Fluid Counter-biased Or Unseated Valve Patents (Class 137/464)
  • Patent number: 10627003
    Abstract: A pressure relief system configured to automatically monitor and correct overpressure events in hydraulic fracturing or well stimulation activities is disclosed. The system generally includes at least two valve assemblies each having a valve and a valve actuation system, at least one pressure sensor, and an electro-mechanical control package. These components are configured such that the electro-mechanical controls automate the open and closed positions of the valve(s) via operation of the actuator(s) based on information from the pressure sensor. This architecture allows the system to monitor and interpret pressures within the conduit and operate the valve position based on user defined set-points. The valves may be positioned to redundantly monitor the same fluid conduit, or separate fluid conduits, and the system may be configured to enable independent valve positions based on independent user defined set-points or user inputted control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventors: Clayton Dale, Josh Lewallen
  • Patent number: 10450833
    Abstract: A self-regulating flow control device for controlling the flow of injected fluid into a subsea well or flowline via a tree, manifold, or other access point on the subsea infrastructure by responding to the injection pressure being applied to prevent the conduit from collapsing. An embodiment of the self-regulating flow control device includes a housing having a first and second through bore, a piston moveable in the through bore, and a biasing member. When in an unactuated position, the biasing member biases the piston isolating the first through bore from the second through bore, and when in an actuated position, a pressure overcomes the biasing member to move the piston and expose the first through bore to the second through bore. The self-regulating control flow device prevents a vacuum from being drawn into the conduit system below during sudden decreases in uphole pressure by blocking or closing flow paths in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Graham Hall, Robert Large
  • Patent number: 9580992
    Abstract: A sealing device is used in a flow control apparatus, the sealing device including a static seal and a protective seal or fluid restriction. The protective seal is formed between two members formed from resilient materials being substantially resistant to wear or failure when exposed to large pressure differentials and associated jetting action. The static seal is formed using a sealing element that includes a material that is at least partially deformable, such as an elastomer or the like. The protective seal is engaged prior to engaging or disengaging the static seal in order to prevent damage to the deformable material of the static seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Eugene Stolboushkin
  • Patent number: 8307847
    Abstract: A fast opening pressure relief valve (200) for providing pressure relief for a vessel. The valve (200) has an ejector (216) and a sleeve structure (210) in which the ejector (216) moves longitudinally. The ejector (216) is constructed of material that will expand outward slightly upon pressurization, increasing friction between staging glands (202) provided on the sleeve structure (210) and buckling glands (206) provided on the ejector (216). Also, as pressure on the ejector (216) increases, the buckling rings (206) deform slightly to release their grip on the staging glands (202) and move past them. Once the buckling rings (206) move past the staging glands (202), the pressurized ejector (216) quickly moves to its open position, i.e. opening within 2 and 3 milliseconds, thereby releasing the pressure on the vessel. The valve (200) can be reset by returning the ejector to its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Enviro Valve, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Keith Fritts
  • Patent number: 7216668
    Abstract: A fluid valve (10) that interrupts the flow of fluid when backpressure ceases. The valve (10) consists of a valve body (20) having an inlet (22), an outlet (24), a piston chamber (32), and a backpressure port (34). The port (34) is located between the outlet (24) and the chamber (32), and a stem bore (36) is disposed within the valve body (20) between the chamber (32), and the inlet (22) and the outlet (24). A piston (40) that includes a restricting stem (42), is confined within the chamber (32) and the stem (42) is positioned within the stem bore (36). The stem (42) restricts fluid flow when there is no backpressure, but when backpressure exists the stem (42) is forced away from the inlet (22) and the outlet (24) by the piston (40) thereby permitting a full flow through the valve (10). An adjustable compression spring (68) engages the piston (40) urging the stem (42) into the stem bore (36) when no backpressure exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas A. Adams
  • Patent number: 7090144
    Abstract: A water fountain diverter device connectable to a faucet for selectively directing water from a normal downward direction, to an upward direction for direct drinking by a user. The device has a body connectable to the faucet, a body inlet for receiving water from the faucet, an outlet through which water can flow un-diverted, and a spout from which a water stream flows for direct drinking when the water is diverted via a valve within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventors: Lloyd A. Gross, Gordon L. Gross, Andrew N. Gross
  • Patent number: 6789566
