Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering a cutting tool within a decoking drum, a decoking system and a method of raising and lowering a decoking system cutting tool. Instead of using metallic ropes, chains, or a self-propelled gear-based approach, non-metallic belts are secured at respective ends to a crosshead and one or more counterweights to enable vertical movement of the crosshead that in turn permits vertical movement of the cutting tool throughout the height of the drum. A motorized pulley system controls the movement of the belt, and preferably avoids having the motor be carried by the crosshead. The belts on each pulley are preferably arranged as cooperative sets so that within each set, both primary load belts and secondary load belts are present.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump (ESP) isolates its motor lubricant from pumped product without requiring a bellows, diaphragm, bladder, or external lubricant pressurizing system. A pair of nested isolation chambers below the motor housing are filled with a barrier fluid that is non-reactive, non-miscible, and higher in density than the pumped product and the motor lubricant. As the motor lubricant expands and contracts after pump start-up and shut-down, motor lubricant and barrier fluid are exchanged between the motor housing and the isolation chambers via three interconnections, while pumped product is exchanged with the inner barrier chamber, while being isolated from the motor housing. The interconnections extend between the bottom of the motor housing and the bottom of the outer barrier chamber, between the top of the outer barrier chamber and the bottom of the inner barrier chamber, and between the top of the inner barrier chamber and the pumped product.

Abstract: A high-speed transportation system comprises an evacuated travel conduit divided into a plurality of segments by closable gates, and associated with corresponding segment pumps that maintain operating vacuums within the segments when vehicles are present. When a segment is unoccupied, energy is saved by closing the adjoining gates and deactivating the associated segment pump, thereby deactivating the segment and allowing the segment's internal pressure to rise due to leakage. As a vehicle approaches, the segment pump is reactivated, lowering the internal pressure to the operating vacuum, and the gates are opened. Embodiments include a boom-tank system that can accelerate re-evacuation of a segment having an increased internal pressure by establishing fluid communication with at least one recently deactivated segment having a lower internal pressure. As a vehicle transits the conduit, a rolling, contiguous group of activated segments surrounding and in advance of the vehicle can be maintained.

Abstract: An end face mechanical seal for a high pressure, compressible fluid includes metal or ceramic seal faces separated by a seal gap having at least one supersonic region that accelerates the fluid in the leakage direction, producing a shockwave that reduces fluid pressure to significantly reduce viscous heating and gap length. A choke width of the seal gap formed between the converging and diverging segments of the first supersonic region is between 50 and 200 micro-inches, and upper and lower boundaries thereof are flat, with combined slopes of less than 10 degrees. A total length of all of the supersonic regions is less than 0.1 inches. A non-supersonic region can further reduce fluid pressure by inducing viscous stresses. The seal can be configured axially or radially, and can be used as a pre-conditioner in combination with a conventional downstream mechanical fluid seal.

Abstract: A bellows seal valve includes a pressurization port that can be used to apply a compensating pressure to the “atmosphere” side of the bellows, i.e. the side of the bellows that is opposite to the process fluid. The atmosphere side can be on the interior or exterior of the bellows. The compensating pressure can be greater than the process fluid pressure, to ensure that any leakage will be of pressurizing fluid into the process fluid or into the environment, and that no process fluid will escape into the environment. The pressure or flow rate of the pressurizing fluid can be monitored to detect bellows and packing leaks. A pressurizing fluid exit port can be provided, so that the pressurizing fluid can be circulated through the valve, thereby moderating the bellows temperature under conditions of extreme process fluid temperature.

Abstract: An electrical submersible pump (ESP) isolates its motor lubricant from pumped product without requiring a bellows, diaphragm, bladder, or external lubricant pressurizing system. A pair of nested isolation chambers below the motor housing are filled with a barrier fluid that is non-reactive, non-miscible, and higher in density than the pumped product and the motor lubricant. As the motor lubricant expands and contracts after pump start-up and shut-down, motor lubricant and barrier fluid are exchanged between the motor housing and the isolation chambers via three interconnections, while pumped product is exchanged with the inner barrier chamber, while being isolated from the motor housing. The interconnections extend between the bottom of the motor housing and the bottom of the outer barrier chamber, between the top of the outer barrier chamber and the bottom of the inner barrier chamber, and between the top of the inner barrier chamber and the pumped product.

Abstract: A target volume evacuation system includes a turbo compressor and a vacuum pump, the system being operable in a first configuration to reduce the target volume pressure from ambient to a first intermediate pressure, e.g. between 200 mbar and 50 mbar, and in a second configuration to further reduce the pressure from a second intermediate pressure, e.g. 10 mBar, to a target partial vacuum, e.g. between 0.1 and 1 mbar. The turbo compressor can be driven electrically or by fuel combustion, and can be a conventional or modified turbojet engine. A plurality of turbo compressors can be transitioned from parallel to series operation. The pressure can be reduced from the first to the second intermediate pressure by venting the target volume to a boom-tank volume and/or by configuring the turbo compressor system to provide backing to the vacuum pumping system. The invention is applicable to a hyperloop transport system.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus measures the disk tilt angle of a swing or tilting disk check valve without requiring penetration of the valve housing through a rotating shaft seal. A hinge pin extension is rotationally coupled to the valve disk, and a mechanical converter converts rotation thereof into translation of a magnet carrier within a non-magnetic extension of the valve housing. An LVDT core magnet is translated by the magnet carrier within the housing extension while surrounded by LVDT sensor coils mounted to the exterior of the housing extension. The LVDT core magnet and sensor coils thereby provide an LVDT output signal that indicates the tip angle of the valve disk. Embodiments include threaded coupling of the hinge pin extension to the magnet carrier, or coupling therebetween by a converter pin fixed to one of them into angled helical slot of a cylinder fixed to the other of them.

