Claims
- 1. An apparatus for facilitating a reduction in fluid pressure and suppression of noise created by the reduction of fluid pressure, the apparatus comprising:
a tubular inner sleeve defining a fluid flow axis and a plurality of inner sleeve passages extending radially therethrough relative to the axis; a tubular outer sleeve having the inner sleeve concentrically positioned therein, the outer sleeve defining a plurality of outer sleeve passages extending radially therethrough relative to the axis; and a tubular muffler concentrically positioned between the inner and outer sleeves; wherein fluid flows radially outwardly through the inner sleeve passages, through the muffler, and through the outer sleeve passages.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
a plurality of jets are defined by the flow of the fluid out of the inner sleeve passages; and the muffler is oriented relative to the inner sleeve such that the jets impinge the muffler prior to creating shockwaves.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the muffler is disposed in spaced relation to the inner sleeve such that a gap is defined therebetween.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the muffler is disposed in spaced relation to the outer sleeve such that a gap is defined therebetween.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the muffler is disposed in spaced relation to the inner and outer sleeves such that gaps are defined therebetween.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the inner sleeve passages has a tortuous configuration.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the inner sleeve passages define at least four right-angle turns.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the outer sleeve passages has a tortuous configuration.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of the outer sleeve passages define at least four right-angle turns.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the muffler is fabricated from wire mesh.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the muffler is fabricated from metal foam.
- 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an end cap disposed in sealing engagement to the inner and outer sleeves for blocking fluid flowing along the axis such that the fluid passes radially outwardly through the inner and outer sleeve passages.
- 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve passages are radially aligned with respective ones of the outer sleeve passages.
- 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner sleeve passages are axially offset from the outer sleeve passages.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/384,766 entitled LOW-NOISE PRESSURE REDUCTION SYSTEM filed May 31, 2002.
Provisional Applications (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60384766 |
May 2002 |
US |