Abstract: A valve seat and blast tube assembly is provided herein. The valve seat and blast tube assembly may include a ceramic valve seat liner positioned within a valve seat housing. The valve seat may be configured to couple to a blast tube/choke assembly.

Abstract: A plug head assembly is provided including a plug stem base comprising an interior volume, a plug head at least partially surrounded by a collet, and the plug head disposed at least partially within the plug stem base.

Abstract: A valve seat and blast tube assembly is provided herein. The valve seat and blast tube assembly may include a ceramic valve seat liner positioned within a valve seat housing. The valve seat may be configured to couple to a blast tube/choke assembly.

Abstract: A valve seat assembly and a plug head assembly is provided herein. The valve seat may include a set of ceramic valve seat liners. The plug head assembly may include a set of ceramic plug head liners.

Abstract: A valve seat assembly is provided herein. The valve seat may include a ceramic valve seat liner positioned within an upper segment that is proximal to a lower segment. An upper retaining ring may at least partially surround the upper segment.

Abstract: A valve seat and blast tube assembly is provided herein. The valve seat and blast tube assembly may include a ceramic valve seat liner positioned within a valve seat housing. The valve seat may be configured to couple to a blast tube/choke assembly.

Abstract: A valve seat and blast tube assembly is provided herein. The valve seat and blast tube assembly may include a ceramic valve seat liner positioned within a valve seat housing. The valve seat may be configured to couple to a blast tube/choke assembly.

Abstract: A valve seat assembly is provided herein. The valve seat may include a ceramic valve seat liner positioned within an upper segment that is proximal to a lower segment. An upper retaining ring may at least partially surround the upper segment.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a plug head assembly is provided comprising a ceramic plug head having a frustroconical geometry, wherein the ceramic plug head has a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, wherein the ceramic plug head has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), a sleeve having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the ceramic plug head and a second CTE, wherein the second CTE is greater than the first CTE, a distal retainer having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the sleeve, the distal retainer having a first engagement portion for engaging the a proximal retainer, the proximal retainer having a second engagement portion for engaging the distal retainer, and a base that couples with the proximal retainer. In addition, thick banded plug heads are provided.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a plug head assembly is provided comprising a ceramic plug head having a frustroconical geometry, wherein the ceramic plug head has a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, wherein the ceramic plug head has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), a sleeve having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the ceramic plug head and a second CTE, wherein the second CTE is greater than the first CTE, a distal retainer having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the sleeve, the distal retainer having a first engagement portion for engaging the a proximal retainer, the proximal retainer having a second engagement portion for engaging the distal retainer, and a base that couples with the proximal retainer.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a plug head assembly is provided comprising a ceramic plug head having a frustroconical geometry, wherein the ceramic plug head has a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, wherein the ceramic plug head has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), a sleeve having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the ceramic plug head and a second CTE, wherein the second CTE is greater than the first CTE, a distal retainer having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the sleeve, the distal retainer having a first engagement portion for engaging the a proximal retainer, the proximal retainer having a second engagement portion for engaging the distal retainer, and a base that couples with the proximal retainer. In addition, thick banded plug heads are provided.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a plug head assembly is provided comprising a ceramic plug head having a frustroconical geometry, wherein the ceramic plug head has a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, wherein the ceramic plug head has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), a sleeve having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the ceramic plug head and a second CTE, wherein the second CTE is greater than the first CTE, a distal retainer having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the sleeve, the distal retainer having a first engagement portion for engaging the a proximal retainer, the proximal retainer having a second engagement portion for engaging the distal retainer, and a base that couples with the proximal retainer. In addition, thick banded plug heads are provided.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a plug head assembly is provided comprising a ceramic plug head having a frustroconical geometry, wherein the ceramic plug head has a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, wherein the ceramic plug head has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), a sleeve having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the ceramic plug head and a second CTE, wherein the second CTE is greater than the first CTE, a distal retainer having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the sleeve, the distal retainer having a first engagement portion for engaging the a proximal retainer, the proximal retainer having a second engagement portion for engaging the distal retainer, and a base that couples with the proximal retainer. In addition, thick banded plug heads are provided.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a plug head assembly is provided comprising a ceramic plug head having a frustroconical geometry, wherein the ceramic plug head has a proximal terminus and a distal terminus, wherein the ceramic plug head has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), a sleeve having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the ceramic plug head and a second CTE, wherein the second CTE is greater than the first CTE, a distal retainer having a frustroconical geometry conforming to the sleeve, the distal retainer having a first engagement portion for engaging the a proximal retainer, the proximal retainer having a second engagement portion for engaging the distal retainer, and a base that couples with the proximal retainer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to valve plugs for reducing erosion of the valve plug head and/or seat. More specifically, this invention comprises a valve plug incorporating a choke transfer trim that reduces the time of exposure of the plug head and/or seat to high velocity and high pressure drop at the interface of the plug head and seat when the valve is in the closed position. The choke transfer trim transfers the flow control area of the valve away from the plug head/seat interface to a location downstream, thereby reducing erosion at the interface between the valve plug head and/or seat that is typically used for fluid throttling and shut off.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bonding ceramic materials are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a process is provided comprising the steps of disposing a bonding material at least partially adjacent to a surface of a first silicon carbide component and at least partially adjacent to a surface of a second silicon carbide component, and bonding said first silicon carbide component to said second silicon carbide component by heating, wherein said bonding material comprises vanadium or titanium.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, methods and apparatuses for designing and configuring dissimilar material retention, specifically a valve plug assembly, are disclosed. The methods and apparatuses enable the application of a wider range of materials in a valve plug assembly than previous valve plug assemblies, and also increase the operational temperature range of the valve plug assembly. In an exemplary embodiment, a valve plug assembly comprises a plug head, a collet surrounding the plug head, a plug base adjacent to the collet, and a retainer surrounding the tapered outside surface of the collet and the plug base, where the plug head extends past the collet and the retainer. The valve plug assembly is configured to create an interference fit of the various components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to valve plugs for reducing erosion of the valve plug head and/or seat. More specifically, this invention comprises a valve plug incorporating a choke transfer trim that reduces the time of exposure of the plug head and/or seat to high velocity and high pressure drop at the interface of the plug head and seat when the valve is in the closed position. The choke transfer trim transfers the flow control area of the valve away from the plug head/seat interface to a location downstream, thereby reducing erosion at the interface between the valve plug head and/or seat that is typically used for fluid throttling and shut off.

Abstract: A nozzle design and method for designing such a nozzle being adapted for three phase slurry flow from the choke into the flash tank during pressure let-down in autoclave mining operations that uses a selection of the expansion ratio in the choke to select a nozzle dispersion angle to select a spread of the flow over the slurry pool in the flash tank, to generally maximize the use of the pool for energy dissipation without causing undo wear and tear on the tank walls.

Abstract: A valve plug design is disclosed that uses a plug head band and a retaining ring to restrain a valve plug head to a valve plug stem. This invention is specifically directed to providing valve plugs where the plug head material is different and distinct from the plug stem material and where each material is selected to optimize its performance. Moreover, this invention is provided with a means for fixing and removing the plug head to and from the plug stem that can easily be worked in the field without special purpose manufacturing equipment, thereby making the maintenance, repair and replacement of plug head easier for users. This valve plug design subjects the plug head to reduced stresses thereby enhances the operating life of the valve and valve plug. This valve plug design provides a shock absorbing, compliance barrier around and/or under the plug head.