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Title:
CONTROL VALVE SEALING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/226528
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Aspects of the disclosure relate methods and apparatus to allow fluid flow into and out of a pressure vessel or fluid conduit. More specifically, aspects of the disclosure relate to a control valve sealing system and method of use, wherein the control valve sealing system has durability and flexibility in sealing operations.

Inventors:
MAHANEY MICHAEL (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2019/033078
Publication Date:
November 28, 2019
Filing Date:
May 20, 2019
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
POSEIDON DEEPWATER SOLUTIONS LLC (US)
International Classes:
F16K11/048; F01L3/08; F16K11/02; F16K25/00; F16K31/122; F16K31/363
Foreign References:
US3706325A1972-12-19
US20060266962A12006-11-30
US3243156A1966-03-29
US20110089350A12011-04-21
US3358964A1967-12-19
US2589794A1952-03-18
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
VEREB, John (US)
Download PDF:
Claims:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 , A valve configured to allow fluid flow from a pressurized fluid source through the valve to a downstream chamber, comprising:

a valve body having a central bore, and at least two fluid ports, wherein the valve body has an area that transitions from the central bore and another bore and a fluid portion in connection with the central bore;

a valve stem positioned inside the central bore of the valve body, the stem configured with a flanged diameter and a portion of the stem that is greater in diameter than a diameter of a remainder of the stem;

a piston configured within the valve body, the piston configured to move from a first position to a second position upon a force, the piston connected to the valve stem; and

a sealing arrangement positioned around the valve stem, the sealing arrangement is configured to seal the stem to the valve body and the flanged diameter of the valve stem is configured to seal against the valve body when the sealing arrangement seals the stem to the valve body.

2. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the valve body has a replaceable insert.

3. The valve according to claim 1, wherein the sealing arrangement is placed in contact with the valve stem.

4. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing arrangement is placed within the valve body.

5. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the piston provides a force to the valve stem when a fluid pressure is present at one of the at least two fluid ports.

6. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein one of the at least two fluid ports is a side port

7. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein the portion of the stem that is greater in diameter than a diameter of the remainder of the stem is adjacent to the sealing arrangement positioned around the valVe stem.

8. The valve according to claim 1 , wherein foe valve stem is configured to move based upon a force placed upon foe piston.

9. A method, comprising:

connecting a control valve to a fluid system;

engaging a piston actuation system, wherein the piston actuation system places a force on a piston connected to a stem of the control valve;

moving the stem of the control valve from the force placed on foe piston; and

disengaging both an elastomeric seal located between the stem and a body of the control valve and a flange diameter to control valve body seal such that a fluid enters the control valve.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the engaging the piston actuation system placing the force on the piston is through a fluid pumped into a top port of the control valve.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the engaging the piston actuation

system placing the force on the piston is through a vacuum placed in a top port of the control valve.

12. A control valve configured to allow fluid flow from a pressurized fluid source through the control valve to a downstream chamber, comprising:

a valve body having a bore diameter, and having a top port, a side port and a bottom port, the bore diameter connected to the top port, the side port and the bottom port, wherein the valve body has an area that transitions from the bore diameter to another bore diameter and the bottom port configured for connection to the pressurized fluid source;

a valve stem positioned inside the bore of the valve body, the stem configured with a flanged diameter and a portion of the stem that is greater in diameter than a diameter of a remainder of the stem;

a piston configured within the valve body, the piston configured to move from a first position to a second position upon a force, the piston connected to the valve stem;

a sealing arrangement configured around the valve stem wherein the sealing arrangement is configured to seal the stem to the valve body and toe flanged diameter of the valve stem is configured to seal against the valve body when the sealing arrangement seals the stem to the valve body .

13. The control valve according to claim 12, further comprising:

a replaceable insert configured within the valve body, the replaceable insert surrounding at least a portion of the valve stem.

14. The control valve according to claim 12, further comprising:

a piston actuation system within the valve body.

16. The control valve according to claim 12, wherein the stem is configured to be moved by at least one of an external hydraulic pressure on the piston, a screw thread, and a mechanical actuation.

Description:
CONTROL VALVE SEALING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] The present application claims priority to United States Provisional Application 62/673,922 filed on May 20, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR

DEVELOPMENT

[002] None.

FELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[003] Aspects of the disclosure relate methods and apparatus to allow fluid flow into and out of a pressure vessel or fluid conduit. More specifically , aspects of the disclosure relate to a control valve sealing system and method of use, wherein the control valve sealing system has durability and flexibility in sealing operations.

BACKGROUND

[004] Control valves are used in many fluid systems to allow fluid to pass from one side of the valve to another. The operation of the valve is generally manual, however, some designs may be electrical in nature or the actions of the valve may be performed by a pilot signal. Control valves usually pass relatively small amounts of fluid through the valve to control a machine or affect motion from a hydraulic system.

[005] There are many types of sealing systems and valves. Some common examples are ball valves, as illustrated in FIG. 1, needle valves, as illustrated in FIG. 2, poppet valves, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and spool valves, as illustrated in FIG. 4. All of these systems in FIGS. 1 through 4, are generally known in the art [006] The type of valve used in a specific application generally depends on the fluid being sealed or controlled as well as the desired functionality of foe valve. Each type of valve, for example, has a unique sealing characteristic or operational limitations and each type of valve is suited for particular types of tasks. For example, a specific valve may be useful for sealing gases but not be well suited for liquids. Further, certain valves are better at managing small incremental flow while other valves do not have such a capability and are used to switch on or off very abruptly. Limitations for different types of valves are present in different use scenarios.

[007] Drawbacks for different types of valves are commonplace. Ball valves and poppet valves suffer from exceptionally high“gain” when transitioning from a closed position to an open position. This gives these valves very high sensitivity to position and are not well suited to a throttling type of operation. Ball valves and poppet valves are typically fully open or fully closed. When partially open, ball valves and poppet valves can have high velocity of fluid across the sealing areas which, in turn, reduces the life of the valve significantly and can even damage the valve body.

[008] Needle valves or spool valves have different drawbacks, Needle valves and spool valves are efficient at throttling fluid flow due to hardened metal seats and geometries that provide a variable flow area across a wide range of movement. These types of valves are well suited for liquids and gases at the variable flow rates but have difficulty achieving a leak free condition.

[009] In valves that use a metal to metal seal arrangement, other drawbacks are present. In valves that use this configuration, the valves are sensitive to debris intrusion both in the valve and on the sealing surfaces. These valves are also very reliant on proper manufacturing tolerances. In some instances, the gaps in a spool valve between the moving portion and the body are very small which provides an effective seal. For liquids, this type of seal is sufficient in mobile hydraulic systems, however, these systems sometimes do not allow some fluid to pass. For gases, metal on metal seals are essentially impossible to use as there is extreme difficulty in trying to achieve a leak free design due to surface finishes required.

[010] In this field, there is a need for a system that overcomes the above described challenges with each design, while also providing needed reliability.

[011] There is a need to provide a control valve sealing system that has both the capabilities of a rugged design , such as a metal to metal seal, as well as complete closure capability that is achieved through an elastomeric to metal seat.

[012] There is a further need to provide a control valve sealing system that is economical to manufacture.

[013] There is a further need to provide a control valve seating system that may he maintained on a component basis, allowing field personnel the ability to repair systems that require maintenance.

SUMMARY

[014] So that tiie manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized below, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the drawings. It is to be noted that the drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments without specific recitation. Accordingly, the following summary provides just a few aspects of the description and should not be used to limit the described embodiments to a single concept.

[015] In one non-limiting embodiment, a valve is disclosed wherein the valve is configured to allow fluid flow from a pressurized fluid source through the valve to a downstream chamber, comprising: a valve body having a central bore, and at least two fluid ports, wherein the valve body has an area that transitions from toe central bore and another bore and a fluid portion in connection with the central bore, a valve stem positioned inside the central bore of toe valve body, the stem configured with a flanged diameter and a portion of the stem that is greater in diameter than a diameter of a remainder of the stem, a piston configured within the valve body, the piston configured to move from a first position to a second position upon a force, toe piston connected to the valve stem; and a seating arrangement positioned around the valve stem, the sealing arrangement is configured to seal the stem to the valve body and the flanged diameter of the valve stem is configured to seal against the valve body when the sealing arrangement seals the stem to the valve body.

[016] In one non-limiting embodiment, a method is disclosed providing for steps of connecting a control valve to a fluid system, engaging a piston actuation system, wherein the piston actuation system places a force on a piston connected to a stem of the control valve, moving the stem of toe control valve from the force placed on the piston and disengaging both an elastomeric seal located between toe stem and a body of the control valve and a flange diameter to control valve body seal such that a fluid enters toe control valve.

