United States Patent [19]

Worley

[11]
[45]

[54]

4,275,763

VARIABLE ORIFICE VALVE ASSEMBLY

[75]

Inventor:

Arthur C. Worley, Mt. Tabor, N.J.

[73]

Assignee:

Exxon Research and Engineering Co

Patent Number:
Date of Patent:
6/1981

4,516,606
May 14, 1985

Fahrig ........................... .. 137/375 X

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

1020557 11/1952 France .......................... .. l37/625.31

Florham Park N'J'

[21] Appl. No.; 467,089

Primary Examiner-Arnold Rosenthal

Attorney, Agent, or FirmDonald F. Wohlers

[22] Filed:

[57]

Feb. 16, 1983

ABSTRACT

[51]
[52]

Int. 01.3 .............................................. .. F16K 3/08

U5. c1. .......................... .. 137/625.3; 137/625.31-

138/46; 251/208; 251/175

each disc thereof is provided with a plurality of equally

[58]

Field of Search ...................... .. 137/625.31, 625.3;

138/45, 46. 251/208 175

Spaced and equally Sized apertures extending there

through. One of the discs of the valve is ?xed relative to

[561

A double disc variable Ori?ce valve is Provided for ?uid

Salids Service in a Petroleum Process Conduit wherein

the surrounding valve conduit. Adjacent to the ?xed

References Clted
U5 PATENT DOCUMENTS
3 6 53 X
ggdsrsltgod """"""" " 1 7372/6251 31

ori?ce disc or plate, there is provided an adjustable

ori?ce plate having a similar number of sized and
spaced ori?ces. The adjustable ori?ce plate is supported
at its center from the ?xed ori?ce plate in a pivotal

1,837,549 12/1931 Herivxiig Jr.u.-............53157/6253l.X

mounting arrangement which may include a Central

2,443Q071

6/1948

Honerkamp et al. .... .. 137/625.31 X

?xed aperture

2.681891

8/1954

Segelhorst et a]. .......... .. l37/614.l6

3,414,007 12/1968 DeMarco .......................... .. 137/493

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures

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US. Patent May '14, 1985

Sheet 1 of 2

4,516,606

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4,516,606

process unit, the center support and pivot means for the

VARIABLE ORIFICE VALVE ASSEMBLY

adjustable ori?ce plate provides vertical support there

for to prevent its separation from the ?xed plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In petroleum processes used in re?neries, it is fre
quently desired to achieve pressure control within a
process unit by the use of variable ori?ce devices in the
form of conventional slide valves. Sometimes in place

A valve in accordance with the present invention is

particularly suitable for high temperature gas service

wherein it is desired to control the pressure in a ?ue

conduit with minimum noise generation and vibration

potential. While valves of this general type'using the

concept of having ori?ces in relatively adjustable adja

of such slide valves ?xed ori?ce discs are used in con

junction with slide valves to control the pressure of a
process unit or the pressure of a ?ue gas being delivered
to downstream equipment. When such ?xed ori?ce
discs or slide valves are in compressable ?uid service,

cent disc sections have been known and described in

such prior patents as US. Pat. Nos. 3,414,007 and
2,685,891, none of these prior references show or sug
gest the incorporation of a valve in accordance with the

noise is frequently generated by such ori?ces and may

present arrangement wherein the pivotal mounting and

present a problem. This often leads to vibration prob

lems of components in the system due to resonance
caused by the noise or sound energy generated by the
variable or ?xed ori?ce devices. By decreasing the

support for the rotating disc is provided at the center

thereof and engages the center of the adjacent disc. In
addition, none of the prior art known to the applicant
shows an arrangement wherein a variable ori?ce double
pressure differential across an ori?ce, the noise level
disc valve is provided in combination with a center
generated can frequently be reduced. Sometimes a num 20 located ?xed or non-controllable ori?ce integral with
ber of ori?ces in series are used as a means for sound

attenuation in combination with pressure control. The

disadvantage of ?xed ori?ces, however, is that pressure

the pivotal support of the adjustable disc. The center

?xed ori?ce is intended for use as a safety valve to

prevent build-up of pressure if the valve is inadvertently

control and/or sound attenuation is achieved only at a

closed.
constant ?ow rate. However, since petroleum process 25
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to pro
units operating conditions are seldom uniform and
vide an adjustable disc ori?ce valve which is simple in
therefore experience variable internal flow rates and
design, rugged in construction and economical to manu

