Abstract: An erosion resistant article is formed by cladding a substrate with tiles having a surface layer of polycrystalline material such as diamond or cubic boron nitride. The tiles may be entirely polycrystalline diamond or may have a backing of cemented tungsten carbide. Such an article can be trim for a high pressure valve wherein a sleeve is partly lined with polycrystalline diamond tiles and a plug is clad with polycrystalline diamond tiles.

Abstract: A low-noise valve has a body with a fluid inlet to receive pressurized fluid, an outlet and a fluid passageway extending between the inlet and outlet. Located in the passageway are a number of spaced throats. The valve also includes a movable stem with a number of plugs each adapted to be closely received by a corresponding throat. Each plug includes a plurality of circumferential alternating grooves and lands, the lands being closely spaced within the throats to create a plurality of flow restrictions each incrementally restricting fluid flow when the stem is at a minimum flow position. Movement of the stem toward a full open position sequentially removes the lands from the throat to reduce restriction of such fluid flow in stages.

Abstract: An erosion resistant control valve or adjustable choke has a body with a side inlet, an end outlet and a conical valve seat in alignment with the outlet. Downstream from the valve seat are a converging passage having a smaller taper than the valve seat, a cylindrical passage and a diverging passage. A stem aligned with the seat assembly includes a plug having a tapered seal surface near its upstream end for engaging the valve seat and a converging control surface downstream therefrom with the same taper as the converging passage. The smaller end of the control surface is in the cylindrical passage when the valve is closed and in the converging passage is fully open for localizing erosion downstream from the valve seat. A bleed passage relieves pressure from within the valve before the valve bonnet can be removed. The valve can be locked in a selected control setting by a split ring engaging the stem.

Abstract: A high torque reversible stepping actuator for valves can drive in small increments in response to fluid pressue pulses. The stepping actuator has oppositely facing ratchet wheels on a common shaft linked to the stepping actuator output. A pair of operator means can drive the ratchet wheels in opposite directions. Each operator means comprises a fluid pressure actuator connected to a drive pawl for driving one of the ratchet wheels in one direction. A pair of locking pawls normally engage the ratchet wheels preventing rotation in either direction. The fluid pressure actuator disengages one of the locking pawls sequentially before engaging the drive pawl with the ratchet wheel, thereby permitting advance of the ratchet wheel. The other locking pawl remains engaged and prevents back drive of the ratchet wheels and stepping actuator due to elastic deformation of the drive train connecting the ratchet wheel with the valve or other mechanism being driven.

Abstract: An erosion resistant control valve or adjustable choke has a body with a side inlet, an end outlet and a conical valve seat in alignment with the outlet. Downstream from the valve seat are a converging passage having a smaller taper than the valve seat, a cylindrical passage and a diverging passage. A stem aligned with the seat assembly includes a plug having a tapered seal surface near its upstream end for engaging the valve seat and a converging control surface downstream therefrom with the same taper as the converging passage. The smaller end of the control surface is in the cylindrical passage when the valve is closed and in the converging passage is fully open for localizing erosion downstream from the valve seat. A bleed passage relieves pressure from within the valve before the valve bonnet can be removed. The valve can be locked in a selected control setting by a split ring engaging the stem.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device, particularly for use in connection with valves used in the control of fluids under high pressure, is disclosed. In the new structure, the valve trim includes a form of flow restrictor, which serves to limit flow velocity and which causes the fluid pressure to be reduced in a sufficient number of discrete stages to minimize noise and cavitation. The new flow restrictor comprises an axial stack of annular discs, each provided with a plurality of annular baffle ribs projecting from its opposite end faces. The annular baffle ribs on one side of the disc are slotted along a number of equally spaced radii, and the ribs on the opposite side of a disc are similarly slotted, but along radii offset from the first set of radii. When a series of these discs is assembled in a stack, downwardly facing ribs of one disc fit between upwardly facing ribs of a disc next below, providing a series of annular passages interconnected by radial slots.

Abstract: The dislosure relates to fluid flow control devices, particularly for use in connection with valves used in the control of fluids under high pressure. In the new structure, the valve trim includes a novel and advantageous form of flow restrictor, which serves to limit flow velocity and which causes the fluid pressure to be reduced in a sufficient number of discrete stages to minimize noise and cavitation. The new flow restictor comprises an axial stack of annular discs, each provided with a plurality of annular baffle ribs projecting from its opposite end faces. The annular baffle ribs on one side of the disc are slotted along a number of equally spaced radii, and the ribs on the opposite side of a disc are similarly slotted, but along radii offset from the first set of radii. When a series of these discs is assembled in a stack, downwardly facing ribs of one disc fit between upwardly facing ribs of a disc next below, providing a series of annular passages interconnected by radial slots.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a controllable valve structure, for throttling liquids under high pressure in a manner to minimize cavitation damage to the valve parts. The valve structure includes a cylindrical trim cage surrounding the valve seat and plug and formed with a relatively large multiplicity of passages for the radially inward flow of liquid. The orifices are so shaped and contoured that the effective throttling orifice of each is formed as close as practicable to the inner wall of the trim cage, causing formation of vena contracta in regions spaced as far as practicable from the walls of the trim cage. This reduces damage resulting from cavitation and correspondingly increases the useful operating life of the valve.

Abstract: An automatically regulated variable orifice desuperheater valve is disclosed which includes improved constructional features providing for a more compact installation then heretofore, one which is more reliable in operation and which is at the same time more economical to construct. The desuperheater unit has a welded-closed housing, which includes a concentrically mounted valve guide structure. The lower portion of the desuperheater valve housing structure is arranged so that, after the unit is welded closed, with the valve guide structure contained therein, the valve element may be inserted into the housing from the bottom or inlet opening, followed by a shouldered sleeve which functions as the valve seat. The sleeve is seated against a facing shoulder in the inlet opening of the valve housing, and is secured against such shoulder by appropriate means such as welding.

Abstract: A low-noise valve has a body with a fluid inlet to receive pressurized fluid, an oulet and a fluid passageway extending between the inlet and outlet. Located in the passageway are a number of spaced throats. The valve also includes a movable stem with a number of plugs each adapted to be closely received by a corresponding throat. Each plug includes a plurality of circumferential alternating grooves and lands, the lands being closely spaced within the throats to create a plurality of flow restrictions each incrementally restricting fluid flow when the stem is at a minimum flow position. Movement of the stem toward a full open position sequentially removes the lands from the throat to reduce restriction of said fluid flow in stages.