Apparatus and method for retaining a noise attenuation assembly for use with a pressure regulator

Abstract

A fluid regulating device includes a valve having an inlet and an outlet and an actuator coupled to the valve and having a control assembly. The control assembly includes a control element and a diaphragm operably connected to the control element, the control element disposed within the valve and adapted to be displaced relative to a valve seat. A noise attenuation assembly is coupled to the outlet of the valve and includes a cylindrical body and at least one plate disposed in the cylindrical body, the at least one plate having an outer edge. An apparatus for retaining the noise attenuation assembly includes a plurality of rods coupled to the at least one plate. The plurality of rods includes at least one rod having a first end disposed through the outer edge of the at least one plate to support the noise attenuation assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid regulating device comprising:
 a valve having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat disposed between the inlet and the outlet for allowing fluid to flow through the valve;   an actuator coupled to the valve and having a control assembly, the control assembly comprising a control element and a diaphragm operably connected to the control element, the control element disposed within the valve and adapted to be displaced relative to the valve seat for controlling the flow of a fluid between the inlet and the outlet;   a noise attenuation assembly coupled to the outlet, the noise attenuation assembly including at least one plate having an outer edge; and   an apparatus for retaining the at least one plate of the noise attenuation assembly, the apparatus including a plurality of rods coupled to the at least one plate, the plurality of rods including at least one rod having a first end disposed through the outer edge of the at least one plate.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the noise attenuation assembly includes three plates disposed within the cylindrical body, the three plates including a front plate, a middle plate, and a rear plate, each of the front, middle and rear plates having an outer edge and an outer surface, the outer surface of each plate contacting an inner surface of the cylindrical body. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one rod of the plurality of rods has a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end, the front end disposed within the outer edge of the front plate, the middle portion disposed within the outer edge of the middle plate, and the rear end disposed within the outer edge of the rear plate. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of rods includes six rods, each rod having a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end, each front end disposed with the outer edge of the front plate, each middle portion disposed within the outer edge of the middle plate, and each rear end disposed within the outer edge of the rear plate, such that the six rods are equidistantly disposed around each outer edge of the front plate, the middle plate, and the rear plate of the noise attenuation assembly, distributing stress towards the outer edges. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of rods includes six rods disposed within each of the front, middle and rear plates around the outer edges of each of the front, middle, and rear plates. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein a nut secures each rod of the plurality of rods to the outer edges of each of the front, middle, and rear plates. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , the apparatus for retaining the at least one plate further includes a front support member coupled to a front surface of the front plate and through which the at least one rod of the plurality of rods is disposed and secured. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus for retaining the at least one plate further includes a rear support member coupled to a rear surface of the rear plate and through which the at least one rod of the plurality of rods is disposed and secured. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for retaining a noise attenuation assembly for use with a fluid regulating device, the fluid regulating device including an inlet and an outlet, and the noise attenuation assembly coupled to the outlet and including a front plate, a middle plate, and a rear plate, each of the front, middle and rear plates having an outer edge, the apparatus for retaining the noise attenuation assembly comprising:
 a plurality of rods, the plurality of rods having at least one rod;   wherein the at least one rod is disposed in the outer edge of one or more of the front plate, the middle plate, and the rear plate.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of rods includes six rods, each rod having a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end, each front end disposed within the outer edge of the front plate, each middle portion disposed within the outer edge of the middle plate, and each rear end disposed within the outer edge of the rear plate, such that the six rods are equidistantly disposed around each outer edge of the front plate, the middle plate, and the rear plate of the noise attenuation assembly, distributing stress towards the outer edges. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein a nut secures each rod of the plurality of rods to the outer edges of each of the front, middle, and rear plates. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a front support member coupled to a front side of the front plate and through which the at least one rod of the plurality of rods is disposed and secured, wherein the at least one rod is secured to the front support member by a nut. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising a rear support member coupled to a rear side of the rear plate and through which the at least one rod of the plurality of rods is disposed and secured, wherein the at least one rod is secured to the rear support member by a nut. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , the noise attenuation assembly further comprising three additional plates disposed between the front plate and the middle plate, each of the three additional plates including an outer edge, wherein the at least one rod is disposed in the outer edge of each of the front, middle, and rear plates and the three additional plates disposed between the front plate and the middle plate. 
     
     
         15 . A method for retaining a noise attenuation assembly for use with a fluid regulating device, the fluid regulating device including an inlet and an outlet, and the noise attenuation assembly coupled to the outlet and including a front plate, a middle plate, and a rear plate, each of the front, middle and rear plates having an outer edge, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of rods; and   disposing at least one rod of the plurality of rods within in an outer edge of one or more of the front, middle or rear plates of the noise attenuation assembly to distribute stress during operation of the fluid regulating valve toward the outer edges of the plates.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises securing the at least one rod of the plurality of rods disposed in the outer edge of one or more of the front, middle or rear plates of the noise attenuation assembly via a nut. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein disposing at least one rod of the plurality of rods in the outer edge of one or more of the front, middle or rear plates includes disposing six rods of the plurality of rods in one or more of: (1) the outer edges of each of the front, middle, and rear plates; or (2) the outer edges of each of the front, middle, and rear plates and an outer edge of each of three additional plates disposed between the front plate and the middle plate. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein disposing at least one rod of the plurality of rods in an outer edge of one or more of the front, middle or rear plates includes disposing a front end of each rod in the front plate, disposing a corresponding middle portion of each rod in the middle plate, and disposing a corresponding rear end of each rod in the rear plate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising coupling a front support member to a front surface of the front plate, wherein a front end of at least one rod of the plurality of rods is disposed in the front support member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising coupling a rear support member to a rear surface of the rear plate, wherein a rear end of at least one rod of the plurality of rods is disposed in the rear support member.