Abstract: A pulsation dampener and acoustic attenuator for hydraulic systems is designed to be inserted into a liquid flow line. The dampener is a flow-through device with a pressurized bladder restrained within a perforated sleeve. The arrangement of inlet/outlet ports, the bladder, and the screen provides means for dampening flow pulsations in the supply system to effect a more uniform flow and to attenuate acoustic noises reverberating within the system. The dampener provides for self-cleaning due to the flow of the liquid and is thus suitable for sanitary applications. Further, the bladder may be readily removed through one end of the dampener without otherwise removing the dampener from the pipeline in order to examine or replace the bladder.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a stack of valve members which define a number of annular valve slits between knife-edge valve seats and opposing valve surfaces. The valve members are rings having grooves formed therein to define a low pressure liquid chamber. A ridge between the central hole in each ring and the chamber groove forms the knife edge valve seat. Homogenizing pressure can be controlled by flexing a bearing plate at the end of the stack of valves. Spring elements between the valves bias the valves apart when they are released by the hydraulic valve actuator to enable cleaning of the valve slits.

Abstract: It has been determined that homogenizing efficiency can be increased substantially by expressing the fluid through a valve in which the valve seat has a knife edge configuration and the valve gap has an optimum height of less than 0.003 inch. To provide the high flow rate required in most industrial applications, the total length of slits within a valve assembly, each having the optimum gap, is selected for given homogenizing and back pressures. In a preferred embodiment, in order to provide the extended slit length necessary within such a valve assembly, a plurality of annular valve slits are provided between stacked valve members within the assembly.