Patent ID: 7469720

Claim:
A fluid flow enhancer for a choke valve having a choke valve fluid flow inlet and a choke valve fluid flow outlet, the fluid flow enhancer comprising: a flow enhancement sleeve having an inner wall surface, an outer wall surface, and first and second ends, and positioned to change fluid flow direction at a first location adjacent the choke valve fluid flow inlet where high-pressure fluid received through the choke valve fluid flow inlet encounters the flow enhancement sleeve, and to effectuate a first pressure drop at the first location to dissipate energy of the fluid flow entering the choke valve, the outer wall surface having a circumferentially extending annular recess disposed therein and positioned adjacent the first location to direct fluid flow circumferentially around the outer wall surface; a focus rim disposed at the second end of the flow enhancement sleeve; a flow focus element disposed in an axially spaced relationship from the focus rim, the flow focus element and the focus rim defining a flow passage therebetween, the combination of the flow focus element and the focus rim positioned to change direction of the fluid flow when entering the flow passage at a second location so that a general direction of the fluid flow when adjacent substantial portions of the outer wall surface of the flow enhancement sleeve is opposite that of the fluid flow when adjacent substantial portions of the inner wall surface of the flow enhancement sleeve, and positioned to effectuate a second pressure drop at the second location within the flow enhancer to further dissipate energy of the fluid flow, the flow focus element including a wall surface having an annular shaped recess disposed in the wall surface shaped and positioned to enhance deflecting flow across the focus rim to within an interior of the flow enhancement sleeve along the inner wall surface and towards the flow regulator, to promote a smooth fluid flow transition toward the flow regulator, and to regulate the second pressure drop at the second location; and a flow regulator disposed within a portion of the flow enhancement sleeve for receiving the fluid flow from the flow passage.