Abstract: For use in a fluid system, which includes a control valve or the like having one port to which the higher of two pressures is delivered and another port from which fluid flows to the lower of two pressures, a four-way shuttle valve with high and low pressure ducts. Pressure level passages connected from the two pressure zones, are each connected by lateral transfer passages to both the high and low pressure ducts. One-way check valves in each of the four lateral passages enables flow only to the high pressure port and from the low pressure port. In the event of pressure reversal, the check valves will shift so that flow is always from the high pressure line to the high pressure duct of the shuttle valve.

Abstract: A fire-safe seal for a valve having a metallic seat ring with a resilient seal ring in a leading face thereof to seal against a valve closure member. A thin, metallic flexible diaphragm is clamped around its outer edges to the body and around its inner edge to the seat ring. An annular sealing ridge, which is concentric to and smaller than the resilient seal, is provided around the face of the seat ring to provide a metal-to-metal seal in the event of destruction of the resilient seal.

Abstract: A pressure surge relief system for a liquid transporting pipeline, comprising a surge relief line adapted to be tapped from the pipeline. The relief line includes a valve which is conditioned to open quickly to substantial flow when the pressure in the line exceeds a predetermined safe limit, which is well above the normal pipeline pressure. When the valve opens, it diverts to a closed receptacle, that quantity of liquid which is necessary to prevent the pressure from exceeding said predetermined limit. Hence, in the event of the surge, much of the pressure is absorbed in the liquid and pipe, and just that quantity of liquid which is necessary to relieve pressures of unsafe proportions is discharged to the closed receptacle. The receptacle is pre-charged with a gas to cushion the impact of the surge and also includes means to dissipate energy of the liquid surge and to bring the liquid to a state of quiescence as quickly as possible.

Abstract: An integral valve end closure and hub formed from a circular section of steel plate having a small coaxial hole in the center. The steel around the hole is swaged outward with a tapered die for initial forming of a hub and then, in a second swaging operation, the outer portion is swaged to substantially cylindrical configuration. The result is an end closure starting with a cylindrical hub at the pipeline connection, and then flaring outward almost to the inner diameter of the main body member to which the closure is attached, by bolting or welding.

Abstract: A bearing block for a ball valve or the like which is held in place by clamping it between the valve body end closures. A pair of slots are disposed through the bearing block intermediate the bearing bore and its opposite, ends, and the dimensions of the bearing block outward of the slots are somewhat greater so that compressive forces are lighter in those areas within the ends projections of the bore. In one embodiment, the slots extend through to the ends of the bearing block and in another embodiment they terminate at both ends in drilled holes.

Abstract: A liquid pipeline surge reliever system wherein a main surge relief valve of the expansible tube type is connected into a diverter line from the pipeline. The valve opens when pressure in the diverter line exceeds a jacket control pressure. The jacket is evacuated through a bleed valve, which may be a smaller expansible tube valve but with enough capacity to very rapid evacuation of the main valve jacket. Gas pressure from a suitable source is connected to the main valve jacket whieh, in turn, is connected to both the jacket and the inlet of the bleed valve. Pressure of pipeline liquid in a sensing line opens a pilot valve through which the jacket of the bleed valve is exhausted should the pipeline pressure reach a predetermined surge level. Pipeline pressure at that surge level also closes an on-off valve in the gas supply line while the surge is being relieved.

Abstract: A pressure intensifying system for low differential service particularly adapted for use in a gas transmission system which is conditioned to operate in response to pressure differentials. For example, where a pilot valve normally delivers a gas at regulated pressure to the jacket of an expansible tube main valve, the gas is here asserted against a diaphragm in the first of two cylinders in tandem. The diaphragm works against a spring to drive a piston in a smaller diameter, hydraulic cylinder, which delivers the liquid at pressures so intensified to the expansible tube valve jacket. When pressures are relatively high, the intensified liquid pressure ensures a seal, even at low differentials. Conversely, at low pressures which cannot overcome the spring, as when the jacket is being dumped, the piston is fully retracted and the hydraulic cylinder is vented to atmosphere. Hence, at low pressures only atmospheric pressure is asserted in the jacket.

Abstract: In a valve wherein a flexible tube is stretched around a circular barrier between inlet and outlet slots and is conditioned to enable flow in an annular path around the barrier when upstream pressure overcomes pressure in a control jacket around the tube, the improvement comprising a second flow path directly through the barrier, which is normally closed off by a poppet valve engagable with a seat around the passage. A spring augmented by a control pressure biases the valve toward closed position and is preferably set so that, only after capacity of the flexible tube is reached or approached, does the poppet valve open to answer the need for high pressure demand downstream or for relief of a high pressure surge upstream.

