Abstract: An improved bleed system for a double block and bleed plug-type valve which employ a safety check valve which automatically shuts off bleed system flow upon ruptures or upon an inadvertently open manual bleed valve during normal plug valve operation. An integral component combines the safety check valve and other bleed system components in a unitary device which is especially resistant to plumbing damage incidents.

Abstract: A unified block integral bleed system for use with valves such as plug-type valves wherein pressure release flow occurs through a manifold port mounting arrangement which accesses upstream, downstream and body cavity portions of the valve and provides atmosphere taps as well without external piping. Such a manifold integral body bleed system provides internal flow channels and is preferrably configured as a separate external unit which can be retrofitted to existing valve installations in the field. The manifold bleed system may be attached to the valve, such as by welding, or may be located at a position remote from the valve.

Abstract: An improved plug type valve of the type having seat and reseat retractable seals, the plug assembly having a tapered faceted cylindrical plug with a waterway therethrough. A first pair of shut-off slips is positioned on the plug for axial movement, relative to the plug, wherein the plug surfaces adjacent the shut-off slips are tapered for retracting the shut-off slips as the plug is moved vertically in a first direction relative to the inlet and the outlet of the valve. A pair of thru-bore slips are positioned on the plug adjacent the waterway for relative axial movement therebetween. The plug surfaces adjacent the thru-bore slips are tapered for retracting the thru-bore slips as the plug is moved vertically in a second direction, relative to the inlet and outlet of the valve. The thru-bore slips have a thru-bore aperture to permit flow through the waterway without leakage around the plug and thus the interior of the valve body, when the waterway is aligned with the inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A unified block integral bleed system for use with valves such as plug-type valves wherein pressure release flow occurs through a manifold port mounting arrangement which accesses upstream, downstream and body cavity portions of the valve and provides atmosphere taps as well without external piping. Such a manifold integral body bleed system provides internal flow channels and is preferably configured as the bonnet of the valve but could also be configured for example as the lower plate of the valve. In fact, any valve component which provides inherent access to the upstream and downstream throats and the central body cavity could serve as the bleed system manifold component as well.

Abstract: Fluid pressure changes are imposed on selected interior surfaces of a plug passageway of a plug valve to create torque. In one embodiment perturbations are provided in selected flow surfaces of the valve plug to create turbulent boundary layer flow along such surfaces which generates a beneficial stabilizing torque tending to reduce or eliminate holding forces conventionally provided by mechanical parts such as detent mechanisms. In another embodiment, pilot holds between interior and exterior plug surfaces are used to alter the fluid pressure at diagonally opposite locations relative to the plug rotation axis to produce the stabilizing torque.

Abstract: A novel sealing arrangement for fluid carrying devices and particularly for plug type valves, such as retractable double block and bleed plug valves. The sealing arrangement of the present invention adds secondary and tertiary seals to the conventional packing gland primary seal along the outer surface of the trunnion of such plug type valves. A unique isolated chamber is formed between the secondary and tertiary seals and because of the elastomeric nature of the secondary and tertiary seals, this isolated chamber is bubble tight and thus resists the gradual accumulation of minute leakage, which might otherwise cause false alarms in prior art leakage sensing equipment. Furthermore, the bubble tight feature of a chamber between isolated elastomeric seals, enables purging this chamber for making accurate observations and measurements of true leakage that might otherwise be an environmental hazard.

Abstract: Self supporting, non-lubricated retractable seal double block and bleed plug valve wherein an improved plug configuration provides direct bearing surface support for the plug along at least a portion of the radial surface of the plug. The remaining radial surface of the plug may be optionally relieved to avoid scuffing the swept seating area of the interior valve body surface. By utilizing the novel plug configuration for direct plug bearing support, the present invention obviates the need for a lower trunnion and does away with the need for high load-bearing bushings. In all other respects, the operation of a plug valve, utilizing the plug of the present invention, remains substantially the same as it would be for a prior art plug valve. In fact, it is possible to substitute a novel plug configuration of the present invention for a prior art plug configuration for retrofitting existing valves of the type herein disclosed.

Abstract: An improved cathodoluminescence light collection system for use in electron microscopes provides an optical fiber, the facet or aperture of which is positioned adjacent the sample. The cathodoluminescence light, collected by the optical fiber in this manner, may be used to provide spectrally resolved cathodoluminescence images of the sample as well as local cathodoluminescence spectra of the type available in prior art cathodoluminescence light collection systems, but without incurring the numerous disadvantages of such prior art light collection systems. The present invention is relatively inexpensive, far easier to maintain because it does not require use of a mirror and, it is more compact in size thereby making it compatible with the physical limitations of more electron microscopes.

Abstract: A valve actuator control system, although suitable for many control functions, is especially adapted for remote control of plug-type valves utilizes a unique configuration providing a unitary explosion-proof container to house all electrical components and also providing a manifold assembly that is adapted for either a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator motor with relatively minor modification. The manifold assembly is designed to accept all utilized control valves, relief valves, check valves, flow control devices, and manually operable override controls thereby simplifying installation and maintenance and reducing attendent costs. Three independent solenoid valves, responsive to mechanical feedback provided through the plug-valve's operating stem and integrated into the manifold within the explosion-proof container, provide for actuator motor control including a novel dual speed capability for enhancing plug-valve performance while precluding costly premature wear.

Abstract: An improved cam sleeve operator for use primarily with valves of the plug type in which a tapered plug is raised to unseat associated slips and then rotated to a valve open position during opening of the valve and is rotated to a valve close position and lowered to seat the associated slips for closing the valve. The operator comprises a cylindrical housing having an inverted L-shape configuration, a cam sleeve which controls the position of the valve trunnion in response to the prime mover, and a pin connecting the valve trunnion to the operator for effecting sequential vertical and rotational motion of the valve trunnion in response to unitary continuous motion of the prime mover.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for use primarily in plug-type and ball-type valves provides means for continuously varying the flow rate of fluid through the valve while using the same operator that is used to control the open and closed position of the valve. The upper trunnion is integrally connected to a butterfly member and connected to the plug by a mechanical linkage comprising a latch rod and a roller latch with corresponding detents in the valve body and upper trunnion, respectively. The butterfly member controls the fluid flow with the plug in the open position in response to 90 degrees of overtravel in the same operator that controls the position of the plug.

Abstract: An improved plug-type valve of the type having a plug connected to slips wherein opening and closing the valve involves both vertical and rotational motion of the plug, the novel features of the invention residing in geometrical characteristics of plug, slips and valve body to make the vertical motion of the plug, both prior to and subsequent to the rotation of the plug and slips, unidirectional. Thus, unlike prior art plug-type valves wherein opening the valve may require a sequence comprising vertical upward motion, rotation and vertical downward motion, in the present invention the opening sequence comprises vertical upward motion, rotation and vertical upward motion. This unidirectional vertical component of plug motion both before and after plug and slip rotation, significantly reduces the complexity and cost of the operator or actuator to which the plug is connected by the trunnion.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for use primarily in plug-type valves provides means for continuously varying the flow rate of fluid through the valve while using the same operator that is used to control the open and closed position of the valve. The invention utilizes a globe valve-type throttling plug which requires no special mechanism to coordinate the throttling motion of the valve. Only the plug and lower plate of the valve body are modified relative to existing plug valves to achieve a unique flow control capability. The plug of the invention provides distinct inlet and outlet channels separated by a flow control passage which may be selectively obstructed by a fixed flow control element which is an integral portion of an inverted lower trunnion extending from the bottom plate of the valve body. The vertical position of the plug with the plug rotated for alignment with the inlet and outlet of the valve, determines the degree of flow through the plug.

Abstract: A toggle gate valve having a double block and bleed retractable sealing configuration which utilizes accurately positioned steel inserts as trim assembly guide plates to permit a significant reduction in valve body machining. The valve body as well as removable upper and lower bonnets form a pressure boundary that houses a toggle link actuated seal plate to close the valve and a through-conduit that is coaxially aligned with the input and output ports when the valve is opened. A novel stem configuration and removable through-conduit permit field servicing of the trim assembly (plug and seal plate) by means of access through the lower bonnet/body interface.