Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed that produce a pneumatic actuator end cap having an integral volume booster. An example pneumatic actuator end cap includes a first cavity to provide a first fluid passageway to receive a pressurized fluid from a source external to the pneumatic actuator end cap, a second cavity to provide a second fluid passageway to route the pressurized fluid to an internal chamber of a pneumatic actuator in which a piston is disposed, and a third cavity containing a fluid valve to control a flow of the pressurized fluid between the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture for valve trim apparatus for use with control valves are disclosed. An example valve trim apparatus for use with a fluid valve includes a cage positioned in a fluid flow passageway of a valve body, the cage including a primary valve seat and a secondary valve seat. The valve trim apparatus includes a valve plug slidably positioned within the cage, the valve plug including a primary sealing surface to sealingly engage the primary valve seat and a secondary sealing surface to sealingly engage the secondary valve seat, the primary sealing surface adjacent to a first end of the valve plug and the secondary sealing surface spaced away from the primary sealing surface along a longitudinal axis of the valve plug toward a second end of the valve plug.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed that produce a pneumatic actuator end cap having an integral volume booster. An example pneumatic actuator end cap includes a first cavity to provide a first fluid passageway to receive a pressurized fluid from a source external to the pneumatic actuator end cap, a second cavity to provide a second fluid passageway to route the pressurized fluid to an internal chamber of a pneumatic actuator in which a piston is disposed, and a third cavity containing a fluid valve to control a flow of the pressurized fluid between the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for configuring a pipe assembly includes an inner pipe positioned within an outer pipe, wherein at least one guide fixedly attached near an end of the pipe assembly cooperates with a recess integrated near the end of the pipe assembly to retain movement of the inner pipe with respect to the outer pipe.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture for valve trim apparatus for use with control valves are disclosed.

Abstract: Cage apparatus having fluid passageways to affect flow characteristics of valves are disclosed. An example valve cage includes clustered fluid flow passages. Each fluid flow passage has a first portion connected to a second portion. The first portion tapers towards the second portion and the second portion tapers towards the first portion. The clustered fluid flow passages include a first row and an adjacent second row. The first row and the second row are oriented at a first angle relative an axis of the valve cage to extend along a helically-shaped path on the valve cage.

Abstract: Cage apparatus having fluid passageways to affect flow characteristics of valves are disclosed. An example valve cage includes clustered fluid flow passages. Each fluid flow passage has a first portion connected to a second portion. The first portion tapers towards the second portion and the second portion tapers towards the first portion. The clustered fluid flow passages include a first row and an adjacent second row. The first row and the second row are oriented at a first angle relative an axis of the valve cage to extend along a helically-shaped path on the valve cage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for configuring a pipe assembly includes an inner pipe positioned within an outer pipe, wherein at least one guide fixedly attached near an end of the pipe assembly cooperates with a recess integrated near the end of the pipe assembly to retain movement of the inner pipe with respect to the outer pipe.

Abstract: Apparatus to bias valve closure members are described. An example valve includes a valve body having an opening defining a passageway. The opening has an axis that is substantially coaxially aligned with a flow path axis defined by the passageway. A first shaft supports a closure member within the passageway of the valve body and relative to the opening and an end cap removably coupled to the valve body retains the shaft within a bore of the valve body. A spring is disposed between the first seating surface and a second seating surface opposite the first seating surface to provide a force to oppose the weight of the closure member and facilitate alignment of the closure member relative to the opening of the passageway.

Abstract: Actuator levers, collets and collet tools for use in process control devices are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a tool for installing or removing a collet from an actuator lever. The example tool comprises a tool body and at least one of a plurality of inner-diameter threads, a plurality of outer-diameter threads, or a plate to removably couple the tool to at least one of an actuator lever or a collet. The tool is configured to apply a force to at least one of the actuator lever, the collet, a valve shaft, or an intervening structure to install the collet in or remove the collet from the actuator lever.

Abstract: Collets for coupling rotary actuators to valves are disclosed. An example collet includes a first plurality of flexible members configured to be coupled to an elongated member and each having a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The first inner surface and the first outer surface define a first cross-sectional shape. The example collet further includes a second plurality of flexible members configured to be coupled to the elongated member and each having a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second inner surface and the second outer surface define a second cross-sectional shape that is different from the first cross-sectional shape of the first plurality of flexible members.

Abstract: Apparatus to bias valve closure members are described. An example valve includes a valve body having an opening defining a passageway. The opening has an axis that is substantially coaxially aligned with a flow path axis defined by the passageway. A first shaft supports a closure member within the passageway of the valve body and relative to the opening and an end cap removably coupled to the valve body retains the shaft within a bore of the valve body. A spring is disposed between the first seating surface and a second seating surface opposite the first seating surface to provide a force to oppose the weight of the closure member and facilitate alignment of the closure member relative to the opening of the passageway.

Abstract: A biasing apparatus includes a first spring seat that has a first seating surface and a first protruding member extending a predetermined distance from the first seating surface and a second spring seat that has a second seating surface and a second protruding member extending a predetermined distance from the second seating surface. The first and second protruding members engage to slidably couple the first and the second spring seats.

Abstract: A packing nut assembly for a control valve having a valve body and a valve stem includes a packing box arranged for operative coupling to the valve body and having a primary bore sized to receive the valve stem and first and second counterbores. The first counterbore is sized to receive valve packing and the second counterbore includes internal threads. A packing nut having a central bore is sized to receive the valve stem and includes a threaded outer surface positioned to engage the second counterbore of the packing box. The packing nut includes an adjustment surface positioned to face the first counterbore, and includes an adjustment head having a plurality of tool-receiving apertures sized to receive an adjustment tool.

Abstract: Actuator levers, collets and collet tools for use in process control devices are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a tool for installing or removing a collet from an actuator lever. The example tool comprises a tool body and at least one of a plurality of inner-diameter threads, a plurality of outer-diameter threads, or a plate to removably couple the tool to at least one of an actuator lever or a collet. The tool is configured to apply a force to at least one of the actuator lever, the collet, a valve shaft, or an intervening structure to install the collet in or remove the collet from the actuator lever.

Abstract: Actuator levers, collets and collet tools for use in process control devices are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an actuator lever, a collet coupled to the actuator lever, and a collet tool. In the example apparatus, the collet tool is removably coupled to at least one of the lever or the collet, and the collet tool applies a force to at least one of the actuator lever, the collet, a valve shaft, or an intervening structure to couple or decouple the collet to or from the lever.

Abstract: Collets for coupling rotary actuators to valves are disclosed. An example collet includes a first plurality of flexible members configured to be coupled to an elongated member and each having a first inner surface and a first outer surface. The first inner surface and the first outer surface define a first cross-sectional shape. The example collet further includes a second plurality of flexible members configured to be coupled to the elongated member and each having a second inner surface and a second outer surface. The second inner surface and the second outer surface define a second cross-sectional shape that is different from the first cross-sectional shape of the first plurality of flexible members.

Abstract: Apparatus to bias valve closure members are described. An example biasing apparatus includes a first spring seat that has a first seating surface and a first protruding member extending a predetermined distance from the first seating surface and a second spring seat that has a second seating surface and a second protruding member extending a predetermined distance from the second seating surface. The first and second protruding members engage to slidably couple the first and the second spring seats.