Abstract: An example method includes moving a first portion of a control element and a second portion of the control element coupled to the first portion from a closed position to an intermediate position. In the closed position, the first portion being seated against a first valve seat thereby preventing flow through a first orifice and the second portion being seated against a second valve seat thereby preventing flow through a second orifice. In the intermediate position, flow through the first orifice is deterred and flow through the second orifice is permitted. The method includes moving the first portion and the second portion from the intermediate position to an open position. In the open position, the first portion being spaced from the first valve seat thereby permitting flow through the first orifice and the second portion being spaced from the second valve seat thereby permitting flow through the second orifice.

Abstract: To generate a setpoint signal to stroke a valve during a partial-stroke test, a first target is determined for the setpoint signal based at least on a travel displacement threshold, the travel displacement threshold corresponding to a desired extent of travel of the valve during the partial-stroke test; the setpoint signal is ramped from an initial value to the first target, during a first time interval; subsequently to the first time interval, the setpoint signal is maintained at the first target during a second time interval; a second target is determined for the setpoint signal based at least on the initial value; and during a third time interval subsequent to the second interval, the setpoint signal is ramped from the first target to the second target in a direction opposite to the ramping of the setpoint signal during the first time interval.

Abstract: A method of custom manufacturing a fluid pressure reduction device for use in a process control valve. The method includes creating the fluid pressure reduction device using an additive manufacturing technique, which generally includes forming a body and forming a plurality of flow paths in the body. The body has an inner wall and an outer wall spaced radially outward of the inner wall. The flow paths are formed in the body between the inner wall and the outer wall of the body. Each of the flow paths includes an inlet section formed in one of the inner and outer walls, a curved intermediate section, and an outlet section formed in the other of the inner and outer walls.

Abstract: A valve trim for use in a fluid flow control device. The valve trim includes a cage body defined by an outer cage wall and an inner cage wall coupled to the outer cage wall, the outer cage wall spaced radially outward of the inner cage wall. The valve trim also includes a plurality of first flow characterizing passages formed in the outer cage wall, and a plurality of second flow characterizing passages formed in the inner cage wall. The cage body is at least partially made of an erosion-resistant material.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture for reducing noise and/or cavitation in valves are disclosed. An example disclosed herein includes a valve including a valve body including a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a fluid passageway extending between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and a valve trim apparatus disposed in the fluid passageway, the valve trim apparatus including a plug and a cage, the plug circumscribing the cage, the plug including first openings, the cage including second openings, the plug movable relative to the cage between a first position to enable fluid communication between the first openings of the plug and the second openings of the cage, and a second position to prevent fluid communication between the first openings of the plug and the second openings of the cage.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system (100) includes a build tool (110) configured to deposit a feedstock material and/or deliver consolidation energy promoting consolidation of the feedstock material within an accessible range defining a build space. The system also includes a controller (120) configured to determine a build trajectory through the build space, where the build trajectory includes build points at which the feedstock material and/or the consolidation energy is applied (202), determine respective consolidation times of the feedstock material for one or more of the plurality of the build points (204), determine a deposition rate at which the feedstock material is deposited and/or consolidation energy is delivered to the feedstock material based at least in part on the determined consolidation times of the feedstock material (204), and cause the build tool to build an object in accordance with the determined build trajectory and the determined deposition rate (208).

Abstract: Rotary ball valves with noise attenuators are disclosed herein. An example rotary ball valve includes a valve body defining a passageway between an inlet and an outlet, a ring-shaped seal in the passageway, a closure member in the passageway, the closure member rotatable in the passageway relative to the seal, and a noise attenuator coupled to the closure member in the passageway. The closure member and the noise attenuator are rotatable between a closed position, a fully open position, and a plurality of intermediate positions between the closed position and the fully open position. The noise attenuator includes walls that are spaced apart from each other. The walls at least partially form a plurality of channels. The channels are aligned with the passageway when the noise attenuator is in the fully open position. The walls include a first wall that is curved such that such that when the noise attenuator is in a first intermediate position, an edge of the first wall is aligned with the seal.

Abstract: A valve packing having independently loaded packing rings is disclosed. A packing assembly for a fluid valve includes a first packing ring, a first follower to be disposed at least partially within a bore of a bonnet of the fluid valve to apply a first load to the first packing ring, a second packing ring sized to fit within a bore of the first follower, and a second follower to be disposed at least partially within the bore of the first follower to apply a second load to the second packing ring within the bore of the first follower.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to adjust operation of a fluid flow control assembly are disclosed. An example safety valve controller apparatus includes comparator circuitry to compare a current measurement to at least one of a first threshold associated with a first flow setting of a fluid flow control assembly or a second threshold associated with a second flow setting of the fluid flow control assembly, and determine a first drive signal associated with the first flow setting or a second drive signal associated with the second flow setting in response to satisfying a respective one of the first or second thresholds, and current modulating circuitry to determine a third drive signal based on the current measurement, the third drive signal to modulate the flow setting of the fluid flow control assembly between the first and second flow settings.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device include a valve body including an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet. A valve trim is at least partially disposed in the passageway of the valve body. The valve trim includes a restrictor having a wall and a plurality of passages extending through the wall. A diffuser is coupled to the restrictor and including a porous body. The porous body is adjacent to the plurality of passages of the restrictor.

