High-velocity discharge equalizing system and method

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the invention, a high-velocity fluid discharge device includes tubing having one or more orifices formed therein, a shroud coupled to the tubing such that, when a fluid flowing through the tubing exits the orifices, the fluid impinges on an inside surface of the shroud, and openings at both ends of the shroud. The openings have substantially the same areas.

1 . A fluid discharge device comprising: 
 tubing having one or more orifices formed therein;    a shroud coupled to the tubing such that, when a fluid flowing through the tubing exits the orifices, the fluid impinges on an inside surface of the shroud; and    openings at both ends of the shroud, wherein the openings have substantially the same areas.    
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a reinforcing pad coupled to a surface of the shroud in a location corresponding to where the fluid impinges on the inside surface.  
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more orifices comprise a plurality of orifices equally spaced around a circumference of the tubing.  
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the orifices are spaced around the circumference of the tubing at an angular spacing selected from the group consisting of 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees.  
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more orifices comprise a plurality of orifices spaced along a length of the tubing.  
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the tubing includes a buffer zone in which there are no orifices.  
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the fluid is flowing at a pressure of at least 100 psi.  
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a shield coupled to an outside surface of, and surrounding, the tubing at a location upstream from the shroud.  
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of shields coupled to an outside surface of, and surrounding, the tubing, the pair of shields disposed adjacent opposite ends of the shroud.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a selectively removable plug coupled to a downstream end of the tubing.  
   
   
       11 . A fluid discharge method comprising: 
 receiving a fluid flow in a tubing;    directing the fluid out through one or more orifices of the tubing;    impinging the fluid on an inside surface of a shroud surrounding the tubing;    directing the fluid out through at least two openings on opposite ends of the shroud; and    using the reaction force caused by the fluid flowing out one of the openings to offset a reaction force caused by the fluid flowing out of the other opening to stabilize the tubing.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising collecting the fluid exiting the openings of the shroud.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising causing the openings to have substantially the same area.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising reinforcing a surface of the shroud in a location corresponding to where the fluid impinges on the inside surface.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the fluid is flowing at a pressure of at least 100 psi.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising anchoring the tubing into the ground.  
   
   
       17 . A fluid discharge device comprising: 
 tubing having a plurality of orifices spaced around a circumference of the tubing;    a shroud coupled to the tubing such that, when a fluid flowing through the tubing exits the orifices, the fluid impinges on an inside surface of the shroud;    openings at both ends of the shroud, wherein the openings have substantially the same areas;    a pair of shields coupled to an outside surface of, and surrounding, the tubing, wherein the pair of shields are disposed adjacent opposite ends of the shroud; and    a collection tank disposed below the shroud and operable to collect the fluid exiting the opposite ends of the shroud, wherein the collection tank supports opposite ends of the tubing.    
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17  further comprising a reinforcing pad coupled to a surface of the shroud in a location corresponding to where the fluid impinges on the inside surface.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the orifices are equally spaced around the circumference of the tubing.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the orifices are spaced along a length of the tubing.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the tubing includes a buffer zone in which there are no orifices.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the fluid is flowing at a pressure of at least 100 psi.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 17  further comprising a selectively removable plug coupled to a downstream end of the tubing.  
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the collection tank includes a drain coupled near a bottom of the collection tank.  
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the collection tank includes a concave top with a plurality of drain holes.  
   
   
       26 . A fluid discharge method comprising: 
 receiving a fluid flow in a tubing;    directing the fluid out through at least two orifices equally spaced around a circumference of the tubing; and    using the reaction force caused by the fluid flowing out at least one of the orifices to offset the reaction force caused by the fluid flowing out an opposite orifice to stabilize the tubing.