Abstract: Diaphragm interface apparatus to improve a cycle life of a diaphragm are described. An example fluid regulator includes a fluid flow passageway between an inlet and an outlet, where a sensing chamber defines a portion of the fluid flow passageway. A diaphragm senses a pressure in the sensing chamber and a diaphragm interface adjacent the sensing chamber has a curved surface to contact a portion of the diaphragm that moves in response to pressure changes in the sensing chamber. The curved surface affects an amount of stress imparted to the portion of the diaphragm during operation of the fluid regulator.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a sensing cavity and a piston cavity defined in valve body and/or in a bonnet. A piston head of a piston may be disposed within the piston cavity, and a piston stem has an end portion in contact with valve plug. A baffle plate has a first surface defining a portion of the sensing cavity and a second surface defines a portion of the piston cavity. The baffle plate includes at least one baffle aperture such that the sensing cavity is in fluid communication with the piston cavity, and pressure in the sensing cavity acts on a surface of the piston head to displace the piston and the valve plug between an open and closed position. The at least one baffle aperture is adapted to restrict the flow of fluid between the sensing cavity and the first working volume.

Abstract: An end connector for connecting a fluid pipeline to a fluid flow control device. The end connector includes a body adapted to engage an external surface of the fluid flow control device, and a plurality of bolt holes formed through the body and adapted to receive a plurality of bolts, respectively, to couple the body to the fluid flow control device. The end connector also includes a cross-hole formed through at least a portion of the body and adapted to carry fluid between the fluid pipeline and the fluid flow control device. The bolt holes are circumferentially arranged around a central axis of the body, and the cross-hole is centered about an axis offset from the central axis of the body.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for a pressure regulator in a process plant is provided. The diagnostic apparatus includes a processor operatively coupled to the pressure regulator; a memory operatively coupled to the processor; and a sensor operatively coupled to an inlet valve of the pressure regulator, an exhaust valve of the pressure regulator, and the processor. A diagnostic module is stored in the memory, and when executed by the processor, presents a diagnostic tool at a user interface.

Abstract: A method of collecting data in a field device includes receiving indications of variables for which data is collected, receiving indications of trigger events to trigger collection of data, receiving threshold values associated with each of the trigger events, monitoring the trigger events, and initiating data collection when at least one of the trigger events crosses one the threshold values associated with the corresponding trigger event. A method of tuning a PID controller in a field device includes setting a limited range for selecting a value for a control parameter of the PID controller, selecting the value of the control parameter, wherein the selected value is constrained to be within the limited range, transmitting the selected value to the field device, obtaining, from the field device, a measurement of a response of the field device to a setpoint change, and displaying the obtained response measurements to a user.

Abstract: Fluid regulators are described.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes a one-piece combined plug that includes a seat at one end, a spring guide at another end, and a plug between the seat and the spring guide. A central bore extends through the spring guide and the plug and a branch channel extends outward from one end of the central bore.

Abstract: A fluid regulating unit includes a body, a pressure regulator, and a control valve. The body has an inlet, an outlet configured to output a regulated flow of fluid, and a flow path defined between the inlet and the outlet. The body integrates a pressure regulator and a control valve, each of which is disposed in the flow path. The pressure regulator has a regulator body, a control assembly configured to control a fluid flow through the regulator body, a sensor operatively coupled to the control assembly to control a position of the control element, and a bonnet movably coupled to the regulator body. The regulator body and the bonnet define a reference chamber disposed in the flow path. The reference chamber is configured to apply a reference force to the sensor to control the fluid flow through the regulator body.

Abstract: An electronic regulator includes an inlet valve coupled to an inlet port, the inlet port configured to receive a supply pressure, and an exhaust valve coupled to an exhaust port, the exhaust port configured to release a pilot pressure when the exhaust valve is open. The electronic regulator also includes a pilot pressure output pneumatically coupled to the inlet valve and exhaust valve and configured to be coupled to an external process control device to provide the pilot pressure to the external process control device. A setpoint input coupled to both the inlet valve and the exhaust valve receives a setpoint signal indicative of a setpoint value, and the electronic regulator operates the inlet valve and the exhaust valve to control the pilot pressure according to the setpoint value. Further, the electronic regulator includes a vent valve coupled to a venting port and pneumatically coupled to the pilot pressure output.

Abstract: A control assembly for a valve includes a stem displaceable relative to a body portion of the valve from a closed position in which a valve portion of the stem portion engages a valve seat portion to an open position in which the valve portion is offset from the valve seat portion. A portion of the stem portion is movably disposed within the flow orifice. The control assembly further includes a connector portion, and a connector bore is formed in a bottom surface of the connector portion. A first end of the stem portion is disposed within the connecter bore of the connector portion.

Abstract: A control valve includes a body, a first end cap, a second end cap, an insert, and a piston. The first end cap, second end cap, and insert are removably secured to the body and define a first port, second port, and third port of the control valve, respectively. The piston is positioned within the bore of the body and is movable between a first position in which the first port is in fluid communication with the second port and not with the third port and a second position in which the first port is in fluid communication with the third port and not with the second port.

