Abstract: A two-position, three-way pilot valve having a hollow spool valve element connected to a valve stem having first and second ends of equal diameter for pressure balancing the valve. A biasing piston engages one end of the valve stem and a pilot piston engages the other end of the valve stem. The pistons may include two piston rings of different diameter for holding the pistons in alignment. The ends of the spool valve element are structurally designed to maximize valve seating without overstressing.

Abstract: A housing has a cage with supply fluid ports, vent ports and an outlet port. A pilot actuated hollow spool valve element is telescopically movable in the cage and engages poppet seats at opposite ends of the cage. Elongated supply and vent slots directed transversely to the axis of the cage and valve element provide maximum flow passages. The ends of the spool are in contact with the cage at all times and the axial extent of the contact between the spool and the cage is greater than fifty percent. The spool engages the interior of the cage at the fluid ports and vent ports for reducing flow restrictions. A recess coaxially positioned at each end of the cage receives one of the valve seats. The housing abuts the cage for properly loading the valve seats. A dash pot cushions the valve element. A pilot control stem is connected to the valve element exteriorly of the valve element. A seal carrier provides a seal between mating surfaces of an underwater control pod.

Abstract: A fail-safe system for use on a hydraulic piloted pressure reducing and regulating valve for holding the valve at the last selected operating pressure in the event of loss of control signals. A pressure regulating valve having a body and a control piston therein is provided with a pilot piston in the body which is adapted to be connected to and responsive to a hydraulic signal pilot pressure. A segmented locking ring surrounds the assembly and coacting concentric V-shaped locking grooves are provided between the locking ring and the assembly for locking the assembly. The segmented ring is biased towards an unlocked position. An annular cam ring engages the exterior of the locking ring. Coacting wedge surfaces between the cam ring and the locking ring are provided for locking and releasing the locking ring. The cam ring is biased for urging the coacting wedge surfaces into engagement.

Abstract: A hydraulic piloted pressure reducing and regulating valve which is fail safe for holding the valve at the last selected operating pressure in the event of the loss of control signals. A pressure regulating valve having a body and a control piston therein is provided with a pilot piston in the body which is adapted to be connected to a hydraulic pilot pressure. A spring is provided between the pilot piston and the control piston whereby the control piston can move in response to flow demands in the valve. A rod is connected to the pilot piston with a locking sleeve engaging the rod and releasably locking the rod and pilot piston against movement. A hydraulic pressure port is in communication with the space between the rod and the sleeve for releasing the rod upon application of pressure to the port. The port and the pilot piston are separately connected to a hydraulic fluid supply and a control system whereby upon failure the valve will maintain the last selected operating pressure.

Abstract: A seal for use in an underwater connector having first and second mating members each of which has a coacting mating surface with a plurality of fluid passageways for mating with the passageways of the other member. The seal is a resilient tubular member having threads on a portion of its outer diameter for connection to a passageway on one of the members. The seal includes a fluid sealing surface on its outer end for mating with the other member and the seal includes a fluid sealing surface on its inner end for sealing with the one member. The sealing point of the sealing surface on the outer end has a diameter at least as great as the diameter of the sealing point of the sealing surface on the inner end. The sealing surface on the inner end is formed by an O-ring seal in a groove in the annular resilient seal. The sealing surface on the outer end includes a ridge.

Abstract: In a hydraulic subsea control system having two separate redundant subsea control pods in which each pod is supplied with a hydraulic power supply line and a plurality of fluid control lines by surface controls. The improvement in means for alternately connecting and disconnecting the fluid control lines to each pod. Coacting quick disconnect couplings having first and second portions are positioned between the surface controls and each of the sets of fluid control lines to each pod. Each coupling portion includes a valve whereby when the first and second portions are engaged the valves permit fluid flow and when they are disengaged shut off fluid flow. First and second junction plates are connected between the surface controls and the connected fluid control lines and a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly is connected between the first and second plates for alternately connecting and disconnecting the couplings to each pod whereby the two pods are controlled separately, but redundantly.

Abstract: A rotary lift-turn type plug valve mechanism includes a valve body and bonnet structure defining a tapered valve chamber that receives a tapered plug member which is operated by linear and rotary components of movement to achieve valve operation. Externally adjustable plug positioning means is provided by the valve mechanism to enable the position of the plug element to be adjusted relative to the inlet and outlet flow passages defined by the valve body. Plug dampening means is also provided for applying a dampening force to the plug element to prevent slamming of the plug upon reaching the end of a rotational component of movement. A valve actuator is also provided that operatively engages the valve stem of the plug and is capable of imparting both linear and rotary components of movement to the valve stem for unseating, rotating and reseating the valve element within the valve chamber.

Abstract: An actuator mechanism for lift-turn type valves such as tapered plug valves and cam energized plug and slip assemblies includes an actuator housing structure that is adapted to be connected to a valve body. An actuator element that is adapted for interconnection with the operating stem of a valve element includes a cam energized mechanism which is capable of imparting both linear and rotary movement to the valve stem for sequentially unseating the valve element, rotating it 90.degree. to a selected position and moving it linearly in the opposite direction for reseating. During unseating and reseating linear movement, interengaging guide structure prevents undesired rotation of the actuator element and valve stem. An adjustment mechanism is provided to ensure optimum positioning of the actuator element relative to the valve stem. Energy transfer means is provided to ensure adequate transmission of forces during seating and unseating movement.

Abstract: A rotary lift-turn type plug valve mechanism includes a valve body and bonnet structure defining a tapered valve chamber that receives a tapered plug member which is operated by linear and rotary components of movement to achieve valve operation. Externally adjustable plug positioning means is provided by the valve mechanism to enable the position of the plug element to be adjusted relative to the inlet and outlet flow passages defined by the valve body. Plug dampening means is also provided for applying a dampening force to the plug element to prevent slamming of the plug upon reaching the end of a rotational component of movement. A valve actuator is also provided that operatively engages the valve stem of the plug and is capable of imparting both linear and rotary components of movement to the valve stem for unseating, rotating and reseating the valve element within the valve chamber.