valve seat, the cage providing longitudinal guidance for the valve plug as the valve plug moves longitudinally within the cage, the cage comprising:
• a first sleeve having a first circumferential wall having a first inner surface and a first outer surface and a first longitudinal axis, the first sleeve including a first plurality of openings disposed in the first circumferential wall;
• and
• a second sleeve having a second circumferential wall having a second inner surface and a second outer surface and a second longitudinal axis, the second sleeve including a second plurality of openings disposed in the second circumferential wall,
• wherein the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis are co-axial, and
• wherein the first outer surface of the first circumferential wall is tapered at a first angle relative to the first longitudinal axis, and the second inner surface of the second circumferential wall is tapered at a second angle relative to the first longitudinal axis.