pressure ?uctuations, a variable ori?ce design is highly

advantageous to accomplish optimum noise attenuation

over a wide range of process conditions. Also, by pro

viding a number of smaller ?xed ori?ce openings in the

discs, the frequency of the sound or noise generated can
be increased so as to avoid or minimize vibration prob
lems due to resonance effects. Such a variable ori?ce

facture.
Another object of the invention is to provide a valve
of the present type which is reliable in operation with a
minimum of moving parts and critically ?tted surfaces

otherwise potentially necessitating frequent repair.

These and other objects and uses of applicants inven

design as in applicants present invention will insure 35 tion will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
good pressure control and/or effective sound attenua
tion in petroleum process units over a wide range of

operating conditions. In particular, the present inven

For a better understanding of the nature of the inven

tion, reference should be had to the accompanying

drawings.

tion is such that it combines in a double disc variable

ori?ce valve the provision of a ?xed ori?ce as well as

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

desirable frequency modi?cation to control vibration or

resonance problems. Accordingly, it is an object of the

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-section of a valve in accor

dance with the invention taken along line 11 of FIG.

2.
present invention to provide a simple and novel single
FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-section taken along line
valve design wherein a plurality of equally spaced,
equally sized ori?ces are provided on adjacent ori?ce 45 2-2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional
plates which can be rotated, one relative to the other.
view of the adjustment means for the ori?ce plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an alter
nate embodiment of the invention taken along line 4-4
In keeping with the aforesaid background and object
of FIG. 5.
of the invention, a double disc variable ori?ce valve is
FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken
provided wherein each disc thereof is provided with a
along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and FIGS. 6 and 7 are en
plurality of equally spaced and equally sized apertures
extending therethrough. One of the discs of the valve is
larged detailed views of portions of the valve of FIG. 4.
?xed relative to the surrounding valve conduit and is
It will be understood that the foregoing Figures illus
generally oriented in a horizontal position although any 55 trate merely preferred embodiments of the invention,
position is possible provided the moveable or adjustable
and that other embodiments are contemplated within
disc is located upstream of the ?xed disc. Adjacent to
the scope of the claims hereinafter set forth.
the ?xed ori?ce disc or plate, there is provided an ad
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
justable ori?ce plate having a similar number of sized
INVENTION
and spaced ori?ces. The adjustable ori?ce plate is sup 60
ported at its center from the ?xed ori?ce plate in a
Referring to the drawings, in particular FIGS. 1-3, a
pivotal mounting arrangement which may include a
variable ori?ce valve assembly shown generally at 10
central ?xed aperture. This central support of the ad
includes a main pipe or conduit section 12. The main
justable ori?ce plate from the ?xed ori?ce plate is such
pipe section 12 includes a pair of opposed end ?anges 14
that during normal operation of the process unit, the 65 for connection to corresponding ?anges of an associ
pressure differential across the plates is such to hold the
ated generally vertical petroleum process conduit 48. In
upstream adjustable plate in tight sealing engagement
the preferred arrangement and use of the valve of the
with the ?xed ori?ce plate. Upon shut down of the
invention, it would generally be located in a vertical

4,516,606

rations and functions. It should also be noted that in

conduit of a process unit wherein the flow is vertically

upward within the conduit as shown in FIG. 1. Such
not be contrued as restrictive, and it will be understood

FIGS. 6 and 7 showing enlarged detailed portions of the

cooperative ori?ce plates 16 and 22 that the high wear
surfaces have been provided with hard surface coatings

that other possible orientations are contemplated as

long as the adjustable plate or disc is located upstream

indicated at 42. These coatings may be Stellite 1 or

Stellite 6 or other similar coatings and function to

of the ?xed plate with respect to ?ow. The valve assem

lengthen the service life of the valve in a highly erosive

process environment. While the presence of hard sur

preferred orientation of the invention, however, should

bly 10 includes a ?rst and ?xed upper ori?ce plate 16

extending across the diameter thereof ?xedly attached

to a peripheral flange 18 and the pipe section 12 as by
welds 20. An adjustable lower or upstream ori?ce plate