    Abstract: In order to safely close a shut-off device (2) used in a gas supply line (1) in the case of danger, the closing part of said shut-off device is coupled with a pneumatic working cylinder (4) whose actuating piston (3) is maintained in the respective open position of the shut-off device (2) by the accessory pressure of CO2 liquid gas cartridge (5) and against the force of a lock spring (6). Under emergency conditions, a ventilating valve (8) which relieves the pressure form the actuating piston (3) is electronically triggered by a gas sensor (10) positioned in a sensor zone by the inactivation of a securing magnet and the shut-off device (2) is safety closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: Friedrich Welcker
  • Patent number: 5860446
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely controlling fluid flow comprises a safety control valve that automatically stops fluid flow upon a fluid pressure failure, requires two-handed manual operation to open the valve, and the valve being biased to prevent being left in the open position in the absence of fluid pressure. The safety control valve comprises a valve body that coaxially receives therein a slidable spool manually operable in an axial direction between a closed valve position and an open valve position. The valve further comprises a spring and a spring biased coaxial safety piston capable of axial movement along the spool and being pneumatically connected to a fluid supply line. In the absence of fluid pressure, the spring biases a safety piston against a contact surface of the spool so as to bias the spool into the closed position thereby preventing fluid flow through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Climax Portable Machine Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher C. Hunt
  • Patent number: 5289843
    Abstract: A hydraulic safety valve adapted to cut or divert the flow of pressurized fluid A hydrau/sudden rupture occurs in the hydraulic system. The valve has a valve body with an inlet port, first and second outlet ports and a sump port. A first valve member controls the inlet port and directs fluid to one of the out let ports and a second valve member disposed within the valve which blocks the sump port when the valve is in operating position and directs the flow of pressurized fluid into the sump when the system pressure fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Roger R. Smith
  • Patent number: 5238020
    Abstract: This hydraulic valve has a housing (2) with a feed line (12) and a discharge line (14) for a fluid. A sealing point is provided between the feed line and discharge line. A spring acts in the closing direction on the sealing point via a piston.The aim is to create a hydraulic valve which requires no additional energy source. This is achieved when the piston (8, 23) can be moved in the opening direction merely by a total of the pressures present in the feed line (12) and in the discharge line (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Ltd.
    Inventors: Heinz Frey, Rico Plangger
  • Patent number: 4469124
    Abstract: A shut-off valve includes a valve stem or actuating member operatively connected to a pressure-responsive apparatus. The pressure-responsive apparatus is acted upon by fluid in a pressure chamber such that the valve mechanism is held open to permit fluid flow therethrough. A spring or biasing means is provided that automatically closes the valve mechanism whenever the pressure chamber is evacuated or depressurized such that the pressure-responsive apparatus can no longer maintain the shut-off valve in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Bronsky, Dennis B. Clark, Jeffrey A. McKeen
  • Patent number: 4461315
    Abstract: A pressure protection system including a valve for isolating an auxiliary fluid circuit from a main fluid circuit when a leak occurs in the auxiliary fluid circuit. A valve is connected between a governor controlled compressor and the main fluid circuit and a pressure protection valve is connected between the compressor and an auxiliary fluid circuit. If a leak develops in the auxiliary fluid circuit, the pressure protection valve closes which permits most of the output from the compressor to be used to recharge the main fluid circuit. The pressure protection valve includes a supply passage and a delivery passage disposed substantially perpendicular to the supply passage. A plunger member is movable within the delivery passage for closing the supply passage when there is insufficient fluid pressure in the auxiliary fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventor: Dean W. May
  • Patent number: 4446890
    Abstract: A hydraulic isolation valve (10) will not open if leaks are present in the associated utility subsystem (15). The continuity of the hydraulic fluid circuit actuates the valve (10) to the open position by an energized solenoid operated pilot valve (21) sending a small flow through a fuse (23) and one-way restrictor (24) to the utility function (15). If no leaks are present, the utility function (15) begins to actuate sending return flow through a two-way restrictor (31) and moving a continuity actuation piston (28) to push the shut off spool (16) to the open position so that full flow is admitted to actuate the utility function (15). If the continuity of the hydraulic circuit is broken by leaks, the return flow does not reach the continuity actuation piston and the shut off spool (16) remains in the shut off position, the fuse (23) closing to block further flow and then resetting by spring action when the solenoid operated pilot valve (21) is deenergized so that actuation may be attempted again, if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Simpson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4413643
