An inline variable sonic valve is provided that includes a housing defining an inlet and an outlet positioned inline along a gas flow axis. A contoured metering plug is fixed within the housing and a diverging sleeve is movably positioned within the housing downstream of the contoured metering plug. An actuator is positioned offline from the gas flow axis and is configured to move the diverging sleeve within the housing relative to the contoured metering plug fixed therein to vary a gas metering area defined between the contoured metering plug and the diverging sleeve. The actuator may be hydraulic, fueldraulic, pneumatic, or electric, and may drive the diverging sleeve discretely to an open or a closed position, or to a variable position between the open and closed position when a position senor is included to meter the flow therethrough.

A valve for controlling a molten liquid includes an expansion port in liquid communication with an internal volume of the valve that is filled with the molten liquid. An expansion valve can be opened during unfreezing of the valve, to allow melting process substance to expand out of the internal volume into an expansion line as it is melted. During initialization of the valve, an inert gas source, pressure regulator, and ultrasonic transition level sensor can be used to establish a liquid/gas interface at a desired height within the expansion line. The valve can include a multi-zone heater, wherein a first of the zones is adjacent the expansion port, so that during unfreezing, after the first zone has been melted, the remaining zones can be sequentially activated in an order that ensures that each zone is activated only after an adjacent zone has been melted.

A valve for controlling a molten liquid includes an expansion port in liquid communication with an internal volume of the valve that is filled with the molten liquid. An expansion valve can be opened during unfreezing of the valve, to allow melting process substance to expand out of the internal volume into an expansion line as it is melted. During initialization of the valve, an inert gas source, pressure regulator, and ultrasonic transition level sensor can be used to establish a liquid/gas interface at a desired height within the expansion line. The valve can include a multi-zone heater, wherein a first of the zones is adjacent the expansion port, so that during unfreezing, after the first zone has been melted, the remaining zones can be sequentially activated in an order that ensures that each zone is activated only after an adjacent zone has been melted.

A fitting with a body bound by an exterior surface and an interior surface. The exterior surface includes a quick disconnect profile extending from a first end of the body and an external thread extending from a second end of the body. The interior surface includes a first bore extending from the first end of the body and a second bore extending from the second end of the body. The fitting includes an orifice formed by the first bore, between a pin and the first bore, or between the pin and a third bore of an adjustment member installed within the first bore.

A fitting with a body bound by an exterior surface and an interior surface. The exterior surface includes a quick disconnect profile extending from a first end of the body and an external thread extending from a second end of the body. The interior surface includes a first bore extending from the first end of the body and a second bore extending from the second end of the body. The fitting includes an orifice formed by the first bore, between a pin and the first bore, or between the pin and a third bore of an adjustment member installed within the first bore.

A variable flow rate valve mechanism includes a valve, a lock member, a valve attachment member and a spring washer. The valve includes a valve body and a valve shaft. The lock member is fixed to the valve shaft. The valve attachment member is attached to the valve shaft. The spring washer is disposed adjacent the valve attachment member. The spring washer is formed into an annular shape around an axis of the spring washer. The spring washer includes a support portion, a deformable portion and a protrusion portion. The support portion includes a seat surface and an open surface. The deformable portion is connected to the support portion and extends in an inclined manner. The deformable portion includes a contact surface and an opposite surface. The protrusion portion protrudes from at least one of the open surface of the support portion and the opposite surface of the deformable portion.

A flow control device is described comprising a body including a first flow control member 24a and a second flow control member 24b, each of which is provided with apertures or recesses 30, 36, 38, the apertures or recesses 30 of the first flow control member 24a overlapping the openings or recesses 36, 38 of the second flow control member 24b to define a flow path extending between a first surface 26 of the body and a second surface 28 of the body, wherein the shapes and/or sizes of at least some of the apertures or recesses 30, 36, 38 of at least one of the flow control members 24a, 24b are adapted to promote tangential or transverse fluid flow within the body.

A flow control device is described comprising a body including a first flow control member 24a and a second flow control member 24b, each of which is provided with apertures or recesses 30, 36, 38, the apertures or recesses 30 of the first flow control member 24a overlapping the openings or recesses 36, 38 of the second flow control member 24b to define a flow path extending between a first surface 26 of the body and a second surface 28 of the body, wherein the shapes and/or sizes of at least some of the apertures or recesses 30, 36, 38 of at least one of the flow control members 24a, 24b are adapted to promote tangential or transverse fluid flow within the body.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus for a flow of fluid includes a first and a second element that form an exponentially changing restriction between them for a flow of a fluid. At least one of the first and second elements is configured to move in response to changing pressures to change the restriction. One of the first and second elements includes a wall with one or more cutouts that have an admittance that changes exponentially with respect to the movement of the first or second element.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus for a flow of fluid includes a first and a second element that form an exponentially changing restriction between them for a flow of a fluid. At least one of the first and second elements is configured to move in response to changing pressures to change the restriction. One of the first and second elements includes a wall with one or more cutouts that have an admittance that changes exponentially with respect to the movement of the first or second element.