Abstract: Methods and apparatus to load a valve packing are described. An example load apparatus to load a valve packing includes a guide including a flange and a wall protruding from the flange. The wall defines a cavity to receive a biasing element and a stop movable between a non-active state and an active state. The stop in the non-active state to enable movement of the guide in a first rectilinear direction relative to a longitudinal axis of a packing bore of a fluid valve and the stop in the active state to prevent movement of the guide in the first rectilinear direction. The stop to control an amount of deflection of the biasing element in the first rectilinear direction when the stop is in the active state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to load a valve packing are described. An example load apparatus to load a valve packing includes a guide including a flange and a wall protruding from the flange. The wall defines a cavity to receive a biasing element and a stop movable between a non-active state and an active state. The stop in the non-active state to enable movement of the guide in a first rectilinear direction relative to a longitudinal axis of a packing bore of a fluid valve and the stop in the active state to prevent movement of the guide in the first rectilinear direction. The stop to control an amount of deflection of the biasing element in the first rectilinear direction when the stop is in the active state.

Abstract: A bushing having a shaft seal is disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fluid valve body, a valve shaft disposed in the fluid valve body, and a bushing disposed on the valve shaft between the valve shaft and the fluid valve body. The bushing includes a first groove disposed on an inner surface of the bushing and a second groove disposed on an outer surface of the bushing. A first seal is disposed in the first groove to seal against the valve shaft and a second seal is disposed in the second groove to seal against the valve body.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for use with a fluid valve includes a plug having a first portion slidably coupled to a second portion. The first and second portions include opposing bleed ports. The second portion contacts a seat of the fluid valve to close the fluid valve. The apparatus further includes a cavity formed in an outer circumferential surface of the plug by the first and second portions. An axial dimension of the cavity decreases when the first portion slides toward the second portion. The decrease radially outwardly displaces a seal disposed in the cavity. The seal has a curved outer surface configured to engage an inner circumferential wall of a cage of the fluid valve in response to the second portion contacting the seat. The apparatus further includes a pin disposed in the opposing bleed ports to align the first and second portions relative to a common longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Pistons are disclosed herein. An apparatus includes an actuator defining a first chamber; and a piston disposed in the first chamber, the piston including a second chamber and a seal groove in which a seal is disposed, the second chamber to receive fluid from the first chamber to enable a force imparted by the fluid within the second chamber to urge the seal into sealing engagement with a surface defining the first chamber.

Abstract: Fluid flow control apparatus for use with fluid valves are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a plug of a sliding stem fluid valve. The plug has a first portion slidably coupled to a second portion. The first portion includes a first bleed port. The second portion includes a second bleed port opposing the first bleed port. The second portion is to contact a seat of the fluid valve to close the fluid valve. The example apparatus further includes a cavity formed in an outer circumferential surface of the plug by the first portion and the second portion. An axial dimension of the cavity is to decrease when the first portion slides toward the second portion. The decrease is to radially outwardly displace a seal disposed in the cavity. The seal has a curved outer surface configured to engage an inner circumferential wall of a cage of the fluid valve in response to the second portion contacting the seat.

Abstract: Fluid flow control apparatus for use with fluid valves are disclosed. An apparatus includes a plug for a sliding stem fluid valve. The plug has a first portion slidably coupled to a second portion. The apparatus also includes a cavity formed in an outer circumferential surface of the plug by the first portion and the second portion. A dimension of the cavity changes when the first portion slides relative to the second portion to displace a seal disposed in the cavity. The seal sealingly engages a cage of the fluid valve when the second portion contacts a seat of the fluid valve.

Abstract: Seal assemblies for use with fluid valves are disclosed. An apparatus includes a valve plug having a first annular shoulder adjacent an end of the valve plug, a seal disposed on the first annular shoulder, and a fastener at the end of the valve plug to force the seal against the first annular shoulder to apply a load to the seal.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed to bias a tube towards a seal. An example apparatus includes a pneumatic actuator having a diaphragm plate, a yoke housing, and a tube. The tube conveys pressurized fluid between the yoke housing and the diaphragm plate, wherein a first end of the tube extends through a first seal gland in the diaphragm plate to form a seal against an outer surface of the tube and a second end of the tube extends through a second seal gland in the yoke housing to form a seal against the outer surface of the tube. The first end of the tube has a first cross-sectional area that is greater than a second cross-sectional area of the second end of the tube to bias the tube toward the yoke housing during operation of the pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: A bushing having a shaft seal is disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fluid valve body, a valve shaft disposed in the fluid valve body, and a bushing disposed on the valve shaft between the valve shaft and the fluid valve body. The bushing includes a first groove disposed on an inner surface of the bushing and a second groove disposed on an outer surface of the bushing. A first seal is disposed in the first groove to seal against the valve shaft and a second seal is disposed in the second groove to seal against the valve body.

Abstract: Actuator bushings having integral seals are described herein. An example apparatus includes a bushing having a central bore to receive a stem and an annular groove at an end of the bushing. The annular groove surrounds the bore to define a flexible ring to form a seal against the stem.

Abstract: A piston actuator includes a transfer assembly and an actuator assembly connected to the transfer assembly. The actuator assembly has a cylinder assembly with a side wall and an end wall and defines a cavity. A piston assembly is disposed within the cavity and a screw guide assembly is secured to the end wall of the cylinder assembly such that the screw guide assembly is adjustable to limit the travel of the piston assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed to bias a tube towards a seal. An example apparatus includes a pneumatic actuator having a diaphragm plate, a yoke housing, and a tube. The tube conveys pressurized fluid between the yoke housing and the diaphragm plate, wherein a first end of the tube extends through a first seal gland in the diaphragm plate to form a seal against an outer surface of the tube and a second end of the tube extends through a second seal gland in the yoke housing to form a seal against the outer surface of the tube. The first end of the tube has a first cross-sectional area that is greater than a second cross-sectional area of the second end of the tube to bias the tube toward the yoke housing during operation of the pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: Seal assemblies for use with fluid valves are disclosed. An apparatus includes a valve plug having a first annular shoulder adjacent an end of the valve plug, a seal disposed on the first annular shoulder, and a fastener at the end of the valve plug to force the seal against the first annular shoulder to apply a load to the seal.

Abstract: Fluid flow control apparatus for use with fluid valves are disclosed. An apparatus includes a plug for a sliding stem fluid valve. The plug has a first portion slidably coupled to a second portion. The apparatus also includes a seal gland formed in an outer circumferential surface of the plug by the first portion and the second portion. A dimension of the seal gland changes when the first portion slides relative to the second portion to displace a seal disposed in the seal gland. The seal sealingly engages a cage of the fluid valve when the second portion contacts a seat of the fluid valve.

Abstract: A process control apparatus includes a housing, a process control device disposed in the housing, and a temperature control device operably coupled to the housing for regulating a temperature of an atmosphere internal to the housing. The temperature control device includes a vortex tube and a flow control valve. The flow control valve is coupled to the vortex tube and includes a temperature sensing feature configured to sense a temperature of an atmosphere internal to the housing and configured to move a control element of the flow control valve based on the sensed temperature between a plurality of positions to selectively direct the flow of fluid from the first and second vortex outlets to the atmosphere internal to the housing.

Abstract: Valve trim for a valve includes a valve plug having one or more balance ports located along the outer surface of a tapered nose portion of the valve plug. Each balance port is located to be downstream of the throat and spaced from the tip of the tapered nose portion of the valve plug. The valve trim may be use, for example, in a high recovery angle body valve. A high recovery valve with the valve trim may have better recovery performance as well as a smaller spike in stem force through the choked flow transition point. A method of reducing stem forces on a valve stem of sliding stem valve is also provided.

Abstract: Pistons are disclosed herein. An apparatus includes an actuator defining a first chamber; and a piston disposed in the first chamber, the piston including a second chamber and a seal groove in which a seal is disposed, the second chamber to receive fluid from the first chamber to enable a force imparted by the fluid within the second chamber to urge the seal into sealing engagement with a surface defining the first chamber.

Abstract: Pistons are disclosed herein. An apparatus includes an actuator defining a first chamber; and a piston disposed in the first chamber, the piston including a second chamber and a seal groove in which a seal is disposed, the second chamber to receive fluid from the first chamber to enable a force imparted by the fluid within the second chamber to urge the seal into sealing engagement with a surface defining the first chamber.

Abstract: An installation assembly for installing and/or removing a ball into and/or from a valve body of a top entry ball valve includes a valve body having at least one blind bore disposed on an opposite side of the ball chamber from the entry opening and a ball installation tool adapted to interact with the blind bore so as to compress a spring disposed inside the ball chamber substantially axially. A top entry ball valve is arranged with such a valve body. The ball installation tool may be used to install and/or remove a ball from the valve body.