Abstract: A Fire Safe Seal for a valve having a metallic seat ring slidable in a cylindrical internal surface with an elastomer ring sealing between the seat ring and the internal surface. An elastomer seal ring or even a highly finished surface on the leading face effects a seal with the valve closure member. An emergency seal ring having a forwardly extending, sharp annular lip with an internal chamfer is engageable, when forced, over a complementary chamfer around the trailing end of the seat ring and into the clearance around the seat ring to seal it off. A spacer ring of a heat destructible material is interposed between the emergency seal ring and the seat ring to render the emergency ring inactive normally.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a rate of pressure rise in a pipeline higher than an acceptable level, comprising a monitor conduit which is connected between the pipeline and a monitor chamber of uniform cross-section with a spring-biased piston or diaphragm therein. The invention contemplates means for producing a signal proportionate to the flow through said monitor conduit and, hence, to the rate of pressure change in the pipeline. One embodiment includes a device which senses the difference in pressure between the pipeline and the monitor chamber and delivers a signal when that difference becomes excessive. In another embodiment, a liquid reservoir at atmospheric pressure is connected to fill the monitor chamber on the other side of the diaphragm, so that the liquid pressure in the monitor chamber is proportionate to the rate of change of pressure in the pipeline and, when this pressure becomes excessive, an energizing signal is generated to relieve the surge.

Abstract: A pipeline swing check valve comprising a fabricated valve body with a fabricated cylindrical hub member welded therein. The clapper is hinged, not to the body, but directly to the hub member or some part thereon so that it can be mounted and adjusted for proper seating without handling the entire valve, and then installed with the hub member as a unit.

Abstract: A pipeline surge relief system including a relief valve of the type that opens when line pressure exceeds pressure in a pilot chamber. A bleed valve, which is operable to evacuate the pilot chamber is opened when pipeline pressure acting against a diaphragm or piston overcomes an opposing reference signal or pressure. The reference pressure is normally maintained at the pipeline pressure by a pressure differential valve which opens to a source of fluid pressure when reference pressure falls below line pressure. However, the differential valve has limited flow capacity so that, in the event of a surge, flow of the reference pressure fluid lags behind the pipeline fluid, whereby reference pressure does not build up as rapidly at bleed valve and is overcome by pipeline pressure to open the bleed valve.

Abstract: In a valve structure wherein a cylindrical hub extends through a circular opening in the valve body into the interior, the metal around the opening is swaged outward to form a generally cylindrical weld joint portion and the hub has a skirt around it with an annular edge which is disposed adjacent to and aligned with the annular end of the swaged joint portion. A full penetration butt weld between the two annular edges secures the hub in place.

Abstract: Sealing means for a flat gate valve comprising one-piece seat rings on both sides of the gate. A resilient O-ring is loosely received in an annular groove in the leading face of each seat ring and the leading faces of the seat rings, radially outward of the annular groove are relieved to provide small clearances with the sides of the gate. A series of vent ducts are provided in the seat ring at the bottom thereof from the bottom of the O-ring groove to the valve body space radially outward of the seat ring.

Abstract: A pressure regulator valve including a poppet type valve carried by a plate, which in turn is biased by a diaphragm of considerable area. The diaphragm plate is adjustably spaced closely to the diaphragm chamber cover plate so that movement of the valve sufficient to enable flow, will consume much or all of the clearance, momentarily compressing the gas therein, and dampening valve operation to reduce chatter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming cylindrical tubular lateral extensions on cylindrical or oval body tube by swaging them from around an oval opening, which is narrower along the sides to compensate for the body curvature, the apparatus including a circular male swaging die with a profile that tapers at progressively decreasing angles to the stroke direction, i.e. a series of progressively steeper conical surfaces or a sphere. The die may be a complete ball which is rolled into a formed body tube; positioned over an opening therein and pushed therethrough by a ram driven through the opposite, aligned opening. The body tube may then be inverted and another ball rolled therein to be pushed through the opposite opening.

Abstract: A gate valve comprising a fabricated tubular cylindrical body with circular plate end closures. Back up rings are secured to the inner surface of the body to extend axially beyond the ends thereof and welds are placed between the closure plates and the annular ends of the body around the cylindrical surfaces of the back up rings to firmly unitize the tubular body and the end plates. One end closure plate has a slot therein to receive the valve gate closely therethrough for installation and removal thereof as required. The slot is covered by a generally rectangular bonnet plate.

Abstract: A valve wherein an expansible tube is stretched around a hollow core, which has a central barrier between inlet and outlet slots around the core. An annular groove is formed around the outer sealing surface of the barrier and extensions of some of the downstream slots open into the groove to vent the groove and produce a pressure drop across the expansible tube to enhance sealing and to provide an initial flow path when the tube is forced away from the sealing surface.

Abstract: A pressure control valve wherein the monitored pressure acts against a diaphragm in opposition to a fixed biasing force which urges a poppet valve away from the seat. A disc with a small orifice therein covers a sensing port whereby flow of the monitored pressure into and out of the diaphragm chamber is retarded to minimize chatter of the diaphragm. A spring holding the orifice disc in place may be overcome by the monitored pressure to allow inward flow around the disc in the event that the orifice is occluded, whereby the valve will not enable undesirable pressure build up in the system in response to a false low pressure signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a relatively hard seal ring into a circular groove with a restricted opening, comprising an annular funneled chute formed by inner and outer annular members and an intermediate push ring on which they are slideably mounted. The outer member may be retracted against springs whereby the seal ring may be placed over a conical surface of the inner ring.