Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a valve includes an actuator with a cap. A plate that engages the inner diameter of the actuator housing is positioned within the actuator housing. A pressure chamber is located within the actuator housing between the plate and cap. A cap seal fluidly seals the pressure chamber between the cap and the actuator housing. The pressure chamber is fluidly sealed at the plate by one of a first plate seal assembly and a second plate seal assembly. The first plate seal assembly is formed by the diaphragm being secured between a seal nut and the plate. The second plate seal assembly is formed by an outer diameter sidewall seal located between the inner diameter of the actuator housing and the outer diameter of the plate and a retainer seal located between an outer diameter of the seal nut and an inner diameter of the plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a valve includes a first actuator having a first actuator housing and second actuator with a second actuator housing. A first plate is positioned within the first actuator housing and a second plate is positioned within the second actuator housing. An intermediate stem extends from a first pressure chamber of the first actuator housing to the second plate. A pressure media path extends through the intermediate stem and a second seal nut that extends into the second plate, the pressure media path providing fluid communication between the first pressure chamber, and a second pressure chamber of the second actuator housing. An injection port is open into one of the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber. The first plate and the second plate are movable in response to pressure media injected into the injection port, for actuating the valve.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a flow passage and a body cavity perpendicular to the flow passage. A bonnet is secured to the valve body. A valve member is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the valve member blocking the flow passage in the closed position, and allowing flow through the flow passage in the open position. A valve stem is coupled to the valve member. A debris barrier circumscribes the valve stem. The debris barrier comprises a first disk shaped member with a central opening through which the valve stem is inserted, and notches that extend radially from the central opening to define petals with ends that abut the valve stem.

Abstract: Autonomous selection between multiple virtualization techniques implemented in a virtualization layer of a virtualized computer system. The virtual machine monitor implements multiple virtualization support processors that each provide for the comprehensive handling of potential virtualization exceptions. A virtual machine monitor resident virtualization selection control is operable to select between use of first and second virtualization support processors dependent on identifying a predetermined pattern of temporally local privilege dependent instructions within a portion of an instruction stream as encountered in the execution of a guest operating system.

Abstract: A system for securing a valve actuator to a valve assembly includes an actuator housing with a plurality of housing lugs protruding radially. A cylinder assembly is located within the actuator housing and has a horseshoe connector to engage a valve stem nub of a valve stem and transfer axial movement of the horseshoe connector to axial movement of the valve stem. A bonnet has a plurality of bonnet lugs protruding radially from the bonnet to define a plurality of bonnet slots therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of housing lugs are sized to pass axially through a respective one of the plurality of bonnet slots when the actuator housing is in a released position, the actuator housing being rotatable to a locked position such that the plurality of bonnet lugs prevent axial movement of the actuator housing in at least one direction.

Abstract: Autonomous selection between multiple virtualization techniques implemented in a virtualization layer of a virtualized computer system. The virtual machine monitor implements multiple virtualization support processors that each provide for the comprehensive handling of potential virtualization exceptions. A virtual machine monitor resident virtualization selection control is operable to select between use of first and second virtualization support processors dependent on identifying a predetermined pattern of temporally local privilege dependent instructions within a portion of an instruction stream as encountered in the execution of a guest operating system.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a dynamic stem seal assembly includes a valve stem for moving a valve member from a closed position to an open position, the valve stem extending through a stem opening of a valve assembly body and having an axis. A packing assembly seals between the valve stem and the stem opening. The packing assembly has a seal assembly circumscribing the valve stem at a portion of the valve stem with a reduced outer diameter. The packing assembly also has a packing retainer assembly releasably secured to the valve stem at the portion of the valve stem with the reduced outer diameter. The packing assembly is axially static relative to the valve stem.

Abstract: A system for securing a valve actuator to body of a valve assembly includes an actuator housing having housing lugs protruding radially to define a plurality of housing slots therebetween. A bonnet has bonnet lugs protruding radially to define a plurality of bonnet slots therebetween. Each of the housing lugs are sized to pass axially through a respective one of the bonnet slots when the actuator housing is in a released position and, after passing through the bonnet slots, the actuator housing is rotatable to a locked position where at least a portion of one or more of the housing lugs is axially aligned with a portion of a respective bonnet lug to prevent axial movement of the actuator housing, the actuator housing rotating less than one full revolution between the released and locked positions. A securing mechanism prevents relative rotation between the actuator housing and the bonnet.

Abstract: A casing head assembly for landing on a stem head of a floating structure can include a stem head adapter assembly that includes a ring shaped stem head adapter plate. A solid upper ring is spaced axially above the stem head adapter plate, defining an adapter gap between the upper ring and the stem head adapter plate. At least one load cell can have a first end that is supported by the stem head adapter plate and a second end that engages the upper ring. At least one piston assembly is selectively secured to the upper ring. The casing head assembly also includes a casing head landed on, and secured to, the upper ring of the stem head adapter assembly. The load cell is selectively constrained between the upper ring and the stem head adapter plate by a load on the casing head.

Abstract: Autonomous selection between multiple virtualization techniques implemented in a virtualization layer of a virtualized computer system. The virtual machine monitor implements multiple virtualization support processors that each provide for the comprehensive handling of potential virtualization exceptions. A virtual machine monitor resident virtualization selection control is operable to select between use of first and second virtualization support processors dependent on identifying a predetermined pattern of temporally local privilege dependent instructions within a portion of an instruction stream as encountered in the execution of a guest operating system.

