Abstract: A system suitable for collecting and transporting urine away from the body of a person or animal may include an assembly having a fluid impermeable casing having a fluid reservoir at a first end, a fluid outlet at a second end, and a longitudinally extending fluid impermeable layer coupled to the fluid reservoir and the fluid outlet and defining a longitudinally elongated opening between the reservoir and the outlet. The assembly can further include a fluid permeable support disposed within the casing with a portion extending across the elongated opening, and a fluid permeable membrane disposed on the support and covering at least the portion of the support that extends across the elongated opening, so that the membrane is supported on the support and disposed across the elongated opening. The assembly can further include a tube having a first end disposed in the reservoir and a second, fluid discharge end.

Abstract: A valve body, for use in a valve housing having an inlet and outlet, includes a spherical outer surface. A flow opening extends diametrically from one side of the outer surface to an opposing side. A plurality of flow control passageways extend from the outer surface into the valve body. The valve body is moveable relative to the valve housing between a closed position, a restricted flow position, and a free flow position. In the closed position, the flow opening and all of the plurality of flow control passageways are out of alignment with the inlet and outlet. In the restricted flow position, at least one flow control passageway is moved into fluid communication with the inlet and outlet to facilitate fluid communication therebetween. In the free flow position, the flow opening is moved into fluid communication with the inlet and outlet to facilitate fluid communication therebetween.

Abstract: A flow control element includes an element body formed as a unitary structure and disposed about a body axis. The element body includes a first surface, a second surface in spaced relation to the first surface, and an inner peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces and defining a central bore extending along the body axis. The element body additionally includes an outer peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces in spaced relation to the inner peripheral surface. A plurality of passageways extend between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface, with each passageway having a pair of side surfaces extending in generally opposed relation to each other and a pair of beveled surfaces extending toward each other from respective ones of the pair of side surfaces.

Abstract: A valve body, for use in a valve housing having an inlet and outlet, includes a spherical outer surface. A flow opening extends diametrically from one side of the outer surface to an opposing side. A plurality of flow control passageways extend from the outer surface into the valve body. The valve body is moveable relative to the valve housing between a closed position, a restricted flow position, and a free flow position. In the closed position, the flow opening and all of the plurality of flow control passageways are out of alignment with the inlet and outlet. In the restricted flow position, at least one flow control passageway is moved into fluid communication with the inlet and outlet to facilitate fluid communication therebetween. In the free flow position, the flow opening is moved into fluid communication with the inlet and outlet to facilitate fluid communication therebetween.

Abstract: A method of designing a three-dimensional flow control element includes creating a first computer aided design representative of a flow configuration having a first end and a second end. A second computer aided design of a host body is created. The design of the flow configuration is digitally inserted into the design of the host body such that the two designs define an overlapping region. The first computer aided design and the portion of the second computer aided design in the overlapping region is subtracted from a remainder of the second computer aided design to produce a third computer aided design of a flow control element having a fluid pathway extending therethrough. The fluid pathway is associated with the overlapping portions of the first and second computer aided designs.

Abstract: A flow control element includes an element body formed as a unitary structure and disposed about a body axis. The element body includes a first surface, a second surface in spaced relation to the first surface, and an inner peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces and defining a central bore extending along the body axis. The element body additionally includes an outer peripheral surface extending between the first and second surfaces in spaced relation to the inner peripheral surface. A plurality of passageways extend between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface, with each passageway having a pair of side surfaces extending in generally opposed relation to each other and a pair of beveled surfaces extending toward each other from respective ones of the pair of side surfaces.

Abstract: A control valve which includes a discrete, multi-stage, multi-path valve trim, located in concentric cylinders, along the outlet axis of the valve, with potential to characterize flow resistance at different opening points.

Abstract: A control valve which includes a discrete, multi-stage, multi-path valve trim, located in concentric cylinders, along the outlet axis of the valve, with potential to characterize flow resistance at different opening points.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dirty service valve including an axial trim which, as a result of its structural attributes and extended stroke length, provides increased Cv capacity relative to valve plug size in comparison to existing prior art designs. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the axial trim integrated into the valve of the present invention is configured to provide a linear flow characteristic. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the axial trim may be configured to provide a non-linear flow characteristic which, coupled with the extended stroke length thereof, provides improved flow control in addition to increased Cv capacity. The axial trim possessing the above-described structural and functional attributes may also be integrated into an axial body or housing, thus making the use of rotary actuators in conjunction with the axial trim more feasible.

Abstract: An improved valve element for a spray nozzle assembly of a steam desuperheating device that is configured to spray cooling water into a flow of superheated steam in a generally uniformly distributed spray pattern. The valve element includes a valve body and an elongate valve stem that is integrally attached to the valve body and extends axially therefrom. The valve body itself includes a nozzle cone which is integrally connected to the valve stem, and defines an outer surface. Integrally formed on a bottom surface of the nozzle cone is a hub having multiple ribs protruding therefrom. Integrally connected to each of the ribs is a generally circular fracture ring. The fracture ring is disposed in spaced relation to the lower edge of the nozzle cone which circumvents the bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dirty service valve including an axial trim which, as a result of its structural attributes and extended stroke length, provides increased Cv capacity relative to valve plug size in comparison to existing prior art designs. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the axial trim integrated into the valve of the present invention is configured to provide a linear flow characteristic. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the axial trim may be configured to provide a non-linear flow characteristic which, coupled with the extended stroke length thereof, provides improved flow control in addition to increased Cv capacity. The axial trim possessing the above-described structural and functional attributes may also be integrated into an axial body or housing, thus making the use of rotary actuators in conjunction with the axial trim more feasible.

Abstract: An improved valve element for a spray nozzle assembly of a steam desuperheating device that is configured to spray cooling water into a flow of superheated steam in a generally uniformly distributed spray pattern. The valve element comprises a valve body and an elongate valve stem that is integrally attached to the valve body and extends axially therefrom. The valve body itself comprises a nozzle cone which is integrally connected to the valve stem, and defines an outer surface. Integrally formed on a bottom surface of the nozzle cone is a hub having multiple ribs protruding therefrom. Integrally connected to each of the ribs is a generally circular fracture ring. The fracture ring is disposed in spaced relation to the lower edge of the nozzle cone which circumvents the bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a rotary closure element which defines an axis of rotation and is selectively movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. Mounted to and movable with the rotary closure element is an impedance assembly. The impedance assembly defines an inflow end and an outflow end, and comprises a plurality of tortuous passageways which extend from the inflow end to the outflow end. Also fully or partially defined by the impedance assembly is an enlarged flow opening which extends from the inflow end to the outflow end. The tortuous passageways and the flow opening are oriented relative to each other such that a portion of a flow through the valve assembly is directed into the tortuous passageways and a portion of the flow is directed through the flow opening when the closure element is in the fully open position.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a rotary closure element which defines an axis of rotation and is selectively movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. Mounted to and movable with the rotary closure element is an impedance assembly. The impedance assembly defines an inflow end and an outflow end, and comprises a plurality of tortuous passageways which extend from the inflow end to the outflow end. Also fully or partially defined by the impedance assembly is an enlarged flow opening which extends from the inflow end to the outflow end. The tortuous passageways and the flow opening are oriented relative to each other such that a portion of a flow through the valve assembly is directed into the tortuous passageways and a portion of the flow is directed through the flow opening when the closure element is in the fully open position.