Abstract: A recovery unit configured to re-inject lost or fugitive emissions back into a pipeline. These configuration may include a pressure vessel that can hold gas (or other fluid) that might vent to atmosphere from, for example, a valve or like flow control. A pump may couple with the pressure vessel. In use, this pump can draw fluid out of the pressure vessel and pressurize it to inject back into the pipeline, typically downstream of the valve. The pump may utilize upstream pressure as a power source.

Abstract: A flow control that is configured to monitor energy use. These configurations may include a controller that delivers a signal to pressurize a pneumatic actuator. This controller may have software that can calculate energy use based on pressure of the signal and, for example, changes in position of a valve. This feature can provide real-time data that operators can use to identify potential problems on their process lines. In one implementation, the operators can flag devices that exhibit energy use that trends away from baseline levels. These devices may have inherent issues that can manifest into larger, more catastrophic problems, potentially causing quality problems with end product or requiring the operating to shut-down the process line altogether.

Abstract: A monitor device that is configured for use on flow controls and like industrial devices. The embodiments may include a resonator that is sensitive to vibrations on the flow control. The resonator may generate a non-electrical signal, like pressure waves. This non-electrical signal can transit a conduit to a sensor that can convert the pressure waves into an electrical signal. On valve assemblies, a controller can process the electrical signal to detect potential health or maintenance issues. The controller may, in turn, generate an alert to prompt operators to perform maintenance on the flow control.

Abstract: An amplifier is configured for use in a control valve. These configurations provide a pneumatic signal to an actuator that regulates flow through the device. The amplifier may include a variable orifice, or bleed valve, that moves in response to changes in actuating media around steady state. This bleed valve prevents bleed of actuating media at steady state. This feature reduces energy consumption or emissions from the control valve.

Abstract: A controller for a valve assembly that is configured to meet requirements for use in hazardous areas. These configurations may regulate flow of instrument air to a pneumatic actuator to operate a valve. The controller may comprise enclosures, including a first enclosure and a second enclosure, each having a peripheral wall forming an interior space, and circuitry comprising a barrier circuit disposed in the interior space of one of the enclosures that power limits digital signals that exits that enclosure. In one example, the peripheral wall of enclosures are configured to allow instrument air into the interior space of the first enclosure but to prevent instrument air from the interior space of the second enclosure.

Abstract: A controller for a valve assembly that is configured to meet requirements for use in hazardous areas. These configurations may regulate flow of instrument air to a pneumatic actuator to operate a valve. The controller may comprise enclosures, including a first enclosure and a second enclosure, each having a peripheral wall forming an interior space, and circuitry comprising a barrier circuit disposed in the interior space of one of the enclosures that power limits digital signals that exits that enclosure. In one example, the peripheral wall of enclosures are configured to allow instrument air into the interior space of the first enclosure but to prevent instrument air from the interior space of the second enclosure.

Abstract: A controller for a valve assembly that is configured to meet requirements for use in hazardous areas. These configurations may regulate flow of instrument air to a pneumatic actuator to operate a valve. The controller may comprise enclosures, including a first enclosure and a second enclosure, each having a peripheral wall forming an interior space, and circuitry comprising a barrier circuit disposed in the interior space of one of the enclosures that power limits digital signals that exits that enclosure. In one example, the peripheral wall of enclosures are configured to allow instrument air into the interior space of the first enclosure but to prevent instrument air from the interior space of the second enclosure.

Abstract: A system that provides localized monitoring of characteristics of instrument gas that a valve assembly uses to modulate the flow of a working fluid. The system includes components that generate an output in response to, for example, particulates, humidity, temperature, and other characteristics of the instrument gas. Processing of data and information in the output can help to diagnose changes in the characteristics of the instrument gas. This diagnosis is useful to predict a time frame during which the valve assembly and components associated therewith might fail and/or require maintenance before the valve assembly manifests significant problem that are detrimental to a process line.

