Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device with low noise generation. A stack of annular disks with fluid passageways formed of inlet slots, outlet slots, and interconnecting plenums. Selectively stacking and orienting the annular disks along with an asymmetric slot pattern creates the desired fluid passageways without creating an uninterrupted axial fluid flow path. High recovery inlet stages are in fluid communicating series with low recovery outlet stages and the combination provides a high performance fluid pressure reduction device with low noise generation.

Abstract: A valve includes a fluid inlet passageway coupled to a fluid outlet passageway through an orifice and a valve plug that is moveable with respect to the orifice to vary the rate of fluid flow through the orifice. A seat ring is disposed at the orifice and includes a structural member having three vanes connected in a Y-shaped configuration extending into the fluid inlet passageway adjacent the orifice. The Y-shaped vane configuration prevents disturbances, such as intermittent vortices, from forming within the fluid in the fluid inlet passageway and, thereby, provides a stable rate of fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device with low noise generation. A stack of annular disks with fluid passageways formed of inlet slots, outlet slots, and interconnecting plenums. Selectively stacking and orienting the annular disks along with an asymmetric slot pattern creates the desired fluid passageways without creating an uninterrupted axial fluid flow path. High recovery inlet stages are in fluid communicating series with low recovery outlet stages and the combination provides a high performance fluid pressure reduction device with low noise generation.

Abstract: A valve includes a fluid inlet passageway coupled to a fluid outlet passageway through an orifice and a valve plug which is moveable with respect to the orifice to vary the rate of fluid flow through the orifice. A seat ring is disposed at the orifice and includes a structural member extending into the fluid inlet passageway adjacent the orifice which prevents disturbances, such as intermittent vortices, from forming within the fluid in the fluid inlet passageway and which, thereby, provides a stable rate of fluid flow through the valve. The structural member may, alternatively, be connected to the valve plug or a wall of the fluid inlet passageway.

Abstract: A dynamic seal is provided between a rotatable ball control member and a noise attenuator in a fluid control valve. In one embodiment a noise attenuator is rigidly clamped in the valve body and a floating, spring biased seal is provided in the attenuator and facing the ball. A bi-directional fluid control valve is provided with two rigidly mounted noise attenuators each having a floating, spring biased ball seal. In a second embodiment a noise attenuator is floating, spring biased towards the ball and includes an annular seal retained in the attenuator. Pressure balancing the fluid flow pressure and the spring bias enables substantially zero seal engagement with the ball during ball rotation, while enabling a reliable seal of the ball in the shut-off valve position.

Abstract: A hubless flange for a valve body has a cross section which tapers outwardly with radial distance from the center line of the flange for radially equalizing the tangential stress for annular fibers in the flange. The flange includes a plurality of bolt holes and strengthened areas of increased cross section surrounding the bolt holes which also serve as load bearing surfaces for mounting bolts.