Abstract: A monolithic metal thermal insulating sleeve liner for fluid flow devices such as valves and piping used in severe industrial applications is additively manufactured (e.g., by 3D printing) to fit the bore of a protected fluid flow device. Tessellated support structures obliquely extending between inside surfaces of inner and outer shells provide increased resistance to thermal conduction while also providing increased strength against compression forces. Example support structures include an array of four obliquely oriented elongated members mutually intersecting mid-way between the inside surfaces of inner and outer cylindrical shells. If internal interstices are sealed they can be vacuumed or pressurized to enhance thermal insulating properties. A pressure equalizing aperture can be provided on or through the sleeve if needed in some applications.

Abstract: A two-piece valve shell (body and bolted-on top bonnet) structure reduces possible leakage paths while also providing a top-side ball/stem installation/removal path (when the bonnet piece is not present) to facilitate initial valve assembly as well as subsequent inspection/removal of the ball/stem and other valve internals for conducting valve maintenance without requiring the valve body to be removed from its process connections. Internal wetted valve surfaces are coated with tantalum to provide a tantalum ball valve suitable for use as a sulfuric acid feed valve in severe high-temperature high-pressure industrial processes such as HPAL processes. Sealing cavities created by spaced-apart body-to-bonnet and/or stem-to-bonnet sealing structures can be inertly pressurized to hermetically isolate the sealing structures from ingress/leakage of corrosive process materials.

Abstract: A two-piece valve shell (body and bolted-on top bonnet having external fins to dissipate heat) structure reduces possible leakage paths while also providing a top-side ball/stem installation/removal path (when the bonnet piece is not present) to facilitate initial valve assembly as well as subsequent inspection/removal of the ball/stem and other valve internals for conducting valve maintenance without requiring the valve body to be removed from its process connections. In some implementations, a second/bottom bonnet is also attached to the body such that it covers another opening to the ball cavity.

Abstract: A thermal insulating sleeve liner for fluid flow devices such as valves and piping used in severe industrial applications is preferably additively manufactured (e.g., by 3D printing) to fit into the bore of a protected fluid flow device. Internal interstices and/or external ribs provide added thermal insulation. An integrally formed end-lip or a separate end-cap secures and/or locates the sleeve liner within the protected fluid flow device between different diameter distal and proximal portions of the bore. If internal interstices are sealed they can be vacuumed or pressurized to enhance thermal insulating properties. Fitted dimensions are sufficiently small to prevent ingress of thermally conductive particles circulating in use within the flow path of the protected flow device. A pressure equalizing aperture can be provided on or through the sleeve if needed in some applications.

Abstract: A monolithic metal thermal insulating sleeve liner for fluid flow devices such as valves and piping used in severe industrial applications is additively manufactured (e.g., by 3D printing) to fit the bore of a protected fluid flow device. Tessellated support structures obliquely extending between inside surfaces of inner and outer shells provide increased resistance to thermal conduction while also providing increased strength against compression forces. Example support structures include an array of four obliquely oriented elongated members mutually intersecting mid-way between the inside surfaces of inner and outer cylindrical shells. If internal interstices are sealed they can be vacuumed or pressurized to enhance thermal insulating properties. A pressure equalizing aperture can be provided on or through the sleeve if needed in some applications.

Abstract: A tactile display device includes: a touch plate with a touch surface, a network of taxels formed in solid parts of the touch plate or in solid parts of a sub-plate that forms part of the touch plate with each taxel made up of a strip that can be in at least two states, with the change from one state to another indirectly or directly modifying the tactile sensation, and a mechanism for modifying the state of the taxel strips in a selective manner, including for addressing and for modifying the taxels' tactile sensation. Each taxel strip has a spiral shape, bordered on either side by a gap in the form of a spiral.