Abstract: A gas spring actuator which, when attached to a valve, will return the valve to its initial position after the valve has been moved to a second position by application of a pressurized fluid that opposes the gas spring. The gas spring is charged to a predetermined gas pressure. A hydraulic fluid is applied in an opposing manner to drive the piston in one direction to operate the valve and simultaneously pressurize the gas in the gas spring. Upon removal of the hydraulic pressure, the pressurized gas returns the piston, and the valve, to its initial position.

Abstract: An actuator shaft heat-sensitive locking apparatus is disclosed comprising a cylindrical housing having an axial bore. A shaft link is provided in the bore and is adjustable to contact gate valve actuator shafts of varying lengths. Once adjusted, the shaft link is movable axially between a first position and a second position, allowing the actuator shaft to close the gate valve. There is also provided a means movably extending through the housing for partially blocking the bore and a fusible element slidably mounted in the bore between the shaft link and the means for partially blocking the bore. The fusible element has both a solid state and a heat responsive state. In its solid state, the fusible elemnt prevents movement of the shaft link by enaging the bore blocking means; in its heat responsive state, the fusible element allows movement of the shaft link between the first position and second position.

Abstract: A dome pressure maintaining valve and circuit for maintaining dome fluid pressure in a pilot operated relief valve is presented wherein the dome pressure in the relief valve is prevented from dropping below a preset value even when inlet pressure at the relief valve drops to zero. The dome pressure maintaining valve incorporates a compact check valve and a back flow relief valve with the two components integrated into one piston embodiment, the valve having in communication with a body bore inlet and an outlet. The circuit provides inlet fluid flow in communication with a piston valve chamber through a passage from the inlet port through the piston under the poppet check valve and through multiport and exterior piston valve ring groove means to the outlet port when the inlet fluid pressure is greater than the outlet fluid pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wireline cutting actuator and valve assembly. The valve includes a valve body having a gate reciprocatingly mounted therein. The gate has a stepped bore. The actuator includes a bonnet adapted for connection to the valve body and an actuator shaft having an inner end adapted for connection to the valve member. The actuator shaft extends outwardly of the bonnet. An actuator housing is releasibly connected to the bonnet and positioned about the actuator shaft. A spring is provided for urging the actuator shaft outwardly with respect to the bonnet. A piston housing assembly is releasibly connected to the actuator housing. A piston is slidingly mounted in the piston and is abuttable with the outer end of the actuator shaft to urge the actuator shaft inwardly with respect to the bonnet. A piston shaft is inwardly and outwardly movable with the piston and extends outwardly of the piston housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a relay valve having a valve body with a longitudinal bore having axially spaced apart along its length and extending into the valve bore an inlet, and outlet, an exhaust, and a pilot inlet. A valve stem is slidingly mounted in the valve bore and is movable between a first position in which the inlet is in communication with the outlet and communication from the outlet to the exhaust is blocked, and a second position in which the outlet is in communication with the exhaust and communication from the inlet to the outlet is blocked. A piston is slidingly mounted in the valve bore and is movable with respect to the valve stem. The piston has a longitudinal piston bore and a piston spring is provided for urging the piston toward a closed end of the valve bore. A spool is connected to the stem and is slidingly positioned in the piston bore.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat sensitive jack for overriding a valve including a valve body and a gate valve member connected to a valve stem which is operated by a linear actuator having an actuator body and an actuator stem connected to the valve stem extending outwardly of the actuator body, wherein the actuator stem is movable between an open and a closed position, and wherein no hazardous projectiles are formed when the stem moves to the closed position. The jack includes a cap connectable to the body and a nut axially movably disposed in the cap for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the distance between the first and second positions is at least as great as the distance between the open and closed positions of the valve. A fusible element is provided to normally maintain the nut in the first position, but which upon being exposed to excessive temperature will allow the nut to move to the second position within the cap.