Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes the following features. A housing defines an inlet and an outlet. The housing defines a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A seat can be defined by the housing. The seat defines a throat flow area. A plunger is configured to rest upon the seat. The plunger blocks the flow passage when in a closed position. The plunger is configured to actuate between a fully open position and the closed position. The plunger and the seat can at least partially defining a curtain flow area. A bias directs the plunger towards the seat. A ratio of the throat flow area to the curtain flow area is sized for sonic or supersonic flow velocities during critical flow conditions and subsonic velocities during subcritical flow conditions.

Abstract: An evacuation unit is configured to remove entrapped fluid from a flow control. These configurations may incorporate devices that can passively discharge fluid in response to loss of system pressure. These devices may use gravity or spring-assist as mechanisms to move fluid out of spaces in the device. This feature mitigates risks that the entrapped fluid freezes and expands, which can cause damage to metal components and lead to extensive downtime of process lines. As an added benefit, the features can reduce product costs or complexity because the proposed designs avoid the need for additional, peripheral “accessories,” like pumps or heating elements, resident at the location of the flow control.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve includes the following features. A housing defines an inlet and an outlet. The housing defines a flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. A seat can be defined by the housing. The seat defines a throat flow area. A plunger is configured to rest upon the seat. The plunger blocks the flow passage when in a closed position. The plunger is configured to actuate between a fully open position and the closed position. The plunger and the seat can at least partially defining a curtain flow area. A bias directs the plunger towards the seat. A ratio of the throat flow area to the curtain flow area is sized for sonic or supersonic flow velocities during critical flow conditions and subsonic velocities during subcritical flow conditions.

Abstract: An evacuation unit is configured to remove entrapped fluid from a flow control. These configurations may incorporate devices that can passively discharge fluid in response to loss of system pressure. These devices may use gravity or spring-assist as mechanisms to move fluid out of spaces in the device. This feature mitigates risks that the entrapped fluid freezes and expands, which can cause damage to metal components and lead to extensive downtime of process lines. As an added benefit, the features can reduce product costs or complexity because the proposed designs avoid the need for additional, peripheral “accessories,” like pumps or heating elements, resident at the location of the flow control.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of modulating a pressure relief valve are provided. A modulating pilot valve assembly can receive an inlet pressure of an inlet of a pressure relief valve and can receive a dome area pressure of a dome area of the pressure relief valve. The modulating pilot valve assembly and the pressure relief valve can be configured to maintain a leak-tight seal until reaching a pilot valve pressure set point, at which the modulating pilot valve assembly instantly reduces the dome area pressure instantly, via a biasing mechanism of the modulating pilot valve assembly causing the pressure relief valve to initially open and thereafter to progressively reduce the dome area pressure in proportion to an increase in the inlet pressure and to cause the pressure relief valve to open in proportion to the increase in the inlet pressure.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods of modulating a pressure relief valve are provided. A modulating pilot valve assembly can receive an inlet pressure of an inlet of a pressure relief valve and can receive a dome area pressure of a dome area of the pressure relief valve. The modulating pilot valve assembly and the pressure relief valve can be configured to maintain a leak-tight seal until reaching a pilot valve pressure set point, at which the modulating pilot valve assembly instantly reduces the dome area pressure instantly, via a biasing mechanism of the modulating pilot valve assembly causing the pressure relief valve to initially open and thereafter to progressively reduce the dome area pressure in proportion to an increase in the inlet pressure and to cause the pressure relief valve to open in proportion to the increase in the inlet pressure.

Abstract: A pilot-operated pressure relief valve nozzle assembly and associated systems and methods are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the nozzle assembly includes a body having an elongate shaft with an inner lumen extending therein and a flange at one end of the elongate shaft and having an annular notch formed therein. The annular notch is configured to seat an annular ring, and the annular notch includes an annular groove formed therein that enables communication between a first bore extending through the flange from the inner lumen to the annular groove and a second bore extending through the annular ring, thus allow the first and second bores to be radially offset from one another.

Abstract: A pilot-operated pressure relief valve nozzle assembly and associated systems and methods are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the nozzle assembly includes a body having an elongate shaft with an inner lumen extending therein and a flange at one end of the elongate shaft and having an annular notch formed therein. The annular notch is configured to seat an annular ring, and the annular notch includes an annular groove formed therein that enables communication between a first bore extending through the flange from the inner lumen to the annular groove and a second bore extending through the annular ring, thus allow the first and second bores to be radially offset from one another.

