Abstract: Valve system with rotary stepping actuator to actuate a valve stem. An actuator drive shaft supported for stepwise rotation imparts rotation to a valve stem nut to axially move a valve stem to open and close valve flow trim. The drive shaft forms peripheral first and second slotted circular drive paths co-axially spaced from each other. Actuation assemblies releasably engage forward or reverse ratchet pawls in a drive shaft slot to incrementally rotate the drive shaft in forward or reverse steps. One or both of the forward and reverse ratchet pawls is one of a plurality of ratchet pawls, such that each forward or reverse step by one of the plurality of ratchet pawls incrementally rotates the drive shaft through a partial forward or reverse step which is a fraction of a predetermined angular increment set by the slot spacing.

Abstract: Valve system with rotary stepping actuator to actuate a valve stem. An actuator drive shaft is supported for stepwise rotation in to impart rotation to a valve stem nut to axially move a valve stem to open and close valve flow trim. The drive shaft forms peripheral first and second slotted circular drive paths co-axially spaced from each other. The drive paths include outwardly-opening, circumferentially-spaced slots which are matched in number, size and spacing. Actuation assemblies provide separate forward and reverse actuation cycles to the drive shaft by releasably engaging forward or reverse ratchet pawls in one of the openings to incrementally rotate the drive shaft in forward or reverse steps.

Abstract: A valve, and tubular cage component for a valve, in which the tubular cage is formed such that at least a ported portion between the ends of the cage includes a tubular outer cage member formed from a metal material, and a tubular inner cage member formed from a wear resistant material. The inner cage member and the outer cage member are concentrically aligned and have a length to span at least the ported portion. Some or all of the flow ports in the ported portion include a port insert which includes a port sleeve formed from a wear resistant material such that the port sleeve extends at least over the metal material of the outer cage member at the flow port.

Abstract: A cage valve, flow trim components, and method for signalling erosion of flow trim. The valve is of the type having flow trim arranged across an inlet bore and aligned with an outlet bore, and including a stationary tubular cage and an internal or external flow control member such as a plug or flow collar slidable along the side wall of the cage to cover or uncover flow ports in the side wall. The flow control member includes an end plate which closes an upstream end of the cage. A cavity is formed in the flow control member upstream of the end plate. A transmitter, such as a proximity beacon, positioned in the cavity transmits a first signal indicative of intact flow trim when no fluid is in the beacon cavity and transmits a zero value signal or no signal indicative of eroded flow trim when fluid enters the cavity.

Abstract: A valve, and tubular cage component for a valve, in which the tubular cage is formed such that at least a ported portion between the ends of the cage includes a tubular outer cage member formed from a metal material, and a tubular inner cage member formed from a wear resistant material. The inner cage member and the outer cage member are concentrically aligned and have a length to span at least the ported portion. Some or all of the flow ports in the ported portion include a port insert which includes a port sleeve formed from a wear resistant material such that the port sleeve extends at least over the metal material of the outer cage member at the flow port.

Abstract: A cage valve, flow trim components, and method for signalling erosion of flow trim. The valve is of the type having flow trim arranged across an inlet bore and aligned with an outlet bore, and including a stationary tubular cage and an internal or external flow control member such as a plug or flow collar slidable along the side wall of the cage to cover or uncover flow ports in the side wall. The flow control member includes an end plate which closes an upstream end of the cage. A cavity is formed in the flow control member upstream of the end plate. A transmitter, such as a proximity beacon, positioned in the cavity transmits a first signal indicative of intact flow trim when no fluid is in the beacon cavity and transmits a zero value signal or no signal indicative of eroded flow trim when fluid enters the cavity.

Abstract: Valve system with rotary stepping actuator to actuate a valve stem. An actuator drive shaft is supported for stepwise rotation in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to impart rotation to a valve stem nut to axially move a valve stem to open and close valve flow trim. The drive shaft forms peripheral first and second slotted circular drive paths co-axially spaced from each other. The drive paths include outwardly-opening, circumferentially-spaced slots which are matched in number, size and spacing, but the slots in the first drive path are rotationally offset from the slots in the second drive path by a set fraction, for example one half of the slot spacing. Actuation assemblies provide separate forward and reverse actuation cycles to the drive shaft to incrementally rotate the drive shaft in predetermined angular increments (steps) set by the slot spacing.

