Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a housing, a top plate securable to the housing at a first end, and a bonnet securable to the housing at a second end. The housing, top plate and bonnet form a sealed cavity, a piston is biased away from the bonnet and a stem is secured to the piston, wherein the stem is axially actuated by motion of the piston and the stem passes through the bonnet to be securable to an actuated component. Further, the actuator can be disassembled and serviced while still attached to actuated equipment.

Abstract: A valve actuator apparatus and method comprises an operator housing secured to a bonnet assembly. The bonnet assembly is secured to the valve body, and includes a bonnet stem movably within a bonnet housing for moving a gate within the valve body to open and close the valve. A downstop member is fixably secured to the bonnet stem and engages removable stem spacers which are added or removed to obtain a selected bonnet stem drift setting. The operator housing connects to a base ring that surrounds the bonnet housing and rotates to allow positioning of a fluid port in the operator housing. The operator housing may removed and replaced without altering the bonnet stem drift adjustment. A top shaft extends from the operator housing and rotates with respect to the bonnet stem to prevent torque transmission from the top shaft to the bonnet stem. A replaceable sealing cartridge sealingly supports the top shaft for axial movement within the operator housing.

Abstract: A valve actuator apparatus and method comprises an operator housing secured to a bonnet assembly. The bonnet assembly is secured to the valve body, and includes a bonnet stem movably within a bonnet housing for moving a gate within the valve body to open and close the valve. A downstop member is fixably secured to the bonnet stem and engages removable stem spacers which are added or removed to obtain a selected bonnet stem drift setting. The operator housing connects to a base ring that surrounds the bonnet housing and rotates to allow positioning of a fluid port in the operator housing. The operator housing may removed and replaced without altering the bonnet stem drift adjustment. A top shaft extends from the operator housing and rotates with respect to the bonnet stem to prevent torque transmission from the top shaft to the bonnet stem. A replaceable sealing cartridge sealingly supports the top shaft for axial movement within the operator housing.

Abstract: A valve actuator apparatus and method comprises an operator housing secured to a bonnet assembly. The bonnet assembly is secured to the valve body, and includes a bonnet stem movably within a bonnet housing for moving a gate within the valve body to open and close the valve. A downstop member is fixably secured to the bonnet stem and engages removable stem spacers which are added or removed to obtain a selected bonnet stem drift setting. The operator housing connects to a base ring that surrounds the bonnet housing and rotates to allow positioning of a fluid port in the operator housing. The operator housing may removed and replaced without altering the bonnet stem drift adjustment. A top shaft extends from the operator housing and rotates with respect to the bonnet stem to prevent torque transmission from the top shaft to the bonnet stem. A replaceable sealing cartridge sealingly supports the top shaft for axial movement within the operator housing.

Abstract: A valve actuator apparatus and method comprises an operator housing secured to a bonnet assembly. The bonnet assembly is secured to the valve body, and includes a bonnet stem movably within a bonnet housing for moving a gate within the valve body to open and close the valve. A downstop member is fixably secured to the bonnet stem and engages removable stem spacers which are added or removed to obtain a selected bonnet stem drift setting. The operator housing connects to a base ring that surrounds the bonnet housing and rotates to allow positioning of a fluid port in the operator housing. The operator housing may removed and replaced without altering the bonnet stem drift adjustment. A top shaft extends from the operator housing and rotates with respect to the bonnet stem to prevent torque transmission from the top shaft to the bonnet stem. A replaceable sealing cartridge sealingly supports the top shaft for axial movement within the operator housing.

Abstract: A valve actuator apparatus and method comprises an operator housing secured to a bonnet assembly. The bonnet assembly is secured to the valve body, and includes a bonnet stem movably within a bonnet housing for moving a gate within the valve body to open and close the valve. A downstop member is fixably secured to the bonnet stem and engages removable stem spacers which are added or removed to obtain a selected bonnet stem drift setting. The operator housing connects to a base ring that surrounds the bonnet housing and rotates to allow positioning of a fluid port in the operator housing. The operator housing may removed and replaced without altering the bonnet stem drift adjustment. A top shaft extends from the operator housing and rotates with respect to the bonnet stem to prevent torque transmission from the top shaft to the bonnet stem. A replaceable sealing cartridge sealingly supports the top shaft for axial movement within the operator housing.