faced coatings has not been speci?cally illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 2 for convenience, such coatings are con

templated and incorporated into the valve of FIG. 1 in

areas corresponding to those shown in the FIG. 4 valve
embodiment. Again, it should be noted that in FIG. 6 a
similar gap 44 as in FIG. 3 is shown, which gap would

indicated at 22 is supported from the ?xed or down

stream ori?ce plate 16 through a central support sleeve

24. The center support sleeve 24 includes an outwardly

projecting support ring 26 suitably welded thereto

which is in overlapping sliding engagement with the

upper surface of the downstream ori?ce plate 16. The

be representative of the valve in the non-operating

mode wherein the adjustable ori?ce plate is free to hang
by gravity and be supported from the downstream or

central support sleeve 24 also includes a central aper

ture 25 for the continual or ?xed flow of process ?uid

upper ori?ce plate 16. In a valve oriented with down

ward vertical flow, plate 22 would rest on ?xed plate 16

vertically upward through the ori?ce plate valve inde

pendent of the relative angular adjustment of plate 22 to
plate 16. Where a central ?xed ori?ce is not required,
the aperture 25 can be closed off by a plate (not shown)

so that clearance on gap 44 would not be present as

shown in the ?gures. In both embodiments of the inven

tion, auxiliary support clips 27 are secured to the inner

wall of the conduit 12 just below the adjustable ori?ce

welded to cover the aperture 25.

plate 22. These auxiliary support clips 27 operate to
Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the upper or 25 provide additional support and/or security to prevent

downstream ori?ce plate 16 includes a plurality of cir

cular apertures 28 which are circumferentially spaced in
an annular ring. In like fashion, the upstream or lower
ori?ce plate 22 includes a similar number of equally

spaced ori?ces 30. The ori?ce plate 22 is pivotally ad

justable or rotatable about the center support sleeve 24

and includes a radially projecting lug 32 af?xed tothe

periphery thereof. The adjustment lug 32 extends radi

the adjustable ori?ce plate 22 from dropping vertically

downward should failure on the support ring 26 occur.

For vertical downward ?ow operation of the valve,

clips 27 would not be required since the ?xed ori?ce
plate 16 would provide the necessary support.
From the foregoing description of various embodi
ments of the invention, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that a novel and simple overall con

ally outward through an aperture 36 in the sidewall of

the conduit 12 into an exterior housing 34. The housing 35 ?guration for a variable/?xed ori?ce valve design is
present. Such design is one in which the adjustable
34 includes a pair of opposed adjustment hand wheel
means 38 which are threadably engaged thereto in a
manner so that the ends of the elements 38 contact the

protruding end-portion of the lug 32 to suitably position

the ori?ce plate 22 to the desired valve setting. Those
skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other means
such as hydraulic rams, electric motors or air motor

driven devices can be used to adjust the valve apertures.

ori?ce plate is centrally supported from the ?xed ori?ce

plate and includes a ?xed central aperture through both

ori?ce plates. While each of applicants embodiments

have been shown with such ?xed non-adjustable central
ori?ce, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate
that applicants invention may readily be incorporated
into a valve design wherein no such central ?xed aper

ture is present without departing from applicants novel

fashion the relative positions of the ?xed plate 16 to the 45 concepts;
Therefore, it will be understood that the drawings
adjustable plate 22, the spacing gap 44 between the
illustrate
merely several preferred embodiments of the
adjacent surfaces of the ori?ce plates may be seen. In
invention and that other embodiments are contemplated
the relationship shown in FIG. 3, the gap 44 is represen

Referring particularly to FIG. 3 showing in enlarged

tative of the non-operating condition of the valve where

the full weight of the adjustable plate 22 is supported

from the plate 16 via the central support sleeve 24 and
support ring 26. In operation, with the process fluid
flow in the direction indicated in FIG. 1, the pressure
differential across the valve is suf?cient to move the

plate 22 upwardly and into surface contact against the

plate 16 as shown in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIGS. 4-7, an alternative embodiment
of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, which is
substantially similar to the FIG. 1 embodiment, alterna

within the scope of the claims hereinafter set forth.

