Abstract: Valve assemblies with butterfly valves for use as a double isolation & bleed (DIB) valve and a double block & bleed (DBB) valve. The embodiments may have a twin-disc design with a non-separable, valve body having a central bore. A pair of butterfly valves may reside in the central bore, each having an annular seal and a rotatable disc that contacts the annular seal to prevent flow of fluid into space between the butterfly valves. Implementations of the embodiments configure the annular seal with a sloped contact surface at an angle to positively seal the rotatable discs in the preferred direction of incoming flow. In this way, the valves can always close in response to either uni-directional flow into one end of the central bore or bi-directional flow into both ends of the central bore, respectively or simultaneously.

Abstract: An energy harvester for use to provide power to metrology hardware like gas meters and flow measuring devices. The energy harvester may include an actuator that mounts to a substrate found in the gas meter or in an adjacent, collateral device like a pressure regulator. The substrate may embody a diaphragm or membrane, possibly a thin, flexible or semi-rigid member. The actuator may include piezoelectric transducers that mount to this member. In operation, the piezoelectric transducers can generate an electrical signal in response to mechanical activity (or energy) from the thin member. The electrical signal can be directed to the flow device to replace, supplement, or recharge a power source that powers electronics necessary to expand functions on the flow meter.

Abstract: A valve component and method for controlling fluid flow comprises a body having a first surface and a second surface. At least one tortuous flow channel extends between the first surface and the second surface. The flow channel is at least partially defined by a floor portion and a ceiling portion. The body is formed as one-piece by additive manufacturing to concurrently define the flow channel as a void space. At least one of the floor portion and ceiling portion is disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane containing a layer of material forming the body.

Abstract: A valve positioning system controls a valve and exchanges information related to the valve. The valve positioning system includes a valve positioner in operative association with the valve such that the valve positioner receives status information related to the valve. The valve positioner includes one or more lights that are selectively illuminated in a predetermined order based on the status information. By selectively illuminating the one or more lights in the predetermined order, the valve positioner is optically transmits the status information to a computing device that is in a line of sight with the one or more lights of the valve positioner. A method of exchanging information related to a valve in a valve positioning system is also provided.

Abstract: A system and associated method for controlling access to features of a device are provided. The system includes a feature access component that maintains an access control register configured to store an access control parameter indicating whether a user has access to a feature of the device. Responsive to receiving a request to modify the access control register to enable or disable access to the feature, an access authentication parameter is set to an authentication key of the request and an access parameter is set to a value of the request (e.g., 1 “Enable”). The access authentication parameter and access parameter are evaluated utilizing an authentication algorithm. Responsive to successfully authenticating the request, the access control register is modified based upon the value of the access parameter, such as to indicate that the user is now authorized to read and/or modify a parameter and/or invoke a service to execute.

Abstract: A method for processing operating data (e.g., position, setpoint, and pressure) for a valve assembly. The method is configured to associate characteristics of operation for the valve assembly with a root cause and/or a contributing factor. In one embodiment, the method can assign a first amplitude with a value that quantifies movement or “jump” of the valve stem that results from stick-slip on the valve assembly. The method can also assign a second amplitude with a value that quantifies a change in the data for the setpoint. The method can further ascertain the relationship or “position” of the first amplitude relative to the second amplitude, or vice versa. The method can use the relationship between the first amplitude and the second amplitude to indicate the root cause of the operation of the valve assembly.

Abstract: A method that simplifies the exchange of data to facilitate delivery of data that relates to operation of a valve assembly to a Web-based user interface over a network. In one embodiment, the method configures an apparatus to receive data about the valve assembly in a first format and to generate an output in a second format, e.g., JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format. The method may also configure the device with an architecture with multiple layers, wherein the architecture can exchange data in the JSON format between a first layer and a second layer. This architecture is configured to be lightweight as compared to the SOAP/HTTP architecture found in conventional techniques, typically deploying a Representational State Transfer (REST) structure that permits use of JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format to communicate among the architecture layers and with the web-based user interface.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for measuring and processing fuel meter measurements, such as rotary gas meter volume measurements, are generally disclosed herein. At least some aspects of the systems, devices, and methods can allow a fuel meter body to perform all processing regarding an amount of fuel dispensed from the fuel meter body and can allow the fuel meter body to provide results of the processing to an accessory configured to display data to a user. At least some aspects of the systems, devices, and methods can allow processing at the fuel meter body to be provided using one or more modules each configured to be removably and replaceably coupled to the fuel meter body.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus that provide functions to set and to verify the set point of a valve assembly in a single device. These embodiments forgo the need to use of two separate devices, one each to accomplish the tasks to set the set point and to verify the set point. Rather, the apparatus incorporates components that can assume different configurations including a first configuration that facilitates the task for setting the set point and a second configuration that facilitates the task of verifying the set point.

