Valve apparatus

Claim 2

A valve device comprising: a body having a bore divided into first, second and third chambers; means providing a first port leading to said first chamber; means providing a second port leading to said first chamber; means providing a third port leading to said second chamber; means providing a fourth port leading to said third chamber; means providing a flow passage between said first and second chambers; means providing a valve seat around said flow passage between said first and second chambers; a valve stem in said body bore provided with a valve member disposed in said first chamber and movable between a first position closing said first port from said first chamber while opening said passage between said first and second chambers and a second position opening said first port and closing said passage between said first and second chambers; means providing a passage between said first and third chambers; and operator piston means on said stem for moving said stem and valve member between said first and second positions responsive to a pressure differential across sAid piston, said piston having a first portion movable in said second chamber responsive to pressure in said second chamber, and said piston having a second larger portion movable in said third chamber responsive to said pressure in said third chamber.

Claim 3

A valve device in accordance with claim 1 including means for biasing said stem from said first position closing said first port to said second position opening said first port and closing said passage between said first and second chambers.

Claim 4

A valve device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said passage between said first and third chambers extends through said valve stem and is positioned to continuously communicate said first and third chambers independently of the position of said valve member in said first chamber.

Claim 5

A valve device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said passage means between said first and third chambers extends through a wall of said body opening into said first and third chambers at locations to communicate said chambers continuously independently of the position of said valve member, said passage opening into said third chamber on the same side of said operator piston as said fourth port into said chamber.

Claim 6

Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including a flow rate restriction in said passage between said first and third chambers.

Claim 7

A valve device in accordance with claim 4 including a flow restriction member in said passage between said first and third chambers.

Claim 8

A valve device in accordance with claim 1 including means providing a fifth port into said third chamber between said first and second portions of said operator piston venting said third chamber to the atmosphere.

Claim 9

A valve device in accordance with claim 3 including means providing a fourth chamber in said body in communication with said fourth port into said third chamber; means providing an exhaust port into said fourth chamber; a second operator piston and valve member movably disposed in said fourth chamber for movement between a first position wherein said valve member closes said fourth port opening into said fourth chamber and a second position at which said valve member opens said fourth port into said fourth chamber, said piston and valve member being located in said fourth chamber to permit communication from said fourth port through said chamber to said exhaust port to said chamber when said piston and valve member are in said second position; and means providing a port opening into said fourth chamber on the side of said operator piston opposite from said fourth port.

Claim 10

A valve device in accordance with claim 8 including means biasing said second operator piston and valve member toward said second position in said fourth chamber.

Claim 11

A valve device in accordance with claim 1 including means providing a fourth chamber in said body in communication with said fourth port to said third chamber and piston and valve means in said fourth chamber for controlling flow from said third chamber in said fourth port responsive to a pressure change in said fourth chamber.

Claim 12

A valve device in accordance with claim 1 including means for restraining said stem at said first position until normal fluid operating pressures are established in said device when activating said device in a fluid flow system.

Claim 13

A valve device in accordance with claim 11 wherein said restraining means comprises a reset piston movable on said stem in said third chamber having one side responsive to pressure in said third chamber supplied through said fourth port and means providing a second passage independent of said first passage communicating said first and third chambers, said second passage opening into said third chambers, said second passage opening into said third chamber on the opposite side of said reset piston from said fourth port into said third chamber.

Claim 14

A valve device in accordance with claim 12 including means for operating said device responsive to a fluid pressure independent of a fluid pressure applIed through said third port into said second chamber, said means including a fourth chamber communicating with said fourth port to said third chamber and having an exhaust port connected with said fourth chamber for communicating said fourth port through said fourth chamber to said exhaust port into said fourth chamber, a second operator piston including a valve member movable in said fourth chamber between a first position closing said fourth port into said chamber and a second position opening said fourth port into said chamber, and means providing a fluid inlet and exhaust port leading into said fourth chamber on the opposite side of said operator piston from said fourth port and said exhaust port whereby said second operator piston is responsive to a fluid pressure supplied through said inlet and exhaust port into said fourth chamber.

Claim 15

A valve device in accordance with claim 13 including means biasing said second operator piston toward said second open position in said fourth chamber.

Claim 16

A valve device in accordance with claim 13 including means between said first operator piston in said reset piston biasing said pistons apart toward a nonsealing relationship on said stem.

