Abstract: A pipeline pressure control system for minimizing pressure surges within a pipeline includes a suction pressure controller connected to a suction pressure transmitter for sensing the pipeline pressure upstream of a valve and a discharge pressure controller connected to a discharge pressure transmitter for sensing the pipeline pressure downstream of the valve. If either the suction pressure controller or the discharge pressure controller senses a pressure that varies more than a predetermined amount from a predetermined target pressure, the valve will automatically be moved to a predetermined position in order to counteract pressure surges.

Abstract: A regulator valve includes a spring casing and a lower casing sandwiching a diaphragm. A cylindrical orifice tube defines an inlet and terminates short of an in-line outlet port. A one piece cam stem and relief seat is mounted for movement with the diaphragm and includes cam surfaces for directly engaging a movable disk holder. The disk holder moves in a straight line in the orifice tube and the cam surfaces move the holder at a non linear rate with respect to the diaphragm. The distal portion of the orifice tube houses a boost mechanism. A movable piston in the inlet side of the orifice tube has two pairs of spirally converging grooves on its inner surface for supporting a pair of flat gates that are rotated relative to each other to vary flow area when the piston moves responsive to differences between the inlet pressure and the pressure on the underside of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A fluid valve for use in elevated pressure and temperature conditions. Composition material wiper rings are provided in the packing bore between the packing follower and the packing box ring. The composition wiper rings have an inner diameter substantially the same as the valve stem diameter to inhibit the extrusion of packing material during sliding valve operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing differential pressures is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having an inner chamber filled with an incompressible working fluid. First and second diaphragms are provided in said housing for interacting with the fluids being measured. A flex-tube is provided in the housing and is coupled to one of the diaphragms for sensing the differential pressure. One end of the flex-tube is securely mounted to the housing and the other end is coupled to the diaphragm. A quartz sensor is positioned on the core for sensing strain applied to the flex-tube by the differential pressure exerted on the diaphragm.

Abstract: A fluid control valve with a rotatable shaft and a ball valve mounted within a flow bore. The ball has one or more V-shaped grooves for controlling fluid flow. In the closed position the ball and walls of the flow bore are in a continuous line sealing contact. The valve may be mounted and opened to enable complete drainage of fluid in the connecting pipeline which is an advantage in sanitary applications. The ball and shaft are part of a removable bonnet assembly with the ball inserted into the flow bore through an aperture in the valve body. A one-piece seal in the aperture provides a static seal between the valve body and bonnet and a dynamic shaft seal.

Abstract: A self-operated droop compensated 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 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. The orifice tube has an extension for providing a boost action 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.

Abstract: A zero and span adjustment circuit for current to pressure transducers. Current sources in parallel with the transducer bypass current around the transducer. One current source includes a variable resistor for adjusting the zero set point independently of the input current signal. The other current source includes a variable resistor for adjusting the span of the output pressure proportional to the input current signal. A feedback resistor couples a feedback signal from the transducer current to the other current source to vary the bypass current.

Abstract: A fluid valve with improved valve trim for reliable fluid shut off in high pressure applications. The improved valve trim includes a flexible metal seat with a lip portion which flexes outwardly upon sealing contact with a valve plug seating surface. A deformable seal mounted in the seat is prevented from substantial outward movement by a rigid metal seal retainer and is squeezed outwardly around the plug seating surface as the seat lip portion flexes outwardly.

Abstract: A sanitary valve includes a valve body having a straight-through cylindrical valve chamber terminating in flanges with a valve element support intersecting the valve chamber at a right angle. The valve element is cylindrically shaped with a hemispherical tip that is covered with an elastomeric material which includes a raised circular seal that extends around the circumference of the valve element and a raised U-shaped seal that extends over the tip. The circular seal always engages the supporting means in both the rotatable and sliding versions of the valve to preclude any environmental exposure of the valve chamber.

Abstract: A diaphragm type regulator valve includes a pusher post with outwardly extending stop ears coupled to the diaphragm. The linkage coupling the pusher post and valve disc includes a lever having a pair of legs that engage a pin in a bifurcated portion of the pusher post for transmitting forces between the diaphragm and the valve disc. A retainer is rigidly mounted to the valve casing and pivotally supports the lever. The retainer includes a pair of stops that straddle the pusher post and extend in the path of travel of the stop ears thereon for positively restraining travel of the pusher post beyond a predetermined point should an excess pressure condition exist. Restraining travel of the pusher post prevents excessive stress on the linkage. A one piece plastic pressure relieve indicator mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved joint connection between a rotary valve shaft and valve closure member for a fluid valve. A tapered key has a flat surface tapered at a small angle with respect to the opposite key surface. The rotary valve shaft includes a groove with a flat surface. The tapered key is wedged into a passageway in the valve closure member to form an interference fit between the closure member, key and shaft.

