US4241805A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High pressure gas vent noise control apparatus and method
Assignee: Vibration and Noise Engineering Corp
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Filing: 1979-04-02
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Granted: 1980-12-30
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Expires: 1999-04-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method is provided for venting high pressure gas to a lower pressure region with a minimum of noise. A high pressure vent valve controls egress from a high pressure gas source. In order to limit the generation of noise downstream of the vent valve, at least one control orifice is provided which is configured to have a flow velocity through a throat section thereof of the speed of sound, and with a pressure downstream of the throat being the same as the throat pressure. In this manner, the pressure is reduced by about half at each control orifice, with no or little noise generation. Downstream of these sonic velocity control orifices, sound attenuating means including radially extended passages lined with sound-baffling structure are provided to reduce any residual noise in the flowing gas as it passes into the region of lower pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Calvin L. Chance, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:17
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N1/00; F01N1/08; F01N1/089; F01N1/083; F01N1/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
High pressure gas vent noise control apparatus for controlling the noise emitted during venting of gas from a high pressure region to a low pressure region via a high pressure vent valve at the high pressure region; said apparatus comprising: a tubular member and a plurality of control orifices positioned longitudinally spaced from each other within said tubular member, said control orifices being configured and disposed such that vented gas passes therethrough with sonic velocity being attained at a respective throat of each of said orifices and the pressure downstream thereof is stepwise reduced relative to the pressure upstream thereof, and flow control means downstream of said control orifices for controlling the discharge of said gas to said low pressure region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
High pressure gas vent noise control apparatus for controlling the noise emitted during venting of gas from a high pressure region to a low pressure region via a high pressure vent valve at the high pressure region; said apparatus comprising: a tubular member and a plurality of control orifices positioned longitudinally spaced from each other within said tubular member, said control orifices being configured and disposed such that vented gas passes therethrough with sonic velocity being attained at a respective throat of each of said orifices and the pressure downstream thereof is stepwise reduced relative to the pressure upstream thereof, and flow control means downstream of said control orifices for controlling the discharge of said gas to said low pressure region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said flow control means includes a noise suppression stage having passages communicating said gas directly to said low pressure region, and wherein sound-baffling means are disposed along said passages.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of control orifices is formed as a relatively large aperture in an orifice plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the respective control orifices are progressively larger in the downstream direction of the flow of said gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the respective orifice plates are progressively thinner in the downstream direction of the flow of said gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the respective orifice plates are progressively thinner in the downstream direction of the flow of said gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said flow control means includes a noise suppression stage having passages communicating said gas directly to said low pressure region, and wherein sound-baffling means are disposed along said passages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said noise suppression stage includes a second tubular member disposed downstream of and connected to said first tubular member, and wherein said passages extend radially out of said second tubular member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising mounting flange means attached to the end of said first tubular member opposite said second tubular member, said flange means being configured to mount said first and second tubular members so that they extend vertically.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising inlet flange means for accommodating fluid connection of said first tubular member with the output of a vent valve disposed at the high pressure region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a first, most upstream, of said control orifices is disposed immediately adjacent the opening of said inlet flange means to said first tubular member, and wherein further of said control orifices are centrally arranged in respective ones of said orifice plates disposed in said first tubular member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said orifice plates and passages are configured and disposed to have subsonic flow into said passages at substantially the pressure of the low pressure region.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said orifice plates and passages are configured and disposed to have subsonic flow into said passages at substantially the pressure of the low pressure region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said tubular member and said orifice plates are made of steel, and wherein said orifice plates are welded in position in said tubular member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of orifice plates are located spaced along a constant diameter section of a tubular member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the distance between each successive pair of orifice plates is equal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 15, wherein said control orifices are axially aligned along the longitudinal center axis of said tubular member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each orifice plate has a single one of said relatively large control orifices through which gas is passed at sonic velocity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 14, wherein said low pressure region is the atmosphere.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
118 words
High pressure gas vent noise control apparatus for controlling the noise emitted during venting of gas from a high pressure region at a low pressure region via a high pressure vent valve at the high pressure region; said apparatus comprising: a tubular member and a plurality control orifices positioned within said tubular member, wherein at least an upstream-most one of said control orifices is configured and disposed such that vented gas passes therethrough with sonic velocity at a throat thereof, said upstream-most orifice being the only orifice at its longitudinal position within said tubular member; and flow control means downstream of said plurality of control orifices for controlling the discharge of said gas to said low pressure region.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
118 words
High pressure gas vent noise control apparatus for controlling the noise emitted during venting of gas from a high pressure region at a low pressure region via a high pressure vent valve at the high pressure region; said apparatus comprising: a tubular member and a plurality control orifices positioned within said tubular member, wherein at least an upstream-most one of said control orifices is configured and disposed such that vented gas passes therethrough with sonic velocity at a throat thereof, said upstream-most orifice being the only orifice at its longitudinal position within said tubular member; and flow control means downstream of said plurality of control orifices for controlling the discharge of said gas to said low pressure region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein at least said upstream-most one of said control orifices is formed as a relatively large aperture in an orifice plate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein each of said plurality of control orifices are axially aligned along the longitudinal center axis of said tubular member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
106 words
Method of venting gas from a high pressure region to a low pressure region while controlling noise emitted therefrom comprising the steps of: (a) passing all of said gas through a plurality of control orifices that are longitudinally spaced along a flow path between said high and low pressure regions and configured for causing said gas to pass therethrough with sonic velocity being attained at a respective throat of each control orifice and the pressure downstream of each control orifice being reduced relative to the pressure upstream thereof; and (b) controlling the flow of said gas downstream of said control orifices to said low pressure region.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
106 words
Method of venting gas from a high pressure region to a low pressure region while controlling noise emitted therefrom comprising the steps of: (a) passing all of said gas through a plurality of control orifices that are longitudinally spaced along a flow path between said high and low pressure regions and configured for causing said gas to pass therethrough with sonic velocity being attained at a respective throat of each control orifice and the pressure downstream of each control orifice being reduced relative to the pressure upstream thereof; and (b) controlling the flow of said gas downstream of said control orifices to said low pressure region.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
109 words
Method of venting gas from a high pressure region to a low pressure while controlling noise emitted therefrom comprising the steps of: (a) passing all of said gas through a plurality of control orifices positioned within a flow path between said high and low pressure regions, wherein at least an upstream-most one of said control orifices is configured and disposed so as to cause said gases to pass through a throat thereof at sonic velocity, said upstream-most orifice being the only control orifice at its longitudinal position within said flow path; and (b) controlling the flow of said gases downstream of said control orifices to said low pressure region.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
109 words
Method of venting gas from a high pressure region to a low pressure while controlling noise emitted therefrom comprising the steps of: (a) passing all of said gas through a plurality of control orifices positioned within a flow path between said high and low pressure regions, wherein at least an upstream-most one of said control orifices is configured and disposed so as to cause said gases to pass through a throat thereof at sonic velocity, said upstream-most orifice being the only control orifice at its longitudinal position within said flow path; and (b) controlling the flow of said gases downstream of said control orifices to said low pressure region.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
Method according to claim 23 or 24, wherein said controlling includes suppressing the noise generated by said gas by means of sound-baffling means disposed along passages for said gas.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claim 25, wherein all of said plurality of said control orifices are provided downstream of one another so that the gas flows serially therethrough.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method according to claim 26, wherein said orifices are configured and disposed to assure subsonic flow into said passages at substantially the pressure of the low pressure region.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-30 | 1984-06-30 | 1984-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-30 | 1988-06-30 | 1988-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-30 | 1992-06-30 | 1992-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |