Methods and apparatus for use within a production pipeline or other flowbore to reduce fluid pressure and regulate fluid flow while minimizing erosion effects caused by particulate matter in the fluid, wherein varying geometries with respect to multiple components within a choke valve are utilized to effectuate multiple changes in fluid flow direction, causing a fluid pressure drop at each directional change.

A coupling for vertical connection in sewage plumbing used in tall and high-rise buildings, is disclosed. The coupling is equipped in its inside walls with a pair of vortical blades for descending sewage streams from the upper floors into the coupling to impinge on their top blade surface to flow sideways into a spiral flow down the coupling. The more intense vortex streams developed, the faster the streams fall along the plumbing. For a vortex generates a vertical column of upwardly moving vent...

A method and fluid flow device for increasing the rate of flow of a fluid by inducing angular velocities in the flow entering the device thereby to reduce the upstream static pressure, and carrying the angular velocities through the device where it is nullified before leaving the device, thereby to increase the downstream static pressure. Reducing the static pressure of the fluid entering the device and increasing the static pressure of the fluid leaving the device results in two forces of accel...

A new flash tube device adapted specifically for use with hot erosive flow streams is provided. This flash tube uses an extension cone fixed to the outlet of a choke to create an extension choke to insure that the shock wave occurs within the extension choke, thereby decreasing the flow velocity to a subsonic level, reducing the kinetic energy of the flow as it leaves the extension choke. By moving the shock wave into the extension choke, this device dramatically improves the working life of the...

A welding torch of the tungsten electrode and inert gas type having a gas hose which is separate from the power cable, each being separately secured to a connector within the handle portion of the torch. Either the gas hose or the power cable is thus individually replaceable to thereby minimize maintenance costs.

A new segmented choke is provided. Designed to reduce thermal stresses created when the fluid temperature fluctuate, this invention is constructed of segmented ceramic members fit within a relatively thin-walled retainer, shrunk fit thereto, thereby allowing the retainer to be more compliant. Shorter, multiple segments used in this invention are also easier to manufacture, can be produced with tighter tolerances, provide easier access thereby reducing maintenance costs and allow for the inclusio...

Flow enhancing restrictors are located within a fluid conduit to provide pressure reduction and flow enhancement. The restrictors may be used in combination with a conventional choke valve or as a stand-alone pressure reduction means. Alternative exemplary embodiments for flow enhancers are described. Each of the flow enhancers has a generally cylindrical base with at least one fluid passage disposed therethrough. Each of the flow enhancers also provides a dome that projects upwardly from the ce...

A vane rail has a plurality of tabs, in pairs, partially severed therefrom, to engage air deflection vanes in sandwiched relation therebetween. Fasteners may secure the connection between the sandwiching tabs and the vanes. When vanes and a pair of rails are used together in engagement with the vanes, an assembly is provided for disposition in an air duct for intercepting air flow in a duct and diverting it to a different direction.

A microfluidic device having durable ultraphobic fluid contact surfaces in the fluid flow channels of the device. The ultraphobic surface generally includes a substrate portion with a multiplicity of projecting regularly shaped microscale or nanoscale asperities disposed in a regular array so that the surface has a predetermined contact line density equal to or greater than a critical contact line density, and so that the ratio of the cross-sectional dimension of the asperities to the spacing di...

A fluid handling component having a durable ultraphobic fluid contact surface that is capable of exhibiting ultraphobic properties at liquid pressures of one atmosphere and above. The surface generally includes a substrate portion with a multiplicity of projecting regularly shaped microscale or nanoscale asperities disposed so that the surface has a predetermined contact line density measured in meters of contact line per square meter of surface area equal to or greater than a contact line densi...