Three-Dimensional Manufacturing of Quieting Valve Having Complex Passages

Abstract

A noise-reducing valve structure includes a unitary spindle-shaped body having a central lumen for receiving a fluid flow and a poppet member, the body having an inner diameter adjacent the central lumen and an outer diameter and a circumferentially and axially distributed plurality of radial passages adapted to be opened and closed in accordance with a guided position of the poppet member, the plurality of radial passages extending through the spindle-shaped body from the inner diameter to the outer diameter and having a gradually increasing area from the inner diameter to the outer diameter.

1 . A noise-reducing valve structure, comprising:
 a unitary spindle-shaped body having a central lumen for receiving a fluid flow from one end and a poppet member from another end, the body having an inner diameter adjacent the central lumen and an outer diameter; and
 a circumferentially and axially distributed plurality of radial passages adapted to be opened and closed in accordance with a guided position of the poppet member, the plurality of radial passages extending through the unitary body from the inner diameter to the outer diameter and having a gradually increasing area from the inner diameter to the outer diameter. 
   
     
     
         2 . The noise-reducing valve structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of radial passages includes a single inlet channel that splits into additional channels. 
     
     
         3 . The noise-reducing valve structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of radial passages further comprises a connector that joins a first number of channels to a second number of channels, the first number and the second number being different. 
     
     
         4 . The noise-reducing valve structure of  claim 3 , wherein the connector has a substantially square cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The noise-reducing valve structure of  claim 3 , wherein the connector is substantially frusto-conical. 
     
     
         6 . The noise-reducing valve structure of  claim 2 , wherein each inlet channel progressively splits into multiple channels until at least twelve outlet channels are formed. 
     
     
         7 . The noise-reducing valve structure of  claim 2 , wherein each inlet channel progressively splits into multiple channels until a plurality of outlet channels are formed, the plurality of outlet channels being arranged in rows and columns. 
     
     
         8 . The noise-reducing valve structure of  claim 2 , wherein each inlet channel progressively splits into multiple channels until a plurality of outlet channels are formed, the plurality of outlet channels being arranged in a circle.