Abstract: A fluid control valve includes: a metallic body, including: a process surface with a central portion, a body clamping surface, and a body step between the central portion and the body clamping surface; at least one inlet orifice; at least one outlet orifice; an inlet port; and an outlet port; a metallic cap including a reference port, and a reference surface including: a cavity; a pressure pad; a cap clamping surface; and a cap step between the pressure pad and the cap clamping surface; and a metallic diaphragm between the body and the cap arranged such that, in response to a process pressure being higher than a reference pressure, a fluid flow path will be open from the inlet orifice to the outlet orifice, and in response to the reference pressure being higher than the process pressure, the flow path will be closed.

Abstract: A pulsation dampener includes: a centerbody assembly having: a chamber including a first opening bounded by a wall defining a first surface; an outlet port communicating with the chamber; an inlet port communicating with the chamber; a flexible first diaphragm, wherein a perimeter of the first diaphragm is bonded to the first surface forming a seal that blocks the passage of fluid; a first cap disposed adjacent the first diaphragm, defining a first cavity between the first cap and the first diaphragm; an inlet orifice formed in the first cap communicating with the first cavity; an exhaust orifice formed in the first cap communicating with the first cavity; and a valve seat disposed in the first cavity in fluid communication with the exhaust orifice. The first diaphragm is moveable between an open position spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed position sealed against the valve seat.

Abstract: A diaphragm pressure regulator includes: a body defining a process surface and including: an exhaust port having a discharge opening, and at least one vent void interconnecting the process surface and the exhaust port; and an inlet port, and at least one process void communicating with the process surface and the inlet port; a reference housing including a cavity defining a reference surface and a reference port in fluid communication with the cavity; and a diaphragm disposed between the body and the reference housing, the diaphragm movable between a first position engaged with the vent voids, and a second position wherein the membrane is not engaged with at least one of the vent voids, wherein a dome is defined between the cavity and the reference side of the diaphragm; and wherein the reference housing includes a sump configured to segregate liquid from the reference side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A centerbody assembly for a pressure regulator includes: a centerbody having a process surface, at least one outlet orifice disposed in the centerbody; an outlet port positioned in fluid communication with the at least one outlet orifice; an inlet port; a valve chamber positioned in the centerbody in fluid communication with the inlet port, the valve chamber including a valve seat positioned in fluid communication with the process surface; a spherical valve element disposed in the valve chamber and moveable between an open position in which it is spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed position in which it seals against the valve seat; a flexible control diaphragm facing the process surface, wherein a perimeter of the control diaphragm is bonded to the centerbody so as to define a seal that blocks the passage of fluid; and wherein the valve element is mechanically interconnected with the control diaphragm.

Abstract: A valve includes: a housing defining a chamber communicating with an inlet port and an exhaust port, a seat disposed in the housing between the inlet port and the exhaust port; an elastomeric or polymer sealing ring disposed in the seat; a valve element having a sealing surface that is a body of revolution, the valve element positioned in the housing such that it is moveable between a closed position in which the sealing surface is engaged with the sealing ring and an open position in which the sealing surface is disengaged from sealing ring; and at least one bypass channel defined in the chamber, arranged to communicate between the seat and the exhaust port when the valve element is in the open position.

Abstract: A centerbody assembly for a valve includes: a centerbody having a process surface, at least one inlet orifice disposed in the centerbody and adapted to be disposed in fluid communication with a fluid at a process pressure, and at least one outlet orifice disposed in the centerbody separate from the at least one inlet orifice; an inlet port disposed in fluid communication with the at least one inlet orifice; an outlet port disposed in fluid communication with the at least one outlet orifice; and a flexible control diaphragm facing the process surface, wherein a perimeter of the control diaphragm is bonded to the centerbody so as to define a seal that blocks the passage of fluid.

Abstract: A method of operating a thermal system including at least a compressor, a condenser, a flow control valve, and at least one heat exchanger connected in a closed fluid loop charged with refrigerant. The method includes: regulating refrigerant pressure at a selected point within the fluid loop using a pressure regulating apparatus including: a main pressure regulator including a dome in fluid communication with a diaphragm that seals directly against at least one process void and at least one vent void; and a pilot pressure regulator in fluid communication with the dome so as to provide fluid thereto at a setpoint pressure. The setpoint pressure is maintained by the pilot pressure regulator utilizing refrigerant tapped from the fluid loop The refrigerant is tapped from a point upstream of the main pressure regulator and tapped refrigerant is returned to the fluid loop downstream of the main pressure regulator.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for a back pressure regulator includes: a body defining a process surface, and including: at least one process void communicating with the process surface; a recess disposed in the process surface; a floating support hub disposed in the recess, carrying an O-ring; a vent void communicating with the recess; an inlet port disposed in fluid communication with the at least one process void and adapted to be coupled in fluid communication with a fluid at a process pressure; and an outlet port disposed in fluid communication with the vent void; and a diaphragm having opposed reference and process sides, the diaphragm disposed against the body such that the process side is substantially coplanar with the process surface.