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in-service test valve and system. The in-service test valve includes a body having a first chamber with a relatively small diameter bore and second chamber axially spaced apart from the first chamber and having a relatively large diameter bore. An imperforate shuttle is slidingly mounted in the valve body and includes a first piston slidingly sealingly mounted in the first chamber bore and a second piston slidingly sealingly mounted in the second chamber bore. An in-service inlet is provided in the valve body for introducing in-service pressure into the first chamber to apply sensing pressure to the first piston and urge the shuttle toward the second chamber. A test inlet is provided for introducing test pressure into the second chamber to apply test pressure to the second piston to urge the shuttle in the direction of the first chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure controller for sensing changes in a service pressure and controlling a control pressure in response to such changes. The pressure controller includes a valve body having a control inlet and a bleed outlet with a passage therebetween. A valve seat is positioned in the passage and a valve member is reciprocatingly mounted in the valve body for movement between a closed position in engagement with the valve seat and an open position out of engagement with the valve seat. The controller includes a releasable latch for latching the valve member in the closed position. The controller includes a release mechanism for releasing the latch in response to changes in service pressure to allow the valve member to move to the open position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat sensitive fire-safe valve energy assist device. The device includes a cup that is mountable exterior of the valve body to transmit forces thereto. The device also includes a pusher that is mountable about the valve stem to transmit force thereto. A spring or the like is provided for urging the cup and pusher axially apart, thereby to apply outwardly directed forces between the stem and the valve body. A fusible element is provided for releasably interlocking the pusher and cup at normal operating temperatures, but for allowing the pusher and cup to move with respect to each other when temperatures exceed a preselected level. The movement of the pusher with respect to the cup is limited, thereby to reduce the risk of injury to operating personnel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in-service test valve and system. The in-service test valve includes a body having a first chamber with a relatively small diameter bore and second chamber axially spaced apart from the first chamber and having a relatively large diameter bore. An imperforate shuttle is slidingly mounted in the valve body and includes a first piston slidingly sealingly mounted in the first chamber bore and a second piston slidingly sealingly mounted in the second chamber bore. An in-service inlet is provided in the valve body for introducing in-service pressure into the first chamber to apply sensing pressure to the first piston and urge the shuttle toward the second chamber. A test inlet is provided for introducing test pressure into the second chamber to apply test pressure to the second piston to urge the shuttle in the direction of the first chamber.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for manually locking a pilot valve in an "in service" position independent of an actuating, or pilot fluid pressure. The apparatus may be either manually disengaged or will be automatically disengaged whenever the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined level. The device includes a valve manipulating knob attached to the exterior end of a valving element for manually shifting the element from a normally closed position to the in service position. The knob includes an "L" shaped locking member which conforms to the contour of the knob, and is adapted to pivot towards the valve body and lock the valving element out in the "in service" position. This pivotal member includes an indicating surface visible from the front when the valving element is locked in an "in service" position. The locking member is comprised of a fusible material selected to yield at a predetermined temperature so as to return the valve to an operating mode responsive to the pilot fluid pressure.

Abstract: A gate valve having an inlet and an outlet flow-way with a chamber having a gate inbetween and with counterbores at the end of the flow way adjacent the chamber is disclosed. Each counterbore telescopically receives a seat member. A sealing system for each of the gate seat members which permit certain liquid communication to the valve body cavity is disclosed. Each seal system includes seals on all sides of the gate seat member except the inwardly facing cylindrical walls. Each seal is disposed on an annular groove cut in the outer periphery surface of the end of the gate seat member. The seal on the upstream side of the valve body is located adjacent to the inwardly facing cylindrical wall. The seal between the gate seat and the gate is located near the valve body cavity. The seal on the outwardly facing cylindrical wall is adjacent to the valve body flow-way counterbores.

Abstract: A manually operated gate valve having a fusible element located exterior of the shaft sealing element. Melting of the fusible element permitting outward movement of the shaft and gate elements with all the movable elements being confined to the housing.