Abstract: A valve includes a fluid inlet passageway coupled to a fluid outlet passageway through an orifice and a valve plug which is moveable with respect to the orifice to vary the rate of fluid flow through the orifice. A seat ring is disposed at the orifice and includes a structural member extending into the fluid inlet passageway adjacent the orifice which prevents disturbances, such as intermittent vortices, from forming within the fluid in the fluid inlet passageway and which, thereby, provides a stable rate of fluid flow through the valve. The structural member may, alternatively, be connected to the valve plug or a wall of the fluid inlet passageway.

Abstract: An actuator for fluid control valves with a reversible power module having a stationary inner member and a coaxially aligned movable outer member coupled to the valve flow control element and slidably movable on the inner member. A chamber formed between respective ends of the members includes a preformed bladder. Pneumatic pressure applied to the bladder drives the movable member to actuate the valve in a first direction. A spring returns the movable member in the second direction. The preformed bladder is formed with two pieces including an interconnecting perimeter portion. During bladder actuation the bladder perimeter portion is displaced from the bladder inner diameter to the bladder outer diameter with the bladder material in tension to thereby prolong bladder life.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing a displacement in a mechanical system using radar utilizes a miniaturized radar transceiver formed, typically, on a silicon chip. The transceiver is mounted to a fixed surface that senses a displacement of a moving surface. The moving surface is typically located in mechanical communication with a system to be sensed. By using appropriate translating circuitry, an accurate determination of the nature of displacement of the mechanical system can be made. Mechanical systems sensed can include rotating and sliding components such as motors, valves and pressure gauges. Sensors according to this invention are highly accurate and reliable.

Abstract: A two stage gas pressure regulator with a body housing having a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and a common interior wall dividing the body housing into two chambers forming two pressure reducing stages. Respective intersecting fluid passageways through the common interior wall communicate the first stage to the second stage and provide a gauge pressure tap on the body housing, the intersecting passageways meeting at an intersection point within the common interior wall. Respective diaphragms are provided for each stage, and a cover has a vent venting the volume defined between the cover and the second stage diaphragm. A small passageway is provided in a common cover wall between the two stages, the small passageway being sized to suitably vent both cover portions above the respective diaphragms through the vent while eliminating overpressurization of the second stage in the event of pressure regulating failure of the first stage.

Abstract: A formed metal diaphragm for use in fluid pressure regulators includes a dome-shaped central portion and a convoluted shaped flexible area. The convoluted shaped flexible area includes a series of radially spaced elliptically shaped impressions in the diaphragm surface. The major elliptic axis of each impression is aligned with a radius emanating from the center of the diaphragm. The minor ellipse axis of the impressions is located on a concentric axis outward from the center of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulator having a spring clip frictionally engaging the pivoting regulator lever to stabilize flow fluctuations. Alternatively, a disk wedge with opposite leg portions frictionally engages the moving regulator diaphragm.

Abstract: A self-aligning valve disc assembly for a fluid regulator valve. A disc holder includes a central, raised protrusion enabled in one embodiment by a cone-shaped floor surface for providing a single point of contact with a disc. The single contact point provides a pivoting action with a point of force inside the diameter of the opposing force of the valve seat. This enables the pivoting action of the disc to self-align the disc to the seating surface so as to reduce the forces required for the regulator to function properly.

Abstract: A fluid control valve for use in severe erosive fluid conditions which includes a ceramic plug seat. The ceramic plug seat is mounted to a metal valve element using a tapered mechanical bolt. The tapered portion of the mechanical bolt matches a cone-shaped interior surface portion within the ceramic plug to uniformly distribute the mounting forces within the ceramic plug to prevent cracking of the ceramic plug.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a fluid metering device includes a support structure which holds and supports the fluid metering device in an upright position while the fluid metering device is being tested with a testing device or a prover. The adapter also includes a fluid passageway having one end thereof coupled to the fluid inlet of the fluid metering device and having another end thereof positioned at a predetermined distance away from, and at a predetermined orientation with respect to, the fluid outlet of the fluid metering device to thereby enable a standard prover to be used with a fluid metering device having a non-standard inlet and outlet configuration.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a diaphragm assembly for a fluid pressure regulator includes the steps of providing a diaphragm head unit having a first side and a spring seat, providing a fabric layer, providing an elastomer layer, applying an adhesive to the first side of the diaphragm head unit, placing the fabric layer between the elastomer layer and the first side of the diaphragm heat unit to form a sandwich, and applying heat and pressure to the sandwich. In a fluid pressure regulator including a disk for regulating the flow of fluid through an orifice, a valve stem attached to the disk, a valve stem guide surrounding a portion of the stem, a valve lever coupled to the valve stem, a pivot pin pivotally connecting the valve lever to a lower casing, a lever retainer adjacent the pivot pin for holding the pivot pin in place, and a boost tube adjacent the orifice, the boost tube, stem guide, and lever retainer comprise a one-piece boost tube unit.

Abstract: Data samples are obtained from a control device while in use to control a material process. Selected ones of these samples are stored which represent results of operating the device over portions of its characteristics, and they are selectively combined to provide an indication of the complete device characteristics. Selected such data samples are used provide information concerning selected control device parameters based on the device characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit which is connected by two conductors to a control system for a variable analog DC input and that also enables bidirectional digital communication along the two conductors for diagnostic operations of an instrument. The novel circuit includes a switch circuit that has a first position that provided the ability to accept both the variable DC analog signals and the bidirectional digital communication signals by presenting a first impedance for the DC signals and a second switch position for providing a second substantially higher impedance while using the same two conductor system. The novel invention also includes an auxiliary analog input signal to the circuit which allows further control as a current feedback to a control algorithm in a microcontroller. An auxiliary process transmitter can sense pressure, temperature, flow or some other process related variable and couple it to the circuit for control of the instrument.