Abstract: Wear-resistant electro-pneumatic converters are disclosed. An electro-pneumatic converter includes a body including an axial passageway extending between a first opening and a second opening, the first opening associated with a supply port, the supply port to receive pressurized fluid from a pressure supply source, a solenoid disposed within the axial passageway, an armature including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the second side facing the solenoid, the armature movable between a first position and a second position, the pressurized fluid blocked from flowing through the output port when the armature is in the first position, the pressurized fluid to flow through the output port when the armature is in the second position, and a spring coupled to the first side of the armature, the spring to bias the armature toward the first position.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for automatically determining friction of a control valve. An example apparatus includes a hysteresis measurement controller to determine an average control hysteresis value for a valve over a first range of travel of the valve, a comparator to compare the average control hysteresis value to a second value corresponding to a second range of travel of the valve encompassing the first range of travel of the valve, and a step size selector to select one of multiple control step sizes for the valve based on the comparison.

Abstract: A digital positioner for a valve includes a valve controller configured to obtain a set point value for a valve travel of a valve, and generate a pulse-width modulated current signal based on the set point value. The digital positioner also includes a current-to-pressure converter configured to receive the pulse-width modulated current signal from the valve controller, convert the pulse-width modulated current signal to a pulse-width modulated pressure signal, and provide the pulse-width modulated pressure signal to a pneumatic actuator in the valve to adjust a position of the valve.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a valve plug apparatus for use with control valves. An example valve plug apparatus disclosed herein an upper plug segment, a middle plug segment, and a lower plug segment, the middle plug segment positioned between the upper plug segment and the lower plug segment, the upper plug segment, the middle plug segment and the lower plug segment defining an overall length of the valve plug, the middle plug segment removably coupled to the upper plug segment and the lower plug segment.

Abstract: A modular valve assembly can include a core spool module and a plurality of end connection modules. The end connection modules can be configured to be secured to the core spool module at one or more of a core inlet or a core outlet of the core spool module to provide one or more respective, different flow configurations for the modular valve assembly. The core spool module can include a bonnet portion that is integrally formed with the core inlet and the core outlet and a seat ring configured to provide a seal against flow of process fluid through the modular valve assembly.

Abstract: A valve seat is provided for use in a rotary valve for use in highly corrosive and abrasive applications. The valve seat includes a seat body adapted to selectively engage a portion of the floating ball element. The valve seat also includes a sealing element disposed in a first groove formed in the seat body and adapted to prevent fluid flow between the seat body and the valve body. The valve seat further includes a first bearing disposed in a second groove formed in the seat body, and a second bearing disposed in a third groove formed in the seat body, wherein the second and third grooves are formed immediately adjacent the first groove such that the first and second bearings are disposed immediately adjacent the sealing element.

Abstract: An attenuator dome for a ball valve includes a body defining an upstream surface and a downstream surface. The body has first and second attenuation sections. The first attenuation section has a single stage with a first plurality of passages extending from the upstream surface to the downstream surface. The second attenuation section has a first stage with a second plurality of passages extending from the upstream surface to a first plenum formed inside the body and a second stage with a third plurality of passages extending from the first plenum to the downstream surface. The single stage of the first attenuation section has first flow area percentage, the first stage of the second attenuation section has a second flow area percentage less than the first flow area percentage, and the second stage has a third flow area percentage greater than the second flow area percentage.

Abstract: A flow control valve includes a valve body having a first section and a second section attached to the first section. A flow control member is positioned within the valve body and a shaft extends through the valve body and is connected to the flow control member to move the flow control member between an open position and a closed position. A sealing gasket is positioned within the valve body and engages the valve body to prevent the flow of fluid between the first section and the second section. The sealing gasket has an annular metallic body having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface, the outer surface defining a primary sealing surface, a groove formed in the outer surface, and an insert positioned within the groove, the insert defining a secondary sealing surface.

Abstract: A flow conditioner of a valve assembly includes a body including a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a flow path connecting the first end and the second end. A non-planar surface is formed in the first end of the body. A plurality of channels define the flow path and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. At least one channel of the plurality of channels has a length different from a length of an adjacent channel of the plurality of channels. A cylindrical housing surrounds the plurality of channels and includes a first end and a second end. The first end is proximally located to the first end of the body. The non-planar surface of the first end is defined in part by an end of the at least one channel of the plurality of channels.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed that produce a pneumatic actuator end cap having an integral volume booster. An example pneumatic actuator end cap includes a first cavity to provide a first fluid passageway to receive a pressurized fluid from a source external to the pneumatic actuator end cap, a second cavity to provide a second fluid passageway to route the pressurized fluid to an internal chamber of a pneumatic actuator in which a piston is disposed, and a third cavity containing a fluid valve to control a flow of the pressurized fluid between the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway.