Abstract: A controller for an inline valve includes a manifold seating a set screw and has a reference fluid port, a control fluid port, and an actuator fluid port. A selector is movable within the manifold between a first position and a second position, the reference fluid port in fluid communication with the actuator fluid port in the first position, the control fluid port in fluid communication with the actuator fluid port in the second position. A biasing member is arranged between the selector and the set screw and urges the selector towards the first position. The set screw extends through an exterior of the manifold for adjustment of differential in pressures at the reference fluid port and the control fluid port responsive to which the selector moves between the first position and the second position. Inline valves and methods of controlling fluid flow through inline valves are also described.

Abstract: An inline valve includes a valve body, a valve member, and a control manifold. The valve body has an exterior, an inlet, and an outlet. The valve member is supported within the valve body and is movable between a first position and a second position. The inlet in fluid communication with the outlet while the valve member is in the first position and the inlet fluidly separated from the outlet while the valve member is in the second position. The control manifold is supported by the valve body, has a reference fluid port and a control fluid port, and is in pneumatic communication with the valve member through the valve body exterior to passive movement of the valve member according to pressure at the valve body inlet. Gas turbine engines and methods of controlling valves are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of applying a biasing force against a piston in a valve as the piston moves along a piston stroke axis in a first direction and an opposing second direction, the piston having a first axial end that is a distal end of the piston, the method including: moving the piston along a piston stroke axis in the first direction and the opposing second direction, wherein while moving the piston along the piston stroke axis: applying a first biasing force in the second direction against the first axial end of the piston from a first spring, and applying a second biasing force in the second direction against the first spring from a second spring.

Abstract: A bleed valve includes a housing with an inlet coupled to an outlet by a duct, a guide tube with an orifice fixed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, a piston, and baffle. The piston is slideably supported on the guide tube and is movable between an open and a closed position, the duct fluidly coupling the inlet and outlet in the open position, the duct fluidly separating the inlet and outlet in the closed position. The orifice fluidly couples the inlet and outlet in the open and closed positions to move piston between the open and closed positions according to differential pressure between the bleed valve inlet and outlet. The baffle is slideably supported by the guide tube to set the differential pressure at which the piston moves between the open and closed positions. Gas turbines and differential pressure adjustment methods are also described.

Abstract: A bleed valve includes a housing with an inlet coupled to an outlet by a duct. A guide tube is fixed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet. A piston with a piston orifice is slideably supported on the guide tube and movable between an open position and a closed position. The duct fluidly couples the inlet to the outlet in the open position, the duct fluidly separates the inlet from the outlet in the closed position, and the piston orifice fluidly couples the inlet with the outlet in the open position and the closed position to move piston between the open position and the closed position according to differential in pressure between the inlet and the outlet of the bleed valve. Compressors, gas turbine engines, and methods of controlling fluid flow are also described.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve controller (PRVC) includes a housing having a spring, a spring seat connected to the spring, a piston, and a portion of which is disposed between the spring seat and the piston, wherein one or more grooves and/or protrusions are disposed on at least one of the spring seat or the piston. The diaphragm can conform to the one or more grooves of the spring seat thus preventing diaphragm rupture due to excess pressure without affecting calibrations of current PRVCs.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a piston housing inside a flow duct between an inlet and an outlet so as to form an annular flow passage between the flow duct and the piston housing. The piston housing is axially aligned with a center axis of the flow duct. A piston is inside the piston housing and is configured to extend downstream of the piston housing in a closed position. A spring biases the piston to the open position. A fluid chamber is between the piston and an upstream end of the piston housing. A control opening extends through the upstream end of the piston housing and fluidically communicates with the flow duct and the fluid chamber. A control piston and a control spring are inside the piston housing. The control spring biases the control piston toward a first position that obstructs the control opening.

Abstract: A passive in-line valve configured to be actuated without an external control includes a valve housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path between the inlet and the outlet and a piston housing extending inwardly from the housing. The valve includes a valve piston movably disposed within the piston housing, the valve piston including an upstream side and a downstream side. The valve also includes a control mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to port outlet static pressure to the upstream cavity in a first state such that pressure is equalized on the valve piston.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve controller (PRVC) includes a housing having a spring, a spring seat connected to the spring, a piston, and a portion of which is disposed between the spring seat and the piston, wherein one or more grooves and/or protrusions are disposed on at least one of the spring seat or the piston. The diaphragm can conform to the one or more grooves of the spring seat thus preventing diaphragm rupture due to excess pressure without affecting calibrations of current PRVCs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of applying a biasing force against a piston in a valve as the piston moves along a piston stroke axis in a first direction and an opposing second direction, the piston having a first axial end that is a distal end of the piston, the method including: moving the piston along a piston stroke axis in the first direction and the opposing second direction, wherein while moving the piston along the piston stroke axis: applying a first biasing force in the second direction against the first axial end of the piston from a first spring, and applying a second biasing force in the second direction against the first spring from a second spring.

