Abstract: A switch assembly for a valve actuator can include a bracket, a rotatable switch rotatably coupled to the bracket at an adjustable angle, a fixed switch fixedly mounted to the bracket, an arm rotatably coupled to the bracket, and an adjustable switch trigger coupled to the arm. The rotatable switch can be tripped by the valve actuator and a trip point of the rotatable switch can be calibrated by setting the adjustable angle. The fixed switch can be tripped by the switch trigger on the arm and a trip point of the fixed switch can be set by adjusting the switch trigger relative to the arm. The assembly can include a calibration fixture for calibrating the switch assembly to the valve actuator independently of the valve actuator.

Abstract: Apparatus and method provide a solenoid coil having a field-replaceable status indicator light, such as an LED. The status indicator light lights up when power is supplied to the solenoid coil to indicate the coil is energized and turns off when the coil is no longer energized. This allows technicians and other personnel working in hazardous environments to easily and reliably monitor the operational status of the solenoid coil. An electrical splitter adapter splits power between the solenoid coil and the status indicator light. The splitter adapter allows the status indicator light to be removed without interrupting power to the solenoid coil. Where the power is AC power, a rectifier may be provided on the splitter adapter to convert the AC power to DC power.

Abstract: A poppet assembly for a valve can include a valve stem for cooperating with a valve actuator, a first valve member coupled to the valve stem in a fixed position and configured to sealingly engage a first orifice and a second valve member coupled to the valve stem and configured to sealingly engage a second orifice. The second valve member can include a coupler for coupling the second valve member to the valve stem and a seal configured to couple to the coupler and the valve stem. The second valve member can be configured for achieving proper spacing between the valve members for simultaneous contact with their respective orifices without the need for more costly and time consuming components or assembly methods.

Abstract: A test connection for a valve can include a plug configured to be removably coupled with a conduit opening, an electrical coupler coupled to the plug, and one or more test leads coupled to the electrical coupler. One or more test leads can be removably coupled with a solenoid coil or other valve component. A method of configuring a valve can include providing one or more test connections coupled to the valve, testing the valve prior to final installation using the test connection, removing the test connection and permanently installing the valve.

Abstract: A silencing choke for a solenoid valve can include a base and a stem configured to be coupled to an armature and can be configured for at least partially reducing or eliminating noise caused by armature bounce. A choke can be configured for limiting maximum flow through an orifice during at least a portion of a valve transition, which can include creating a state of orifice limited flow during the occurrence of armature bounce. A choke can be configured for at least partially reducing cross flow among ports and for limiting a maximum flow rate through at least one flow path of a valve.

Abstract: A valve can include a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, an orifice disposed fluidically between the inlet and the outlet, a fitting having a first end configured to be removably coupled with at least one of the inlet and the outlet of the valve body and a second end configured to be coupled to a fluid conduit, and a retainer configured to at least partially resist uncoupling of the fitting from the valve body. A fitting can be configured to slidingly and sealingly engage at least a portion of an inlet and/or outlet bore. A retainer can be configured to couple with a valve body and a fitting. A fitting can be or include a crimp or press fitting, in whole or in part.

Abstract: A module for a solenoid valve can include a body having a module inlet, a module outlet, a flow path fluidically between the inlet and the outlet, a module orifice and a module valve seat fluidically disposed in the flow path, a reservoir disposed within the body, a sensor in sensing communication with the reservoir, a first coupler configured to couple with a solenoid actuator and a second coupler configured to couple with a valve body. The flow path can include an inlet flow path from the module inlet to the module orifice and an outlet flow path from the module orifice to the module outlet. The reservoir can be in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet flow path and the outlet flow path. The module outlet can be disposed in fluid communication with the second coupler and configured to sealingly engage a valve seat.

Abstract: A pinch valve can include a finger guard or tubing retainer for blocking at least a portion of a tube slot. A headpiece for a pinch valve can include a tube slot for receiving tubing and can be adapted to couple with a guard. A guard can include a base and an extension and can be removably coupled to a headpiece. The extension can be adapted to block at least a portion of a tube slot.

