Abstract: To simplify the process of adjusting travel sensor alignments on process control valves, a method and system generates a graphical interface to display alignment information to a user or operator. The graphical interface visualizes the state of alignment between a feedback element and a sensing element that comprise a magnetic travel sensor on a process control valve. Using the graphical interface, the user or operator can easily determine whether the alignment between the feedback element and the sensing element is proper or correct. The graphical interface also provides information on whether or not physical adjustments are needed in order to fix detected alignment problems so that impending failures can be avoided and optimal performances can be achieved. In this manner, the method and system improves the reliability and accuracy of valve travel feedback.

Abstract: A transducer for a connection to a fluid pressure source having a mechanism for setting a pneumatic output by way of an electrical input signal. The transducer provides a lower housing assembly and an upper housing assembly. The lower housing assembly comprises lower housing configured to receive a supply nozzle. The supply nozzle fluidly communicates with a supply port and intermittently fluidly communicates with an output port of the lower housing through an internal fluid passageway. The upper housing assembly comprises an upper housing configured to receive a coil and an armature such that the upper housing, coil and armature define a latching electromagnetic circuit that provides alternating contact of the armature with the supply nozzle of the lower housing assembly.

Abstract: Valve plugs having curved notches are described herein. An example valve plug includes a first section defining a first end, a second section defining a second end opposite the first end, and a third section located between the first and second sections, the third section including a curved notch formed inwardly from a periphery of the third section toward a longitudinal axis of the valve plug defined by the first, second and third sections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to test acoustic emission sensors are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a process control device, an acoustic emission sensor coupled to the process control device, where the acoustic emission sensor detects an operational condition of the process control device, and a piezoelectric tuning fork acoustically coupled to the acoustic emission sensor to test the operational condition of the acoustic emission sensor.

Abstract: Example acoustic emission sensors with integral acoustic generators are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include an acoustic receiver, an acoustic generator, and a wear plate. The acoustic generator is disposed adjacent to the acoustic receiver. The wear plate is acoustically coupled to the acoustic receiver and to the acoustic generator. The wear plate is to convey acoustic energy from the acoustic generator to the acoustic receiver through a structure under test to which the apparatus is coupled. The wear plate includes first acoustic isolation to impede transmission of acoustic energy from the acoustic generator to the acoustic receiver through the wear plate.

Abstract: An example terminal block includes an annular arrangement of terminal pairs. Each of the terminal pairs has a first height and is adjacent another terminal pair having a second height different from the first height.

Abstract: Example composite valve plugs and related methods are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include a valve plug tip, a valve plug body, and an additively deposited material. The valve plug tip includes a head portion and a tail portion extending from the head portion. The valve plug body includes a cavity extending from a first end of the valve plug body toward a second end of the valve plug body. The cavity matably receives the tail portion of the valve plug tip. The additively deposited material is bonded to the valve plug body to retain the tail portion of the valve plug tip in the valve plug body.

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 aperture, an outlet aperture, and an intermediate section extending between the inlet and outlet apertures. At least a portion of the intermediate section extends in a substantially vertical direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, such that the flow paths are able to utilize previously un-used space in the device.

Abstract: A unitary valve trim assembly that can be easily installed in and removed from a valve body of a process control valve. The valve trim assembly includes a valve cage and a valve seat. The valve cage has a first projection that extends in a first direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the valve cage. The valve seat has a second projection that extends in a second direction, opposite the first direction, that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The second projection is arranged to engage the first projection to removably couple the valve seat to the valve cage.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a valve increases the availability of a control valve assembly used in a control process. A pair of positioners are arranged in a high-availability configuration and individually coupled to a controller. A first positioner includes an output coupled to a switch and a second positioner includes an output coupled to the switch. The operating state of the first positioner is monitored and the output of the first or second positioner allowed to pass through the switch to the control valve is dependent upon the operating status of the first positioner.

Abstract: A device is configured to operate in an industrial automation environment. The device includes a processing unit, a memory, an industrial communication interface to communicate with an external device via an industrial communication protocol, and a serial peripheral interface to communicate with a peripheral board during operation of the device. The device is configured to receive configuration data related to an industrial automation function of the device via the serial peripheral interface and store the received configuration data in the memory, when the serial peripheral interface is coupled to an external memory device. When the serial peripheral interface is coupled to the peripheral board, the device is configured to operate to perform the industrial automation function, in accordance with the received configuration data.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to calibrate valve-mounted instruments, such as a position controllers and/or a position transmitter, are described. An example tangible computer-readable medium comprises instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to receive a first value representative of a current position of a valve, receive a second value representative of a sensitivity of a position sensor, compute a first estimated value corresponding to an expected fully-open position of the valve based on the received first and second values, compute a second estimated value corresponding to an expected fully-closed position of the valve based on the received first and second values, receive a control signal representative of a desired position of the valve, and in response to the received control signal, position the valve at substantially the desired position based on the first and second estimated values.

