Abstract: A control valve includes a piston-housing having a hollow portion. The hollow portion has a first end, an open end, first and second internal chambers, and a fluid port configured to allow fluid to exit the second chamber. The first chamber is nearer the first end, and the second chamber is nearer the open end. A piston is located within the housing and is adapted for reciprocal motion. The piston includes a first and second seal-engaging portions. The first seal-engaging portion has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the second seal-engaging portion.

Abstract: A flowmeter includes an orifice plate assembly having a carrier that includes an aperture, an annular rim disposed about the aperture, and an annular ledge extending radially inward from the rim to the aperture. An orifice plate and annular seal are disposed within the annular rim. The plate engages the ledge and is retained on the carrier by a retaining ring and the energized annular seal. The seal is disposed in a seal gland formed between the orifice plate, the carrier, and the ring member, and sealingly engages at least one surface of each.

Abstract: A flowmeter includes an orifice plate assembly having a carrier that includes an aperture, an annular rim disposed about the aperture, and an annular ledge extending radially inward from the rim to the aperture. An orifice plate and annular seal are disposed within the annular rim. The plate engages the ledge and is retained on the carrier by a retaining ring and the energized annular seal. The seal is disposed in a seal gland formed between the orifice plate, the carrier, and the ring member, and sealingly engages at least one surface of each.

Abstract: An orifice fitting includes a body, an orifice plate mounted in the body, and an orifice plate transfer passage within the body. The orifice plate transfer passage includes a shoulder, and the orifice plate is movable through the passage. In addition, the orifice fitting includes a sealing assembly disposed in the orifice plate transfer passage. The sealing assembly includes a sealing insert including a first section and a second section. In addition, the sealing assembly includes a first sealing member configured to create a first fluid tight barrier between the second section and the orifice plate transfer passage. Further, the sealing assembly includes a second sealing member configured to create a second fluid tight barrier between the shoulder and the first section. Still further, the sealing assembly includes a subchamber within the orifice plate transfer passage between the first fluid tight barrier and the second fluid tight barrier.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a multi-double block and bleed configuration in an orifice fitting to provide an additional barrier of protection between the pressurized flow stream and the environment outside the flowmeter. The multi-double block and bleed system includes a first pair of blocking valves located below a second pair of blocking valves. The multi-double block and bleed system further includes a first vent valve positioned between blocking valves of the first pair blocking valves, a second vent valve positioned between blocking valves of the second pair of blocking valves, and a third vent valve positioned between the first and second pairs of blocking valves. The pairs of blocking valves and the vent valves are arranged to provide double block and bleed during all phases of orifice plate installation and removal.

Abstract: A surge relief valve includes a piston housing and a piston located within the housing for reciprocal motion. The surge relief valve also includes a position sensor to resolve the axial position of the piston relative to the piston housing. The position sensor includes a sensor body coupled to the piston housing and a movable element configured to move linearly relative to the sensor body and configured to move axially with the piston. At a least portion of the sensor body is located within the piston housing.

Abstract: An orifice fitting includes a body, an orifice plate mounted in the body, and an orifice plate transfer passage within the body. The orifice plate transfer passage includes a shoulder, and the orifice plate is movable through the passage. In addition, the orifice fitting includes a sealing assembly disposed in the orifice plate transfer passage. The sealing assembly includes a sealing insert including a first section and a second section. In addition, the sealing assembly includes a first sealing member configured to create a first fluid tight barrier between the second section and the orifice plate transfer passage. Further, the sealing assembly includes a second sealing member configured to create a second fluid tight barrier between the shoulder and the first section. Still further, the sealing assembly includes a subchamber within the orifice plate transfer passage between the first fluid tight barrier and the second fluid tight barrier.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a multi-double block and bleed configuration in an orifice fitting to provide an additional barrier of protection between the pressurized flow stream and the environment outside the flowmeter. The multi-double block and bleed system includes a first pair of blocking valves located below a second pair of blocking valves. The multi-double block and bleed system further includes a first vent valve positioned between blocking valves of the first pair blocking valves, a second vent valve positioned between blocking valves of the second pair of blocking valves, and a third vent valve positioned between the first and second pairs of blocking valves. The pairs of blocking valves and the vent valves are arranged to provide double block and bleed during all phases of orifice plate installation and removal.

Abstract: A surge relief valve includes a piston housing and a piston located within the housing for reciprocal motion. The surge relief valve also includes a position sensor to resolve the axial position of the piston relative to the piston housing. The position sensor includes a sensor body coupled to the piston housing and a movable element configured to move linearly relative to the sensor body and configured to move axially with the piston. At a least portion of the sensor body is located within the piston housing.

Abstract: A control valve includes a piston-housing having a hollow portion. The hollow portion has a first end, an open end, first and second internal chambers, and a fluid port configured to allow fluid to exit the second chamber. The first chamber is nearer the first end, and the second chamber is nearer the open end. A piston is located within the housing and is adapted for reciprocal motion. The piston includes a first and second seal-engaging portions. The first seal-engaging portion has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the second seal-engaging portion.