[017] In one non-limiting embodiment, a control valve is disclosed, the control valve configured to allow fluid flow from a pressurized fluid source through the control valve to a downstream chamber, comprising a valve body having a bore diameter, and having a top port, a side port and a bottom port, the bore diameter connected to the top port, the side port and the bottom port, wherein the valve body has an area that transitions from the bore diameter to another bore diameter and the bottom port configured for connection to the pressurized fluid source, a valve stem positioned inside the bore of toe valve body, toe stem configured with a flanged diameter and a portion of toe stem that is greater in diameter than a diameter of a remainder of the stem, a piston configured within the valve body, toe piston configured to move from a first position to a second position upon a force, the piston connected to the valve stem, and a sealing arrangement configured around the valve stem wherein the sealing arrangement is configured to seal the stem to the valve body and the flanged diameter of tire valve stem is configured to seal against the valve body when the sealing arrangement seals the stem to the valve body.

[018] Other aspects and advantages will become apparentfrpm the following description and the attached claims.

[019] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to Other equally effective embodiments.

[020] FIG, 1 is a side longitudinal center sectional view of a ball valve prior art design.

[02] J FIG.2 is a side longitudinal center sectional view of a needle valve prior art design.

[022] FIG. 3 is a side longitudinal center sectional view of a poppet valve prior art described above.

[023] FIG- 4 is a side longitudinal center sectional view of a spool valve prior art described above.

[024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a valve in accordance With one disclosed embodiment.

[025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, [026] FIG. 7 is a side view of the valve stem removed from the valve body of FIG. 5.

[027] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the valve stem of FIG. 7.

[028] FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative valve body for an example embodiment of the disclosure.

[029] FIG. 10 is a side view of another alternative valve body of the disclosure.

[030] FIG. 11 is a side view of a piston actuation system in another example embodiment of the disclosure.

[031] FIG. 12 is a side view of another actuation system in an example embodiment of the disclosure.

[032] FIG. 13 is a side view of an alternative stem and piston construction in accordance with another non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure.

[033] FIG. 14 is a method of sealing a control valve sealing system of a fluid system.

[034] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures f FIGS"). It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[035] In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the following features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice the disclosure. Furthermore, although embodiments of the disclosure may achieve advantages over other possible solutions and/or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the disdosure. Thus, the following aspects, features, embodiments and advantages are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the claims except where explicitly recited in a claim. Likewise, reference to“the disclosure" shall not be construed as a generalization of inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be considered to be an element or limitation of the claims except where expiidtly recited in a claim.

[036] Although the terms first, second , third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, components, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as“first”, "second’' and Other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless dearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element component, region, layer or section discussed herein could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[037] When an element or layer is referred to as being“on,”“engaged to,"“Connected to," or“coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, coupled to the other element or layer, or interleaving elements or layers may be present In contrast, when an element is referred to as being“directly on,”“directly engaged to,” “directly connected to," or“directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no interleaving elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion. As used herein, the term u and\of includes any and ail combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms. [038] Some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures. Like elements in the various figures will be referenced with like numbers for consistency. In the following description, numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of various embodiments and/or features. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the art, that some embodiments may be practiced without many of these details, and that numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments are possible. As used herein, the terms "above" and“below”,“up" and“down",“upper" and“lower”, "upwardly” and“downwardly”, and other like terms indicating relative positions above or below a given point are used in this description to more clearly describe certain embodiments.

[039] Aspects of the disclosure present a valve that has both a soft seal and metal to metal interface, wherein the advantages of each type of sealing are combined to allow for a control valVe system that allows for variable opening sizes, a rugged construction and operation without damage, By combining these elements with various actuation methods, the valve presents a step forward in valve technology not offered by conventional apparatus. Such a combination of seals allows for durability of the valve design compared to conventional designs as well as allowing for instances where complete closure of the valve is necessary. Thus, aspects of the disclosure present an overall seal that may have two sealing portions, a metal to metal seal and an elastomeric to metal seal.

[040] By providing a redundancy of sealing mechanisms, aspects of the disclosure provide an arrangement that provides more durability as flow must penetrate two (2) sealing mechanisms for a leak to occur. By choosing configurations where portions of an elastomeric seal are protected from damage, such configurations prevent premature failure.