Claim 17

A valve device in accordance with claim 15 including seal means on said stem between said first operator piston and said reset piston for sealing between said piston to isolate portions of said third chamber on opposite sides of said reset piston when said pistons are urged together.

Claim 18

A fluid flow control device for directing control fluid between a source and safety and pilot valves in a fluid flow system comprising: a body having a bore divided into first, second and third chambers opening into each other; a valve stem disposed for movement along the longitudinal axis of said stem within said bore, said axis of said stem being coincident with the axis of said bore; a valve member on said stem in said first chamber; an end plate of said body at said first chamber having an opening around said stem spaced from said stem defining an exhaust port from said first chamber; said end plate providing a valve seat surface within said first chamber around said exhaust opening for engagement by a surface of said valve member on said stem for closing said exhaust port at one position of said valve member and stem; means providing a port through said body into said first chamber for supplying control fluid to said safety valve and exhausting control fluid from said safety valve through said first chamber to said exhaust port to said first chamber when said valve member is spaced from said valve seat around said exhaust port; means defining an internal annular flange within said body around said bore encircling said stem on the opposite side of said valve member from said exhaust port, said flange being spaced from said stem defining a flow passage between said first and second chambers around said stem, the surface of said flange in said first chamber providing a valve seat surface for said valve member and the surface of said flange in said second chamber defining a stop shoulder; a seal around said stem within said first chamber between said valve member and said valve seat surface on said flange between said first and second chambers, said seal being engageable by said valve member in said first chamber at a second position of said valve member for shutting off flow through said passage between said first and second chambers; means defining a control fluid supply port through said body into said second chamber; a stepped piston supported in said bore on said stem, said piston having a first portion movable in said second chamber on the opposite side of said control fluid supply port from said flange between said first and second chambers, and said piston having a second larger portion movable in said third chamber; means within said second chamber between said stop shoulder and said first piston portion biasing said piston away from said flange for movement of said stem and valve member fRom said first position closing said exhaust port to said second position closing said passage between said first and second chambers; means coupling said piston with said stem; means in said body providing a port into said third chamber at the juncture of said second and third chambers venting a portion of said third chamber between said second piston portion in said second chamber to the atmosphere; means providing a port in said body opening into said third chamber on the opposite side of said second piston portion from said port communicating said chamber with the atmosphere; means providing a passage through said stem from said first chamber to said third chamber opening into said third chamber on the side of said second piston portion exposed to said second port into said chamber; and means providing a handle on said stem for resetting said stem and valve member from said second position back to said first position.

Claim 19

A fluid flow control device for directing control fluid between a source and safety and pilot valves in a fluid flow system comprising: a body having a bore divided into first, second and third chambers opening into each other; a valve stem disposed for movement along the longitudinal axis of said stem within said bore, said axis of said stem being coincident with the axis of said bore; a valve member on said stem in said first chamber; an end plate of said body at said first chamber having an opening around said stem spaced from said stem defining an exhaust port from said first chamber; said end plate providing a valve seat surface within said first chamber around said exhaust opening for engagement by a surface of said valve member on said stem for closing said exhaust port at one position of said valve member and stem; means providing a port through said body into said first chamber for supplying control fluid to said safety valve and exhausting control fluid from said safety valve through said first chamber to said exhaust port to said first chamber when said valve member is spaced from said valve seat around said exhaust port; means defining an internal annular flange within said body around said bore encircling said stem on the opposite side of said valve member from said exhaust port, said flange being spaced from said stem defining a flow passage between said first and second chambers around said stem, the surface of said flange in said first chamber providing a valve seat surface for said valve member and the surface of said flange in said second chamber defining a stop shoulder; a seal around said stem within said first chamber between said valve member and said valve seat surface on said flange between said first and second chambers, said seal being engageable by said valve member in said first chamber at a second position of said valve member for shutting off flow through said passage between said first and second chambers; means defining a control fluid supply port through said body into said second chamber; a stepped piston supported in said bore on said stem, said piston having a first portion movable in said second chamber on the opposite side of said control fluid supply port from said flange between said first and second chambers, and said piston having a second larger portion movable in said third chamber; means within said second chamber between said stop shoulder and said first piston portion biasing said piston away from said flange for movement of said stem and valve member fRom said first position closing said exhaust port to said second position closing said passage between said first and second chambers; means coupling said piston with said stem; means in said body providing a port into said third chamber at the juncture of said second and third chambers venting a portion of said third chamber between said second piston portion in said second chamber to the atmosphere; means providing a port in said body opening into said third chamber on the opposite side of said second piston portion from said port communicating said chamber with the atmosphere; means providing a passage through said stem from said first chamber to said third chamber opening into said third chamber on the side of said second piston portion exposed to said second port into said chamber; and means providing a handle on said stem for resetting said stem and valve member from said second position back to said first position.

