Abstract: A pulsation dampener includes: a centerbody assembly having: a chamber including a first opening bounded by a wall defining a first surface; an outlet port communicating with the chamber; an inlet port communicating with the chamber; a flexible first diaphragm, wherein a perimeter of the first diaphragm is bonded to the first surface forming a seal that blocks the passage of fluid; a first cap disposed adjacent the first diaphragm, defining a first cavity between the first cap and the first diaphragm; an inlet orifice formed in the first cap communicating with the first cavity; an exhaust orifice formed in the first cap communicating with the first cavity; and a valve seat disposed in the first cavity in fluid communication with the exhaust orifice. The first diaphragm is moveable between an open position spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed position sealed against the valve seat.

Abstract: A centerbody assembly for a pressure regulator includes: a centerbody having a process surface, at least one outlet orifice disposed in the centerbody; an outlet port positioned in fluid communication with the at least one outlet orifice; an inlet port; a valve chamber positioned in the centerbody in fluid communication with the inlet port, the valve chamber including a valve seat positioned in fluid communication with the process surface; a spherical valve element disposed in the valve chamber and moveable between an open position in which it is spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed position in which it seals against the valve seat; a flexible control diaphragm facing the process surface, wherein a perimeter of the control diaphragm is bonded to the centerbody so as to define a seal that blocks the passage of fluid; and wherein the valve element is mechanically interconnected with the control diaphragm.

Abstract: A valve includes: a housing defining a chamber communicating with an inlet port and an exhaust port, a seat disposed in the housing between the inlet port and the exhaust port; an elastomeric or polymer sealing ring disposed in the seat; a valve element having a sealing surface that is a body of revolution, the valve element positioned in the housing such that it is moveable between a closed position in which the sealing surface is engaged with the sealing ring and an open position in which the sealing surface is disengaged from sealing ring; and at least one bypass channel defined in the chamber, arranged to communicate between the seat and the exhaust port when the valve element is in the open position.

Abstract: A diaphragm pressure regulator includes: a body defining a process surface and including: an exhaust port having a discharge opening, and at least one vent void interconnecting the process surface and the exhaust port; and an inlet port, and at least one process void communicating with the process surface and the inlet port; a reference housing including a cavity defining a reference surface and a reference port in fluid communication with the cavity; and a diaphragm disposed between the body and the reference housing, the diaphragm movable between a first position engaged with the vent voids, and a second position wherein the membrane is not engaged with at least one of the vent voids, wherein a dome is defined between the cavity and the reference side of the diaphragm; and wherein the reference housing includes a sump configured to segregate liquid from the reference side of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of operating a thermal system including at least a compressor, a condenser, a flow control valve, and at least one heat exchanger connected in a closed fluid loop charged with refrigerant. The method includes: regulating refrigerant pressure at a selected point within the fluid loop using a pressure regulating apparatus including: a main pressure regulator including a dome in fluid communication with a diaphragm that seals directly against at least one process void and at least one vent void; and a pilot pressure regulator in fluid communication with the dome so as to provide fluid thereto at a setpoint pressure. The setpoint pressure is maintained by the pilot pressure regulator utilizing refrigerant tapped from the fluid loop The refrigerant is tapped from a point upstream of the main pressure regulator and tapped refrigerant is returned to the fluid loop downstream of the main pressure regulator.