Abstract: Valve system with rotary stepping actuator to actuate a valve stem. An actuator drive shaft is supported for stepwise rotation in clockwise and counterclockwise directions to impart rotation to a valve stem nut to axially move a valve stem to open and close valve flow trim. The drive shaft forms peripheral first and second slotted circular drive paths co-axially spaced from each other. The drive paths include outwardly-opening, circumferentially-spaced slots which are matched in number, size and spacing, but the slots in the first drive path are rotationally offset from the slots in the second drive path by a set fraction, for example one half of the slot spacing. Actuation assemblies provide separate forward and reverse actuation cycles to the drive shaft to incrementally rotate the drive shaft in predetermined angular increments (steps) set by the slot spacing.

Abstract: Cage valve, flow trim components and methods for reduced fracturing of flow trim. The valve is of the type having flow trim arranged across an inlet bore and aligned with an outlet bore, and including a stationary tubular cage and an external cylindrical flow collar slidable along the side wall of the cage to cover or uncover one or more flow ports in the cage side wall. The tubular cage is formed such that, at least in the ported portion in which the flow ports are formed, the cage includes a tubular outer cage member and a tubular inner cage member, the inner cage member and the outer cage member being formed from a tungsten carbide material, being concentrically aligned, having a length to span at least the ported portion, and being joined together by bonding at an interface formed between the inner cage member and the outer cage member.

Abstract: A cage valve for reduced erosion at the outlet bore. The valve is of the type having flow trim arranged transverse to the inlet bore and aligned with the outlet bore, the flow trim including a stationary tubular cage and an external cylindrical flow collar slidable along the side wall of the cage to cover or uncover one or more pairs of main flow ports in the cage side wall. The external flow collar is located for movement between a fully closed position wherein each of the main flow ports is fully covered by the external flow collar and a fully open position wherein each of the main flow ports remains partially covered by the external flow collar such that fluid flow from the inlet through each of the main flow ports is directed angularly into the external flow collar, away from the outlet bore, to reduce erosion at the outlet bore.

Abstract: Cage valve, flow trim components and methods for reduced fracturing of flow trim. The valve is of the type having flow trim arranged across an inlet bore and aligned with an outlet bore, and including a stationary tubular cage and an external cylindrical flow collar slidable along the side wall of the cage to cover or uncover one or more flow ports in the cage side wall. The tubular cage is formed such that, at least in the ported portion in which the flow ports are formed, the cage includes a tubular outer cage member and a tubular inner cage member, the inner cage member and the outer cage member being formed from a tungsten carbide material, being concentrically aligned, having a length to span at least the ported portion, and being joined together by bonding at an interface formed between the inner cage member and the outer cage member.

Abstract: A choke valve for use in reverse flow when mounted on a wellhead or manifold. The choke valve includes a valve body forming a T-shaped bore to provide a vertically extending bottom opening and a horizontally extending side opening. Flow trim is positioned in the T-shaped bore, optionally in a tubular sleeve or removable cartridge. The flow trim includes a tubular cage having a side wall forming an internal bore aligned with the body bottom opening, and a single flow port or a plurality of flow ports, each of the single flow port or plurality of flow ports being positioned for alignment with the body side opening. In reverse flow mode in the valve body, fluid from the bottom opening enters the cage and exits through the single flow port or plurality of flow ports directly into the body side opening.

Abstract: A cage valve for reduced erosion at the outlet bore. The valve is of the type having flow trim arranged transverse to the inlet bore and aligned with the outlet bore, the flow trim including a stationary tubular cage and an external cylindrical flow collar slidable along the side wall of the cage to cover or uncover one or more pairs of main flow ports in the cage side wall. The external flow collar is located for movement between a fully closed position wherein each of the main flow ports is fully covered by the external flow collar and a fully open position wherein each of the main flow ports remains partially covered by the external flow collar such that fluid flow from the inlet through each of the main flow ports is directed angularly into the external flow collar, away from the outlet bore, to reduce erosion at the outlet bore.

