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: 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: 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.

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 fluidicly 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 solenoid coil assembly for hazardous environments comprises a solenoid coil and an enclosure entirely filled with encapsulation material. The encapsulation material leaves zero or almost zero volume in the enclosure for hazardous material to accumulate in any amount that could explode. This allows the solenoid coil assembly to be constructed without the usual industry standard flame paths. Additionally, the enclosure may be made of physically rigid and strong material such as metal or the like to better withstand harsh and corrosive conditions within hazardous environments without being explosion proof. The walls of such an enclosure need only have a moderate thickness and weight relative to enclosures that are explosion proof, as there is no meaningful risk of an explosion occurring within the enclosure. The combination of a rugged exterior and a zero-volume interior allows the solenoid coil assembly to reduce weight and cost while providing superior environmental protection.

Abstract: A method of assuring drop out of a valve assembly comprising detecting a level of a signal from the controller; diverting the signal to a solenoid coil of the valve assembly when the level of the signal is above a predetermined value; and diverting the signal to a load when the level of the signal is below the predetermined value. The level detector may divert the signal away from the coil when the level of the signal is below the predetermined value, thereby ensuring that the coil is fully de-energized in response to the level of the signal being below the predetermined value, while allowing current to flow through the valve assembly, thereby allowing the controller to monitor the integrity of the wiring between the controller and the valve assembly.

Abstract: A method of sealing coil leads during encapsulation by placing a lead of a coil in a tube, such that there remains a gap between the lead and the tube; placing the coil in a mold such that the gap remains open to an environment surrounding the mold; and injecting encapsulation material into the closed mold in a liquid state under pressure, thereby causing the material to flow through the gap toward the environment. Injecting encapsulation material into the mold may be done at a rate, temperature, and/or environmental temperature to cause the material to solidify before passing through the gap into the environment. In any case, there is no need to seal the mold to the leads. Each lead of the coil may be placed into an individual tube and/or the tubes may be is formed within a single sleeve.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a valve body; at least one port to receive tubing; and a collar group to secure the tubing to the port, wherein the collar group is selected from a first collar group configured to secure the tubing by a flattening a washer, thereby driving teeth of the washer into the tubing, and a second collar group having a smooth interior surface to which the tubing is bonded, wherein either the first or the second collar groups may be interchangeably threaded onto the port.

Abstract: A solenoid valve for use in a hazardous environment requiring a surface temperature of the valve to not exceed a cutoff temperature, the valve comprising coil configured to physically move an armature using an field generated by the coil; a thermal cutoff device having a fusing temperature above the cutoff temperature; and a heating resistor sized and configured to raise thermal cutoff device's temperature to the fusing temperature before the surface temperature exceeds the cutoff temperature. A method of constructing a solenoid valve for use in a hazardous environment requiring a surface temperature of the valve to not exceed a cutoff temperature, the method comprising the steps of: selecting a thermal cutoff device having a fusing temperature above the cutoff temperature; and selecting and configuring a heating resistor to raise thermal cutoff device's temperature to the fusing temperature before the surface temperature exceeds the cutoff temperature.

Abstract: A manifold (100) comprising an inlet port (102) for receiving a fluid flow, said inlet port defining a flow passage (122); a plurality of outlet ports (104-114); wherein some of the outlet ports are provided with direct communication with said flow passage (122); and the ports being connected by auxiliary passages adapted to convey fluid between said outlet ports to reduce stagnation pressure zones and maintain desired pressure distribution at each outlet port.

Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly including a process control valve plumbed within a hazardous environment; a solenoid coil mated to the valve and configured to operate the valve, the solenoid coil located within the hazardous environment; a valve coil configured to receive power and transfer that power to the solenoid coil, thereby operating the valve, the valve coil located within the hazardous environment; and a controller coil configured to transmit power to the valve coil, the controller coil located in the hazardous environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for controlling energy consumption in a system having a battery and including a controller and one or more solenoids. In accordance with the disclosure, the controller provides a controlling mechanism, such as a control algorithm, that will provide the necessary power to operate the one or more solenoids throughout the range of battery voltage in a manner that optimizes the voltage discharge from the battery and simultaneously maximizes battery life. Further power conservation measures are implemented by using a controller and an associated control algorithm to operate a solenoid throughout the range of battery voltage in a manner that places the discharge of the battery in reduced power consumption operating modes as the capacity of the battery is reduced.

Abstract: The inventions disclosed and taught herein are further directed to a solenoid valve configured for operation at minimum power levers comprising: a casing; a magnetic coil within the casing adapted for inducing a magnetic flux when energized; a plunger selectively actuated by the magnetic coil to operate the solenoid valve; and at least one energy storage device within the casing adapted to store energy and selectively energize the magnetic coil by applying the energy to the magnetic coil.

Abstract: A system for indicating the status of a valve may include an encapsulation with electronic circuitry disposed at least partially therein, a communication sub-system, a sensor, an indicator and a power source. The encapsulation may be zero volume, and the indicator may include a color changing skin. A method of indicating the status of a valve may include providing a valve, providing a status indicating system, changing a status of the valve, sensing a status of the valve, and indicating a status of the valve. A method of encapsulating a status indicating system may include providing an encapsulant and coupling at least a portion of the system with the encapsulant.

Abstract: A control valve comprising a plurality of interchangeable valve body modules, each module having a main valve cavity and a plurality of separate cross valve communication ports communicating; and at least one interchangeable gasket disposed between adjacent modules and configured to individually communicate the main valve cavity and the communication ports between adjacent valve body modules, wherein the gasket is further configured to selectively communicate between the main valve cavity and a selected one of the cross valve communication ports. In one embodiment, each valve body module further includes a passage communicating with the main valve cavity. In this case, the gasket may be configured to selectively communicate between the passage and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports, thereby selectively communicating between the main valve cavity and the selected one of the cross valve communication ports through the passage by selective orientation of the gasket.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a pilot valve; a solenoid; and a main valve, the main valve having an actuator in communication with a pressure control; the pilot valve may facilitate opening the main valve in proportion to an energized level of the solenoid. The solenoid may move the first disc to isolate the inlet port from the pressure control and/or move the second disc to communicate the outlet port with the pressure control. The actuator may move the second disc to isolate the outlet port from the pressure control and/or move the first disc to communicate the inlet port with the pressure control. The pilot valve may isolate both the inlet port and the outlet port from the pressure control when the pilot valve experiences forces in equilibrium from the solenoid and the actuator.

Abstract: An automatically adjusting control valve comprises a valve body; a valve seat within the valve body; a sealing disc adjacent the valve seat when the valve is closed and offset from the valve seat when the valve is open; an armature adjacent the sealing disc and operable to move the sealing disc linearly within the valve body; a biasing mechanism which biases the armature toward a first position; and an actuation stem configured to overcome the biasing mechanism and move the armature between the first position and a second position upon manual operation. The actuation stem may comprise a portion which engages the armature during movement between the first position and the second position The portion may be configured to deform to accommodate manufacturing tolerances of the valve.