    Abstract: A hose-break valve comprises a valve housing (2) and a sliding gate (1) movable therealong and is connected with a pressure hose (5) which is surrounded by a protective sleeve (14), while defining a space (13) filled with a pressure medium. The sliding gate (1) is under the action of, on the one hand, the pressure medium in said space (13) and, on the other hand, a loading device (17) acting opposite the pressure medium. First and second pressure relieving devices are provided for closing the valve by means of the loading device (17) when the pressure of the pressure medium in said space (13) respectively exceeds an upper limit value and falls short of a lower limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Regioninvest i Norr AB
    Inventor: Thore K. E. Wiklund
  • Patent number: 4352366
    Abstract: A standing valve for controlling fluid flow through a well flow conductor. The standing valve allows formation fluids to enter the flow conductor downhole and to flow in one directin to the well surface. The standing valve functions as a check valve to prevent fluids injected into the flow conductor at the well surface from flowing out the other end of the well flow conductor. The standing valve is operated by changes in the velocity of fluids flowing through the valve. When the pressure of fluid injected into the flow conductor from the well surface exceeds a preselected value, an alternative flow path is opened within the standing valve to allow the injected fluid to flow in the other direction through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest P. Fisher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4343327
    Abstract: A pressure-responsive valve operable to close when the pressure falls below predetermined minimum level. After closure, the valve must be manually reset to its open position where it is retained by the pressure of the fluid against a diaphragm positioned within a chamber adjacent the valve. When used in conjunction with a oil-fired boiler, the valve prevents boiler flareback by closing when the pressure falls below a predetermined minimum level and by requiring a monitored, manual reopening, thereby preventing undesired ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Robert R. Hallstein
  • Patent number: 4173233
    Abstract: There is disclosed a pilot valve which controls the flow of a control fluid to and from a fluid-operated actuator, and which comprises an inlet to admit the control fluid to a chamber thereof, a port connecting the chamber with the actuator, a passageway connecting the chamber with a vent port, and a ball which is shifted between a set position closing the passageway so that control fluid is admitted from the inlet to the actuator and a tripped position closing the inlet so that control fluid is exhausted from the actuator out the vent port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Assignee: U.S. Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 4151863
    Abstract: A device is provided which can be screwed onto the adaptor of the valve assembly of a pneumatic tire and a plunger depressed to commence tire deflation. A pressure sensitive member responds to a drop in the pressure of the emerging air to allow the valve to close when a predetermined low pressure remains in the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Assignee: Dunlop Limited
    Inventors: John A. Stevens, Philip H. Pegram
  • Patent number: 4085772
    Abstract: A valve assembly comprises a valve body having a bore therein, a first opening communicating with the bore, and a second opening displaced from the first opening and also communicating with the bore. A valve element is slidably mounted in the bore for longitudinal movement therein between first and second positions. In the first position the first opening is sealed from communication with the second opening, and in the second position communication between the first and second openings is permitted via the bore. The valve element includes a pressure reaction area exposed to fluid pressure from the second opening in the second position whereby the valve element is retained in the second position upon the presence of fluid pressure in the second opening in excess of a given limit. The assembly further comprises return means for automatically returning the valve element to the first position upon the absence of fluid pressure above the limit in the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Inventor: Harry Roger
  • Patent number: 4080987
    Abstract: A hydraulic safety valve is disclosed which is operative to automatically block a liquid fluid path upon the loss of fluid pressure and to maintain the fluid path in a blocked condition until manually reset. The valve comprises a cylinder, a piston disposed within the cylinder defining multiple spool gates for selectively blocking a valve aperture in the side of the cylinder and for dividing the cylinder into at least a main chamber and a variable volume balancing chamber at one end of the piston. A relatively short fluid path conduit is provided between the balancing chamber and the main chamber. A manually actuable plunger axially aligned with the piston is provided for urging the piston into a valve open position. A biasing means is provided for urging the piston into a valve closed position. In operation the valve is maintained in an open position by downstream back pressure directly through the relatively short pilot fluid conduit coupling the main chamber with the variable volume balancing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Gerber Products Company
    Inventor: Daniel A. Fogg
  • Patent number: 3971404
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in pressurized lines; and for closing a valve and stopping said flow whenever downstream pressure drops below a predetermined value, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a manually-operated valve for starting fluid flow and a spring-biased sequencing valve for stopping fluid flow, with fluid channels connecting the manual valve with the sequencing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1976
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventor: Vernon Kenneth Quarve