Abstract: A closure member is configured for use in a valve. These configurations may have a coating or conformal layer that may cover most, if not all, of the underlying material. This layer may include pre-propagated cracks that form due to thermal cycling prior to use in service. These pre-propagated cracks act as stress relief to accommodate for possible thermal stress that occurs due to different rates of thermal expansion between the underlying closure member and the coating. In one implementation, the layer may include a crack profile, which is engineered to direct formation of the pre-propagated cracks as well as to arrest crack development to a certain depth to maintain at least some integral layer of material over the underlying plug 118. This feature can extend service life of the plug, particularly in highly-erosive process fluids, like particle-entrained fluids commonly found in hydrocracking or refining operations.

Abstract: A sensor configured to measure rate of flow of fugitive emissions on a flow control. The configurations may include devices that are sensitive to low flow or low pressure. These devices may include piezo-electric films or foams. These materials may deflect in response to flow of fluid along the outer surface of the reciprocating shaft. In one implementation, the embodiments can generate average leak rate over time and measure against regulation or specifications to ensure appropriate operation (e.g., leak suppression) of the flow control. Storing this data can provide a database of information that allows operators to benchmark performance of the flow control, for example, to correlate leaks to a certain date or time. This feature may, in turn, permit the operators to also correlate the device-specific performance to overall plant or network operations.

Abstract: A sensor configured to measure rate of flow of fugitive emissions on a flow control. The configurations may include devices that are sensitive to low flow or low pressure. These devices may include piezo-electric films or foams. These materials may deflect in response to flow of fluid along the outer surface of the reciprocating shaft. In one implementation, the embodiments can generate average leak rate over time and measure against regulation or specifications to ensure appropriate operation (e.g., leak suppression) of the flow control. Storing this data can provide a database of information that allows operators to benchmark performance of the flow control, for example, to correlate leaks to a certain date or time. This feature may, in turn, permit the operators to also correlate the device-specific performance to overall plant or network operations.

Abstract: A valve trim that is configured to abate noise in a control valve. These configurations may include a cage with a flow path that has interior and exterior openings. The cage may also have a bore to receive a closure member or “plug.” This plug can travel longitudinally to change parameters of flow through the control valve. In one implementation, the exhausts of flow paths with adjacent inlets are offset or spaced from another. In one implementation, the exterior openings vertically offset. However, other designs may adopt combinations of radial, helical, or angular offsets as well. This feature can prevent mixing of flow from jets that are in the same inlet plane. This feature, in turn, can reduce jet-to-jet interactions that may abate noise. Use of additive manufacturing may be useful (or even necessary) to create these parts within certain design envelopes because these techniques can create the unique flow geometry within a unitary or monolithic body.

Abstract: A closure member is configured for use in a valve. These configurations may have a coating or conformal layer that may cover most, if not all, of the underlying material. This layer may include pre-propagated cracks that form due to thermal cycling prior to use in service. These pre-propagated cracks act as stress relief to accommodate for possible thermal stress that occurs due to different rates of thermal expansion between the underlying closure member and the coating. In one implementation, the layer may include a crack profile, which is engineered to direct formation of the pre-propagated cracks as well as to arrest crack development to a certain depth to maintain at least some integral layer of material over the underlying plug 118. This feature can extend service life of the plug, particularly in highly-erosive process fluids, like particle-entrained fluids commonly found in hydrocracking or refining operations.

Abstract: A control system is configured to monitor operation of a flow control, like a control valve. These configurations can use of continuous or real-time data to evaluate fitness or function of the device under operating conditions. This feature can alert operators to problems or issues with one or more devices, or process lines in total. These problems may, for example, indicate that a valve is incorrectly sized for actual working conditions. As a result, engineers may find that the valve is too big (or oversize) or too small (or undersize) because the design process for layout of the process line relies upon a design load that reflects a future maximum (plus some factor of safety), and not the actual working conditions that might prevail once the device is in service in the field.

Abstract: A valve trim that is configured to abate noise in a control valve. These configurations may include a cage with a flow path that has a spiral design or layout. This flow path can direct flow around a central bore. A plug may reside in this bore. This plug can travel longitudinally to change parameters of flow through the control valve. In one implementation, the spiral design can split flow inside of the cage. This feature can elongate travel of flow without any increase in dimensions of the cage (or the valve trim itself).

Abstract: A sensor configured to measure rate of flow of fugitive emissions on a flow control. The configurations may include devices that are sensitive to low flow or low pressure. These devices may include piezo-electric films or foams. These materials may deflect in response to flow of fluid along the outer surface of the reciprocating shaft. In one implementation, the embodiments can generate average leak rate over time and measure against regulation or specifications to ensure appropriate operation (e.g., leak suppression) of the flow control. Storing this data can provide a database of information that allows operators to benchmark performance of the flow control, for example, to correlate leaks to a certain date or time. This feature may, in turn, permit the operators to also correlate the device-specific performance to overall plant or network operations.

Abstract: A valve component and method for controlling fluid flow comprises a body having a first surface and a second surface. At least one tortuous flow channel extends between the first surface and the second surface. The flow channel is at least partially defined by a floor portion and a ceiling portion. The body is formed as one-piece by additive manufacturing to concurrently define the flow channel as a void space. At least one of the floor portion and ceiling portion is disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane containing a layer of material forming the body.

Abstract: A valve component and method for controlling fluid flow comprises a body having a first surface and a second surface. At least one tortuous flow channel extends between the first surface and the second surface. The flow channel is at least partially defined by a floor portion and a ceiling portion. The body is formed as one-piece by additive manufacturing to concurrently define the flow channel as a void space. At least one of the floor portion and ceiling portion is disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane containing a layer of material forming the body.

Abstract: A valve component for controlling fluid flow comprises a body having a first surface and a second surface. At least one tortuous flow channel extends between the first surface and the second surface. The flow channel is at least partially defined by a floor portion and a ceiling portion. The body is formed as one-piece by additive manufacturing to concurrently define the flow channel as a void space. At least one of the floor portion and ceiling portion is disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane containing a layer of material forming the body.

Abstract: A valve component for controlling fluid flow comprises a body having a first surface and a second surface. At least one tortuous flow channel extends between the first surface and the second surface. The flow channel is at least partially defined by a floor portion and a ceiling portion. The body is formed as one-piece by additive manufacturing to concurrently define the flow channel as a void space. At least one of the floor portion and ceiling portion is disposed at an acute angle relative to a plane containing a layer of material forming the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of applying a coating to a perforated substrate, the method comprising: (a) providing a perforated substrate having a substrate first surface, a substrate second surface and one or more perforations traversing the substrate from the first surface to the second surface; (b) bringing the substrate first surface into contact with a perforation blocking solid; (c) applying a metallic thermal spray coating composition to the substrate second surface using a thermal spray technique; and (d) separating the perforation blocking solid from the substrate first surface to provide a substrate having a metallic thermal spray coating disposed upon the substrate second surface and wherein the perforations are not occluded by the metallic thermal spray coating. Among its many other uses, the method is also useful for applying thermal spray coatings to the interior surface of valve cages used in flow control valves.