Abstract: An actuating apparatus for operating a valve assembly includes an actuator body that selectively couples to the valve assembly and an actuator stem that has an end that extends into the actuator body. The valve assembly has having a valve body, a valve member in the valve body, a valve stem attached to the valve member, and a profile on an end of the valve stem distal from the valve member. The actuating apparatus also includes an adapter assembly in the actuator body having a threaded end that engages the actuator stem, and a profiled end distal from the threaded end that engages the profile on the valve stem and couples to the valve stem, so that selectively applying axial forces to the adapter assembly moves the valve stem and the valve member.

Abstract: An actuator for operating a linear valve, such as a gate valve, includes a quick connect coupling between the housing and at least one of a bonnet and a power head assembly. In embodiments, the quick connect coupling includes a plurality of lugs spaced apart around an annular actuator housing surface, and a plurality of lugs spaced apart around an annular surface of another member such as a bonnet or power head, each of the lugs defining a plurality of slots therebetween. The lugs pass through corresponding slots, and then the housing is rotated relative to the other member until at least a portion of the lugs of each component are axially aligned in a locked position. The rotation is less than one full revolution of the rotated component. A latch prevents the component from rotating out of the locked position.

Abstract: An overpressure safety system for use with a distribution of pressurized fluid associated with hydrocarbon production operations includes a safety valve in fluid communication with a main bore of a fluid control manifold assembly. The safety valve has a blocking condition where the safety valve blocks a flow of pressurized fluid through the safety valve, and a venting condition where the safety valve provides a fluid flow path for the pressurized fluid at a set overpressure to pass through the safety valve. A valve member is moveable within the safety valve between a first position where a pressure side of the valve member blocks the flow of the pressurized fluid at a pressure below the set overpressure from passing through the safety valve, and a second position where the valve member provides a fluid flow path for the pressurized fluid at any pressure to pass through the safety valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a valve includes an actuator with a cap. A plate that engages the inner diameter of the actuator housing is positioned within the actuator housing. A pressure chamber is located within the actuator housing between the plate and cap. A cap seal fluidly seals the pressure chamber between the cap and the actuator housing. The pressure chamber is fluidly sealed at the plate by one of a first plate seal assembly and a second plate seal assembly. The first plate seal assembly is formed by the diaphragm being secured between a seal nut and the plate. The second plate seal assembly is formed by an outer diameter sidewall seal located between the inner diameter of the actuator housing and the outer diameter of the plate and a retainer seal located between an outer diameter of the seal nut and an inner diameter of the plate.

Abstract: A casing head assembly for landing on a stem head of a floating structure can include a stem head adapter assembly that includes a ring shaped stem head adapter plate. A solid upper ring is spaced axially above the stem head adapter plate, defining an adapter gap between the upper ring and the stem head adapter plate. At least one load cell can have a first end that is supported by the stem head adapter plate and a second end that engages the upper ring. At least one piston assembly is selectively secured to the upper ring. The casing head assembly also includes a casing head landed on, and secured to, the upper ring of the stem head adapter assembly. The load cell is selectively constrained between the upper ring and the stem head adapter plate by a load on the casing head.

Abstract: An actuator for operating a linear valve, such as a gate valve, includes a sealing plate that extends across the diameter of a housing. A diaphragm is located on, and fully supported by, the plate. When pressure media urges the diaphragm and sealing plate downward, the sealing plate urges a step downward to actuate a valve. A hub and an annular support plate can be assembled to form the plate, and the plate can be different sizes by selecting different sized annular support plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a valve includes a housing having an axis, a valve end, a cap end, and a cylindrical sidewall defining an inner diameter surface of the housing. A cap is connected to the cap end of the housing. An inlet is located in one of the cap and the housing. A plate is positioned within the housing, the plate having an outer diameter that slidingly engages the inner diameter surface of the housing. The plate moves between an extended position and a retracted position in response to pressure media from the inlet. A down stop is in contact with the plate. A seal nut has a first end in engagement with the down stop. The seal nut has a second end with an end surface, the end surface being spaced apart from the cap when the plate is in the extended position.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body defining a flow passage and a body cavity perpendicular to the flow passage. A bonnet is secured to the valve body. A valve member is moveable between an open position and a closed position, the valve member blocking the flow passage in the closed position, and allowing flow through the flow passage in the open position. A valve stem is coupled to the valve member. A debris barrier circumscribes the valve stem. The debris barrier comprises a first disk shaped member with a central opening through which the valve stem is inserted, and notches that extend radially from the central opening to define petals with ends that abut the valve stem.

Abstract: An actuator for operating a linear valve, such as a gate valve, includes a swivel coupling for detachably connecting an indicator stem to a plate within the actuator. In embodiments, the coupling includes a body with a lock ring groove. The detachable stem includes a downward facing recess having a groove on an inner diameter surface. The stem is placed on the body, and a lock ring engages both grooves to prevent axial movement of the stem relative to the body. The lock ring does not, however, prevent rotational movement of the stem relative to the body.

Abstract: An actuator for operating a linear valve, such as a gate valve, includes a quick connect coupling between the housing and at least one of a bonnet and a power head assembly. In embodiments, the quick connect coupling includes a plurality of lugs spaced apart around an annular actuator housing surface, and a plurality of lugs spaced apart around an annular surface of another member such as a bonnet or power head, each of the lugs defining a plurality of slots therebetween. The lugs pass through corresponding slots, and then the housing is rotated relative to the other member until at least a portion of the lugs of each component are axially aligned in a locked position. The rotation is less than one full revolution of the rotated component. A latch prevents the component from rotating out of the locked position.