Abstract: A mechanical flexure element useful for motion amplification with a closed end and two legs extending therefrom in a general U-shaped configuration. One leg may be fixed and the other leg moved, or both legs may be movable with respect to each other. Microdisplacements of a leg are amplified and translated into larger transverse movements of the closed end. Reversing the input and output displacements provides attenuation of a larger input displacement. A magnetostrictive electromechanical transducer with a flexure element having a closed end and two legs extending therefrom moving towards and away from a nozzle in an enclosed nozzle chamber under fluid pressure. An electrical input signal actuates a magnetostrictive element coupled to one leg of the flexure element to move the element with respect to the nozzle thereby changing the fluid output pressure from the nozzle chamber.

Abstract: A packing containment assembly for sealing an operating member such as a shaft or stem in a fluid control valve, particularly where PTFE packing is used. A pair of zero clearance anti-extrusion rings of PEEK material are mounted in the shaft with the PTFE packing therebetween. Each ring has an inner diameter slightly less than the shaft outer diameter to form an interference fit. The rings are split with a scarf cut to provide an overlapping joint and enable mounting of the rings on the operating member. A male adapter PEEK ring matches a V-type female packing ring which significantly reduces the amount of PTFE packing needed for a reliable seal. A step cut PEEK zero clearance anti-extrusion ring could be used as well as a fractured carbon ring.

Abstract: An improved live load packing system for sealing an operating valve member in a fluid valve. A packing follower includes a base and a guide sleeve with a non-metallic inner liner adapted for slidable engagement on the operating valve member. A series of Belleville disk springs slidably engage the guide sleeve outer diameter and maintain concentric mounting during loading of V-type TFE packing members to ensure uniform concentric spring loading and to prevent undesired side loading. A window permits viewing the position of the guide sleeve and inner liner during packing loading adjustment so that optimum loading can be attained and maintained when the viewer notes the top edge of the guide sleeve and inner liner is flush with the top surface of the packing flange.

Abstract: A method for diagnostically dynamic testing and determining the dynamic operating condition of a pneumatically operated fluid control valve assembly wherein a dynamic output of the valve assembly is compared in response to a dynamic input to the valve assembly. A controlled variable pneumatic pressure is supplied to the input of the valve positioner forming the dynamic input to move the flow control member. The controlled varying pressure is sensed to provide a first signal representing the dynamic input. The movement of the flow control member is sensed to obtain a second signal representing the responsive dynamic output, and the first and second signal are processed to develop valve diagnostic data, which is displayed to enable determination of the dynamic performance of the valve assembly under test.

Abstract: A processing system utilizing heat recovery has a plurality of digesters in which products such as wood chips may be reacted at high temperature and pressure to form pulp suitable for use in the manufacture of paper. The digesters are fluidly connected to a plurality of heat recovery tanks including a cool liquor tank, a warm liquor tank, and a hot liquor tank. The digesters are also fluidly connected to a displacement tank which periodically supplies fluid to the digesters for the purposes of displacing their contents. The fluid levels within the heat recovery tanks and within the displacement tank are automatically controlled. In processing, predetermined volumes of cool and hot liquor are periodically pumped to each digester as well as automatically determined volumes of warm liquor and displacement fluid.

Abstract: A high pressure, fluid level sensor and seal includes a body supporting a removable end cap and housing a trunnion bearing comprising a pivot disk that is pivotable about a pivot axis formed by a pair of pivot pins that are secured to the base of the end cap. The pivot disk is connected to a control arm that freely passes through the end cap. The pivot disk is also connected to a displacer arm that engages a float or displacer in communication with fluid in a high pressure tank. A compression spring acting between the control arm and the end cap biases the pivot disk against the pivot pins. The control arm engages an operating mechanism in a controller that includes a relay. The body is secured in the wall of a high pressure tank. A high pressure seal is formed by a spacer that forms a slip fit with an annular recess on the pivot disk and which engages the end cap and O-rings. The O-rings couple the spacer to the pivot disk and couple the spacer to the end cap.

