Abstract: A pipe cleaning assembly has a connection fixture having a body defining a cavity. A first aperture, opposing first auxiliary aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, second aperture, and opposing second auxiliary aperture coaxially aligned with the second aperture are in fluid communication with the cavity. A first connection flange extends from and surrounds the first aperture, a second connection flange extends from and surrounds the second aperture, a third connection flange extends from and surrounds the first auxiliary aperture, and a fourth connection flange extends from and surrounds the second auxiliary aperture. A first valve is connected to the third connection flange to control fluid flow through the first auxiliary aperture.

Abstract: A valve body having a ring of dissimilar material and a method of forming the valve body are described. The valve body includes an inlet, an outlet and a ring of dissimilar material. The method includes forming a valve core, splitting the valve core, placing a metal ring of dissimilar material between two pieces of the valve core, casting a valve body around the valve core, and fusing the metal ring to the valve body.

Abstract: A valve, such as a ball valve, can include a noise attenuation assembly to control fluid expansion through the valve and provide noise abatement. The valve can include a valve body and a valve stem and the noise attenuation assembly can include a flow control body and a trim body. The flow control body can be coupled to the valve stem and the flow control body can be configured to selectively permit fluid flow through the valve body in an axial direction. The trim body can include a plurality of channels to control fluid expansion during fluid flow through the valve body. The trim body can be engaged with the flow control body at first and second mounting structures of the flow control body to secure the trim within a fluid pathway of the flow control body.

Abstract: A flow control device has a valve body having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path connecting the inlet and the outlet and a unitary trim cartridge assembly secured to the valve body. The trim cartridge assembly has a cage disposed in the flow path, a bonnet coupled to the cage, and a retaining element disposed between the cage and the bonnet. The cage includes an exterior groove formed on an exterior surface of the cage, the bonnet includes an interior groove formed on an interior surface of the bonnet, and the retaining element extends into the interior groove and the exterior groove. A height of the interior groove and/or a height of the exterior groove is greater than a height of the retaining element to allow the cage to move longitudinally within the bonnet with the bonnet and cage assembled.

Abstract: Variable flow characteristic valves are disclosed. A disclosed example valve for controlling a flow characteristic therethrough includes a first plate having a first aperture pattern, a second plate proximate the first plate, the second plate having a second aperture pattern, and a rotator to rotate the second plate relative to the first plate to vary a degree of alignment between the first and second aperture patterns.

Abstract: A spool valve includes a sleeve with multiple axial ports positioned over the length of the sleeve and an adjustable spool component that couples neighboring ones of the sleeve's ports based on a position of the spool component within the sleeve. The adjustable spool component includes multiple sub-components having positions that are adjustable relative to each other such that the dimensions of the spool component can be tailored to precisely match the corresponding sleeve.

Abstract: A pipe cleaning assembly has a connection fixture having a body defining a cavity. A first aperture, opposing second aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, first auxiliary aperture, and opposing second auxiliary aperture coaxially aligned with the first auxiliary aperture are in fluid communication with the cavity. A first connection flange extends from and surrounding the first aperture and a second connection flange extends from and surrounding the second aperture. A rotatable bonnet inserted through the second auxiliary aperture and includes a cylindrical wall having an open first end, an end wall at a second end, and a plurality of openings through the wall. An actuator is mounted to the bonnet with an actuator shaft extending through an opening in the end wall. A valve plug is secured to the actuator shaft and positioned within the bonnet.

Abstract: A packing system is disclosed for use with a valve having a bonnet and a flow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet of a valve body. A bore can extend through the bonnet to receive a stem that moves a control member to control flow through the flow passage. A first packing arrangement can be arranged in the bore about a first portion of the stem. A second packing arrangement can be arranged in the bore about a second portion of the stem with the first packing arrangement between the second packing arrangement and the valve body. A bore port can extend through the bonnet and open into an inter-packing volume of the bore between the first and second packing arrangements and can provide fluid communication between the inter-packing volume and the outlet of the valve or other lower pressure area.

Abstract: Stabilized cutting tool assemblies. A cutting tool assembly for use with a reference surface includes a tool holder having a rotational axis. The tool holder is arranged for attachment to a drive source arranged to rotate the tool holder and move the tool holder relative to a reference surface. The cutting tool assembly includes a rotatable cutting tool coupled to the tool holder. The cutting tool includes a cutting surface and has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed adjacent the tool holder. The cutting tool assembly includes a stabilizer coupled to the cutting tool adjacent the second portion. The stabilizer has a bearing surface. The bearing surface is positioned on the second portion to abut the reference surface and to stabilize the cutting tool when the drive source moves the tool holder and the cutting tool to a position adjacent the reference surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided to execute online tests of a valve in a digital valve positioner. The digital valve positioner may receive a request to execute a test of the valve, which specifies a test start point, and queue the request for execution. The digital valve positioner may subsequently receive a new setpoint for the valve. The digital valve positioner may further reposition the valve according to the new setpoint. The digital valve positioner may further, while the valve is being repositioned, compare the test start point to a current position of the valve, and in response to determining that the current position of the valve has reached the test start point, collect sensor data indicative of the operation of the valve, to generate results of the test.