[041] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, an aspect of the disclosure is disclosed. In this aspect, a valve 500 is provided to allow fluid flow from a pressured fluid source through the valve 500 to a chamber. The valve 500 comprises several parts that act in unison to provide for a rugged sealing system that may atso have good control of flows to allow throttling of fluid on an accurate basis. The valve 500 has a valve body 501 having a generally straight bore 502, this case a vertical bore, with a side port 503 and a bottom port 504. The side port 503 connects with the bore 502 and the bottom port 504 to provide a pathway for fluid to flow. By terms of definition, a fluid may be a liquid, a gas or a combination of these. Solid particulate matter may also be conveyed through such valves. The top of the valve body 501 is provided with a configuration for linear actuation of valve internals (described later). The bottom of the valve body 501 has a tapered conical transition 505, as illustrated in FIG. 8, located between the bottom of the valve body 501 and the bore 502. The tapered conical transition 505 allows for accurate throttle control of fluids through the valve 500. When the valve 500 is desired to be closed, a flanged diameter 508 may contact the tapered conical transition 505, effectively sealing the valve 500. To ensure that the valve is completely sealed, an elastomeric seal 516 is located below an area of increased diameter 509, essentially shielding the elastomeric seal 516 against the valve body 501. This elastomeric seal 516 will contact the valve body 501 when the flanged diameter 508 also contacts the valve body 501, therefore creating a double seal arrangement. The valve 500, therefore, has the ability of providing a rugged seal at the outside, as well as an elastomeric seal 516 within the valve 500. As will be understood, the elastomeric seal 516 may be relocated within the valve body 501 such that such elastomeric sealing occurs at locations other than near tire end of the stem 506. In other example embodiments, the increased diameter 509 portion of the stem 506 may be moved further along the shaft 507 in the direction of foe piston 514. The elastomeric seal 516 may be moved as well, up the shaft 507 to a position adjacent to the increased diameter 509 portion. In other example embodiments, when the elastomeric seal 516 is moved along tire shaft 507, two areas of increased diameter 509 maybe located on opposite sides of the elastomeric seal 516, thereby protecting portions of the seal from aggressive flow regimes. [042] The valve body 501 may provide features that allow connections with other hydraulic elements, such as threads, flanges, gaskets, as non-limiting embodiments. Such connections may be made at the side port 503 or at the bottom port 504, as nonlimiting embodiments. A stem 506 is located within the valve body 501 and provides a shaft 507 that extends into a top port 517 of the valve body 501. Another end of the stem 506 has a flange diameter 508 that contacts an exit of the central bore 502 and forms a metal on metal seal. Thus, when the stem 506 is extended down the longitudinal axis of the valve 500 toward the bottom port 504, the flange diameter 508 Is located away from the tapered conical transition 505 and fluid is allowed to flow within the valve 500. When the stem 506 is positioned such that the stem 506 is located to a point closest to the top port 517, the flange diameter 508 contacts the tapered conical transition 505, and the valve 500 is closed. During this closed period, the elastomeric seal 516 is also sealed against the valve body 501.

[043] As will be understood, the top port 517 provides a top chamber that may be exposed to a charged fluid, thereby moving the piston 514 within the valve body 501 The movement of the piston 514, that is connected to the shaft 507 and stem 506, thereby allows for opening and/or closing the valve 500. The piston 514 may have a smooth operation within the valve body $01 to allow for indexing of the piston 514 throughout a range of the top port 517, thereby accurately controlling the opening and closing of the valve 500.

[044] On the stem 506 in the area that transitions between the flange diameter 508 and the shaft 507, a slightly increased diameter 509 is provided with a generally tapered surface starting at point 510. A clearance 511 to the valve body bore 502 from the stem 506 is small. The length of this transition and its clearance are chosen to provide a variable flow path restriction when the stem 506 is moved axially within the center of the valVe body 501. Typically, this combination provides minimum flow potential at the beginning of travel and maximum flow potential at the end of travel. In such a configuration, flow may be increased or decreased according to the position of the stem 506 and tire associated elastomeric seal 516 and flanged diameter 508. As the clearance 511 is close between the stem 506 and the bore 502, small amounts of fluid may pass through the valve 500 without damaging tiie valve 500. The increased diameter 509 of the stem 506 protects the elastomeric seal 516 when high flow regimes may exist. The materials used to construct the stem 506, therefore, may be different than those used within the valve body 501. In some embodiments, the valve body 501 may be made of a metal that is relatively softer than the metallic material that is used to construct the stem 506. Such a difference in material strengths may be used to provide a firm seal at the junction point between the flanged diameter 508 and tire tapered conical transition 505. In other non-limiting embodiments, the stem 506 may be made of a metal that is softer than the metal of the valve body 501.