Abstract: A drop compensated pressure regulator includes a spring casing, housing a regulator spring and a relief spring, a lower casing and a diaphragm sandwiched between the two casings. The lower casing has inlet and outlet ports. A one piece cam stem and relief seat is mounted for movement with the diaphragm and includes a cam surface that engages a movable disk holder. The disk holder is movable in a straight line within an orifice tube that supports a valve seat. A cylindrical lower spring seat is coupled by an O ring to the inner wall of the spring casing to dampen vibrations. The cam stem has built in stops to retain it within the orifice tube.

Abstract: A fluid valve for use in high pressure and high temperature operating conditions where the operating fluid is chemically reactive. V-type PTFE packing members are backed up with anti-extrusion wiper rings of silica filled PTFE or barium sulfate filled PTFE.

Abstract: A sliding stem valve for controlling fluid flow in a valve body having a seat, a bonnet, a valve stem and plug slidably mounted in the bonnet for engaging the seat during valve shut-off, and a diaphragm forming a stem seal for preventing the undesired leakage of fluid into the atmosphere. The diaphragm is formed of elastomeric material with bead edges at opposite ends. The top diaphragm bead edge is sealed with a retainer to the bonnet. The bottom diaphragm bead seal is sealed to the valve stem while enabling the valve stem to rotate with respect to the bottom diaphragm bead edge. A sized retainer, bushing and retainer ring mount the bottom diaphragm bead edge to the valve stem and permit slidable motion of the bead edge with the valve stem while enabling the valve stem to rotate with respect to the bead edge and still maintain a viable diaphragm seal.

Abstract: A control element for a fluid valve includes a main body having a rounded outer surface on a first side, an inner base surface and first and second opposed inner side surfaces adjacent the inner base surface on a second side. First and second ears are joined to the main body at spaced locations and extend away from the main body on the second side thereof. The ears include opposed inner surfaces adjacent the inner side surfaces of the main body. The inner surfaces together form opposed passage surfaces which diverge from one another at first and second ends to improve flow efficiency.

Abstract: A process control terminal may be used in a computer network consisting of a process control network of process controllers and an application network of host computers. The process control terminal allows a process control operator access to both process control functions and application programs being executed by a host computer. The process control terminal includes an Ethernet controller and it emulates a standard DEC terminal in order to facilitate its use in preexisting computer systems. The process control terminal displays information relating to process control functions in a first portion of its associated CRT screen and information relating to applications programs in a second portion of the CRT screen, the second portion being exclusive of the first portion so that process control information is not overwritten by applications information.

Abstract: A separable flange retainment system includes a first boss on the flange and a mating second boss on a valve body. The boss on the valve body has a threaded aperture for reception of a suitable fastener. A generally U shaped retainer device having an orifice in its bight portion straddles the bosses and is secured in position by the fastener. The retainer device precludes lateral and rotational movement between the flange and the body.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a bonnet that is captivated in a valve body stem mount by means of a threaded bonnet nut. A pair of opposed pry holes are formed in the bonnet at a point above the top of the fully seated bonnet nut. Loosening of the bonnet nut enables a bonnet that is stuck in the body stem mount to be pried loose with a pry bar inserted in one or both of the pry holes and levered against the top of the bonnet nut. The bonnet holes also provide a visual indication of movement of the bonnet and whether there is pressure in the valve body.

Abstract: An alignment tool for use with a pipeline mounting flange having a raised face flange to self center two opposing raised face flanges during a fluid pipeline mounting operation. A plate-like ring with outwardly diverging spring fingers with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer dimaeter of the raised face flanges is mounted on the pipeline mounting flanges so the fingers are adjacent the raised face flanges. Tightening the flanges throughbolts moves the flanges together while the spring fingers engage the riased face flanges and maintain the raised face flanges in self centering alignment. A flange seal gasket is captured within the plate-like ring.

Abstract: A force sensing and transmitting mechanism for a vortex flowmeter which includes a force sensing beam at one end, a force transmitting beam at the other end, and a thin plate joining the two together. The force sensing beam is disposed in the passageway flow path adjacent a vortex generator. The force transmitting beam projects outside of the passageway. The adjoining plate includes a central portion fixed to the sensor beam and the transmitting beam and with outer plate edges fixed to the housing to provide a first pivot point. A second pivot point is provided at the opposite end of the force transmitting beam and transducer means are mounted at the second pivot point to detect rotational deflection of the force transmitting beam corresponding to vortex induced pressure differentials. The second pivot point includes a rocker member rigidly attached to the force transmitting beam and having a V-shaped groove in engaging contact mating with V-shaped projections fixed to the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for diagnostically testing and determining the operating condition of a pneumatically operated valve. A diagnostic controller is connected to a valve actuator assembly so that diaphragm pressure and valve plug movement among other inputs can be sensed while the valve actuator assembly is stroked through a test operation cycle. The sensor output signals are then used in selected graphical plots to provide information which can be analyzed to indicate the condition of the valve in such areas as spring adjustment, stroking time, valve travel, stem friction, seat load, and positioner and transducer calibration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for precisely controlling the movement of a magnetostrictive transducer including an elongated magnetostrictive rod, means for inducing a magnetic field in the rod and supplying drive current for moving the rod in response to the drive current. A temperature compensated strain sensor configuration on the rod detects the amount of rod movement in response to the drive current and provides an output signal proportionate thereto. Feedback control means coupled between the strain sensor and the current driver respond to the strain sensor output signal and vary the drive current until the strain sensor output signal matches the voltage reference set point developing the drive current.

Abstract: A four-mode pneumatic relay includes a relay body defining four chambers, each coupled to a port. Two of the chambers are formed by a diaphragm assembly consisting of a rolling diaphragm coupled to an input post that drives a movable orifice shaft and a pair of diaphragms of different effective areas coupled to said movable orifice shaft. A movable plug assembly includes valve plugs for interconnecting the first chamber with the second chamber and the second chamber with the third chamber via a valve seat and an orifice and recess in the movable orifice shaft. A pair of mechanical switches couple different ones of said ports for providing multi-mode operation. One switch supplies input pressure to either the first port or the third port and another switch couples the second and fourth ports together to vents the fourth port.

Abstract: A self-operated droop compensated regulator includes a spring casing and a lower casing, sandwiching a diaphragm. The lower casing has inlet and outlet ports. A one piece cam stem and relief seat is mounted for movement with the diaphragm and includes a first cam surface for directly engaging a movable disk holder. The disk holder is movable in a straight line within an orifice tube that supports the valve seat. The cam surface moves the disk holder at a nonlinear rate with respect to the diaphragm. A pressure relief mechanism is incorporated within the upper portion of the diaphragm. A bias spring acts, between a second similar cam surface on the opposite side of the stem and the disk holder, to maintain the first cam surface in contact with the disk holder. The orifice tube has a removable boost end cap for providing a boost action to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A metallic gas pressure regulator includes a spring casing and a lower casing, sandwiching a diaphragm. The lower casing has axially aligned inlet and outlet ports. A one piece plastic cam stem and relief seat is mounted for movement with the diaphragm and includes a cam surface engaging a movable plastic disk holder. The disk holder is movable within a plastic orifice tube that supports a plastic valve seat. The orifice tube has a removable plastic boost end cap for providing a boost action to the diaphragm. A pressure relief mechanism is incorporated within the upper portion of the diaphragm. A metal disk is affixed in the inlet and includes a flow restricting hole and a flow diverter for directing flow toward the pressure relief mechanism in the event of destruction of the plastic orifice tube.