Abstract: A process control apparatus includes a housing, a process control device disposed in the housing, and a temperature control device operably coupled to the housing for regulating a temperature of an atmosphere internal to the housing. The temperature control device includes a vortex tube and a flow control valve. The flow control valve is coupled to the vortex tube and includes a temperature sensing feature configured to sense a temperature of an atmosphere internal to the housing and configured to move a control element of the flow control valve based on the sensed temperature between a plurality of positions to selectively direct the flow of fluid from the first and second vortex outlets to the atmosphere internal to the housing.

Abstract: Single-piece valve closure members (e.g., discs, plugs, balls, etc.) including integral flow paths formed via additive manufacturing processes are disclosed. In some examples, an apparatus includes a single-piece valve closure member. In some examples of the apparatus, the single-piece valve closure member includes an integral flow path to direct a flow of fluid within the valve closure member. In some examples, a method includes forming, via an additive manufacturing process, a single-piece valve closure member. In some examples of the method, the single-piece valve closure member includes an integral flow path to direct a flow of fluid within the valve closure member.

Abstract: Example field instrument temperature apparatus and methods for affecting or regulating a temperature of a field instrument are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a vortex tube having an inlet to receive a fluid, a first outlet to dispense a first portion of the fluid at a first temperature and a second outlet to dispense a second portion of the fluid at a second temperature, the second temperature being greater than the first temperature. The example apparatus also includes a first passageway fluidly coupled to the first outlet to direct the first portion of the fluid to an electronic device in a process control system to affect a temperature of the device.

Abstract: Valve trim for a valve includes a valve plug having one or more balance ports located along the outer surface of a tapered nose portion of the valve plug. Each balance port is located to be downstream of the throat and spaced from the tip of the tapered nose portion of the valve plug. The valve trim may be use, for example, in a high recovery angle body valve. A high recovery valve with the valve trim may have better recovery performance as well as a smaller spike in stem force through the choked flow transition point. A method of reducing stem forces on a valve stem of sliding stem valve is also provided.

Abstract: Electrical terminals and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. An example method of making an electrical terminal is disclosed that includes forming a base portion of a housing for the electrical terminal, forming a top portion of the housing, the top portion having an opening defining an entry point for a wire to be terminated, extending a connector pin out through a bottom surface of the base portion of the housing to enable electrical connection with a printed circuit board, and sealingly mating the top portion to the base portion to enclose a first wire clamp within the housing, the first wire clamp to secure the wire in electrical contact with the connector pin when the wire is extending into the housing through the opening, the base portion and the top portion being immovably affixed, wherein the first wire clamp is actuated by a screw.

Abstract: A thrust bearing for use with a rotary valve is provided. The thrust bearing includes a journal portion and a thrust portion. The journal portion is sized to be disposed between a valve body of the rotary valve and a drive shaft of the rotary valve. The thrust portion is sized to be disposed between the valve body and a control member disposed within the valve body and movable relative to a valve seat disposed within the valve body via a drive shaft to control fluid flow through the valve body. The thrust portion includes a flat surface adapted to engage a corresponding flat surface of the valve body when the bearing is subject to a combined thrust and torsional load via the drive shaft, such that the bearing can accommodate the combined thrust and torsional load.

Abstract: Seal assemblies for use with fluid valves are described. An example seal assembly includes a first seal and a second seal opposite the first seal. The first and second seals are to sealingly engage a closure member of a valve and a sealing surface opposite the closure member. A spacer ring is disposed between the first and second seals to prevent the first and second seals from contacting each other. The spacer ring has an aperture therethrough to enable pressurized fluid to flow from a first side of the spacer ring and a second side of the spacer ring opposite the first side.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus of stabilizing a valve positioner when testing a solenoid valve are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a solenoid valve and a valve positioner fluidly and communicatively coupled to the solenoid valve. The valve positioner is to be set in a pressure control state prior to conducting a test of the solenoid valve. The valve positioner is to detect a pressure change across the solenoid valve caused by the solenoid valve transitioning from a first state to a second state and transition the valve positioner from the pressure control state to a saturated state upon detecting the pressure change. The full supply pressure is to stabilize the valve positioner to conduct the test of the solenoid valve. The valve positioner is to maintain the saturated state until the pressure across the solenoid valve returns to the predetermined initial value.