Abstract: The invention is a valve actuator or a booster module for an existing valve actuator that provides an incremental force to the valve stem at a position close to valve closure. The force is stored in a spring which is held in the compressed position by a collet. Upon sufficient movement of the valve actuator stem in the direction towards valve closure, the collet which had previously held the spring in a compressed position is freed to move to allow the spring to expand against the collet. Since movement of the collet has caused it to be engaged to the valve actuator stem, the spring forces are transmitted directly to the valve actuator stem via the collet. The spring is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the valve stem so that substantially all of its retained energy is transmitted directly to the valve stem through the collet.

Abstract: A sequence valve for directing fluid pressure is provided, having a fluid pressure inlet, a first actuator outlet with associated vent port, and a second actuator outlet with an associated vent port. A spool is movably mounted within the body for selective direction of fluid pressure applied to the inlet to either of the actuator outlets or selectively to bleed pressure applied to either of the actuator outlets through respective vent portions in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A valve actuator is disclosed which is encased in a housing with a bonnet mounted at one end and an end cap on the other end. Inside, an actuator shaft is slidably mounted through a bore on a guide connected to the bonnet. A piston is slidably mounted with respect to the guide and creates a variable-volume cavity between itself and the guide. The shaft is connected to the piston by virtue of a disk which, when bolted down to the top of the shaft, puts a preload in the spring. A connecting member is placed into contact with the disk and the piston once the spring has been preloaded. The connecting member is segmented and fits between spacers which hold the spring at a distance from the disk and allow insertion of the connecting member after preloading of the spring. The spring bears on the connecting member. Pressurization of the cavity results in an overcoming of the spring force and movement of the shaft between a first and second position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a pneumatic gate valve actuator adapted to move the gate of the valve between opened and closed position by the introduction of air pressure into or the exhaustion of air pressure from an expandable and contractible pressure chamber formed within a tire casing and between upper and lower plates having their peripheries connected to inner edges of a tire casing. The lower plate is connected to the stem for the gate, the upper plate is connected to the bonnet of the actuator, and a coil spring is compressed between the lower plate and the bonnet, so that the gate may be moved to open position upon the supply of air pressure to the chamber, and moved to closed position upon the exhaust of air pressure from the pressure chamber.

Abstract: A high pressure in-line test valve (42) is positioned to block off a first fluid pressure source (10) acting on a control valve means (32 and 34) and to provide communication with an alternate test fluid pressure source (138) for testing the control valve means. The test valve (42) has a central bore (70) in which a depressible piston (78) is positioned for longitudinal movement between a seated extended position (FIG. 2) blocking the first fluid pressure source and simultaneously communicating test fluid to the control valve means, and an unseated retracted position (FIG. 3) re-establishing communication between the first fluid pressure source and the control valve means and simultaneously blocking the alternate fluid pressure source (138) with a dual sealing means.

Abstract: A sensor base structure (24) for supporting high and low pressure sensors (20,22) having autoclave type connectors (44) and communicating pressurized fluid from the main flowline (10) to the sensors. The sensor base structure comprises a cylindrical manifold (52) having a longitudinal passage (54) therein and including a plurality of lateral bores (58) extending therethrough intersecting the longitudinal passage. One end (60) of each lateral bore threadably receives the autoclave connectors of the respective pressure sensors. The opposite end (61) of the bore (58) threadably receives a plug (62) having an externally threaded portion (64) and a reciprocal autoclave connector (66) facing the pressure sensor to provide a high pressure metal-to-metal seal upon contact with the respective autoclave connectors.

Abstract: An "E" type coupler for a railway car has a key connecting the coupler shank to an end-of-car cushioning unit. The cushioning unit has a slidable end cap housing assembly receiving the coupler shank and a slot extending through the shank and one side of that housing assembly to receive and mount the coupler key. An inner recess in the other opposed side of the housing assembly recess receives the key in abutting relation to such other side and a retainer on the other side contacts and retains the key in the housing assembly.