Abstract: A safety valve is outfit with sensors to monitor performance. The safety valve may include valve mechanics comprising a closure component moveable relative to a seat. The device may also have a pre-load unit coupled with the closure component. The pre-load unit may utilize a coiled compression spring to generate spring force to keep the closure component in contact with the seat. A strain gauge may be disposed on the compression spring to measure strain, for example, shear strain in the compression spring. Analysis of this data may predict set pressure (or “set point”). This prediction may, in turn, form a basis for an alert or other indicator that the safety valve requires maintenance or repair.

Abstract: A locking collar quick union connection comprises a split ring and a locking collar sub assembly. The locking collar sub assembly includes a collar, a locking ring, and a locking screw. The locking ring includes outer threads that engage inner threads formed on a larger inner diameter portion of the collar. The split ring includes outer threads that engage inner threads formed on a smaller inner diameter portion of the collar. The locking screw rotationally locks the locking ring to the locking collar.

Abstract: A safety valve is outfit with sensors to monitor performance. The safety valve may include valve mechanics comprising a closure component moveable relative to a seat. The device may also have a pre-load unit coupled with the closure component. The pre-load unit may utilize a coiled compression spring to generate spring force to keep the closure component in contact with the seat. A strain gauge may be disposed on the compression spring to measure strain, for example, shear strain in the compression spring. Analysis of this data may predict set pressure (or “set point”). This prediction may, in turn, form a basis for an alert or other indicator that the safety valve requires maintenance or repair.

Abstract: A locking collar quick union connection comprises a split ring and a locking collar sub assembly. The locking collar sub assembly includes a collar, a locking ring, and a locking screw. The locking ring includes outer threads that engage inner threads formed on a larger inner diameter portion of the collar. The split ring includes outer threads that engage inner threads formed on a smaller inner diameter portion of the collar. The locking screw rotationally locks the locking ring to the locking collar.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for cryogenic service includes: a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a nozzle disposed within the fluid inlet, said nozzle having a nozzle groove radially formed on an exterior cylindrical surface of the nozzle and an outwardly disposed ledge having a lower ledge surface comprising a portion of an exterior surface of the nozzle groove and an upper ledge surface comprising a seat; a substantially cylindrical closure disc with a lower portion including a groove formed on an exterior radial surface of the cylindrical body, an outwardly disposed lip having an upper surface comprising a portion of an interior surface of the groove, said lip of the closure disc having a lower closure surface. The lip of the closure disc being adapted to deflect downward and inward in response to a cryogenic thermal gradient applied across the lip.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for cryogenic service includes: a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a nozzle disposed within the fluid inlet, said nozzle having a nozzle groove radially formed on an exterior cylindrical surface of the nozzle and an outwardly disposed ledge having a lower ledge surface comprising a portion of an exterior surface of the nozzle groove and an upper ledge surface comprising a seat; a substantially cylindrical closure disc with a lower portion including a groove formed on an exterior radial surface of the cylindrical body, an outwardly disposed lip having an upper surface comprising a portion of an interior surface of the groove, said lip of the closure disc having a lower closure surface. The lip of the closure disc being adapted to deflect downward and inward in response to a cryogenic thermal gradient applied across the lip.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for cryogenic service includes: a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a nozzle disposed within the fluid inlet, said nozzle having a nozzle groove radially formed on an exterior cylindrical surface of the nozzle and an outwardly disposed ledge having a lower ledge surface comprising a portion of an exterior surface of the nozzle groove and an upper ledge surface comprising a seat; a substantially cylindrical closure disc with a lower portion including a groove formed on an exterior radial surface of the cylindrical body, an outwardly disposed lip having an upper surface comprising a portion of an interior surface of the groove, said lip of the closure disc having a lower closure surface. The lip of the closure disc being adapted to deflect downward and inward in response to a cryogenic thermal gradient applied across the lip.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve for cryogenic service includes: a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; a nozzle disposed within the fluid inlet, said nozzle having a nozzle groove radially formed on an exterior cylindrical surface of the nozzle and an outwardly disposed ledge having a lower ledge surface comprising a portion of an exterior surface of the nozzle groove and an upper ledge surface comprising a seat; a substantially cylindrical closure disc with a lower portion including a groove formed on an exterior radial surface of the cylindrical body, an outwardly disposed lip having an upper surface comprising a portion of an interior surface of the groove, said lip of the closure disc having a lower closure surface. The lip of the closure disc being adapted to deflect downward and inward in response to a cryogenic thermal gradient applied across the lip.