What is claimed is:
1. A disc valve for controlling the flow of a fluid

solids mixture such as present in petroleum process

equipment comprising a cylindrical tubular conduit,

outwardly extending flange means at opposite ends of
said tubular conduit for mounting said tubular conduit
in a process conduit, a flat planar ?rst ori?ce plate ex

FIG. 1 embodiment, equally spaced and equally sized so

tending transversely across said tubular conduit and

welded thereto, said ?rst ori?ce plate including a circu
lar central aperture and a plurality of spaced ori?ces
disposed circumferentially about said central aperture, a
flat planar second ori?ce plate having a plurality of
ori?ces conforming in size and spacing to said ori?ces in
said ?rst ori?ce plate, said second ori?ce plate including

that each is opened a similar amount relative to the

a cylindrical tubular support means ?xedly attached

tively shaped rectangular apertures are provided in the

upper and lower ori?ce plates 16 and 22. These rectan
gular apertures, respectively 28 and 30, are, as in the

adjacent ori?ce upon movement of the adjustable ori 65 thereto and extending through said central aperture for
suspending and pivotally mounting said second ori?ce
?ce plate 22. This alternate embodiment of the inven
plate from said ?rst ori?ce plate, and means engaging a
tion employs reference numerals similar to the FIG. 1
peripheral edge of said second ori?ce plate for rotation
embodiment wherein the elements have similar con?gu

4,516,606

ally adjusting the relative positions of the ori?ces in said

?rst and second ori?ce plates.
2. A disc valve in accordance with claim 1 wherein
said cylindrical tubular support means includes a central

aperture extending through said ?rst and second ori?ce 5

plates to provide a constant ?xed ori?ce flow path for
the flow of the ?uid solids mixture ?owing in said tubu

lar conduit through said valve independent of the rela

tive rotational position between said ?rst and second

ori?ce plates.

gas is upwardly ?owing therethrough, a ?at planar ?rst

ori?ce plate extending transversely across said tubular
conduit and weldably attached thereto, said ?rst ori?ce
plate including a plurality of spaced ori?ces disposed
circumferentially thereabout, a ?at planar second ori
?ce plate having a plurality of ori?ces conforming in
size and spacing to said ori?ces in said ?rst ori?ce plate,
means for pivotally mounting said second ori?ce plate
upon said ?rst ori?ce plate, means engaging a periph

10

3. A disc valve in accordance with claim 2 wherein

said adjusting means includes a lug member extending

eral edge of said second ori?ce plate for rotationally

adjusting the relative positions of the ori?ces in said ?rst
and second ori?ce plates to provide a variable ?ow

radially outward from said second ori?ce plate through

component through said valve, said means for pivotally

an aperture in said tubular conduit and rotatable
mounting said ?rst and second ori?ce plates including a
threaded means engaging said lug member.
15 central aperture extending therethrough to provide a
4. A disc valve in accordance with claim 3 wherein
constant ?xed ori?ce ?ow path for the ?ow of said
the ori?ces in said ?rst and second ori?ce plates are
petroleum process gaseous stream ?owing in said tubu
circular.
lar conduit through said valve independent of the rela
5. A disc valve in accordance with claim 3 wherein
tively rotational position between said ?rst and second
the ori?ces in said ?rst and second ori?ce plates are

ori?ce plates.

rectangular.

8. A disc valve in accordance with claim 7 wherein

said pivotal mounting means includes an annular ring
extending outwardly from said central aperture to
overly and contact the downstream surface of said ?rst

6. A disc valve in accordance with claim 2 wherein

said support means includes an annular ring attached to

and extending outwardly from said central aperture to

overly and contact the upper surface of said ?rst ori?ce 25 ori?ce plate.
plate.
5
9. A disc valve in accordance with claim 8 including
7. A disc valve for controlling the flow of a gaseous
hard surfaced areas on said ?rst and second ori?ce
stream such as present in petroleum processes compris
plates adjacent said spaced ori?ces.
ing a cylindrical tubular conduit, outwardly extending
10. A disc valve in accordance with claim 6 including
?ange means at opposite ends of said tubular conduit for
hard surfaced areas on said ?rst and second ori?ce
mounting said tubular conduit in an upright position in
plates adjacent said spaced ori?ces.
a generally vertical process conduit in which a process

35

45

55

65