Abstract: A valve system including a shuttle valve having first and second inlet channels connected respectively to first and second channels, a cavity, an outlet channel and a moveable element, the first and second inlet channels being in fluid communication with outlet channel via the cavity; wherein a moveable element is moveable within the cavity such that the position of the moveable element is determined by relative pressure levels in the first and second inlet channels, in a first position the movable element forming a seal between the moveable element and the first inlet channel, in a second position the moveable element forming a seal between the moveable element and the second inlet channel, and in a third position the moveable element being located between the first and second positions and allowing the passage of fluid from both the first and second channels.

Abstract: An isolation valve assembly having a valve body (22) provided with an inlet (23) and an outlet (24), fluidly connected by a fluid passageway (25), and an isolation valve (26, 27) that is operable to selectively open or close the fluid passageway. A vent is fluidly connected to the fluid passageway and a vent valve (34) is operable to open and close fluid communication between the fluid passageway and the vent. The vent valve comprises a stem (36) with a sealing member (37) and is operable between an open position, in which the sealing member is disposed such that the fluid passageway and the vent are fluidly connected and a closed position in which the valve stem extends across the fluid passageway and the sealing member seals the vent from the flow passageway.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of generating a model of a composite product comprising a plurality of modules. The method comprises receiving a schematic comprising a plurality of schematic symbols, each schematic symbol representing a respective module and processing each schematic symbol in turn. The processing of each schematic symbol comprises determining a module represented by the schematic symbol, determining one or more module requirements for the module represented by the schematic symbol and adding a representation of the module to a model in accordance with the module requirements.

Abstract: A directional control valve has a first fluid path extending between first and second ports and a second fluid path between second and third ports. A spherical valve member moves between an open position in which the valve member is displaced from a first valve seat so that the first fluid path is open and is sealed against a second valve seat so that the second fluid path is closed and a closed position in which the valve member is sealed against the first valve seat so that the first fluid path is closed and displaced from the second valve seat so that the second fluid path is open. The valve member is biased towards the closed position by opposed first and second biasing members of unequal loading. An actuator can move the valve member from the closed position to the open position against the unequal loading.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated valve of the kind that is used in a subsea control pod comprises a valve assembly (2) and a solenoid assembly (1). The valve assembly (2) comprising has fluid ports (P, S, T) for the receipt and delivery of hydraulic control fluid and a valve element (37, 38, 39) that is actuable between open and closed positions in order to control the flow of hydraulic control fluid between the fluid ports. The valve element (37, 38, 39) is actuable by an actuating member of the solenoid assembly (1). The solenoid chamber (A) is filled with oil and sealed against ingress of hydraulic control fluid from the valve chamber (36) and from the ingress of oil and/or seawater from the control pod. A movable pressure balancing device (30) is provided in the solenoid assembly (1) so as to ensure that the internal pressure of the oil in the solenoid chamber (A) and the external pressure of the oil in the control pod are balanced.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of generating a model of a composite product comprising a plurality of modules. The method comprises receiving a schematic comprising a plurality of schematic symbols, each schematic symbol representing a respective module and processing each schematic symbol in turn. The processing of each schematic symbol comprises determining a module represented by the schematic symbol, determining one or more module requirements for the module represented by the schematic symbol and adding a representation of the module to a model in accordance with the module requirements.

Abstract: A method of generating a representation of graphical data based upon a plurality of stored floating point data values and a plurality of stored integer values. The method comprises reading a plurality of the integer values, reading a plurality of the floating point data values, each read floating point data value being based upon a respective read integer value, and generating a representation of the graphical data based upon the plurality of read floating point data values.

Abstract: A valve comprising a housing defining a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a fluid path, a valve chamber in the fluid path and having a valve seat, a valve member moveable between an open position in which the valve member is displaced from the valve seat such that the fluid inlet is connected to the fluid outlet and a closed position, and first and second opposed biasing members of unequal loading applying a resulting biasing force to the valve member so as to bias it towards the closed position, a first piston member movable in a first bore relative to the valve for moving the valve member in a first direction, and a second piston member for moving the valve member in a second direction, a first pressure compensation passage, and a second pressure compensation passage.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device has an inlet, an outlet and an exhaust port all for an operating fluid. A pilot inlet receives a pilot pressure signal which operates a valve stem actuator via a piston. The valve stem is operable to open a supply valve between the inlet and outlet and, to open an exhaust valve disposed between the outlet and the exhaust. In a further position both the valves are closed. A first fluid leak path is provided between the valve stem and the supply valve for allowing fluid to leak through the supply valve chamber when the supply valve is open and a second fluid leak path is defined by the exhaust valve for allowing fluid to leak through the exhaust valve chamber. The leak paths provide for a force balancing arrangement. A quick exhaust feature allows exhaust flow through the device.

