Apparatus and method for affecting the flow paths of fluid flowing in a pipe

An apparatus comprising:

• a pipe member which includes a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion, each of said portions having respective interior surfaces which together comprise the interior surface of said pipe member, wherein said first portion has a longitudinal axis and a wall with an opening therethrough, and wherein said second portion has a longitudinal axis, an open end, and a closed end axially opposite said open end with respect to said second portion longitudinal axis, said second portion being connected to said first portion wall at said open end so as to outwardly extend from said wall to said closed end and so that said open end is in communication with the interior of said first portion through said opening;
• means for introducing a fluid into said first portion so as to establish a flow of fluid in a direction generally parallel to said first portion longitudinal axis and generally toward said second portion longitudinal axis;
• a plate having opposing surfaces, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of apertures which open through said surfaces so that some of said apertures are positioned within said first portion whereas the remainder of said apertures are positioned within said second portion, said plate being positioned within said pipe member so as to extend from said first end, which is adjacent to the interior surface of said first portion at a location axially opposite (with respect to said second portion longitudinal axis) said closed end, to said second end which is adjacent to the interior surface of said second portion at said closed end, and wherein said plate extends across said pipe member so as to cross said first portion longitudinal axis, and further wherein one of said plate surfaces faces generally in the same direction as said flow direction and said other plate surface faces generally in a direction opposite to said flow direction.