A flow control device including a flow passage defined by a structure, a material disposed at least partially within the flow passage, the material responsive to flow induced strain to alter flow of fluid through the passage. A method for controlling fluid flow through a passage including flowing a fluid in the passage, altering a pseudoplastic material disposed at least partially within the passage based upon a density of fluid flowing in the passage.

A flow conditioner for use in a conduit includes a ring having a plurality of stepped elements disposed on an inner surface of the ring. A method for conditioning fluid using a flow conditioner includes coupling a flow conditioner to an interior surface of a conduit, flowing fluid through the conduit, contacting a surface of the flow conditioner with the flowing fluid, positioning a flow meter downstream of the flow conditioner, and measuring the flow profile of the fluid with the flow meter. Contacting the flow conditioner reduces one or more disturbances in a flow profile of the fluid. A flow conditioner includes a ring having at least one of a stepped element formed on an inner surface of the ring or a fin assembly coupled to the ring.

A flow restrictor for use on a pilot operated relief valve (PORV) assembly with a pilot valve that regulates operation of a main valve to reduce pressure in a system or vessel. In one embodiment, the flow restrictor is configured with a plurality of flow modifying regions, namely, a first region and a second region that is spaced apart from the first region. These regions are configured to generate flow at the outlet of the flow restrictor that induces operation of the pilot valve that is favorable for operation of the main valve. In one example, the first region and the second region define, respectively, a first flow area and a second flow area for the flow pathway, wherein each are configured to assign a ratio of the second flow area to the first flow area with a value of less than 10.

A flow restriction, a flow restriction assembly and methods for manufacturing the flow restriction and the flow restriction assembly. The flow restriction is for use in a pipe so as to restrict the flow of a fluid and includes a body extending along an axis and that has i) a central portion having an essentially constant cross section, ii) an upstream portion, wherein the cross-sectional area of the upstream portion monotonically increases in a downstream direction along the axis; and iii) a downstream portion, wherein the cross-sectional area of the downstream portion monotonically decreases in the downstream direction. The flow restriction also has a plurality of central portion projections for engaging the inner surface of the pipe, each of which projects from the surface of the central portion in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the central portion by a distance of less than 500 μm.

Disclosed embodiments include a flow straightening device. The flow straightening device includes a blank end. The blank end designed to reside within a portion of piping to contain fluid flow within the piping. The flow straightening device also includes a straightening vane extending perpendicularly from the blank end along a longitudinal axis of the blank end. The straightening vane is designed to straighten the fluid flow as the fluid flow traverses a turn within the piping.

A method for depressurizing a pipe includes forming, by an ejector assembly, a seal between a first pipe and a second pipe fluidically coupled to the tee pipe fitting. The first pipe flows a first fluid at a first pressure, and the second pipe flows a second fluid at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. The ejector assembly includes a nozzle converging along a flow direction of the first fluid flowing in the first pipe, and a mixing chamber at an outlet of the nozzle, the mixing chamber comprising an outlet is in fluid communication with the second pipe. The method also includes flowing the first fluid from the first pipe into the ejector assembly through the nozzle so that the pressure of the first fluid decreases to a third pressure lower than the second pressure to draw the second fluid into the mixing chamber.

Various connection units are disclosed. The connection unit can be configured to straighten a flow of air, such as to reduce the distance before the flow of air becomes substantially laminar. The connection unit can include a drag reduction unit. The drag reduction unit can be configured to redirect airflow to the center of the connection unit. The connection unit can include a wake diverting component configured to lift air away from the periphery of the connection unit and/or redirect the airflow towards a radial center connection unit.

A method for depressurizing a pipe includes forming, by an ejector assembly, a seal between a first pipe and a second pipe fluidically coupled to the tee pipe fitting. The first pipe flows a first fluid at a first pressure, and the second pipe flows a second fluid at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. The ejector assembly includes a nozzle converging along a flow direction of the first fluid flowing in the first pipe, and a mixing chamber at an outlet of the nozzle, the mixing chamber comprising an outlet is in fluid communication with the second pipe. The method also includes flowing the first fluid from the first pipe into the ejector assembly through the nozzle so that the pressure of the first fluid decreases to a third pressure lower than the second pressure to draw the second fluid into the mixing chamber.

A method for depressurizing a pipe includes forming, by an ejector assembly, a seal between a first pipe and a second pipe fluidically coupled to the tee pipe fitting. The first pipe flows a first fluid at a first pressure, and the second pipe flows a second fluid at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. The ejector assembly includes a nozzle converging along a flow direction of the first fluid flowing in the first pipe, and a mixing chamber at an outlet of the nozzle, the mixing chamber comprising an outlet is in fluid communication with the second pipe. The method also includes flowing the first fluid from the first pipe into the ejector assembly through the nozzle so that the pressure of the first fluid decreases to a third pressure lower than the second pressure to draw the second fluid into the mixing chamber.

Various connection units are disclosed. The connection unit can be configured to straighten a flow of air, such as to reduce the distance before the flow of air becomes substantially laminar. The connection unit can include a drag reduction unit. The drag reduction unit can be configured to redirect airflow to the center of the connection unit. The connection unit can include a wake diverting component configured to lift air away from the periphery of the connection unit and/or redirect the airflow towards a radial center connection unit.