[045] Referring to FIG. 10, another embodiment is illustrated wherein a hydraulic system 513 is provided as an interface system with the stem 506 and the flanged diameter 508 and elastomeric seal 516. In this embodiment, a valve body 501 is provided where a top of tiie stem 506 has a piston 514 that is sealed against the stem 506 and the body 501. The piston 514 has dimensions such that tiie hydraulic system 513 provides an interface surface with the stem 506. Such a connection between the valve body 502 and the hydraulic system 513 may be accomplished through different mechanical connections, such as a screw connection, a flanged connection or other mechanical connection. The hydraulic system 513 may be any type of system where fluid may enter or exit through the valve 500 provided herein. In some non-limiting embodiments, the valve 500 may be connected to a piping operation used in the recovery of hydrocarbons, such as an oil and/or gas rig. In other embodiments, the hydraulic system 513 may be a tank for storage of fluids, such as chemicals, petroleum or gases. Thus, aspects of the disclosure may be used in a number of industries.

[046] Referring to FIG, 9, another embodiment of the disclosure is presented. In this embodiment, the valve body 501 has a replaceable interface 512 where the conical surface and tiie bottom of tiie valve body 501 intersect. Such a configuration allows for the replaceable interface 512 to be replaced. Such replacement may be through a screw connection, in a non-limiting embodiment. If, during high flow regimes, portions of the replaceable interface 512 are damaged due to fluid flow, operators may simply replace the replaceable interface 512 allowing the remainder of the valve 500 to be reused, reducing costs.

[047] Alternative embodiments provide for moving the piston 514 up or down, depending on the amount of pressure bias provided within the top port 517. Other external arrangements 519 may be introduced to influence the piston movement as well.

[048] As shown in FIG. 11, the valve 500 can be further constructed with the stem 506 comprising of the actuating piston 514 and the shaft 507 together as a unit. The flange diameter 508 is threaded on or otherwise attached to the stem 506 which traps the elastomeric seal 516. This may be an easier assembly method and eliminates the need for a seal at the piston/valve body interface, Such a construction will also provide for economy of design and reduced parts that may contribute to maintenance and reliability issues.

[049] Referring to FIG. 12, a piston actuation system 519 may be used to help in actuation of the piston 514. in this embodiment, the piston actuation system 519 is external to the valve body 501. Referring to FIG. 11 , m another non-limiting embodiment, a piston actuation system 518 may be performed through hydraulic pressure at the top Of the valve body 501. In either embodiment described in FIGS. 11 and 12, a biasing force may be exerted onto the piston 514 through a vacuum or a pressure, as a nonlimiting example, or a mechanical attachment that moves the piston 514. Such a piston actuation system 518, 519 may be user controlled through a signal, thereby allowing operators a remote ability to control the valve 500 through commands. Such a piston actuation system 518, 519 may take sensor readings to allow operators the ability to check in real time, the opening within the valve 501. [050] The piston actuation system 519 may also be equipped with fault/trouble coding such that fault conditions within the valve 501 may be supplied to operators. As an example, flow may be monitored either in or out of the side port 503. If a flow is recognized through the side port 503 when the valve 500 is in a closed condition, then a signal may be generated to operators such teat either the Valve 500 must be calibrated, or teat maintenance must be performed as a leak is present within the metal to metal seal of the flanged diameter 508 and tee elastomeric seal 516,

[051] As will be understood, when a sealing arrangement is recited, the sealing arrangement may be the elastomeric seal 516 located around the valve stem, as a nonlimiting embodiment. Such a sealing arrangement should not be confused with a separate seal that is generated by the flanged diameter 508 to the valve body 501, or in some embodiments, the replaceable insert 512.