Abstract: A control module for a pinch valve can include a housing, a controller, a display, one or more indicators and one or more sensors, such as flow sensors, proximity sensors or tube sensors. A control module can support monitoring or operation of one or more pinch valves within a fluid control system. A pinch valve can include one or more control modules and a pinch valve system can include a plurality of pinch valves and a plurality of control modules. A method of controlling a pinch valve can include controlling fluid flow operations based on input from one or more sensors.

Abstract: A valve can include a rib for improving flow, which can include improving a flow rating of the valve and improving the structural integrity of the valve. A valve can include a valve body, one or more inlets for allowing flow into the body, one or more outlets for allowing flow out of the body, one or more flow paths, and one or more ribs for routing fluid in a flow path. A valve can include an orifice fluidically between an inlet and an outlet and one or more ribs disposed upstream and/or downstream of the orifice. A valve can include one or more ribs in an inlet flow path, an outlet flow path or another flow path and a rib can be coupled between two or more portions of a valve.

Abstract: A valve can include a body having an inlet and an outlet coaxial about an axis, a stationary valve seat between the inlet and the outlet, one or more valve members slideably coupled to the valve body and adapted to optionally couple with the valve seat, one or more biasing devices adapted to bias the valve member(s) in one or more longitudinal directions, and one or more actuators adapted to optionally move the valve member(s) into and/or out of sealing engagement with the valve seat. An actuator assembly can include one or more of an electrohydraulic actuator and an electromechanical actuator, among others.

Abstract: A solenoid control circuit can make measurements during operation to determine the state of a solenoid and can provide for rapid re-energization of a solenoid upon detection of a dropout condition. A method of controlling a solenoid can include closing an input switch, cycling a low side switch based on voltage drop across a resistor, opening the input switch after a time interval, closing the low side switch and driving a discharge switch to control the discharge current rate from an energy storage device to an inductor. The method can include determining a condition of the inductor based on a time interval between actuation of comparators and maintaining a level of energy in the energy storage device sufficient to cause the inductor to produce a magnetic field for actuating a valve.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a high flow coefficient spool valve (50) through one or more changes in the flow path from a conventional spool valve. The body (56) of the spool valve includes spherically contoured internal grooves (68). The spool (58), slidably engaged inside the body (56), includes concave surfaces between seals (62) that is complementary to the spherically shaped internal grooves (68) of the body. The spherical shape of the body internal grooves (68) and/or concave shape of the spool allow more volume and more laminar flow therebetween, resulting in an increased flow coefficient and flow capacity. The body also is formed with transverse port windows in the port that contour into a bore of the body adjacent the spool. A choke volume in the flow is strategically designed in a parallel flow location rather than a perpendicular flow location to promote laminar flow and lessen turbulence to also increase the flow coefficient.

Abstract: Apparatus and method provide a solenoid coil having a field-replaceable status indicator light, such as an LED. The status indicator light lights up when power is supplied to the solenoid coil to indicate the coil is energized and turns off when the coil is no longer energized. This allows technicians and other personnel working in hazardous environments to easily and reliably monitor the operational status of the solenoid coil. An electrical splitter adapter splits power between the solenoid coil and the status indicator light. The splitter adapter allows the status indicator light to be removed without interrupting power to the solenoid coil. Where the power is AC power, a rectifier may be provided on the splitter adapter to convert the AC power to DC power.

Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling a solenoid coil in a solenoid valve provide a controller that allows a supervisory or leakage current to be used in a peak-and-hold driver. The controller introduces a delay time after detection of a dropout voltage that prevents the solenoid coil from being immediately re-energized in order to ensure proper dropout of the solenoid coil. The delay time imposes a wait period during which the controller takes no action with respect to the current in the solenoid coil, allowing the solenoid coil to deenergize and return the valve to its normally-open or normally-closed position. Such use of a delay time may be limited to instances where the controller has already gone through a power-up cycle such that the response time needed by the controller to energize the solenoid coil is minimized, thus reducing the valve startup time.