Abstract: A motion conversion device including a body, a first double-acting cylinder movable along a first axis and a second double-acting cylinder movable along a second axis angled relative to the first axis. The body includes several bores which form a closed circuit and house the first and second double-acting cylinders. Movement of the first double-acting cylinder along the first axis hydraulically or pneumatically pushes the second double-acting cylinder along the second axis. Also disclosed is a valve incorporating a motion conversion device with angled double-acting cylinders for moving a closure member between an open position and a closed position, and a method for opening and closing a valve by way of angled double-acting cylinders.

Abstract: A motion conversion device including a body, a first double-acting cylinder movable along a first axis and a second double-acting cylinder movable along a second axis angled relative to the first axis. The body includes several bores which form a closed circuit and house the first and second double-acting cylinders. Movement of the first double-acting cylinder along the first axis hydraulically or pneumatically pushes the second double-acting cylinder along the second axis. Also disclosed is a valve incorporating a motion conversion device with angled double-acting cylinders for moving a closure member between an open position and a closed position, and a method for opening and closing a valve by way of angled double-acting cylinders.

Abstract: Axial fluid valves having annular flow control members are described herein. An example axial fluid valve described herein includes an axial flow valve body defining a passageway between an inlet and an outlet. The example axial fluid valve includes a sleeve slidably received by an inner surface of the axial flow valve body and movable along an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the passageway. The example axial fluid valve includes a linkage or a gear operatively connected to the sleeve to move the sleeve to vary a flow of fluid between the inlet and the outlet through the sleeve.

Abstract: Failsafe apparatus for use with linear actuators are disclosed. A failsafe apparatus for use with a linear actuator includes a spring to urge a first stem of a device to be operated by the linear actuator toward a failsafe position and a clutch to operatively couple a second stem of the linear actuator to the first stem. The clutch includes a frame coupled to one of the first stem or the second stem and jaws moveably coupled to the frame. The jaws are to engage the other one of the first stem or the second stem to enable the linear actuator to operate the device and to disengage the other one of the first stem or the second stem to enable the spring to move the first stem toward the failsafe position.

Abstract: Axial fluid valves having curved or angled valve bodies are described herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a valve body defining a passageway between an inlet and an outlet, the inlet is aligned along a first axis and the outlet is aligned along a second axis. The example apparatus includes a flow control member interposed between the inlet and the outlet. The example apparatus also includes an actuator having a stem coupled to the flow control member to move the flow control member along a third axis in the passageway. In the example apparatus, the third axis is substantially parallel to and offset from at least one of the first axis or the second axis.

Abstract: Fluid valves having adjustable sealing characteristics are described. An example fluid valve includes a valve body having a flow aperture to enable the flow of fluid therethrough. Additionally, the fluid valve includes a seal surrounding the flow aperture and a sealing member having a shaft extending therefrom. The sealing member is movable relative to the seal and the flow aperture to control the flow of fluid through the flow aperture. Further, the fluid valve includes a support body movably coupled to the valve body and having a passage to receive the shaft. The support body holds the shaft and the sealing member to enable rotation of the shaft and the sealing member relative to the valve body and the seal, and at least one of the support body or the valve body includes at least one elongated opening to enable movement of the support body relative to the valve body to change an amount of engagement between the sealing member and the seal when the fluid valve is in a closed position.

Abstract: Axial fluid valves having annular flow control members are described herein. An example axial fluid valve described herein includes an axial flow valve body defining a passageway between an inlet and an outlet. The example axial fluid valve includes a sleeve slidably received by an inner surface of the axial flow valve body and movable along an axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the passageway. The example axial fluid valve includes a linkage or a gear operatively connected to the sleeve to move the sleeve to vary a flow of fluid between the inlet and the outlet through the sleeve.

Abstract: Coupling apparatus for use with electric actuators are described herein. An example coupling apparatus described herein includes a coupling assembly to operatively couple a fluid flow control member of a fluid valve and a drive system of the electric actuator. Rotation of the drive system in a first rotational direction causes the coupling assembly to move in a first rectilinear direction and rotation of the drive system in a second rotational direction causes the coupling assembly to move in a second rectilinear direction opposite the first direction. The coupling assembly includes a biasing element that is to be deflected to provide a seat load to the fluid flow control member when the fluid flow control member is in sealing engagement with a valve seat of the fluid valve and electric power to the electric actuator is removed.

Abstract: Axial fluid control valves having linear actuators are described herein. An example axial fluid control valve described herein includes a valve body defining a passageway between an inlet and an outlet. The example axial fluid valve includes a plug linkage assembly movable relative to the axial valve body and along a first axis substantially aligned with the passageway. The example axial fluid valve includes a linear actuator having a stem operatively coupled to the plug linkage assembly. The linear actuator is to move at least a portion of the plug linkage assembly along the first axis within the passageway to vary a flow of fluid through the passageway, wherein the stem of the linear actuator moves along a second axis different than the first axis.