Abstract: A valve has a valve member (17) that is moveable along a first axis in a valve chamber ( ) between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the valve member is displaced from the valve seat such that a fluid inlet (pi) is connected to a fluid outlet (p2). In the closed position the valve member (17) is sealed against the valve seat so that the fluid path is closed. First (12) and second (46) opposed stacks of disc spring apply unequal loading resulting in a biasing force that biases the valve member towards the closed position. A first piston member (15) is movable in a first bore (14) relative to the valve member (17) and for moving the valve member in a first direction along the first axis. A second piston member (16) is movable in a second bore relative to the valve member (17) for moving the valve member along the first axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: A solenoid-operated valve of the kind that is used in a subsea control pod comprises a valve assembly (2) and a solenoid assembly (1). The valve assembly (2) comprising has fluid ports (P, S, T) for the receipt and delivery of hydraulic control fluid and a valve element (37, 38, 39) that is actuable between open and closed positions in order to control the flow of hydraulic control fluid between the fluid ports. The valve element (37, 38, 39) is actuable by an actuating member of the solenoid assembly (1). The solenoid chamber (A) is filled with oil and sealed against ingress of hydraulic control fluid from the valve chamber (36) and from the ingress of oil and/or seawater from the control pod. A movable pressure balancing device (30) is provided in the solenoid assembly (1) so as to ensure that the internal pressure of the oil in the solenoid chamber (A) and the external pressure of the oil in the control pod are balanced.

Abstract: A directional control valve has three ports with a first fluid path extending between the first and second ports and a second fluid path between the second and third ports. A chamber is defined at an intersection of the first and second fluid paths and contains a spherical valve (16) member disposed between opposed, spaced valve seats (19,20). The valve member is movable across the chamber between the valve seats between an open position in which the valve member is displaced from a first valve seat so that the first fluid path is open and is sealed against a second valve seat so that the second fluid path is closed and a closed position in which the valve member is sealed against the first valve seat so that the first fluid path is closed and displaced from the second valve seat so that the second fluid path is open. The valve member is biased towards the closed position by opposed first and second biasing members (34, 41) of unequal loading.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device has an inlet, an outlet and an exhaust port all for an operating fluid. A pilot inlet receives a pilot pressure signal which operates a valve stem actuator via a piston. The valve stem is operable to open a supply valve between the inlet and outlet and, to open an exhaust valve disposed between the outlet and the exhaust. In a further position both the valves are closed. A first fluid leak path is provided between the valve stem and the supply valve for allowing fluid to leak through the supply valve chamber when the supply valve is open and a second fluid leak path is defined by the exhaust valve for allowing fluid to leak through the exhaust valve chamber. The leak paths provide for a force balancing arrangement. A quick exhaust feature allows exhaust flow through the device.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device has an inlet, an outlet and an exhaust port all for an operating fluid. A pilot inlet receives a pilot pressure signal which operates a valve stem actuator via a piston. The valve stem is operable to open a supply valve between the inlet and outlet and, to open an exhaust valve disposed between the outlet and the exhaust. In a further position both the valves are closed. A first fluid leak path is provided between the valve stem and the supply valve for allowing fluid to leak through the supply valve chamber when the supply valve is open and a second fluid leak path is defined by the exhaust valve for allowing fluid to leak through the exhaust valve chamber. The leak paths provide for a force balancing arrangement. A quick exhaust feature allows exhaust flow through the device.

Abstract: A main control valve is actuated by a pilot fluid control signal between open and closed positions to supply fluid to an actuator such as a valve actuator. A stack of logic control valves is supported on the main valve- and controls the flow of the pilot signal. Each of the logic control valves has a housing of common design. Intermediate flow-directing plates of different designs provide fluid communication between adjacent housings. The stack has a common pilot feed passage and a common exhaust passage that are each defined by an annular clearance around supporting tie bars that pass through bores in the stack. Each plate has apertures that form part of the exhaust and pilot feed passages and an aperture that interconnects the returning pilot signal with the pilot inlet of the next valve in the stack. The arrangement allows for simplification of the design of the apparatus with a single housing design and multiple plate designs.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device such as a volume booster has an inlet, an outlet and an exhaust port all for an operating fluid. A pilot inlet receives a pilot pressure signal which operates a valve stem actuator via a diaphragm assembly. The valve stem is operable to open a supply valve between the inlet and outlet and, separately and independently, to open an exhaust valve disposed between the outlet and the exhaust. In a further position both the valves are closed. Movement of the stem in a reciprocal manner by the diaphragm assembly causes a respective annular shoulder to engage a respective valve and lift it off a valve seat against the force of a biasing spring. A first fluid leak path is provided between the valve stem and the supply valve for allowing fluid to leak through the supply valve chamber when the supply valve is open and a second fluid leak path is defined by the exhaust valve for allowing fluid to leak through the exhaust valve chamber.

Abstract: A hydraulic coupling for sub sea applications comprises inter-engageable male and female connectors. The male connector defines a male member for receipt in a chamber defined by the female connector. Each connector has a respective check valve for controlling the flow of fluid through internal bores in the connectors. The check valves are actuable by an actuator between an open position in which hydraulic fluid may flow through the respective internal bore and a closed position in which such flow is interrupted, depending on the distance between the first and second check valves. The male and female connectors are moveable between an uncoupled position in which the check valves are in the closed position and a coupled position in which the male and female connectors are engaged and extend along a longitudinal axis with the male member occupying the chamber of the female connector in a sealed relationship. A pair of seals are provided one on the male member and the other on the in the chamber.