Abstract: A component for a ball valve that is configured to reduce noise. The component or “shoe” can install into the valve body, for example, on a downstream side of a throttling ball. In one implementation, the embodiments comprise an annular ring with an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is cupped to receive a portion of the throttling ball. The outer surface may have a stepped profile with portions of the annular ring that have concentrically-decreasing diameter. This stepped profile sits in a corresponding recess in the valve body. Welds can be used to secure the shoe in place in lieu of fasteners, like bolts or screws.

Abstract: A component for a ball valve that is configured to reduce noise. The component or “shoe” can install into the valve body, for example, on a downstream side of a throttling ball. In one implementation, the embodiments comprise an annular ring with an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is cupped to receive a portion of the throttling ball. The outer surface may have a stepped profile with portions of the annular ring that have concentrically-decreasing diameter. This stepped profile sits in a corresponding recess in the valve body. Welds can be used to secure the shoe in place in lieu of fasteners, like bolts or screws.

Abstract: A valve control is configured for use with control valves and other flow controls. The valve control leverages a simplified structure to avoid problems with manufacture and reduce costs. This structure includes a support unit that compresses parts of a valve housing together. Inside of the valve housing, the structure incorporates diaphragms that cause a pair of balanced valves to move in response to changes in pressure of fluid in a conduit. For industrial application, the valve control finds use to maintain pressure of natural gas in pipelines downstream from a control valve.

Abstract: A component for a ball valve that is configured to reduce noise. The component or “shoe” can install into the valve body, for example, on a downstream side of a throttling ball. In one implementation, the embodiments comprise an annular ring with an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is cupped to receive a portion of the throttling ball. The outer surface may have a stepped profile with portions of the annular ring that have concentrically-decreasing diameter. This stepped profile sits in a corresponding recess in the valve body. Welds can be used to secure the shoe in place in lieu of fasteners, like bolts or screws.

Abstract: A valve control is configured for use with control valves and other flow controls. The valve control leverages a simplified structure to avoid problems with manufacture and reduce costs. This structure includes a support unit that compresses parts of a valve housing together. Inside of the valve housing, the structure incorporates diaphragms that cause a pair of balanced valves to move in response to changes in pressure of fluid in a conduit. For industrial application, the valve control finds use to maintain pressure of natural gas in pipelines downstream from a control valve.

Abstract: A valve control is configured for use with control valves and other flow controls. The valve control leverages a simplified structure to avoid problems with manufacture and reduce costs. This structure includes a support unit that compresses parts of a valve housing together. Inside of the valve housing, the structure incorporates diaphragms that cause a pair of balanced valves to move in response to changes in pressure of fluid in a conduit. For industrial application, the valve control finds use to maintain pressure of natural gas in pipelines downstream from a control valve.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a control valve assembly that has a structure amenable to manufacture. The actuator may comprise a housing comprising a plurality of walls secured to one another with fasteners to form an interior cavity, a torque hub disposed in the interior cavity, the torque hub comprising a torque body and a torque arm that are releasably engaged with one another via fasteners, each of the torque body and the torque arm having interfacing geometry that defines surfaces that engage with opposing surfaces on the other; and a load generator coupled with the torque hub.

