Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a ball valve. The ball valve includes a one-piece valve body having an interior cavity and a ball element positioned within the interior cavity. The ball element includes a ball recess that surrounds a ball passageway and extends axially into a first side of the ball element. The ball valve further includes a trim arrangement having a first seat in contact with the first side of the ball element, a second seat in contact with a second side of the ball element, a first biasing element providing a contact stress between the first seat and the first side of the ball element, and a second biasing element providing a contact stress between the second seat and the second side of the ball element.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a trim arrangement for a ball valve. The trim arrangement can include a first seat assembly having a first seat, a threaded collar, and a biasing element. The first seat can be in contact with a first side of a ball element, and the threaded collar can be threadably coupled to the first seat and can be in engagement with the biasing element. The trim arrangement further includes a second seat assembly having a second seat in contact with a second side of the ball element. The threaded collar can have a profile that is configured to non-rotatably and slidably engage a corresponding profile of a collar bore of the valve body to prevent rotation of the threaded collar relative to the valve body.

Abstract: Level sensors having conductive target movement sensing are disclosed. An example level sensor includes a lever operatively coupled to a sensing member, a target operatively coupled to the lever, where the target includes a conductor, an inductive coil to generate a magnetic field and measure feedback signatures associated with the target and the magnetic field, and a processor to calculate a position of the sensing member based on the feedback signatures.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for alert management in instrumentation are disclosed. An example method includes generating a set of alerts within a process control instrument, processing the set of alerts to compare the set of alerts to known combinations of alerts, determining if one of the known combinations of alerts matches the set of alerts based on the comparison of the set of alerts to the known combinations of alerts, and identifying a recommended action instruction based on the determination.

Abstract: Loop-powered control of pneumatic process control devices is disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes an interface for use with a pneumatic process control device of a process control system. The interface includes a power input to scavenge power from a loop power control signal associated with the process control system, a sensor to determine a position of a movable control input associated with the process control device, a comparator to compare the determined position of the movable control input with a desired position of the movable control input, and an actuator to cause movement of the movable control input based on the comparison of the determined position with the desired position, where the actuator is to be powered with the scavenged power.

Abstract: A bushing having a shaft seal is disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fluid valve body, a valve shaft disposed in the fluid valve body, and a bushing disposed on the valve shaft between the valve shaft and the fluid valve body. The bushing includes a first groove disposed on an inner surface of the bushing and a second groove disposed on an outer surface of the bushing. A first seal is disposed in the first groove to seal against the valve shaft and a second seal is disposed in the second groove to seal against the valve body.

Abstract: Valve trim apparatus for use with fluid valves are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a cage to be positioned in a fluid flow passageway of a valve body. The cage having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The cage including columns extending between the first end and the second end at an angle relative to a primary fluid flow path of the cage. Each of the columns includes fluid flow passageways extending through the column from an outer peripheral surface of the column to an interior surface of the column. The columns are radially spaced about a circumference of the cage body to define fluid flow passageways between the columns.

Abstract: Adjustment of loop-powered pneumatic process control device interfaces is disclosed. A disclosed example interface for use with a pneumatic process control device includes a power input to scavenge power from a loop power control signal associated with the process control system, a movement controller to cause movement of an actuator powered by the loop power, where the actuator is operatively coupled to a movable control input associated with the process control device, and a calibrator to read position feedback of the actuator during the movement to calculate a positional error, where the calibrator is to adjust a set point of the loop power control signal based on the positional error to control the actuator.

Abstract: Valve packing installation apparatus and related methods for use with fluid valves are disclosed. An apparatus includes a tube to receive a stack of packing components. The tube has a first end and a second end. A plunger is disposed within the tube adjacent the second end. The plunger is slidable toward the first end to expel the stack of packing components into a valve in a predetermined order associated with an installation sequence.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coordinating operation of valves are disclosed. In some examples, an apparatus includes a valve controller to receive a first signal from a first control system to change an operating state of a valve, the valve controller is to provide the first control system exclusive control of the valve. In some examples, the valve controller is to receive a second signal from a second control system requesting permission to operate the valve, and send a response to the second control system indicating the first control system has exclusive control of the valve and has changed an operating state of the valve.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to correct remote sensor signals are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a sensor to generate a signal and a first memory to store calibration data associated with the sensor. The example apparatus also includes a second memory to store the calibration data and a first processor proximate to the sensor and the first memory to retrieve the calibration data from the first memory. In addition, the example apparatus includes a second processor, proximate to the second memory and remotely situated relative to the first processor. The second processor is to receive the signal from the sensor, receive the calibration data from first processor, and correct the signal based on the calibration data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a trim arrangement for a ball valve. The trim arrangement includes a first seat assembly having a first seat, a threaded collar, and a biasing element. The first seat is in contact with a first side of a ball element, and the threaded collar is threadably coupled to the first seat and in engagement with the biasing element. The trim arrangement further includes a second seat assembly having a second seat in contact with a second side of the ball element. The biasing element biases the first seat toward the first side of the ball element to provide a contact stress between the first seat and the first side of the ball element and the second seat and the second side of the ball element. The contact stress provided by the biasing element is adjustable by rotating the first seat.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to diagnose a valve using electric valve actuators are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an electric motor to actuate a valve, rotation sensors to monitor a rotation of a drive shaft associated with the electric motor to determine a distance travelled by the drive shaft, and a valve position sensor to monitor a position of a flow control member of the valve. The example electric valve actuator further includes a processor to generate an alert based on feedback from the rotation sensors and the valve position sensor, the alert associated with a failure of the valve.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to identify additively manufactured parts are disclosed. An example method of manufacturing includes layering a first set of layers of a first material via an additive manufacturing technique, the first material having a first density and layering a second set of layers of the first material via the additive manufacturing technique, the second set of layers to form a void embedded internally in the part, the void forming an indicium.

Abstract: An apparatus to identify proper loading for valve packing includes a packing follower for a fluid control valve. The packing follower has a cavity to receive a spring and at least a portion of a packing spacer. The apparatus also includes a first aperture disposed on an outer surface of the packing follower extending to the cavity to expose a portion of the spring.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to monitor a condition of a structure are disclosed.

Abstract: Integrated acoustic emission transducer apparatus and methods are described. An example apparatus includes an acoustic emission sensor having a data extractor and a process variable determiner integrated within the acoustic emission sensor. The acoustic emission sensor is to generate an acoustic emission signal. The data extractor is to extract signal data from the acoustic emission signal. The process variable determiner is to determine process variable data based on the extracted signal data. The process variable data includes at least one of leakage rate data, flow rate data, flow capacity data, flow area data, flow velocity data, mass accumulation data, or volume accumulation data.

Abstract: A process control valve comprises a valve body having an inlet and an outlet and a plug. The plug selectively restricts fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet. The plug can have a plug body and a plurality of fins extending radially outward from the plug body between a first end of the plug and a second end of the plug. Each one of the plurality of fins can have a tapered section proximate the second end of the plug. The tapered section can taper radially inward toward the second end of the plug.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus verify operation of acoustic emission sensors are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes an acoustic source acoustically coupled to a device, where the acoustic source is to generate an acoustic signal, and a processor to determine an operational condition of an acoustic emission sensor associated with the device based on measuring the generated acoustic signal at the acoustic emission sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an electrical terminal that provides wire termination at an edge of a printed circuit board. The electrical terminal includes a terminal body having a first corner, a cage clamp in the terminal body and defining a wire insert axis and a screw insert axis, and a base supporting the terminal body on the printed circuit board. The base is angled so that the first corner is aligned along a front plane defined along the edge of the printed circuit board.