# US 9,752,729 B2 · Systems and methods for generating swirl in pipelines > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,729 B2 - Document ID: US9752729B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/741,502 - Filed: 2015-06-17 - Published: 2016-01-07 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2014-07-07 - Assignees: Canada Pipeline Accessories, Co. Ltd. - Applicants: Canada Pipeline Accessories, Co. Ltd. - Inventors: Daniel A. Sawchuk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752729B2 ## CPC - F17D 1/20: Arrangements or systems of devices for influencing or altering dynamic characteristics of the systems, e.g. for damping pulsations caused by opening or closing of valves (fluid dynamics F15D; damping pulsations in fluids in pipes in general F16L55/04) - F17D: PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES (pumps or compressors F04; fluid dynamics F15D; valves or the like F16K; pipes, laying pipes, supports, joints, branches, repairing, work on the entire line, accessories F16L; steam traps or the like F16T; fluid-pressure electric cables H01B9/06) ## Abstract A system for generating swirl includes a pipe and at least two orifice plates located within a section of the pipe and defining a swirl generation area. Each orifice plate has an off-set orifice or hole and is configured to have a position that is adjustable within the swirl generation area. Each orifice plate may be oriented at an angle variable to each other to generate a variable degree of swirl as fluid flow exits the swirl generation area. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for generating swirl, comprising: a pipe; at least two circular orifice plates located perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the pipe and defining a swirl generation area, each orifice plate comprising an off-set orifice or hole and being configured to have a position that is adjustable within the swirl generation area, and a directional baffle connected to one orifice plate and extending into the swirl generation area, wherein each orifice plate is oriented at an angle variable to each other to generate a variable degree of swirl as fluid flow exits the swirl generation area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the off-set orifice or hole has a diameter in a range of approximately 30 to 50% of an inner pipe diameter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two orifice plates each further comprise a handle, said off-set orifice or hole being off-center on a face on the orifice plate toward the handle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two orifice plates each further comprise a handle, said off-set orifice or hole being off-center on a face on the orifice plate away from the handle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two orifice plates are spaced about 2.5 D to about 5 D apart, wherein D is a diameter of the pipe. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of orifice plates. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a pipe inlet section, a pipe outlet section, or the swirl generation area has a diameter of about 2 to about 40 inches. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the directional baffle comprises one or more flat plates. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein one flat plate extends along a length of another flat plate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the directional baffle comprises two flat plates. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the directional baffle extends from an upstream orifice plate into the swirl generation area. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the off-set orifice or hole is on a face of the orifice plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the off-set orifice or hole is tangent to an inside wall of the pipe. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method for generating swirl in a flow, comprising: providing a system according to claim 1; material flow entering through a pipe inlet section, passing through the swirl generation area, exiting the swirl generation area, and entering a pipe outlet section; generating swirl in the material flow by positioning the at least two orifice plates at a variable angle of orientation relative to each other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least two orifice plates are rotated from 0 to 90 degrees relative to an initial starting location. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least two orifice plates each further comprise a handle, said off-set orifice or hole being off-center on a face on the orifice plate toward the handle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least two orifice plates each further comprise a handle, said off-set orifice or hole being off-center on a face on the orifice plate away from the handle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the at least two orifice plates are spaced about 2.5 D to about 5 D apart, wherein D is a pipe diameter. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the off-set orifice or hole has a diameter in a range of approximately 30-50% of an inner pipe diameter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the swirl-generated flow has a direction of flow deflected by about 5 to about 45 degrees from an initial direction of flow prior to passing through the swirl generation area.