Abstract: A displacement sensor senses relative displacement between first and second members and includes a housing mounted to the first member. Magnet means having first and second pole tips is mounted to the housing. A flux sensor is mounted to the housing between the first and second pole tips. A target is mounted to the second member to form a flux path between the first and second pole tips having a reluctance that varies with displacement between the first and second members. The arrangement forms a first lossy flux path of fixed reluctance through the flux sensor and a primary flux path through the target. In one form the target has a surface configured to provide a gap height that varies with displacement. In another form the target has a surface configured to provide a target width that varies with displacement. The sensor may be used differentially by arranging two such sensors.

Abstract: A fluid control valve operable in erosive fluid conditions includes a primary soft seat protected by a secondary hard seat. Two dead band areas control the fluid flow on valve opening and closing to spacially separate the soft seat from the flow stream. A diverter is provided to deflect the flow stream away from the soft seat.

Abstract: A fluid control valve suitable for pressure reducing service. A valve is provided with a fixed cage member containing an internal passageway communicating with a cage inlet and outlet. A movable valve plug is slidably mounted within the cage member and contains an internal plug passageway. A fluid flow path is provided through the plug assembly and through the cage internal passageway so that multi-stages of pressure reduction are obtained. The provided fluid flow includes a combination of axial, outwardly radial, inwardly radial flows and a flow through the internal passageway of the plug assembly in order to obtain the required multiple pressure drops. The restricted flow passages at each stage are large enough in size so that any particulate in the fluid will pass out without plugging up the passages in the valve trim.

Abstract: A two-part, low friction, live loaded packing system for fire safety and low fugitive emission sealing (less than 500 ppm) of a valve stem at operating temperatures up to 450.degree. F. (232.degree. C.). One lower packing ring set around the valve stem has PTFE washers sandwiched between flexible graphite rings to provide fire safety and low friction. An upper packing ring set around the valve stem is closer to the loading source and has V-type PTFE rings to provide reliable low fugitive emission sealing and low friction. The live loading is optimized to maintain a seal at the upper packing set to less than 500 ppm leakage, minimize packing friction from both the upper and lower packing sets, and seal the lower packing set during fire safety tests.

Abstract: A sleeve bearing for use on rotary valve shafts subjected to substantial operating pressures sufficient to extrude PTFE includes a cylindrical nonmetallic bearing jacket, preferably composed from PEEK. The bearing jacket has a cylindrical inner cavity defined between opposite annular cavity end lips within which cavity is disposed a cylindrical PTFE liner. The annular cavity end lips on the inner surface of the cylindrical nonmetallic bearing jacket extend inwardly to an end lip surface wherein the diameter of said end lip surface is slightly larger than the diameter of the rotary shaft of the control valve. A suitable adhesive is used to bond the liner to the bearing jacket. The cavity end lips maintain the liner in position if the adhesive fails. The end lip construction and the close clearances between the end lips and the rotary shaft enable the PTFE liner to carry greater load than in other PTFE bearing constructions before beginning to extrude PTFE.

Abstract: A fluid valve graphite packing assembly with graphite packing rings and thin PTFE disc rings surrounding an operating valve member. Softer graphite packing rings on the interior are bounded by progressively harder graphite packing rings. A PTFE disc ring is inserted between the graphite packing rings. The packing is subjected to sufficient packing stress to cause the PTFE disc rings to extrude onto the operating valve member. A laminated packing ring formed of alternating sheets of flexible graphite and PTFE which is die cut to provide a crown shaped cross-section aiding in enabling PTFE extrusion to enhance valve operating member lubrication and sealing.

Abstract: A fluid seal for rotary valves wherein a metal seal ring is adapted to fit within a groove formed within the valve body and a retainer ring for sealing engagement with the sealing surface of a closure member. The metal seal ring has a non-symmetrical cross section with the retainer ring side portion including a shoulder engaging the retainer within the groove and a seating portion extending from the groove for sealing engagement with the closure member. A valve body side portion of the metal seal ring includes a shoulder engaging the valve body within the groove and a non-seating portion extending from the groove for a substantially non-sealing and non-engagement with the sealing surface of the closure member. Engagement of the closure member with the seating portion of the retainer side portion of the metal seal ring torsionally loads the cross-section of the seal ring so as to only enlarge the retainer side portion. A resilient material seal ring can be added to the metal seal ring for desired applications.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic converter device with modular components and with supporting housing structure enabling the device to be readily convertible from a current to pressure positioner to a current to pressure transducer. A valve positioner with an enclosure having a housing, a modular base, and a separable field terminal box. A self contained cover mounted to the enclosure with no additional mounting components. A plastic pneumatic relay ultrasonically welded together to eliminate metal mounting parts and lower assembly time. Open channels in a housing surface cooperating with a gasket to provide fluid passageways between the housing and the modular base. Pressure gauges are removably mounted on a modular unit for location completely within the housing. A floating interconnect terminal board permits self-aligning of mating terminals as the modular unit is inserted into the housing.