Abstract: A rotary valve is opened and closed with a combination incremental rachet mechanism and a continuous motor mechanism. Two separate control circuits are used for opening and closing the valve. When the opening or closing circuit is energized alone, the valve is incrementally opened or closed by the ratchet respectively. When the opening circuit is energized and the closing circuit is subsequently energized, the valve is continuously opened by the motor. Likewise, when the closing circuit is energized and the opening circuit is subsequently energized, the valve is continuously closed by the motor.

Abstract: A choke valve with a power system operated via a single hydraulic line. The sleeve of the choke valve is operated by a carrier mounted through an eccentric pin and guide track arrangement to open and close the valve with the rotation of a valve drive shaft. A power shaft is driven by a clutch plate, ratchet connected to a drive clutch plate, in turn, operated by the shaft of an hydraulic actuator. The valve actuator creates an incremental step sensing of its full sixteenth turn movement by closing a fluid exhaust port and causing back pressure in the hydraulic line to occur. The actuator is reset by a pre-loaded torsion bar. Reset of the actuator also ratchet resets the drive clutch plate.

Abstract: A choke valve apparatus is accommodated to different conditions of fluid flow (to or from a well, for example) by providing multiple flow control packages each having two flow control units, each package being readily connectible in the same valve body.

Abstract: A multiposition choke valve assembly comprises:(a) a valve body defining an interior chamber and inlet and outlet flow ports communicable with that chamber,(b) a valve stopper sub-assembly movable axially longitudinally in the chamber, the sub-assembly including an axially extending stem, an axially extending sleeve, an annular section located between the stem and sleeve, and an annular seal on the annular section and exposed at the section periphery,(c) the sleeve forming multiple through openings and having a retracted position in which the flow passes with relatively lesser velocity past the seal and then forwardly to pass via such openings with relatively increased velocity into the sleeve, followed by generally axially forward flow toward the outlet flow port,(d) the sleeve having an advanced position in which the seal is radially compressed to engage a body bore, and the flow through the sleeve openings is blocked.

Abstract: A new and improved valve apparatus having an operating mechanism sealed in such a manner that the fluid pressure urging thereon produces offsetting or balancing forces to enhance ease of valve operation. To accomplish the force balancing, the flow closure means is continuously sealed to the valve housing and seat to produce the desired pressure responsive surfaces. By balancing the pressure forces, movement of the valve closure element between the open and closed positions with a minimum of operating force is accomplished. In addition the operating mechanism tubular flow closure element and valve seat having a plurality of opposed radially disposed flow opening are arranged so that the controlled flow through the openings into the seat impinges on itself to prevent flow cutting or erosion of the valve seat. When the flow closure element moves to the closed position, it activates a protected second seal on the seat to block flow throuh the flow openings.

Abstract: A fluid flow control valve especially adapted for use during well drilling operations as a drilling choke is disclosed. A replaceable ported seat and movable tubular flow control element cooperate to control flow through the angled body valve housing. The flow closure mechanism is operating fluid pressure balanced for ease of valve operation during extreme pressure working conditions. Internal flow control working parts of the valve are rugged in construction and assemblage. The portions of the valve subject to wear or flow erosion are also easily replaced when required. An indicator is arranged to signal incipient failure of the replaceable parts of the valve in order that they may be replaced prior to the occurrence of a major failure.

Abstract: The invention is an improved self-centering, floating metal seal to be used in combination with a ball valve which controls the flow of fluid in a conduit. The ball valve includes a valve body which has a bore extending therethrough and which also has an inlet and an outlet which are axially aligned and adapted to be mechanically coupled to the conduit. The valve body also has an aperture therein. The ball valve also includes a spherical valve member having a port the axis of which is alignable with the axis of the bore of the valve body and a stem having an inner end mechanically coupled to the spherical valve member and an axially outer end which extends through the aperture of the valve body. The ball valve further includes a device for forming a seal between the aperture of the valve body and the stem.

Abstract: An orifice flow control valve is provided with a set of disks mounted in the body of the valve. A downstream disk is mounted in a fixed position in the valve body and an upstream disk is rotatable in the valve body and in face-to-face engagement concentric with the downstream disk. There are holes in the downstream disk and in the upstream disk for control of the amount and direction of flow of fluids through the valve. When the valve is in a position between fully open and closed, there are at least two streams through the disks which impinge on each other for providing a resultant stream flowing generally parallel to the axis of the valve.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement for controlling the flow of fluid in a conduit to be used in combination with a ball valve. The ball valve includes a valve body which has a bore extending therethrough and which also has an inlet and an outlet which are axially aligned and adapted to be mechanically coupled to the conduit. The valve body also has an aperture therein. The ball valve also includes a sperical valve member having a port the axis of which is alignable with the axis of the bore of the valve body and a stem having an inner end mechanically coupled to the spherical valve member and an axially outer end which extends through the aperture of the valve body. The ball valve further includes a device for forming a seal between the aperture of the valve body and the stem.The improvement includes a cylindrical sealing member which has an outer cylindrical sidewall and which is axially aligned with the port of the spherical valve member.

