Abstract: Valve trim for a valve includes a valve plug having one or more balance ports located along the outer surface of a tapered nose portion of the valve plug. Each balance port is located to be downstream of the throat and spaced from the tip of the tapered nose portion of the valve plug. The valve trim may be use, for example, in a high recovery angle body valve. A high recovery valve with the valve trim may have better recovery performance as well as a smaller spike in stem force through the choked flow transition point. A method of reducing stem forces on a valve stem of sliding stem valve is also provided.

Abstract: A process control apparatus includes a housing, a process control device disposed in the housing, and a temperature control device operably coupled to the housing for regulating a temperature of an atmosphere internal to the housing. The temperature control device includes a vortex tube and a flow control valve. The flow control valve is coupled to the vortex tube and includes a temperature sensing feature configured to sense a temperature of an atmosphere internal to the housing and configured to move a control element of the flow control valve based on the sensed temperature between a plurality of positions to selectively direct the flow of fluid from the first and second vortex outlets to the atmosphere internal to the housing.

Abstract: An installation assembly for installing and/or removing a ball into and/or from a valve body of a top entry ball valve includes a valve body having at least one blind bore disposed on an opposite side of the ball chamber from the entry opening and a ball installation tool adapted to interact with the blind bore so as to compress a spring disposed inside the ball chamber substantially axially. A top entry ball valve is arranged with such a valve body. The ball installation tool may be used to install and/or remove a ball from the valve body.

Abstract: A piston actuator includes a transfer assembly and an actuator assembly connected to the transfer assembly. The actuator assembly has a cylinder assembly with a side wall and an end wall and defines a cavity. A piston assembly is disposed within the cavity and a screw guide assembly is secured to the end wall of the cylinder assembly such that the screw guide assembly is adjustable to limit the travel of the piston assembly.

Abstract: High temperature seals for use in rotary valves are described herein. An example seal for use with a rotary valve includes a primary seal to engage a flow control member when the primary seal is in a first condition and a secondary seal at least partially disposed within the primary seal. The primary seal is to prevent the secondary seal from engaging the flow control member when the primary seal is in the first condition and the secondary seal is to engage the flow control member when the primary seal is in a second condition.

Abstract: Vortex tube temperature controllers for process control devices and related methods are described. The temperature controller comprises a housing, a process control device disposed in the housing and a vortex tube coupled to the housing to regulate an operating temperature of the process control device.

Abstract: Pistons are disclosed herein. An apparatus includes an actuator defining a first chamber; and a piston disposed in the first chamber, the piston including a second chamber and a seal groove in which a seal is disposed, the second chamber to receive fluid from the first chamber to enable a force imparted by the fluid within the second chamber to urge the seal into sealing engagement with a surface defining the first chamber.

Abstract: Rotary shaft seals are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a valve body and a shaft extending into the valve body. The shaft is to rotate relative to the valve body. The example apparatus also includes a seal. The seal is disposed outside of the valve body and fixedly coupled to the valve body and the shaft to provide a fluid seal between the shaft and a cavity within the valve body.

Abstract: Pistons are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a piston defining a chamber and a circumferential groove in communication with the chamber. At least a portion of the chamber is to be substantially filled with a fluid. The example apparatus also includes a piston ring disposed in the chamber and the groove. The fluid is to apply a first pressure to the piston ring to enable the piston ring to apply a second pressure to a cylinder wall. The second pressure is to be greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: High temperature seals for use in rotary valves are described herein. An example seal for use with a rotary valve includes a primary seal to engage a flow control member when the primary seal is in a first condition and a secondary seal at least partially disposed within the primary seal. The primary seal is to prevent the secondary seal from engaging the flow control member when the primary seal is in the first condition and the secondary seal is to engage the flow control member when the primary seal is in a second condition.

Abstract: Actuator stem guide apparatus for use with fluid valve actuators are described. An example actuator stem guide apparatus includes a base having an opening to allow an actuator stem of the fluid valve actuator to tilt or lean within the base to enable a lever of the fluid valve actuator to rotate and a guide receiving area adjacent the opening of the base. A guide is coupled to the guide receiving area and the guide has a bearing surface to slidably engage the actuator stem to limit lateral movement of a diaphragm assembly relative to a longitudinal axis of the opening to prevent the diaphragm assembly from engaging an inner surface of an actuator housing as the actuator stem moves between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: Actuator bushings having integral seals are described herein. An example apparatus includes a bushing having a central bore to receive a stem and an annular groove at an end of the bushing. The annular groove surrounds the bore to define a flexible ring to form a seal against the stem.

Abstract: Rotary shaft seals are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a valve body and a shaft extending into the valve body. The shaft is to rotate relative to the valve body. The example apparatus also includes a seal. The seal is disposed outside of the valve body and fixedly coupled to the valve body and the shaft to provide a fluid seal between the shaft and a cavity within the valve body.

Abstract: Pistons are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a piston defining a chamber and a circumferential groove in communication with the chamber. At least a portion of the chamber is to be substantially filled with a fluid. The example apparatus also includes a piston ring disposed in the chamber and the groove. The fluid is to apply a first pressure to the piston ring to enable the piston ring to apply a second pressure to a cylinder wall. The second pressure is to be greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: Actuator stem guide apparatus for use with fluid valve actuators are described. An example actuator stem guide apparatus includes a base having an opening to allow an actuator stem of the fluid valve actuator to tilt or lean within the base to enable a lever of the fluid valve actuator to rotate and a guide receiving area adjacent the opening of the base. A guide is coupled to the guide receiving area and the guide has a bearing surface to slidably engage the actuator stem to limit lateral movement of a diaphragm assembly relative to a longitudinal axis of the opening to prevent the diaphragm assembly from engaging an inner surface of an actuator housing as the actuator stem moves between a first position and a second position.