Abstract: A choke valve having flow trim components, namely a tubular cage and a flow collar or plug, and related components, designed and arranged for reduced fracturing. The invention includes a protective tubular sleeve, or insert cartridge in which the side ports are located to overlap with the intersection of axes of the inlet and outlet bores, but to avoid direct impingement of fluid along the axis of the inlet bore. In the cage, at least a pair of main flow ports are located to overlap with the intersection of the axes of the inlet and outlet bores, and are aligned with the side ports of the tubular sleeve or cartridge to communicate directly with the side ports. In this manner fluid may enter the choke valve through the inlet bore and pass through the main flow ports at reduced pressure and continue out through the outlet bore, without direct impingement on the side wall of the flow trim components.

Abstract: The invention provides a choke system with hydraulic circuits which provide choke valve positioning that can be varied by the use of incremental steps. The incremental movement action in either the opening or closing direction is accomplished through the use of one of the two hydraulic slave cylinders which can either add or subtract a fixed volume of hydraulic fluid from the choke actuator. A series of check valves provides direction for flow in the hydraulic lines, locking of the choke actuator, and re-filling of the slave cylinders during operation. The system eliminates excessive lines or solenoid valves and avoids the need for mechanical locking mechanisms. Preferred embodiments include a “fast close” system which, instead of running through a series of steps to close the valve, provides valve control in a fast close line to move the choke actuator to the full closed position from anywhere in the travel over a shorter period of time than through normal stepping operation.

Abstract: A choke valve for use in reverse flow when mounted on a wellhead or manifold. The choke valve includes a valve body forming a T shaped bore to provide a vertically extending bottom opening and a horizontally extending side opening. Flow trim is positioned in the T-shaped bore, optionally in a tubular sleeve or removable cartridge. The flow trim includes a tubular cage having a side wall forming an internal bore aligned with the body bottom opening, and a single flow port or a plurality of flow ports, each of the single flow port or plurality of flow ports being positioned for alignment with the body side opening. In reverse flow mode in the valve body, fluid from the bottom opening enters the cage and exits through the single flow port or plurality of flow ports directly into the body side opening.

Abstract: A choke valve having flow trim components, namely a tubular cage and a flow collar or plug, and related components, designed and arranged for reduced fracturing. The invention includes a protective tubular sleeve, or insert cartridge in which the side ports are located to overlap with the intersection of axes of the inlet and outlet bores, but to avoid direct impingement of fluid along the axis of the inlet bore. In the cage, at least a pair of main flow ports are located to overlap with the intersection of the axes of the inlet and outlet bores, and are aligned with the side ports of the tubular sleeve or cartridge to communicate directly with the side ports. In this manner fluid may enter the choke valve through the inlet bore and pass through the main flow ports at reduced pressure and continue out through the outlet bore, without direct impingement on the side wall of the flow trim components.

Abstract: A choke valve useful for sub-sea application, having a valve body forming a bore extending therethrough which provides a body inlet, a body outlet and an insert chamber therebetween, and a removable insert assembly positioned in the insert chamber. The insert assembly includes a tubular cartridge having a side wall forming an internal bore and having a port communicating with the body inlet, whereby high pressure fluid enters through the body inlet; a bonnet connected with and closing the upper ends of the cartridge and the body, the bonnet being disengagably connected with the body, and a pressure reducing flow trim positioned in the cartridge bore, the flow trim having a restrictive opening whereby fluid from the body inlet may enter the flow trim at reduced pressure and pass through the body outlet.

Abstract: In a sub-sea wellhead insert-type choke valve having a bonnet, a pair of pressure transmitters are mounted in the bonnet. One transmitter is connected by a passageway with the annular clearance between the cartridge of the insert assembly and the valve body. This transmitter measures the pressure of the fluid in the clearance and transmits signals indicative thereof to a receiver at surface. The other transmitter is connected by a passageway with the fluid in the valve outlet, measures the pressure of this fluid and transmits signals indicative thereof to the receiver. In this way the high and low pressures upstream and downstream of the choke valve flow trim are monitored by transmitters, which can be serviced by bringing the insert assembly to surface.

Abstract: A reverse flow insert assembly is provided wherein the flow trim of the choke valve is positioned horizontally within the tubular cartridge, so that the cage bore outlet is aligned with the valve body side opening. A collar is provided to throttle the flow ports of the cage. The valve stem assembly is adapted to bias the collar along the horizontal side wall of the cage. The resulting insert assembly can be positioned in the valve body to modify the valve for fluid injection service on a sub-sea wellhead.