Claim 20

A valve device in accordance with claim 17 including a low pressure module for operating said device from two control fluid pressure levels comprising a module body member secured to said main body member and provided with a fourth chamber communicating with said second port leading to said third chamber, said module body having an exhaust port communicatable through said fourth chamber with said second port to said third chamber; said module body having a second port for supplying control fluid between said pilot valve and said fourth chamber; a movable piston in said fourth chamber between said exhaust port and said control fluid port; a valve member on said piston engageable over said port into said third chamber at a first position of said piston and movable from said port into said third chamber at a second position of said piston to permit exhaust of control fluid from said third chamber through said port into said third chamber and said fourth chamber into said exhaust port from said fourth chamber; and means in said fourth chamber engaged with said piston for biasing said piston away from said port into said third chamber toward said second port leading to said pilot valve.

Claim 21

A valve device for directing control fluid flow between a pilot valve and a safety valve in a fluid flow system comprising: a body having a longitudinal bore therethrough defined by interconnecting first, second and third chambers; a longitudinally movable valve and operator stem, the axis of said stem being coincident with the axis of said bore through said body; an end closure on said body at said first chamber provided with an opening for said stem defining an exhaust port around said stem to said first chamber; means providing a control fluid port to said first chamber for connection of a control fluid line between said first chamber and said safety valve; an internal flange formed in said body dividing said first and second chambers extending around said stem defining a flow passage along said stem between said first and second chambers on an opposite side of said first chamber from said exhaust passage from said chamber; means defining a valve seat within said end closure at said first chamber around said exhaust port; said flange between said first and second chambers defining a valve seat around said passage between said first and second chambers within said first chamber, and the side of said flange facing said second chamber defining a stop shoulder around said passage between said first and second chambers; a valve operator sleeve on said stem disposed along said stem in said first, second and third chambers; a valve member on said stem within said first chamber engageable with said valve seat around said exhaust port at one position for opening and closing said exhaust port and engageable at another position with said valve seat on said flange between said first and second chambers for opening and closing said passage in said chambers; means defining a port in said body into said second chamber for supplying control fluid from a pressure source into said chambeR; said third chamber being larger in cross sectional area along said stem than said second chamber; a main operator piston on said valve sleeve, said operator piston being of a two stage stepped type having a first portion telescoping into said second chamber on the opposite side of said port into said second chamber from said flow passage between said second and first chambers and said piston having a larger second portion movable in said third chamber; means within said second chamber between said main piston and said stop shoulder on said flange biasing said main piston away from said flange between said first and second chambers; means between said sleeve and said main piston coupling said piston with said sleeve; means defining a vent port in said body into said third chamber at the junction of said third chamber with said second chamber for exposing said second portion of said main piston on the side of said piston facing said second chamber to atmospheric pressure continuously; a reset piston on said stem within said third chamber in loose fitting movable relation on said stem whereby fluid flow may occur along said stem within said piston; a seal on said stem between said main piston and said reset piston for sealing between said reset piston and said main piston when said pistons are urged together on said stem while permitting fluid flow along said stem within said piston when said main and reset pistons are urged apart on said stem; means within said third chamber between said main piston and said reset piston biasing said pistons apart on said stem to a non-sealing relationship; said main piston and said reset piston dividing said third chamber into a first portion communicating with said vent port, a second portion between said main piston and said reset piston and a third portion on the other side of said reset piston toward the second end of said body; means defining a port into said third chamber portion between said main piston and said reset piston for flow of control fluid into and out of said chamber between said pistons; means defining a passage in said body between said first chamber and said third portion of said third chamber for continuously communicating said first chamber and said third portion of said third chamber; and means defining a second flow passage in said body between said first chamber and said second portion of said third chamber between said main piston and said reset piston continuously communicating said first chamber and said middle portion of said third chamber independently of the position of said pistons and said valve member.