Abstract: Valve stem packing assemblies may include at least one end ring and at least one sealing ring. The at least one end ring may include an inner ring and an outer ring. Valves include a valve body, a valve stem, and a valve stem packing assembly.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body having a seat-retainer chamber with a floating seat ring disposed adjacent an inner sidewall of the seat-retainer chamber. The floating seat ring is configured to contact a first portion of a plug head at a single annular location prior to a second portion of the plug head contacting a valve primary seat during a closing stroke of the plug head. A static seal is located radially between the floating seat ring and the inner sidewall of the seat-retainer chamber.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump with a rotating impeller and a rotating diffuser. The diffuser may be rotated with a controlled speed to broaden the operational range of the pump. Such control may be done independently of the rotational speed of the impeller to tailor pump operation to a particular NPSH, efficiency, fluid flow or related requirement. In one preferred form, the impeller and diffuser are made to counter-rotate relative to one another, while the independent rotational speed of each may be provided by one or more motors, as well as a variable-speed transmission coupled to such motor or motors. Such a pump is optimized for specific speed operating ranges beneath those associated with axial flow pump configurations.

Abstract: A coaxial pump or turbine module includes an integral, modular motor or generator comprising a magnet structure containing radial or axial permanent magnets and/or induction coils detachably fixed to a rotor, and a stator housing detachably fixed to the module housing. Working fluid is directed axially through a flow path symmetrically distributed within an annulus formed between the module housing and the stator housing. The stator housing can be cooled by the working fluid, or by a cooling fluid flowing between passages of the flow path. The flow path can extend over substantially a full length and rear surface of the stator housing. A plurality of the modules can be combined into a multi-stage apparatus, with rotor speeds independently controlled by corresponding variable frequency drives. Embodiments include guide vanes and/or diffusers. The rotor can be fixed to a rotating shaft, or rotate about a fixed shaft.

Abstract: A pressure retained gasket seal provides enhanced resistance to hydraulic unloading by including a notch formed in a rear face of the gasket groove, thereby reducing intrusion of process fluid behind the gasket and improving hydraulic retention of the gasket seal. Embodiments increase the process fluid pressure limit of the gasket seal by a factor of two or three compared to gasket seals of the prior art. In embodiments, the gasket groove has a dovetail cross-section, thereby increasing resistance to process fluid pressure by requiring compression of the gasket before it can be dislodged from the groove. Embodiments form the gasket from flexible graphite, which can be initially shaped as an annulus and then forced by an applied load into the gasket groove in conformance with the notch. Embodiments include compressing the graphite to within 50% or even 70% of its maximum density during installation thereof.

Abstract: Fluid flow control devices comprise a cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a sidewall. The cylindrical body has a first channel extending longitudinally along the sidewall and a second channel extending longitudinally along the sidewall. At least a portion of one of the at least one first channel and the at least one second channel extends longitudinally at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis to form a pattern of channels for improving the flow characteristics of a fluid through the channels.

Abstract: Pistons and related methods may be configured to separate fluids and to at least partially prohibit one fluid from traveling to one side of the piston from another side of the piston. Pressure exchange devices and systems may include such pistons.

Abstract: A plug-and-seat valve plug head assembly that resists abrasive erosion includes a hardened plug head, such as a ceramic plug head, attached to a plug stem without any soldering, welding, or braising attachment to the plug head. A diameter of a second portion of the plug head smoothly increases according to a plug diameter profile. A diameter of a first portion of the plug head is everywhere smaller than the plug diameter profile, and is maximal at a location spaced apart from the second portion. A plug head retainer overlaps and closely conforms to the first portion, while presenting an exterior surface that smoothly continues and extends the plug diameter profile. In embodiments, a plug head retainer blank attaches to the plug head retainer, capturing the plug head therebetween. Embodiments apply radial and/or axial stress to the plug head.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for detecting properties of motion of at least one component of fluid exchange devices, such as, for example, a pressure exchange device or system.

Abstract: A high temperature secondary seal between a rotating seal face adaptor sleeve and a rotating shaft does not consume additional axial space beyond the axial space occupied by the secondary seal. The seal includes a single ring drive collar comprising a plurality of radial directed bolts in tapped holes. As the bolts are tightened they enter a cylindrical cavity in the drive collar and impact therein a sloped surface of a crush ring. The vertical force thereby applied to the crush ring displaces the crush ring axially into a secondary graphite sealing element, thereby crushing the secondary sealing element against the adaptor sleeve and shaft, and forming a seal there between. The crush ring sloped surface can terminate in a vertical face, so that upon sufficient displacement of the crush ring the bolts abut the vertical face and impact the shaft, fixing the drive collar to the shaft.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus measures the disk tilt angle of a swing or tilting disk check valve without requiring penetration of the valve housing through a rotating shaft seal. A hinge pin extension is rotationally coupled to the valve disk, and a mechanical converter converts rotation thereof into translation of a magnet carrier within a non-magnetic extension of the valve housing. An LVDT core magnet is translated by the magnet carrier within the housing extension while surrounded by LVDT sensor coils mounted to the exterior of the housing extension. The LVDT core magnet and sensor coils thereby provide an LVDT output signal that indicates the tip angle of the valve disk. Embodiments include threaded coupling of the hinge pin extension to the magnet carrier, or coupling therebetween by a converter pin fixed to one of them into angled helical slot of a cylinder fixed to the other of them.

Abstract: Valve and related assemblies, systems, and methods may include a self-cleaning feature that may be configured to at least partially displace material from a portion of the valve. Such valves may be utilized in a pressure exchanger.