Abstract: A controller for a valve assembly that is configured to meet requirements for use in hazardous areas. These configurations may regulate flow of instrument air to a pneumatic actuator to operate a valve. The controller may comprise enclosures, including a first enclosure and a second enclosure, each having a peripheral wall forming an interior space, and circuitry comprising a barrier circuit disposed in the interior space of one of the enclosures that power limits digital signals that exits that enclosure. In one example, the peripheral wall of enclosures are configured to allow instrument air into the interior space of the first enclosure but to prevent instrument air from the interior space of the second enclosure.

Abstract: An attenuating device that is configured to replace motion converters in conventional control valve assemblies. The attenuating device can generate an output displacement in response to a position of a plug relative to a seat in the valve assembly. In one embodiment, the attenuating device comprises a spring assembly with a pair of spring members, disposed in series, and configured to assume a deflection that reduces the displacement of the plug to a smaller displacement that is useful to position a target member of a sensor. This embodiment, however, forgoes the mechanisms of conventional devices in lieu of components that are amenable to compact design. In this way, the attenuating device can substantially fit within the existing structure of the valve assembly, and, in one construction, the attenuating device is disposed in the actuator of the valve assembly.

Abstract: A system that provides localized monitoring of characteristics of instrument gas that a valve assembly uses to modulate the flow of a working fluid. The system includes components that generate an output in response to, for example, particulates, humidity, temperature, and other characteristics of the instrument gas. Processing of data and information in the output can help to diagnose changes in the characteristics of the instrument gas. This diagnosis is useful to predict a time frame during which the valve assembly and components associated therewith might fail and/or require maintenance before the valve assembly manifests significant problem that are detrimental to a process line.

Abstract: A system that provides localized monitoring of characteristics of instrument gas that a valve assembly uses to modulate the flow of a working fluid. The system includes components that generate an output in response to, for example, particulates, humidity, temperature, and other characteristics of the instrument gas. Processing of data and information in the output can help to diagnose changes in the characteristics of the instrument gas. This diagnosis is useful to predict a time frame during which the valve assembly and components associated therewith might fail and/or require maintenance before the valve assembly manifests significant problem that are detrimental to a process line.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system that can detect leaks that occur in seals, and in one example, to seals found in a valve. In one embodiment, the system utilizes sensors that measure fluid properties of a sample volume proximate to the seal. The system can compare data from these measurements with data from a sample of a reference fluid (e.g., ambient air) to indicate the presence of working fluid in the sample volume. This result may indicate problems with the seal, e.g., degradation of the seal that is meant to prohibit the working fluid from migrating out of the valve.

Abstract: An attenuating device that is configured to replace motion converters in conventional control valve assemblies. The attenuating device can generate an output displacement in response to a position of a plug relative to a seat in the valve assembly. In one embodiment, the attenuating device comprises a spring assembly with a pair of spring members, disposed in series, and configured to assume a deflection that reduces the displacement of the plug to a smaller displacement that is useful to position a target member of a sensor. This embodiment, however, forgoes the mechanisms of conventional devices in lieu of components that are amenable to compact design. In this way, the attenuating device can substantially fit within the existing structure of the valve assembly, and, in one construction, the attenuating device is disposed in the actuator of the valve assembly.

Abstract: A system that provides localized monitoring of characteristics of instrument gas that a valve assembly uses to modulate the flow of a working fluid. The system includes components that generate an output in response to, for example, particulates, humidity, temperature, and other characteristics of the instrument gas. Processing of data and information in the output can help to diagnose changes in the characteristics of the instrument gas. This diagnosis is useful to predict a time frame during which the valve assembly and components associated therewith might fail and/or require maintenance before the valve assembly manifests significant problem that are detrimental to a process line.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system that can detect leaks that occur in seals, and in one example, to seals found in a valve. In one embodiment, the system utilizes sensors that measure fluid properties of a sample volume proximate to the seal. The system can compare data from these measurements with data from a sample of a reference fluid (e.g., ambient air) to indicate the presence of working fluid in the sample volume. This result may indicate problems with the seal, e.g., degradation of the seal that is meant to prohibit the working fluid from migrating out of the valve.