Abstract: A hubless flange for a valve body has a cross section which tapers outwardly with radial distance from the center line of the flange for radially equalizing the tangential stress for annular fibers in the flange. The flange includes a plurality of bolt holes and strengthened areas of increased cross section surrounding the bolt holes which also serve as load bearing surfaces for mounting bolts.

Abstract: A pressure relief diaphragm type regulator valve includes a velocity boost body having an annular-shaped wrap-around pitot tube communicating with the vena contracta of a flowpath. The pressure at the vena contracta is communicated to the diaphragm by a small registration orifice in the boost body. The boost body defines a large relief orifice open to the annular pitot tube, but normally closed off from the diaphragm by a flapper. Under a rapid excess pressure condition, the flapper uncovers the relief orifice and large volume flow is permitted to the diaphragm.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for use with a mechanism having at least one preselected position and for indicating whether the mechanism is at this position. The apparatus comprises a lever having an axis of rotation and which is rotatable on the axis. A cam is fastened to the lever and is rotatable with the lever, the lever and the cam being operably connected to the mechanism and to be rotated to a first angular location when the mechanism is at the preselected position. A sensor is mounted adjacent the lever and is responsive to the position of the cam.

Abstract: A fluid filled force or pressure sensor for measuring an external force such as a fluid pressure. The apparatus includes a housing having a substantially planar backup surface, a flexible diaphragm having its radially outer portion sealed to the backup surface of the housing. A variable volume fluid chamber is formed between the backup surface and the diaphragm and is filled with a pressurized working fluid causing the diaphragm to flex outwardly away from the backup surface. The apparatus also includes a sensor chamber formed in the housing and in fluid communication with the variable volume fluid chamber. Mounted within the sensor chamber is a means for sensing variations in the density of the working fluid within the sensor chamber, such variations in density being caused by flexing of the diaphragm as a result of variations in the external pressure to be measured.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes a quartz crystal element 9 having a resonant frequency which is dependent on strain imposed on it. The crystal element 9 is caused to vibrate at its resonant frequency by pulses of light transmitted along an optical fibre 5 from a remote location indicated generally at 1. A signal produced by the vibration at the resonant frequency is taken from electrodes 10 and 12 and amplified at 13 and 14 before being used to switch on and off a switch 15 controlling a light source 16. The output from the light source 16, consisting of flashes of light of a frequency indicative of the strain, is transmitted along a second optical fibre 19 and is detected by a photocell 20. The frequency of the output of photocell 20 is measured at 21 to give the desired measurement of strain and to provide feedback to the drive unit 3 which determines the frequency of the flashes of light produced at 2.

Abstract: A rolling diaphragm regulator valve is affixed in a globe type valve body and includes a nonstretchable fabric reinforced elastomer diaphragm for covering and uncovering, by rolling action in response to changes in pressure in a control chamber, a plurality of apertures in a baffle positioned between the valve body inlet and outlet. An axially movable spring-biased nose piece, mounted behind the diaphragm, provides a surface over which the diaphragm is draped for controlling substantially all movement of the diaphragm. A travel indicator is operable by movement of the nose piece to provide a visual indication of the position of the valve. In one embodiment the baffle is notched adjacent to a peripheral mounting surface of the diaphragm, whereat the ends of the fabric reinforcement are exposed to permit entrained gases to escape. Other embodiments include areas of the diaphragm, exposed to the apertures, that have pinholes in the elastomer surface and that have the fabric surface exposed.

Abstract: An extremely accurate and reliable fluid pressure sensor for monitoring process pressure and sensing when predetermined pressure set points or limits have been reached. A Bourdon tube with a pivotally moving lever end responds to the process pressure. When the process pressure is within the desired pressure range, a fluid operated block and bleed relay is operated to provide a first pressure level at its outlet. As the preset pressure point is reached, the relay is operated to provide a change in the outlet pressure level for actuating suitable safety units. A pivoting beam responds to pivoting movement of the Bourdon tube lever arm about the pressure set points and effectively amplifiers or increases such movement to rapidly operate the relay. Snap-acting cap means with a self-aligning disc cap a nozzle port in the relay in response to pivoting beam movement.

Abstract: A piezoelectric beam structure for a vibrating beam force sensor in which three coplanar beams of piezoelectric material are spaced side by side and supported between respective common mountings at either end. The two outer counterbalancing beams in operation flex in opposite phase to the center main beam, with each beam flexing in a direction normal to the beam plane. A force sensor which includes this piezoelectric beam structure.

Abstract: A bidirectional rotary valve capable of use in high pressure flowpaths includes a pair of removable end retainers defining aligned ports and having a single rotatably mounted disc closely positioned therebetween. The disc has ports corresponding to those of the end retainers and is operated by link means coupled to an operating rod slidably mounted in the valve body. Rotation of the disc changes the alignment between its ports and those in the end retainers for controlling flow. The disc is loosely mounted on a bearing pin that is also loosely fitted in the end retainers to permit slight lateral movement of the disc and ready disassembly of the valve. The disc is constructed such that it will flex to a greater degree for a given pressure than the end retainers.