Claim 22

A valve device for directing control fluid flow between a pilot valve and a safety valve in a fluid flow system comprising: a body having a longitudinal bore therethrough defined by interconnecting first, second and third chambers; a longitudinally movable valve and operator stem, the axis of said stem being coincident with the axis of said bore through said body; an end closure on said body at said first chamber provided with an opening for said stem defining an exhaust port around said stem to said first chamber; means providing a control fluid port to said first chamber for connection of a control fluid line between said first chamber and said safety valve; an internal flange formed in said body dividing said first and second chambers extending around said stem defining a flow passage along said stem between said first and second chambers on an opposite side of said first chamber from said exhaust passage from said chamber; means defining a valve seat within said end closure at said first chamber around said exhaust port; said flange between said first and second chambers defining a valve seat around said passage between said first and second chambers within said first chamber, and the side of said flange facing said second chamber defining a stop shoulder around said passage between said first and second chambers; a valve operator sleeve on said stem disposed along said stem in said first, second and third chambers; a valve member on said stem within said first chamber engageable with said valve seat around said exhaust port at one position for opening and closing said exhaust port and engageable at another position with said valve seat on said flange between said first and second chambers for opening and closing said passage in said chambers; means defining a port in said body into said second chamber for supplying control fluid from a pressure source into said chambeR; said third chamber being larger in cross sectional area along said stem than said second chamber; a main operator piston on said valve sleeve, said operator piston being of a two stage stepped type having a first portion telescoping into said second chamber on the opposite side of said port into said second chamber from said flow passage between said second and first chambers and said piston having a larger second portion movable in said third chamber; means within said second chamber between said main piston and said stop shoulder on said flange biasing said main piston away from said flange between said first and second chambers; means between said sleeve and said main piston coupling said piston with said sleeve; means defining a vent port in said body into said third chamber at the junction of said third chamber with said second chamber for exposing said second portion of said main piston on the side of said piston facing said second chamber to atmospheric pressure continuously; a reset piston on said stem within said third chamber in loose fitting movable relation on said stem whereby fluid flow may occur along said stem within said piston; a seal on said stem between said main piston and said reset piston for sealing between said reset piston and said main piston when said pistons are urged together on said stem while permitting fluid flow along said stem within said piston when said main and reset pistons are urged apart on said stem; means within said third chamber between said main piston and said reset piston biasing said pistons apart on said stem to a non-sealing relationship; said main piston and said reset piston dividing said third chamber into a first portion communicating with said vent port, a second portion between said main piston and said reset piston and a third portion on the other side of said reset piston toward the second end of said body; means defining a port into said third chamber portion between said main piston and said reset piston for flow of control fluid into and out of said chamber between said pistons; means defining a passage in said body between said first chamber and said third portion of said third chamber for continuously communicating said first chamber and said third portion of said third chamber; and means defining a second flow passage in said body between said first chamber and said second portion of said third chamber between said main piston and said reset piston continuously communicating said first chamber and said middle portion of said third chamber independently of the position of said pistons and said valve member.

Claim 23

Apparatus in accordance with claim 19 including an operating module adapting said device to function responsive to two separate control fluid pressure levels, said device comprising a module body secured with said main body at said second end of said body, said module body having a fourth chamber therein communicating with said port into said third chamber whereby control fluid from said second portion of said third chamber between said pistons may flow to said fourth chamber in said module body; means defining an exhaust port in said module body leading to said fourth chamber for exhaust of control fluid from said fourth chamber; a piston in said fourth chamber; a valve member on said piston in said fourth chamber movable with said piston between a first position closing said port from said fourth chamber into said third chamber and a second position opening said port from said third into said fourth chamber whereby control fluid may flow from said third chamber through said port into said fourth chamber and from said fourth chamber through said exhaust port; biasing means in said fourth chamber engaged with said piston for biasing said piston and said valve member away from engagement over said port leading to said third chamber; and means defining a second control fluid supply port into said fourth chamber on the opposite side of said piston in said chamber from said exhaust port leading to said chamber.