Dresser, LLC

A position monitoring system is configured for use on control valves and other flow controls. These configurations include a motion sensitive unit, for example, a flexible tube with one end that can move in conjunction with a valve stem on the flow control. The flexible tube may hold synthetic oil. Another end of the tube may couple with a pressure senor. In use, this senor may generate a signal that corresponds with head pressure of the synthetic oil in the tube. Operating hardware on the flow control, for example, processing hardware that is part of a valve positioner or controller, may process the signal from the pressure sensor to identify a operating condition of a valve, for example, a position for a closure member of the valve.

A monitoring device that is configured to diagnose potential issues on a valve. The monitoring device may include a sensor network that measures variables on or around the valve. The sensor network provides data to processing hardware with executable instructions that define methods to process the data. In one implementation, these methods may generate a trajectory for performance of the flow control and compare this “real” trajectory to a model trajectory. The methods may, in turn, determine a relationship between the real trajectory and the model trajectory to identify potential or possible failure conditions on the device. The method may also generate an output that corresponds with this relationship.

A control system is configured to monitor operation of a flow control, like a control valve. These configurations can use of continuous or real-time data to evaluate fitness or function of the device under operating conditions. This feature can alert operators to problems or issues with one or more devices, or process lines in total. These problems may, for example, indicate that a valve is incorrectly sized for actual working conditions. As a result, engineers may find that the valve is too big (or oversize) or too small (or undersize) because the design process for layout of the process line relies upon a design load that reflects a future maximum (plus some factor of safety), and not the actual working conditions that might prevail once the device is in service in the field.

A plug assembly is configured for use in a valve. These configurations may include a plug with a sealing surface that can interface with a seat to regulate flow of fluid through the valve. A keyed shaft may insert into the plug. The keyed shaft can rotate to change location of key members in the plug. In one implementation, a technician can rotate the keyed shaft from a first position to a second position at which the key members couple the plug with the valve body.

A packing assembly is configured for use in a valve. These configurations may include a wear part that surrounds a valve stem. The wear part may prevent contact between the valve stem and a packing follower or other part in the valve.

Systems, devices, and methods of controlling valve actuation using an inertial sensor are provided. The system can include a valve including an inlet, an outlet, and a plug positioned between the inlet and the outlet. The plug can include a stem configured to translate or rotate in a first direction causing the plug to open the valve or to translate or rotate in a second direction causing the plug to close the valve. The system can also include an actuator coupled to the stem, an inertial sensor coupled to the stem, and a controller coupled to the inertial sensor and to the actuator. The controller can cause the controller to receive sensor data from the inertial sensor and to generate control signals provided to the actuator. The control signals can cause the actuator to translate or rotate the stem in the first direction or the second direction.

A monitoring unit is configured for use on a valve. These configurations may include sensors that can generate data consistent with physical condition of a closure member, like a valve “plug,” when the valve is in service on a process line. Analysis of this data may indicate erosion on the plug that is often due to highly-erosive working fluids or other process (or application) conditions. Signals or alerts from the process control system, or DCS, may alert operators to perform timely maintenance that avoids problems that may arise as a result of physical changes in the valve plug.

A regulating assembly with a valve stem and a valve plug is configured for use in a valve. The configurations may optimize natural frequency to address concerns that operators have with vibrations in devices on their process lines. The valve plug may have a body that narrows from the top and the bottom towards its midline to form an hourglass shape. Reinforcing structure may find use to strengthen or stiffen the body without adding additional mass to the device. This reinforcing structure may include ribs, for example, that circumscribe the center axis. A matrix or lattice structure may prevail as the reinforcing structure as well.

A controller is configured to operate a flow control. These configurations may operate an actuator that is part of an industrial valve. In one implementation, the controller may include a solenoid valve that couples with the actuator. The controller may utilize feedback from the valve, for example, sensor data, to identify changes that it needs to make to the solenoid valve. These changes can direct flow to different sides of the actuator.

An actuator pressuring unit is configured for use on a control valve. These configurations may include a flow path disposed in a valve stem of the valve, which terminates at an end found in the actuator. The flow path may direct a pneumatic signal from the controller to the actuator. In one implementation, the flow path has an opening outside of the actuator to receive the pneumatic signal. Other openings may reside in the actuator. These openings permit the pneumatic signal to exhaust inside of the actuator, pressurizing the actuator as necessary for use to control flow through the device.