Abstract: Similar transfer units are disclosed for launching pig balls into a pipeline and for receiving the pig balls from a downstream portion of the pipeline, each of the transfer units including a hollow housing providing an axially aligned manually or hydraulically operable valve member and valve seat for closing off a magazine which is inclined from horizontal to permit gravity transfer of the pig balls, the hollow housing being otherwise shaped to facilitate transfer of the pig balls. With a pair of the transfer units being connected with a pipeline, the launching unit includes controlled plungers for regulating passage of individual pig balls into the pipeline while the receiving unit at the downstream portion of the pipeline is arranged for directing the pig balls into the receiving unit. A magazine housing for each unit is separable from the hollow housing to facilitate replacement of the valve seat.

Abstract: The present invention is a bi-directional valve actuator with a ratchet mechanism for use in combination with a control valve which includes a stem which, when turned, adjusts the flow through the control valve. The bi-directional valve actuator includes a frame which is mechanically coupled to the control valve adjacent to the other end of the stem of the control valve. The valve actuator also includes a shaft which is disposed within the frame and which is rotatably coupled thereto with the shaft being mechanically coupled to the stem of the control valve so it can turn the stem thereof, a first ratchet wheel and a second ratchet wheel. Each ratchet wheel is coaxially aligned with the shaft and is fixedly coupled thereto.

Abstract: The valve spool of a three-way pilot valve responds to changes in pressure in a pipeline downstream from a shut-off valve that is biased to close by spring pressure and has a control cylinder to admit pressurized control fluid to open in opposition to the spring pressure. When the pipeline pressure is in the normal range the valve spool is at a normal position where it places the pressurized control fluid in communication with the control cylinder of the shut-off valve to keep the shut-off valve open. When the pipeline pressure drops below the normal range the valve spool moves in one direction from its normal position to a first alternate position to cause the shut-off valve to close and when the pipeline pressure rises above the normal range the valve spool moves in the opposite direction to a second alternate position to cause the shut-off valve to close.

Abstract: A shut-off valve in a fluid line closes by spring pressure and incorporates a control chamber wherein pressurized control fluid acting on a piston opens the valve in opposition to the spring pressure. A control system for the shut-off valve comprises a 3-way actuator pilot of the present invention in cooperation with a monitor pilot. The actuator pilot has a valve spool and four ports, namely, a supply port connected to a source of pressurized control fluid, a pilot port connected to the monitor pilot, a control port connected to the control cylinder of the shut-off valve, and an exhaust port for venting the control chamber of the shut-off valve. When the control system is in service and the monitor pilot senses an undue change in the pressure in the fluid line, the monitor pilot vents the actuator pilot to shift the valve spool therein to cut off the control fluid from the control port and simultaneously to place the control port in communication with the exhaust port to cause the shut-off valve to close.

Abstract: A housing structure confines a ball-shaped valve member with a flow passage therethrough. One end of the flow passage serves as a cavity to receive a pipeline scraper in the form of a pig ball and a grid retains the pig ball while permitting fluid flow through the passage. The valve ball cavity may register with the chamber of a normally closed magazine to receive a pig ball therefrom or to release a pig ball thereto. The valve ball cavity may also register with one of the two ports of the housing structure to launch or retrieve a pig ball therethrough. The valve ball is completely enclosed by the housing structure with a seal at the entrance to the magazine. The magazine has a bleeder valve to the atmosphere and also has a by-pass valve to equalize the fluid pressure in the magazine with the fluid pressure in the pipeline. The valve ball has compensating freedom to move towards and away from the seal. Manually operable gearing rotates the valve ball 90.degree. between its two alternate positions.

Abstract: A shut-off valve in a fluid line closes by spring pressure and/or line pressure and incorporates a control chamber wherein pressurized control fluid acting on a piston opens the valve in opposition to the spring pressure and/or line pressure. A 3-way actuator pilot normally places the control fluid in communication with the control cylinder but when vented cuts off the control supply fluid and releases the pressurized control fluid from the control chamber to cause the shut-off valve to close by spring pressure and/or line pressure. A monitor pilot responsive to pressure changes in the fluid line incorporates a relief valve and opens the relief valve by cam action to vent the actuator pilot whenever the pressure in the fluid line makes a predetermined departure from a normal pressure range.

Abstract: Reset means to advance a valve spool from a first valve seat to a second valve seat in opposition to exceedingly high biasing fluid pressure comprises a manually rotatable actuating means in screw threaded engagement with the body of the pilot valve. With the manually operable actuator at its retracted position, means is manually operated to operatively connect the manual actuator to the valve spool to permit advance of the manual actuator to drive the valve spool from the first valve seat to the second valve seat against the resistance of the biasing fluid pressure.

Abstract: Pressurized fluid is controlled by a reverse valve gate on a valve stem that extends through annular packing in a bore of a bonnet to a piston in an outer control chamber. Control fluid pressure moves the piston inward to open the valve against line pressure on the valve and/or spring pressure on the valve. In the absence of both line pressure and control pressure, the valve is closed by spring pressure. The control chamber construction permits quick replacement of control chamber seals. In the event of a fire, the control chamber seals disintegrate to release the control pressure and thus cause line pressure and/or spring pressure to close the valve. The valve stem packing may be conveniently expelled hydraulically for replacement. Various different control assemblies may be mounted interchangeably on the valve bonnet without disturbing the structure of the valve. An auxiliary control may be quickly mounted on the outer end of the control chamber to convert the shut-off valve to manual operation.