Abstract: A system and associated method for securing communication between a first device and a second device are provided. The system includes a first device communicatively coupled with a second device over a communication connection line. The system includes a security transformation device coupled to the communication connection line. The security transformation device is configured to transform non-secure communication into secure communication to send over the communication connection line to a destination. The security transformation device is configured to evaluate communication using security evaluation functionality by either authenticating or failing to authenticate the communication. If the communication is successfully authenticated, then the communication is provided to a destination, otherwise, the communication is not provided to the destination.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a system, which is configured to implement the method, to process data from one or more valve assemblies found e.g., on a process line. These embodiments can generate a listing that identifies how network/system bandwidth is allocated for the collection of data from the valve assemblies. The embodiments can also process the data to re-arrange the valve assemblies in the listing to better allocate the network/system bandwidth to certain ones of the valve assemblies that require more data to properly assess the operation of the valve assembly. In this way, further diagnostics using the data can identify any changes in operation of the valve assemblies that might be detrimental to the valve assembly and/or the process line in general.

Abstract: An attenuating device that is configured to replace motion converters in conventional control valve assemblies. The attenuating device can generate an output displacement in response to a position of a plug relative to a seat in the valve assembly. In one embodiment, the attenuating device comprises a spring assembly with a pair of spring members, disposed in series, and configured to assume a deflection that reduces the displacement of the plug to a smaller displacement that is useful to position a target member of a sensor. This embodiment, however, forgoes the mechanisms of conventional devices in lieu of components that are amenable to compact design. In this way, the attenuating device can substantially fit within the existing structure of the valve assembly, and, in one construction, the attenuating device is disposed in the actuator of the valve assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods that can facilitate data collection for valve diagnostics. The systems can include a valve assembly with a valve and a sampling device that is configured to access a repository with a first buffer and a second buffer. During operation, the valve assembly is configured to read data representing operating variables for the valve into the first buffer. The valve assembly is also configure to determine a quality measure for a first sample set of data from the first buffer, the quality measure indicating the usefulness of the first sample set of data for predicting performance of the valve relative to a second sample set of data from the second buffer. In one embodiment, the valve assembly is further configured to read data from the first buffer into the second buffer in response to the quality measure indicating that the first sample set of data is relatively more useful than the second sample set of data.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for replacing used electrode tips of a TIG welder. The apparatus has a main housing structure with a socket adapter assembly that is operatively supported by the main housing structure. The socket adapter assembly is used to both remove and re-attach the gas shield and the electrode nut of the TIG welder. A vacuum tip suction device that is operatively supported by the main housing structure is used to both remove and install electrode tips for the TIG welder.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A valve positioning system for controlling a valve and exchanging information related to the valve is provided. The valve positioning system includes a valve positioner in operative association with the valve such that the valve positioner receives status information related to the valve. The valve positioner includes a graphical display that displays a graphical representation based on the status information. By displaying the graphical representation, the valve positioner optically transmits the status information to a computing device that is in a line of sight with the graphical display of the valve positioner.

Abstract: A water injector assembly includes an injector body having a substantially hollow interior. The injector body defines an inlet opening defined within an outer radial surface of the injector body at a first axial location along the injector body. The injector body defines a flowpath opening in fluid communication with the inlet opening such that the flowpath opening is configured to receive the fluid from the inlet opening. The injector body defines an outlet opening defined within the injector body at a second axial location along the injector body. The outlet opening is in fluid communication with the flowpath opening, such that the outlet opening receives the fluid from the flowpath opening. The second axial location of the outlet opening is different than the first axial location of the inlet opening.

Abstract: A method for correcting calibration of a closure member on a valve assembly. The method can include comparing a calculated value to an expected value, each relating to a position of a closure member of the valve assembly relative to a seat of the valve assembly, the calculated value being calculated using a calibration variable and an input value corresponding to a measured position of the closure member. The method can also include identifying a deviation between the calculated value and the expected value. The method can further include changing the calibration variable from a first value to a second value in response to the deviation, the second value equating the calculated value at the input value with the expected value for the position.

Abstract: A safety device for an actuator that can modulate power to an electric motor in response to a fault condition (e.g., stall). In one embodiment, the actuator can include a motor with a shaft, a sensor disposed in proximity to the shaft, and a control processor coupled with the sensor and the motor. The control processor can be configured to receive a signal from the sensor that conveys operating data that relates to rotation of the shaft, use the operating data to identify a fault condition on the motor, and change the motor from an energized condition to a de-energized condition in response to the fault condition.

Abstract: A method to detect cycling of components that result from use of a tight shut-off mode on a valve assembly. Embodiments of the method use operating data from the valve assembly. This operating data includes data that reflects a position for the closure member relative to the seat. This position often corresponds with a measured position of one or more components (e.g., the valve stem) on the valve assembly. In one embodiment, the method includes steps for comparing the measured position to a boundary criteria that defines one or more boundary values proximate, and often equal to, the threshold levels of the tight shut-off mode. The method can also includes steps for identifying patterns in the data that indicate that the closure member is cycling from its closed position to a second position due to tight shut-off mode.