Abstract: A passive in-line valve configured to be actuated without an external control includes a valve housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path between the inlet and the outlet and a piston housing extending inwardly from the housing. The valve includes a valve piston movably disposed within the piston housing, the valve piston including an upstream side and a downstream side. The valve also includes a control mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to port outlet static pressure to the upstream cavity in a first state such that pressure is equalized on the valve piston.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a flow duct with an inlet and an outlet downstream from the inlet. A piston housing is inside the flow duct and is axially aligned with a center axis of the flow duct. A piston is inside the piston housing and is configured to extend downstream of the piston housing in a closed position. A control chamber is between the piston and an upstream end of the piston housing. A control opening extends through the upstream end of the piston housing and fluidically communicates with the flow duct and the control chamber. A cap extends through the control opening. A cap passage extends through the cap and has an inlet outside of the piston housing and an outlet inside the piston housing, and includes two ninety-degree turns between the inlet and the outlet of the cap passage.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a piston housing inside a flow duct between an inlet and an outlet so as to form an annular flow passage between the flow duct and the piston housing. The piston housing is axially aligned with a center axis of the flow duct. A piston is inside the piston housing and is configured to extend downstream of the piston housing in a closed position. A spring biases the piston to the open position. A fluid chamber is between the piston and an upstream end of the piston housing. A control opening extends through the upstream end of the piston housing and fluidically communicates with the flow duct and the fluid chamber. A control piston and a control spring are inside the piston housing. The control spring biases the control piston toward a first position that obstructs the control opening.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a flow duct with an inlet and an outlet downstream from the inlet. A piston housing is inside the flow duct and is axially aligned with a center axis of the flow duct. A piston is inside the piston housing and is configured to extend downstream of the piston housing in a closed position. A control chamber is between the piston and an upstream end of the piston housing. A control opening extends through the upstream end of the piston housing and fluidically communicates with the flow duct and the control chamber. A cap extends through the control opening. A cap passage extends through the cap and has an inlet outside of the piston housing and an outlet inside the piston housing, and includes two ninety-degree turns between the inlet and the outlet of the cap passage.

Abstract: A pneumatic controller includes a housing, a piston located in the housing and movable therein and a diaphragm located at the piston to isolate a first chamber of the pneumatic controller from a second chamber of the pneumatic controller. The diaphragm includes a first diaphragm surface, a diaphragm opening extending through the diaphragm, and a fabric reinforcing layer to strengthen the diaphragm. A diaphragm to isolate a first chamber of a pneumatic controller from a second chamber of a pneumatic controller includes a first diaphragm surface, a diaphragm opening extending through the diaphragm, and a fabric reinforcing layer to strengthen the diaphragm.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve controller (PRVC) includes a housing having a spring, a spring seat connected to the spring, a piston, and a portion of which is disposed between the spring seat and the piston, wherein one or more grooves and/or protrusions are disposed on at least one of the spring seat or the piston. The diaphragm can conform to the one or more grooves of the spring seat thus preventing diaphragm rupture due to excess pressure without affecting calibrations of current PRVCs.

Abstract: A pneumatic controller includes a housing, a piston located in the housing and movable therein and a diaphragm located at the piston to isolate a first chamber of the pneumatic controller from a second chamber of the pneumatic controller. The diaphragm includes a first diaphragm surface, a diaphragm opening extending through the diaphragm, and a fabric reinforcing layer to strengthen the diaphragm. A diaphragm to isolate a first chamber of a pneumatic controller from a second chamber of a pneumatic controller includes a first diaphragm surface, a diaphragm opening extending through the diaphragm, and a fabric reinforcing layer to strengthen the diaphragm.

Abstract: A piston includes a main body extending between a first end and a second end along a center axis of the piston. The main body further includes a chamber formed within the main body, the chamber having an opening disposed at the first end of the main body. The piston also includes a cap, the cap being coaxial with the main body. A portion of the cap extends into the opening of the chamber of the main body. At least one of the main body and the cap includes a radially extending lip, and the other of the main body and the cap includes a groove. A retaining ring is both disposed partially in the groove and in contact with the radially extending lip so as to connect the cap to the main body.

Abstract: A piston includes a main body extending between a first end and a second end along a center axis of the piston. The main body further includes a chamber formed within the main body, the chamber having an opening disposed at the first end of the main body. The piston also includes a cap, the cap being coaxial with the main body. A portion of the cap extends into the opening of the chamber of the main body. At least one of the main body and the cap includes a radially extending lip, and the other of the main body and the cap includes a groove. A retaining ring is both disposed partially in the groove and in contact with the radially extending lip so as to connect the cap to the main body.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for media platform testing. A method includes multiplexing media channels of a tester having a first type media card to media channels of a media platform having a media card of a different type. The method further includes performing a media platform test routine between the tester and the media platform.