Abstract: Improved valve seal and integrity systems and methods are disclosed. Pressure in an internal cavity of a valve may be monitored and stored to assist in determining whether one or more seals in the valve are leaking. Internal cavity temperature may also be recorded and monitored to assist in determining whether there are any valve seal leaks. Expected pressure corresponding to a detected internal cavity pressure (that may be determined by correlating temperature and known fluid properties) may be compared to detected internal cavity pressure to assist in determining the existence of valve leaks. Internal cavity pressures and pressure differentials over time may be used to determine remaining valve seal life, leak severity, and/or integrity of a check valve on the valve. Indications of seal life, leak severity, seal integrity, and/or check valve integrity may be displayed to an end user or otherwise provided to a database or computer.

Abstract: Improved valve seal and integrity systems and methods are disclosed. Pressure in an internal cavity of a valve may be monitored and stored to assist in determining whether one or more seals in the valve are leaking. Internal cavity temperature may also be recorded and monitored to assist in determining whether there are any valve seal leaks. Expected pressure corresponding to a detected internal cavity pressure (that may be determined by correlating temperature and known fluid properties) may be compared to detected internal cavity pressure to assist in determining the existence of valve leaks. Internal cavity pressures and pressure differentials over time may be used to determine remaining valve seal life, leak severity, and/or integrity of a check valve on the valve. Indications of seal life, leak severity, seal integrity, and/or check valve integrity may be displayed to an end user or otherwise provided to a database or computer.

Abstract: A valve packing system uniformly distributes the radial packing load in a valve stuffing box. In one embodiment the cylindrical wall of the stuffing box is tapered with a flat bottom. In other embodiments the cylindrical wall of the stuffing box is straight with a tapered outbound bottom, the bottom of the packing ring is tapered at the same outbound angle to match the outbound taper at the bottom of the cylindrical stuffing box, the cylindrical wall of the stuffing box is straight with a tapered inbound bottom, the bottom of the packing ring is tapered at the same inbound angle to match the inbound taper at the bottom of the cylindrical stuffing box, and the cylindrical wall of the stuffing box is straight with a male “V” x-section at the bottom of the stuffing box to accept a packing ring having a female “V” groove on the bottom.

Abstract: Live loaded valve stem packing wherein grafoil packing is molded into a metal cap that prevents extrusion of the packing, and has live loading built into the metal cap. This metal cap can be conventional flat spring materials (17-7PH S.S. or 302 S.S.) or a Shape Memory Alloy (commonly known as SMA materials, e.g. Ni—Ti (Nickel-Titanium alloy) or Fe—Si—Mn (Iron-Silicon-Manganese alloy). The cap is designed with a singular hump, entirely along its top surface. On this hump there are two slots through the hump, 180 degrees apart, for ease of removing the packing. Upon assembly of the packing box, the hump is elastically flattened out due to axial loading through the fasteners. As the packing consolidates during service (optionally if the cap is SMA, during temperature increases) the hump deflects to maintain a relatively constant or enhanced axial load on the packing to enhance sealing, even during a fire.

Abstract: In the stem set configuration for a double block and bleed plug valve, the improvement provides an operator which can be significantly shorter and more compact than conventional operators for such valves. The invention makes use of a novel nesting of the threading section whereby a conventional female thread is replaced by a nested male thread surrounded by the translation section. The translation section, in turn, houses the indication section inboard of the nested male threads thereby compacting three functions into one location. This design lends itself nicely to investment casting technology obviating conventional machine shop practices. The invention also combines by use of a long plug stem pin, the plug connection and L slot functions into one location. The input function still remains separate, however, combining ultimately all functions in only three discrete locations and what appears at this time to be the ultimate compacted or nested arrangement.

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: 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 attendant 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: 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: 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.