Abstract: Failsafe apparatus for use with linear actuators are disclosed. A failsafe apparatus for use with a linear actuator includes a spring to urge a first stem of a device to be operated by the linear actuator toward a failsafe position and a clutch to operatively couple a second stem of the linear actuator to the first stem. The clutch includes a frame coupled to one of the first stem or the second stem and jaws moveably coupled to the frame. The jaws are to engage the other one of the first stem or the second stem to enable the linear actuator to operate the device and to disengage the other one of the first stem or the second stem to enable the spring to move the first stem toward the failsafe position.

Abstract: Electric actuators having internal load apparatus are described herein. An example electric actuator having an internal load apparatus described herein includes a housing defining a cavity to receive a drive system and a drive shaft operatively coupled to the drive system. Rotation of the drive system in a first rotational direction causes the drive shaft to move in a first rectilinear direction and rotation of the drive system in a second rotational direction causes the drive shaft to move in a second rectilinear direction opposite the first rectilinear direction. A biasing element is operatively coupled to the drive system such that least a portion of the drive system moves axially toward the biasing element to deflect the biasing element when the drive shaft reaches an end of stroke position to provide a load to the drive shaft when electric power to the electric actuator is removed.

Abstract: Shaft retaining assemblies for use with fluid valves are described. In a described example, a bonnet assembly for use with a fluid valve includes a bonnet defining a passage to receive at least a portion of a shaft of the fluid valve. The bonnet is to be removably coupled to the fluid valve. Additionally, the example bonnet assembly includes a retaining assembly mounted in the bonnet to be substantially not exposed to a flow of fluid through the fluid valve. The retaining assembly is to control an amount of movement of the shaft along a longitudinal axis of the shaft to enable an alignment of a sealing element coupled to an end of the shaft relative to a seating surface of the fluid valve.

Abstract: Electric actuators having internal load apparatus are described herein. An example electric actuator having an internal load apparatus described herein includes a housing defining a cavity to receive a drive system and a drive shaft operatively coupled to the drive system. Rotation of the drive system in a first rotational direction causes the drive shaft to move in a first rectilinear direction and rotation of the drive system in a second rotational direction causes the drive shaft to move in a second rectilinear direction opposite the first rectilinear direction. A biasing element is operatively coupled to the drive system such that least a portion of the drive system moves axially toward the biasing element to deflect the biasing element when the drive shaft reaches an end of stroke position to provide a load to the drive shaft when electric power to the electric actuator is removed.

Abstract: Coupling apparatus for use with electric actuators are described herein. An example coupling apparatus described herein includes a coupling assembly to operatively couple a fluid flow control member of a fluid valve and a drive system of the electric actuator. Rotation of the drive system in a first rotational direction causes the coupling assembly to move in a first rectilinear direction and rotation of the drive system in a second rotational direction causes the coupling assembly to move in a second rectilinear direction opposite the first direction. The coupling assembly includes a biasing element that is to be deflected to provide a seat load to the fluid flow control member when the fluid flow control member is in sealing engagement with a valve seat of the fluid valve and electric power to the electric actuator is removed.

Abstract: Shaft retaining assemblies for use with fluid valves are described. In a described example, a bonnet assembly for use with a fluid valve includes a bonnet defining a passage to receive at least a portion of a shaft of the fluid valve. The bonnet is to be removably coupled to the fluid valve. Additionally, the example bonnet assembly includes a retaining assembly mounted in the bonnet to be substantially not exposed to a flow of fluid through the fluid valve. The retaining assembly is to control an amount of movement of the shaft along a longitudinal axis of the shaft to enable an alignment of a sealing element coupled to an end of the shaft relative to a seating surface of the fluid valve.

Abstract: Fluid valves having adjustable sealing characteristics are described. An example fluid valve includes a valve body having a flow aperture to enable the flow of fluid therethrough. Additionally, the fluid valve includes a seal surrounding the flow aperture and a sealing member having a shaft extending therefrom. The sealing member is movable relative to the seal and the flow aperture to control the flow of fluid through the flow aperture. Further, the fluid valve includes a support body movably coupled to the valve body and having a passage to receive the shaft. The support body holds the shaft and the sealing member to enable rotation of the shaft and the sealing member relative to the valve body and the seal, and at least one of the support body or the valve body includes at least one elongated opening to enable movement of the support body relative to the valve body to change an amount of engagement between the sealing member and the seal when the fluid valve is in a closed position.