[052] Referring to FIG. 13, an alternative construction for tee stem and piston construction is illustrated, In this embodiment, valve 1300, as presented, instead of a flange diameter 508 (as presented in FIG. 5) that is a one piece design, a two piece design is presented. The shaft 1307 extends down to a stem 1306 that ultimately ends with the twopiece construction at the diameter 1308 at the port 1304. The stem 1306 is closely matched to the bore 1302. A side port 1303 is provided, similar to the other disclosed embodiments. A seal 1316 is provided between the valve body 1301 and the stem 1306. A piston 1314 is provided at the top of the shaft 1307. Hydraulic pressure from the side port 1303 may overcome the force on the stem 1306 and causes upward movement. A seal 1315 is provided between the piston 1314 and the valve body 1301 to allow for pressure retention so that the piston 1314 may move

[053] In embodiments that use an elastomeric seal 516, 1316, different types of materials may be used to provide the sealing capability between, for example, the stem 506, 1306 and the valve body 501. Such examples may include isoprene rubber, natural polyisoprene, nitrile rubber, Buna N rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, and butyle rubber as non-limiting example embodiments.

[054] With the embodiments shown herein from FIGS. 5 through 13, a control valve sealing system is illustrated. The control valve sealing system provides superior leakage characteristics compared to conventional apparatus. In embodiments, maintenance is enhanced through the use of replaceable components, such as a replaceable interface. Such replaceable interfaces may be screw designs, as a hoh-limiting embodiment, to limit the amount of and use of specialty tools. Through toe designs used, high use areas are replaceable, therefore increasing the life expectancy of tools that use such a configuration.

[055] Methods of providing a seal between a control valve sealing system and a fluid system are also disclosed. In these methods, one objective is to provide for operability of the control valve sealing system that does not have the significant drawbacks of prior art or conventional designs. The methods described provide for a rugged design that is not prone to wear or excessive degradation. These methods also provide for the capability of providing a variable flow through the control va!Ve, unlike conventional systems providing a "binary" off/on capability. Such a method provided allows for correct metering of fluid through the valve. Correct metering or flow control through the control valve may be important, for example, in testing situations where parameters are to be closely monitored. Such testing situations may include, but not be limited to, isokinetic sampling of fluid for determination of different fluid properties, such as temperature, fluid pressure and material constituents.

[056] In some methods, rather than providing a single primary seal, multiple seals are provided, adding a redundancy that does not exist in conventional apparatus and methods. The redundancy provided allows for the superior portions of sealing methods to be added together, thereby taking the advantages from different methods and adding these together, providing a robust system and method. [057] As a non-limiting embodiment, toe advantage of haying a method toat relies on a metal to metal interface for sealing has significant advantages over other sealing technologies as the metal to metal interface provides for sealing in aggressive or high flow environments. The drawback in metal to metal interfaces, however, is that compete flow is not stopped through such a configuration as a metal to metal seal does not provide for a completely leak free sealing.

[058] This drawback in the metal to metal sealing arrangement, however, may be overcome by adding an elastomeric seal on one side of the metal to metal seating arrangement The elastomeric seal, while not good in an aggressive flow regime, can provide for a completely leak free sealing. Thus, the advantages of two different types of seals can be obtained by adding such technologies together to better suit the environment that the valve will be installed within. As described above, protections are provided to the elastomeric seal through alterations of the configuration of the valve, thereby preventing the elastomeric seal from wearing too quickly in potentially aggressive flow regimes.

[059] In other embodiments, toe elastomeric seal may be located in a different location than near an end of a stem of the valve. In these method embodiments, toe elastomeric primary seal may be moved more internally into the valve, providing further protection.

[060] Actuation of the valve may also be undertaken in different method embodiments. In one embodiment, a method 1400 is disclosed. The method 1400 may comprise, at 1402, connecting a control valve to a fluid system. At 1404, the method may further progress to engaging a piston actuation system, wherein the piston actuation system places a force on a piston connected to a stem of the control valve. The method may also progress, at 1406 to moving the stem of the control valve from the force placed on the piston. At 1408, the method may continue to disengaging both an elastomeric seal located between the stem and a body of the control valve and a flange diameter to control valve body seal such that a fluid enters toe control valve. [061] In embodiments, as will be understood, the elastomeric seal located between the stem and the body of the control valve may be located near the flanged diameter of the stem. In other non-limiting embodiments, the method may be provide for an elastomeric seal more centered within the control valve. Thus, in these types of methods, the elastomeric seal is located further from the exterior of the valve body 501, In embodiments, the valve body 501 may have different types of connections at the side port 503, tire bottom port 504 and the top port 517. To provide for a leak free connection, these may be screw type connections, flanged connections or other types of connections.

