Abstract: A valve assembly has a valve body and a fluid passage through the valve body with an inlet end and an outlet end. A valve seat is defined within the fluid passage. A sleeve is axially slidable within the fluid passage and has an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axial flow passage in communication with the inlet end and the outlet end of the fluid passage. A valve stem is pivotally mounted at a stem pivot spaced radially from the fluid passage. The valve stem is actuable to slide the sleeve between an open position with the downstream end spaced from the valve seat and a closed position with the downstream end borne against the valve seat to selectively control fluid flow through the flow passage to the outlet end. One end of the valve stem is coupled to the sleeve at a joint. The stem pivot accommodates relative axial movement of the valve stem as the sleeve slides within the fluid passage.

Abstract: A diffuser apparatus for variably controlling fluid pressure release is provided. The diffuser apparatus includes an aperture for pressure release and an adjustable plug that can variably expose the aperture by adjusting positions in response to internal pressure levels. The diffuser apparatus may also include a safety mechanism that utilizes valves to add or release pressure acting on the plug in order to open and close the aperture.

Abstract: A noise abatement device and method to direct flow in a predetermined manner to substantially reduce the aerodynamic noise and structural vibrations produced by steam entering an air-cooled condenser in a power generating system. The interactive flow between the spargers that produces the aerodynamic noise and structural vibrations is largely eliminated by prohibiting fluid flow through selected flow regions within the spargers. The spargers include a stack of disks with fluid passageways. The fluid passageways are interrupted with continuous and undivided regions of the sparger to direct radial flow away from adjacent spargers, substantially eliminating the interactive flow.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device comprises a plurality of stacked disks having a perimeter and a hollow center aligned along a longitudinal axis. Each disk has at least one flow path extending between the hollow center and the perimeter, the flow path including an inlet section, an outlet section, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet sections. Each flow path intermediate section includes a pressure reducing structure and a recovery zone positioned immediately downstream of the pressure reducing structure.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device comprises a plurality of stacked disks having a perimeter and a hollow center aligned along a longitudinal axis. Each disk has at least one flow path extending between the hollow center and the perimeter, the flow path including an inlet section, an outlet section, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet sections. Each flow path intermediate section includes a pressure reducing structure and a recovery zone positioned immediately downstream of the pressure reducing structure.

Abstract: An improved rod connector assembly and method for mechanically fastening two rods together. Generally planar mating surfaces of a first rod assembly and a second rod assembly are compressively coupled by a rod union. The compressive load by the rod union is derived from a tapered surface that provides an interference fit to a corresponding tapered surface on the first rod assembly. Clearance diameters provided within the rod union accommodate axial misalignment of the first rod assembly and the second rod assembly. The second rod assembly includes an adjustable rod adapter to provide coupling to rods of various lengths. The first rod assembly includes an internal cavity to receive a portion of the second rod that may protrude from the adjustable rod adapter.

Abstract: A valve assembly has a valve body and a fluid passage through the valve body with an inlet end and an outlet end. A valve seat is defined within the fluid passage. A sleeve is axially slidable within the fluid passage and has an upstream end, a downstream end, and an axial flow passage in communication with the inlet end and the outlet end of the fluid passage. A valve stem is pivotally mounted at a stem pivot spaced radially from the fluid passage. The valve stem is actuable to slide the sleeve between an open position with the downstream end spaced from the valve seat and a closed position with the downstream end borne against the valve seat to selectively control fluid flow through the flow passage to the outlet end.

Abstract: A noise abatement device and method to direct flow in a predetermined manner to substantially reduce the aerodynamic noise and structural vibrations produced by steam entering an air-cooled condenser in a power generating system. The interactive flow between the spargers that produces the aerodynamic noise and structural vibrations is largely eliminated by prohibiting fluid flow through selected flow regions within the spargers. The spargers include a stack of disks with fluid passageways. The fluid passageways are interrupted with continuous and undivided regions of the sparger to direct radial flow away from adjacent spargers, substantially eliminating the interactive flow.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device comprises a plurality of stacked disks having a perimeter and a hollow center aligned along a longitudinal axis. Each disk has at least one flow path extending between the hollow center and the perimeter, the flow path including an inlet section, an outlet section, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet sections. Each flow path intermediate section includes a pressure reducing structure and a recovery zone positioned immediately downstream of the pressure reducing structure.

Abstract: An improved rod connector assembly and method for mechanically fastening two rods together. Generally planar mating surfaces of a first rod assembly and a second rod assembly are compressively coupled by a rod union. The compressive load by the rod union is derived from a tapered surface that provides an interference fit to a corresponding tapered surface on the first rod assembly. Clearance diameters provided within the rod union accommodate axial misalignment of the first rod assembly and the second rod assembly. The second rod assembly includes an adjustable rod adapter to provide coupling to rods of various lengths. The first rod assembly includes an internal cavity to receive a portion of the second rod that may protrude from the adjustable rod adapter.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device comprises a plurality of stacked disks having a perimeter and a hollow center aligned along a longitudinal axis. Each disk has at least one flow path extending between the hollow center and the perimeter, the flow path including an inlet section, an outlet section, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet sections. Each flow path intermediate section includes a pressure reducing structure and a recovery zone positioned immediately downstream of the pressure reducing structure.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device comprises a plurality of stacked disks having a perimeter and a hollow center aligned along a longitudinal axis. Each disk has at least one flow path extending between the hollow center and the perimeter, the flow path including an inlet section, an outlet section, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet sections. Each flow path intermediate section includes a pressure reducing structure and a recovery zone positioned immediately downstream of the pressure reducing structure.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device for use with a fluid valve control member movable through the device. The pressure reduction device is formed of a plurality of stacked disks having an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter defined by a hollow center aligned along a longitudinal axis. The disks are formed in a cage assembly for receiving the fluid valve control member within the hollow center along the inner perimeter. The stacked disks include a plurality of longitudinal channels formed in the disk around the inner perimeter. Guide members formed of a metal harder or at least with greater wear resistant characteristics than the disks are provided in each of the longitudinal channels. The guide members are adapted to the inner perimeter for guiding the fluid valve control member in movements through the hollow center for reducing wear on the inner perimeter. It is preferred that the guide members comprise longitudinal rods inserted within each channel.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device with tortuous flow paths in stacked disks. The fluid flow outlets are maintained independent by directed flow paths to avoid flow collisions in the exiting flow streams. A flow straightening section includes an inwardly tapered end section at the fluid flow outlets. Splitting of a tortuous flow path into at least two sub-flow paths with balancing of the mass flow between the sub-flow paths.