Abstract: Temperature-controlled pressure regulators are described. An example temperature-controlled pressure regulator described herein includes a regulator body having a process fluid inlet fluidly coupled to a process fluid outlet via a first passageway and a heat transfer medium inlet to be fluidly coupled to a heat transfer medium outlet via a second passageway, where the heat transfer medium inlet is integrally formed with the regulator body. A heat chamber body is removably coupled to the regulator body to form a chamber between the heat transfer medium inlet and the heat transfer medium outlet. At least a portion of the first passageway is disposed within the chamber, and the chamber is to receive a heat transfer medium via the heat transfer medium inlet to provide heat to the process fluid as the process fluid flows through the chamber via the first passageway, which separates the process fluid from the heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A flame arrestor assembly configured to extinguish a flame propagating between a process control device and a combustible environment outside the process control device. The flame arrestor assembly includes a flame arrestor and a retaining element. The flame arrestor has a body adapted to be disposed within a fluid flow passageway of the process control device. The retaining element is adapted to be disposed within the fluid flow passageway of the process control device proximate to the flame arrestor, and is configured to securely retain the flame arrestor within the fluid flow passageway of the process control device.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic controller adapted to use a non-inert fluid as a control fluid includes a base portion and a cap portion removeably secured to the base portion. A non-intrinsically-safe process may be disposed within an interior of the cap portion. A plurality of passageways may be disposed through the base portion. The electro-pneumatic controller may also include a flameproof barrier assembly which may include a plurality of flameproof joints each disposed within desired portion of the plurality of passageways. The plurality of flameproof joints cooperate to at least partially define a first zone, the flameproof joints adapted to prevent or to limit the spread of an open fire or explosion that might occur due to the ignition of the non-inert control fluid.

Abstract: A tool for inserting a flame arrestor assembly into a process control device having a first passageway of a first depth and a second passageway of a second depth different from the first depth. The tool includes a head portion having a first diameter, and a tip portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter. The tip portion has a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the first and second portions being separated by a first notch, and the second and third portions being separated by a second notch. The first notch is arranged to indicate when the flame arrestor assembly is fully inserted into the first passageway, and the second notch is arranged to indicate when the flame arrestor assembly is fully inserted into the second passageway.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic controller includes a base portion having at least one lateral surface and a plurality of passageways disposed through the base portion. A bore extends through the lateral surface, and the bore has a counterbore portion and a threaded engagement portion. A standard NPT plug may be coupled to the base portion, and the plug has a head portion and an engagement portion that threadedly engages the engagement portion of the bore. A top surface of the head portion of the plug is coplanar with the lateral surface of the base portion or is disposed within the counterbore portion of the bore.

Abstract: A method of controlling a regulator with a pilot device includes periodically detecting an outlet pressure at an outlet of the regulator with a feedback pressure sensor. The method also includes comparing each detected outlet pressure with a set-point control pressure. Additionally, the method includes opening an exhaust valve when a detected outlet pressure is greater than the set-point control pressure so that a loading gas, which is applied to a top surface of a diaphragm of the regulator, exhausts out through the exhaust valve to reduce loading on the diaphragm. The method further includes sensing a loading pressure in the outlet port with a loading pressure sensor after opening the exhaust valve and comparing the loading pressure to a predetermined minimum threshold pressure. When the loading pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined minimum threshold value, the method includes closing the exhaust valve.

Abstract: Corrugated diaphragm apparatus for improved cycle life of a diaphragm are described herein. One described example apparatus includes a valve body having an inlet and an outlet to allow fluid to flow therethrough, a backing plate disposed within a bonnet and coupled to the valve body, and first and second diaphragms. Each diaphragm has a corrugated profile and is in a stacked configuration. The diaphragms are operatively coupled to the backing plate and each of the diaphragms is clamped between the valve body and the bonnet proximate a peripheral edge of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device includes a regulator for operating at high pressures and an integral bypass valve. The regulator and the bypass valve each include a control assembly that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The regulator and bypass valves are biased into the open positions and adapted to move into the closed positions when an operating pressure rises to above respective regulator and bypass set-point pressures. The bypass set-point pressure is lower than the regulator set-point pressure such that when the operating pressure rises above the bypass set-point pressure, the bypass valve automatically closes and allows the regulator to perform under normal operating conditions. So configured, the bypass valve is arranged to accommodate at least some of the fluid flow through the system until the operating pressure reaches the normal operating pressure, which is somewhere between the bypass and regulator set-point pressures.

Abstract: In-line back pressure fluid regulators are described. An example in-line fluid regulator includes a regulator body defining a sensing chamber and an outlet of a fluid flow path of the fluid regulator. The outlet is in fluid communication with the sensing chamber via a first flow passageway in the regulator body. A bonnet is coupled to the regulator body and defines an inlet of the fluid flow path and a loading chamber disposed between the sensing chamber and the inlet. The loading chamber is substantially sealed relative to the fluid flow path of the fluid regulator. A pressure sensor is disposed between the inlet and the sensing chamber, where the pressure sensor defines a second flow passageway to fluidly couple the inlet and the sensing chamber.