Abstract: An apparatus for shaping fluid flow comprises a body having upstream and downstream ends and formed with a characterizing channel. The characterizing channel has a first cross-section adjacent the upstream end that gradually changes to a second cross-section adjacent the downstream end that is different in configuration from the first cross-section.

Abstract: A fluid valve for controlling flow of a fluid from an upstream region to a downstream region includes a housing having a fluid exit, a fluid entry member having a sidewall, and a shut-off member associated with the housing. The sidewall and the fluid entry member is formed with at least one regulating aperture for receiving fluid from the upstream region and a second aperture for receiving fluid from the upstream region. The fluid entry member is movably disposed within the housing such that the at least one regulating aperture has an effective area exposed to the upstream region that decreases as a pressure differential between the upstream region and the downstream region increases. The shut-off member is associated with the housing and the fluid entry member such that fluid flow through the second aperture is prevented when the difference in fluid pressure between the upstream region and the downstream region exceeds a desired value.

Abstract: A valve test plug for connection with a pressure vessel. The plug includes a hollow valve body and a resilient valve core. The valve core includes first and second core portions bonded in end-to-end relationship and has a slit extending therethrough. The first core portion is exposed directly to the pressure and is softer than the second core portion which engages the valve body to close the slit or to seal on the probe when the probe is extending through the slit. The softer first core portion maintains a seal with the valve body and urges the second core portion into sealing engagement with the valve body end to close the slit.