F15B3/00

Multi-function actuator drawback for resistance welding electrodes
11516939 · 2022-11-29 · ·

A method, apparatus, and system for stopping a flow of a liquid coolant into, and drawing away a residual portion of the liquid, a portion of a cooling system, e.g., for resistance welding electrodes. The disclosed system does not require more than a single actuator, and in one case uses only a single actuator, coupled to both i) one or more liquid shutoff valves and ii) one or more liquid drawback apparatus. The liquid drawback apparatus draws on the liquid at approximately a same time that the one or more liquid shutoff valves shut off the flow of the liquid from the coolant supply. The liquid drawback apparatus includes a non-return check valve, disposed in the fluid passageway and biased against a normal flow of the liquid from the coolant supply.

Fluid transfer component for transferring thermal energy comprising a film with fluid channels
11681305 · 2023-06-20 ·

In one embodiment, a fluid transfer component for transferring thermal energy comprises a film comprising a polymer with a thickness less than 5 millimeters, an input side constructed to receive fluid that flows from the input side to an active region of the film, more than 20 fluid channels defined by interior surfaces within the film, each fluid channel separated spatially in at least 1 row in a thickness direction of the film, the more than 20 fluid channels have a channel density across the active region greater than 5 fluid channels per centimeter, wherein the thermal energy is transferred to or from an environment and the fluid in the active region. The film may be an extruded microcapillary film or interior surfaces may comprise a surface modified to produce a surface relief profile. The active region may cool or warm the environment, which may comprise an individual.

Method of dampening pressure pulsations in a working fluid within a conduit
09829139 · 2017-11-28 · ·

A method is provided for actively compensating for pressure changes of a working fluid within a conduit. A first cavity is provided in fluid communication with the conduit. A second cavity is in fluid communication with a control fluid. A plunger is in communication with both the first cavity and the second cavity and is movable in response to pressure changes of the working fluid in the conduit. The plunger is re-centered. Re-centering the plunger includes the following steps. Position data representative of movement of the plunger is collected. The position data is analyzed with a control unit to determine an average position of the plunger which is offset relative to a center position. The average position of the plunger is compared, with a control unit, to the center position. A signal is relayed from the control unit to a control valve to urge the plunger toward the center position.

Method of dampening pressure pulsations in a working fluid within a conduit
09829139 · 2017-11-28 · ·

A method is provided for actively compensating for pressure changes of a working fluid within a conduit. A first cavity is provided in fluid communication with the conduit. A second cavity is in fluid communication with a control fluid. A plunger is in communication with both the first cavity and the second cavity and is movable in response to pressure changes of the working fluid in the conduit. The plunger is re-centered. Re-centering the plunger includes the following steps. Position data representative of movement of the plunger is collected. The position data is analyzed with a control unit to determine an average position of the plunger which is offset relative to a center position. The average position of the plunger is compared, with a control unit, to the center position. A signal is relayed from the control unit to a control valve to urge the plunger toward the center position.

HYDRAULIC BOOSTER USING VARIABLE-VOLUME PISTON
20230175530 · 2023-06-08 ·

A hydraulic booster using a variable-volume piston includes a main cylinder configured such that, if a fluid introduced into the upper portion of a main piston is pressurized by a pressurizing means, the fluid in the lower portion of the main piston is output. A guide moves downwards separately from the main piston and then moves to the original position by a return means. A variable-volume piston is integrally assembled on the guide such that the volume thereof increases during a downward movement and decreases during an upward movement, thereby changing the volume of the upper side of the main piston. A fluid storage-and-supply unit connects to fluid channels in the upper and lower portions of the main cylinder. This configuration boosts the pressure of the fluid discharged through the lower portion of the main cylinder due to a volume change caused by upward/downward movements of the variable-volume piston.

Modular hydraulic intensification system for downhole equipment function and chemical injection services
11261697 · 2022-03-01 · ·

A modular hydraulic intensification system includes a housing configured to be deployed within a subsea landing string. The modular hydraulic intensification system also includes multiple hydraulic intensifiers positioned within the housing, wherein each hydraulic intensifier includes a first chamber configured to fluidly couple to a hydraulic fluid supply and a second chamber configured to fluidly couple to one or more landing string valves within a lower portion of the subsea landing string. The modular hydraulic intensification system further includes a shuttle valve fluidly coupled to the respective second chambers of the multiple hydraulic intensifiers, wherein the shuttle valve is configured to enable flow of an output fluid across the shuttle valve from the respective second chambers of the multiple hydraulic intensifiers and to block backflow of the output fluid across the shuttle valve toward the respective second chambers of the multiple of hydraulic intensifiers.

Modular hydraulic intensification system for downhole equipment function and chemical injection services
11261697 · 2022-03-01 · ·

A modular hydraulic intensification system includes a housing configured to be deployed within a subsea landing string. The modular hydraulic intensification system also includes multiple hydraulic intensifiers positioned within the housing, wherein each hydraulic intensifier includes a first chamber configured to fluidly couple to a hydraulic fluid supply and a second chamber configured to fluidly couple to one or more landing string valves within a lower portion of the subsea landing string. The modular hydraulic intensification system further includes a shuttle valve fluidly coupled to the respective second chambers of the multiple hydraulic intensifiers, wherein the shuttle valve is configured to enable flow of an output fluid across the shuttle valve from the respective second chambers of the multiple hydraulic intensifiers and to block backflow of the output fluid across the shuttle valve toward the respective second chambers of the multiple of hydraulic intensifiers.

Control fluid power apparatus and related methods

Control fluid power apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An example control fluid power apparatus includes a first housing having a first piston defining a first chamber and a second chamber, where the first chamber receives a control fluid and the second chamber receives a process fluid from a process system. The first chamber is oriented above the second chamber when the control fluid power apparatus is coupled to a control valve assembly. A second housing has a second piston defining a third chamber and a fourth chamber, where the third chamber receives the control fluid and the second chamber receives the process fluid. The third chamber is oriented above the fourth chamber when the control fluid power apparatus is coupled to the control valve assembly.

Control fluid power apparatus and related methods

Control fluid power apparatus and related methods are disclosed. An example control fluid power apparatus includes a first housing having a first piston defining a first chamber and a second chamber, where the first chamber receives a control fluid and the second chamber receives a process fluid from a process system. The first chamber is oriented above the second chamber when the control fluid power apparatus is coupled to a control valve assembly. A second housing has a second piston defining a third chamber and a fourth chamber, where the third chamber receives the control fluid and the second chamber receives the process fluid. The third chamber is oriented above the fourth chamber when the control fluid power apparatus is coupled to the control valve assembly.

System and method for recovering energy and leveling hydraulic system loads
09803338 · 2017-10-31 · ·

A hydraulic system including an accumulator and a hydraulic transformer is disclosed. The hydraulic transformer includes first and second variable displacement pump/motor units mounted on a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has an end adapted for connection to an external load. The first variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to a pump and a second side that fluidly connects to a tank. The second variable displacement pump/motor unit includes a first side that fluidly connects to the accumulator and a second side that fluidly connects with the tank.