초록 ▼

Two-piece trim apparatus for use with fluid regulators are described. In one described example, a fluid regulator has a regulator body and a first seat ring to provide a first flow characteristic disposed within the body and defining a fluid orifice. The first seat ring is interchangeable with a sec

Two-piece trim apparatus for use with fluid regulators are described. In one described example, a fluid regulator has a regulator body and a first seat ring to provide a first flow characteristic disposed within the body and defining a fluid orifice. The first seat ring is interchangeable with a second seat ring that is to provide a second flow characteristic different from the first flow characteristic. The fluid regulator also includes a first cage to provide a third fluid characteristic and removably coupled to the first seat ring. The first cage is interchangeable with a second cage that is to provide a fourth fluid flow characteristic different from the third flow characteristic. The first cage can be selectively coupled to the first seat ring or the second seat ring and the first seat ring can be selectively coupled to the first cage or the second cage.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A fluid regulator, comprising: a regulator body;a first seat ring defining an orifice, the first seat ring to be disposed within the regular body, the first seat ring to provide a first fluid flow characteristic, the first seat ring being interchangeable with a second seat ring, the second seat r

1. A fluid regulator, comprising: a regulator body;a first seat ring defining an orifice, the first seat ring to be disposed within the regular body, the first seat ring to provide a first fluid flow characteristic, the first seat ring being interchangeable with a second seat ring, the second seat ring to provide a second fluid flow characteristic, the first seat ring having first, second, and third annular surfaces spaced along a longitudinal axis of the regulator body that extends through the orifice, the second annular surface being between the first and third annular surfaces, a first circumferential wall being between the first and second annular surfaces, a second circumferential wall being between the second and third annular surfaces, the third annular surface to be sealingly engaged by a valve plug; anda first cage to provide a third fluid flow characteristic, the first cage being interchangeable with a second cage, the second cage to provide a fourth fluid characteristic, the first cage having an end and an inner wall, the end to engage the first annular surface and the inner wall is engage the first circumferential wall, the second annular surface defining a gap between the first and third annular surfaces to enable interchangeability of the first cage with the second cage. 2. A fluid regulator as defined in claim 1, wherein the first seat ring is coupled to the first cage via at least one of an interference fit, threads, adhesive, a set screw, a roll pin, or grease. 3. A fluid regulator as defined in claim 1, wherein the first fluid flow characteristic of the first seat ring provides a greater fluid pressure drop through the orifice of the fluid regulator at a given fluid flow rate than the second fluid flow characteristic provided by the second seat ring. 4. A fluid regulator as defined in claim 1, wherein the first cage provides a pressure drop versus flow characteristic that is different than a pressure drop versus flow characteristic provided by the second cage. 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first seat ring comprises a strainer seat ring and the second seat ring comprises a restricted seat ring. 6. A fluid regulator as defined in claim 1, wherein the first circumferential wall of the first seat ring has a first diameter and the inner wall of the first cage has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter to enable press-fit engagement between the first cage and the first seat ring. 7. A fluid regulator as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second seat rings further comprises a respective beveled surface to engage an o-ring. 8. An apparatus for use with a fluid regulator, comprising: a first cage for controlling a flow of fluid through the fluid regulator, the first cage to provide a first flow characteristic, the first cage being interchangeable with a second cage, the second cage to provide a second flow characteristic, the first cage having a first inner wall and a first end, a first distance between facing portions of the first inner wall having a first dimension; anda first seat ring to be mounted within the fluid regulator and defining a fluid orifice, wherein the first seat ring includes a first outer wall, a second distance between opposing portions of the first outer wall having a second dimension that is larger than the first dimension of the first cage; anda second seat ring replaceable with and different from the first seat ring, wherein the second seat ring is to be removably coupled to the first cage and includes a second outer wall that is substantially similar to the first outer wall, and wherein the second seat ring provides a third fluid flow characteristic that is different than a fourth fluid flow characteristic provided by the first seat ring,wherein each of the first and second seat rings comprises first, second, and third annular surfaces spaced along a longitudinal axis of the regulator body that extends through the fluid orifice, the second annular surface being between the first and third annular surfaces, a first circumferential wall being between the first and second annular surfaces, a second circumferential wall being between the second and third annular surfaces, the third annular surface to be sealingly engaged by a valve plug, the first end to engage the first annular surface, the second annular surface defining a gap between the first and third annular surfaces to enable interchangeability of the first cage and the second cage. 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, further comprising a third cage different than the first and second cages, wherein the third cage is to be removably coupled to the first seat ring or second seat ring. 10. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the cages comprise at least a sound trim or a characterized trim. 11. An apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein at least two surfaces of the cage engage at least two surfaces of the first seat ring when the cage is coupled to the first seat ring. 12. An apparatus for use with a fluid regulator comprising: a plurality of different and interchangeable cages for use with the fluid regulator, wherein each of the cages has a cage interface that includes a rectangular cross-sectional shape; anda plurality of different and interchangeable seat rings for use with the fluid regulator, each of the seat rings having first, second, and third annular surfaces to be spaced along a longitudinal axis of the regulator body that extends through the fluid orifice, the second annular surface being between the first and third annular surfaces, a first circumferential wall being between the first and second annular surfaces, a second circumferential wall being between the second and third annular surfaces, the third annular surface to be sealingly engaged by a valve plug, wherein each of the cages is to be removably coupled to each of the seat rings such that the first circumferential wall engages or surrounds a surface of the cage interface to couple the seat rings to the cages and to align the cages with the seat rings, wherein each of the seat rings provides a different fluid flow characteristic to a fluid flowing through the fluid regulator, the second annular surface of the seat rings to define a gap between the first and third annular surfaces to enable interchangeability of the cages. 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein each of the seat rings is to align the cages with the fluid regulator. 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein each of the seat rings is to be removably coupled to each of the cages via at least one of an interference fit, threads, adhesive, a set screw, a roll pin, or grease. 15. A method of coupling a two-piece trim apparatus for use with a fluid valve, the method comprising: selecting a first seat ring from a plurality of seat rings, each of the seat rings having first, second, and third annular surfaces spaced along a longitudinal axis of the regulator body that extends through the fluid orifice, the second annular surface being between the first and third annular surfaces, a first circumferential wall being between the first and second annular surfaces, a second circumferential wall being between the second and third annular surfaces, the third annular surface to be sealingly engaged by a valve plug;selecting a first cage from a plurality of cages, each of the cages having a cage interface that is to engage the seat ring interface, wherein the cage interface includes an edge to define an inner surface or wall; andcoupling the first cage and the first seat ring such that the edge of the first cage engages the first annular surface,wherein the second annular surface defines a gap between the first and third annular surfaces to enable interchangeability of the first cage with a second cage of the plurality of cages. 16. A method of claim 15, further comprising replacing the first seat ring with a second seat ring from the seat rings and coupling the second seat ring to the first cage, wherein the first seat ring is to provide a first predetermined flow characteristic that is different from a second predetermined flow characteristic provided by the second seat ring. 17. A method of claim 16, further comprising replacing the first cage with the second cage and coupling the second cage with the first seat ring or the second seat ring, wherein the first cage is to provide a first predetermined fluid flow characteristic that is different from a second predetermined flow characteristic provided by a second cage.