Abstract: Valve bodies and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. An example method of manufacturing a valve body includes forming a first duct extending from a first side of the valve body, forming a first wall in the valve body at least partially protruding from a surface of the first duct, the first wall defining a chamber, forming one or more openings in the first wall to fluidly couple the chamber to the first duct, and forming a second duct extending from a second side of the valve body opposite the first, the second duct fluidly coupled to the chamber.

Abstract: The disclosed techniques enable the installation of a level sensor capable of continuously detecting a level of fluid in a vessel or tank and capable of being integrated in a larger control system. Advantageously, sensor head of the disclosed level sensor can be installed on existing installations with an existing displacer or float and an existing member or rod. The disclosed techniques thus enable process plants to easily and affordably replace pneumatic level sensors with a more environmentally friendly option.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect and/or recover from failures in valve control devices. An apparatus includes an input signal generator to provide a digital input signal to a first converter. The first converter corresponds to one of a supply converter or an exhaust converter. The supply converter controls actuation of a supply relay to deliver pressurized fluid to an actuator operatively coupled to a valve in a process control system. The exhaust converter to control actuation of an exhaust relay to exhaust the pressurized fluid from the actuator. The digital input signal triggers application of a current to the first converter to open the first converter. The apparatus further including a failure detector to: determine a difference in at least one of a pressure in the actuator or a position of a flow control member in the valve; and detect a failure when the difference satisfies a failure threshold.

Abstract: An example method to obtain process data associated with a process control system received from a field device includes identifying, at a computing device, associated data and a payload included in the data packet, the associated data including a source bit, determining, at the computing device, a type of connection between the field device and the computing device based on the source bit, determining, at the computing device, an encryption key identifier and an initialization vector based on an auxiliary data packet received prior to the data packet, generating, at the computing device, a nonce value based on the source bit and the initialization vector, the nonce value indicative of an input to a data encryption algorithm used by the field device to encrypt the payload, and extracting, at the computing device, the process data associated with the process control system from the payload.

Abstract: Fluid valves with an anti-stagnation trim guide are disclosed herein. An example valve includes a valve body including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a fluid passageway extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, a plug disposed in the fluid passageway, and a trim guide positioned between the plug and the valve body, the trim guide including at least one balance passageway, the balance passageway to guide trapped process fluid to enter or exit an area between the plug and a bonnet of the valve during movement of the plug.

Abstract: A pipe cleaning assembly has a connection fixture having a body defining a cavity. A first aperture, opposing first auxiliary aperture coaxially aligned with the first aperture, second aperture, and opposing second auxiliary aperture coaxially aligned with the second aperture are in fluid communication with the cavity. A first connection flange extends from and surrounds the first aperture, a second connection flange extends from and surrounds the second aperture, a third connection flange extends from and surrounds the first auxiliary aperture, and a fourth connection flange extends from and surrounds the second auxiliary aperture. A bonnet is inserted through the second auxiliary aperture and is positioned within the cavity of the body and includes a generally cylindrical wall and a plurality of openings formed through the cylindrical wall to direct fluid flowing through the connection fixture.

Abstract: Spray heads for use with desuperheaters and desuperheaters including such spray heads. One example of a spray head includes a main body having an exterior surface and defining a central passage, the main body adapted for connection to a source of fluid, at least one entrance port formed in the main body along the central passage, and at least one spray nozzle arranged adjacent the exterior surface of the main body. The spray head also includes a plurality of flow passages, each of the plurality of flow passages providing fluid communication between the entrance port and an exit opening of the spray nozzle. A first one of the plurality of flow passages follows a first non-linear path and has a first distance, and a second one of the plurality of flow passages follows a second non-linear path and has a second distance different from the first distance.

Abstract: A fluid valve includes a valve body having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A fluid passageway connects the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A trim assembly is located within the fluid passageway, the trim assembly controlling fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The trim assembly includes valve plug having an integrated staged pressure recovery.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, and at least one processor to execute instructions to at least convert a first data packet to a second data packet, the first data packet having a first format based on an industrial communication protocol, the second data packet having a second format based on a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication protocol, the second data packet including a first payload having a first size, remove first data from the second data packet, increase the first size of the first payload to a second size to generate a second payload, add second data to the second payload, and transmit the second data packet to a remote device via a BLE network, the second data packet including the second payload.

Abstract: The described methods and systems enable a control panel for a safety valve in a safety system of a process control environment to couple to a safety loop that couples a logic solver to a valve positioner for the safety valve. The control panel may drive a loop current on the safety loop to a desired range, thereby causing the valve positioner to respond by initiating a desired function triggered by the loop current entering the desired range. The desired function may be a trip function, a reset function, or a stroke test function.