[062] In the embodiments disclosed and the variations of those embodiments, a person of skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 13 is similar to that disclosed for FIGS. 5 to 12. In this manner, alterations that are applicable to FIGS. 5 to 12 are also applicable to FIG 13 and vice versa.

[063] In one non-limiting embodiment, a valve is disclosed wherein the valve is configured to allow fluid flow from a pressurized fluid source through the valve to a downstream chamber, comprising: a valve body having a central bore, and at least two fluid ports, wherein the valve body has an area that transitions from the central bore and another bore and a fluid portion in connection with the central bore, a valve stem positioned inside the central bore of the valve body, the stem configured with a flanged diameter and a portion of the stem that is greater in diameter than a diameter of a remainder of the stem, a piston configured within the valve body , the piston configured to move from a first position to a second positron upon a force, the piston connected to the valve stem; and a sealing arrangement positioned around the valve stem, the sealing arrangement is configured to seal the stem to the valve body and the flanged diameter of the valve stem is configured to seal against the valve body when the sealing arrangement seals the stem to the valve body.

[064] In another non-limiting embodiment, the valve may be configured wherein the valve body has a replaceable insert. [065] In another non-limiting embodiment, foe valve may be configured wherein the sealing arrangement is placed in contact with foe valve stem.

[066] In a further non-limiting embodiment, the valve may be configured wherein the sealing arrangement is placed within the valve body.

[067] in a still further embodiment the valve may be configured wherein the piston provides a force to the valve stem when a fluid pressure is present at one of the at least two fluid ports.

[068] In another embodiment, the valve may be configured wherein one of the at least two fluid ports is a side port

[069] In another embodiment the valve may be configured wherein the portion of the stem that is greater in diameter than a diameter of the remainder of foe stem is adjacent to the sealing arrangement positioned around the valve stem.

[070] In another embodiment, the valve may be configured wherein the valve stem is configured to move based upon a force placed upon the piston.

[071] In one hoh-limiting embodiment, a method is disclosed providing for steps of connecting a control valve to a fluid system, engaging a piston actuation system, wherein foe piston actuation system places a force on a piston connected to a stem of the control valve, moving foe stem of foe control valve from the force placed on the piston and disengaging both an elastomeric seal located between foe stem and a body of the control valve and a flange diameter to control valve body seal such that a fluid enters the control valve. [072] In one non-limiting embodiment, the method may be performed wherein tie engaging the piston actuation system placing the force on tie piston is through a fluid pumped into a top port of the control valve.

[073] In another non-limiting embodiment, the method may be performed wherein the engaging the piston actuation system plating the force on the piston is through a vacuum placed in a top port of the control valve.

[074] In one non-limiting embodiment, a control valve is disclosed, the control valve configured to allow fluid flow from a pressurized fluid source through the control valve to a downstream chamber, comprising a valve body having a bore diameter, and haying a top port, a side port and a bottom port, the bore diameter connected to the top port, the side port and the bottom port, wherein the valve body has an area that transitions from the bore diameter to another bore diameter and the bottom port configured for connection to the pressurized fluid source, a valve stem positioned inside the bore of the valve body, the stem configured with a flanged diameter and a portion of the stem that is greater in diameter than a diameter of a remainder of the stem, a piston configured within the valve body, fire piston configured to move from a first position to a second position upon a force, the piston connected to the valve stem, and a sealing arrangement configured around the valve stem wherein the sealing arrangement is configured to seal the stem to the valve body and the flanged diameter of the valve stem is configured to seal against the valve body when the sealing arrangement seals the stem to the valve body.

[075] In one non-limiting embodiment, the control valve may further comprise a replaceable insert configured within the valve body, the replaceable insert surrounding at least a portion of the valve stem.

[076] In another non-limiting embodiment, the control valve may further comprise a piston actuation system within the valve body. [077] In another non-limiting embodiment, the controi valve may be further configured wherein the stem is configured to be moved by at least one of an external hydraulic pressure on the piston, a screw thread and a mechanical actuation.

[078] While embodiments have been described herein, those skilled in the art having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that other embodiments are envisioned that do not depart from the inventive scope. Accordingly, the scope of the present claims or any subsequent claims shall not be unduly limited by the description of the embodiments described herein.