Abstract: An orifice plate carrier for positioning an orifice plate within an orifice fitting to measure fluid flow rate through a conduit is disclosed. In some embodiments, the plate carrier has an opening therethrough and an inner surface surrounding the opening. A lip extends radially from the inner surface to support an orifice plate assembly with an orifice plate disposed therein. At least one flow port extends through the body. Each flow port is configured to allow fluid therethrough and to reduce a pressure differential between fluid up and downstream of the orifice plate during installation and extraction. At least two notches, each notch extending radially from the inner surface, engage the orifice plate and maintain the concentric position of the orifice plate within the fitting.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning an orifice plate within a body having a straight flowbore. One embodiment includes a carrier supporting the orifice plate and a drive member operable to engage the carrier and move the carrier along a first axis perpendicular to the flowbore. The drive member is also operable to limit the movement of the carrier along a second axis perpendicular to the flowbore and perpendicular to the first axis. A pin is operable to engage the carrier so as to limit movement along the first axis.

Abstract: An orifice fitting having a drainage system. In some embodiments, the orifice fitting includes a housing having a chamber therein, a flow path extending through the chamber, an orifice plate moveable between a first position in the flow path and a second position outside of the flow path, and a rotatable shaft extending through the housing into the chamber. The shaft has a flowbore extending between a first fluid inlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a fluid outlet formed adjacent the end of the shaft.

Abstract: A pipeline flow meter orifice fitting includes a first body, a flow bore through the first body, a chamber in the first body adjacent to the flow bore, an orifice plate supported in alignment with the flow bore by an orifice plate carrier, wherein the orifice plate carrier is exposed to the chamber and divides the flow bore into a first region to one side of the orifice plate and a second region to the other side of the orifice plate, a second body coupled to said first body, a first flow path fluidicly coupling the first region and the chamber through the second body, and a second flow path fluidicly coupling the second region and the chamber through the second body. In some embodiments, a three way valve is mounted on the first body, the three way valve selectably actuatable to open a first flow path between the first region and the chamber or a second flow path between the second region and the chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for operating a dual chamber orifice fitting. The dual chamber orifice fitting comprises a body having a lower chamber and a top having an upper chamber. An aperture connects the upper chamber to the lower chamber. A closure member is pivotally mounted to the fitting and pivots about a first axis between a first position and a second position. A pivot arm is rotatably mounted to the body and engages the closure member so that rotation of the pivot arm about a second axis pivots said closure member about the first axis between the first and second positions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning an orifice plate within a body having a straight flowbore. One embodiment includes a carrier supporting the orifice plate and a drive member operable to engage the carrier and move the carrier along a first axis perpendicular to the flowbore. The drive member is also operable to limit the movement of the carrier along a second axis perpendicular to the flowbore and perpendicular to the first axis. A pin is operable to engage the carrier so as to limit movement along the first axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning an orifice plate within a body having a straight flowbore. One embodiment includes a carrier supporting the orifice plate and a drive member operable to engage the carrier and move the carrier along a first axis perpendicular to the flowbore. The drive member is also operable to limit the movement of the carrier along a second axis perpendicular to the flowbore and perpendicular to the first axis. A pin is operable to engage the carrier so as to limit movement along the first axis.

Abstract: A pipeline flow meter orifice fitting includes a first body, a flow bore through the first body, a chamber in the first body adjacent to the flow bore, an orifice plate supported in alignment with the flow bore by an orifice plate carrier, wherein the orifice plate carrier is exposed to the chamber and divides the flow bore into a first region to one side of the orifice plate and a second region to the other side of the orifice plate, a second body coupled to said first body, a first flow path fluidicly coupling the first region and the chamber through the second body, and a second flow path fluidicly coupling the second region and the chamber through the second body. In some embodiments, a three way valve is mounted on the first body, the three way valve selectably actuatable to open a first flow path between the first region and the chamber or a second flow path between the second region and the chamber.

Abstract: An orifice fitting having a drainage system. In some embodiments, the orifice fitting includes a housing having a chamber therein, a flow path extending through the chamber, an orifice plate moveable between a first position in the flow path and a second position outside of the flow path, and a rotatable shaft extending through the housing into the chamber. The shaft has a flowbore extending between a first fluid inlet in fluid communication with the chamber and a fluid outlet formed adjacent the end of the shaft.

Abstract: An orifice plate carrier for positioning an orifice plate within an orifice fitting to measure fluid flow rate through a conduit is disclosed. In some embodiments, the plate carrier has an opening therethrough and an inner surface surrounding the opening. A lip extends radially from the inner surface to support an orifice plate assembly with an orifice plate disposed therein. At least one flow port extends through the body. Each flow port is configured to allow fluid therethrough and to reduce a pressure differential between fluid up and downstream of the orifice plate during installation and extraction. At least two notches, each notch extending radially from the inner surface, engage the orifice plate and maintain the concentric position of the orifice plate within the fitting.