Abstract: A control assembly that is configured to operate large, heavy duty flow controls. The control assembly may include a main support and a thin plate disposed on the main support, the thin plate having four sides forming a mounting surface, the thin plate also having lateral slots that extend lengthwise in a first direction between two of the sides and are arranged so adjacent lateral slots are spaced apart from one another in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A valve control is configured for use with control valves and other flow controls. The valve control leverages a simplified structure to avoid problems with manufacture and reduce costs. This structure includes a support unit that compresses parts of a valve housing together. Inside of the valve housing, the structure incorporates diaphragms that cause a pair of balanced valves to move in response to changes in pressure of fluid in a conduit. For industrial application, the valve control finds use to maintain pressure of natural gas in pipelines downstream from a control valve.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a control valve assembly that has a structure amenable to manufacture. The actuator may comprise a housing comprising a plurality of walls secured to one another with fasteners to form an interior cavity, a torque hub disposed in the interior cavity, the torque hub comprising a torque body and a torque arm that are releasably engaged with one another via fasteners, each of the torque body and the torque arm having interfacing geometry that defines surfaces that engage with opposing surfaces on the other; and a load generator coupled with the torque hub.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a control valve assembly that has a structure amenable to manufacture. The actuator may comprise a housing comprising a plurality of walls secured to one another with fasteners to form an interior cavity, a torque hub disposed in the interior cavity, the torque hub comprising a torque body and a torque arm that are releasably engaged with one another via fasteners, each of the torque body and the torque arm having interfacing geometry that defines surfaces that engage with opposing surfaces on the other; and a load generator coupled with the torque hub.

Abstract: A control assembly that is configured to operate large, heavy duty flow controls. The control assembly may include a main support and a thin plate disposed on the main support, the thin plate having four sides forming a mounting surface, the thin plate also having lateral slots that extend lengthwise in a first direction between two of the sides and are arranged so adjacent lateral slots are spaced apart from one another in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: An actuator for use in a control valve assembly that has a structure amenable to manufacture. The actuator may comprise a housing comprising a plurality of walls secured to one another with fasteners to form an interior cavity, a torque hub disposed in the interior cavity, the torque hub comprising a torque body and a torque arm that are releasably engaged with one another via fasteners, each of the torque body and the torque arm having interfacing geometry that defines surfaces that engage with opposing surfaces on the other; and a load generator coupled with the torque hub.

Abstract: A flame sensor apparatus is provided including a sensor for sensing specific characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber. The sensor includes a silicon carbide photodiode, and the sensor is spaced a distance from the combustion chamber. In addition, a fiber optic cable assembly extends between the sensor and the combustion chamber. The fiber optic cable can convey the specific characteristics of the flame from the combustion chamber to the sensor. The fiber optic cable assembly is included as part of a sealed array filled with an inert gas. In addition, a method of sensing specific characteristics of a flame is also provided.

Abstract: A method of removing a hydrocarbon compound from boron powder for a physical intermixture. A boron powder and hydrocarbon compound physical intermixture is provided. The physical intermixture is placed onto an inert container of one of quartz or ceramic, and placing such into an enclosed space. The environment of the space is altered to create an oxygen-lessened atmosphere and then heated to an elevated temperature of between 350° C. and 600° C. The method includes vaporizing at least some the hydrocarbon compound as a physical removal of the hydrocarbon compound from the boron powder at the elevated temperature and within the oxygen-lessened atmosphere. In one example, the remaining hydrocarbon compound is not more than about 0.1 weight percent of soluble residue.

Abstract: A flame sensor apparatus is provided including a sensor for sensing specific characteristics of a flame within a combustion chamber. The sensor includes a silicon carbide photodiode, and the sensor is spaced a distance from the combustion chamber. In addition, a fiber optic cable assembly extends between the sensor and the combustion chamber. The fiber optic cable can convey the specific characteristics of the flame from the combustion chamber to the sensor. The fiber optic cable assembly is included as part of a sealed array filled with an inert gas. In addition, a method of sensing specific characteristics of a flame is also provided.

Abstract: Methods for removing an organic contaminant from contaminated boron powder include providing a contaminated boron powder, the boron powder being comingled with an organic contaminant. The method also includes placing the contaminated boron powder onto an inert container and placing the inert container and the contaminated boron powder into an enclosed space. The enclosed space environment is altered to create an oxygen deficient atmosphere. A heat source is provided to heat the contaminated boron powder to an elevated temperature. The method includes vaporizing the organic contaminant so as to reduce the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder. Another method includes reducing the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder to not more than about 0.1 weight percent of soluble residue.