Valve assemblies including a sealed housing and related systems and methods
Valve assemblies include a first actuation element coupled to the valve member, where the first actuation element is configured to move the valve member between a first closed position and a second open position. An inner housing encloses the first actuation element and is statically sealed to a valve body. A second actuation element is configured to be coupled to a valve actuator for moving the second actuation element relative to the first actuation element, where movement of the second actuation element is configured to indirectly apply a force to the first actuation element through the inner housing.
1 . A valve assembly, comprising:
a valve body having a fluid passage through the valve body, the valve body comprising a seat portion;
a valve member disposed in a chamber of the valve body that is in communication with the fluid passage, the valve member being movable relative to the valve body to inhibit fluid flow in a first closed position when the valve member is in contact with the seat portion and to enable fluid flow in a second open position;
a first actuation element coupled to the valve member, the first actuation element comprising one or more magnets and configured to move the valve member in an axial direction of the valve assembly between the first closed position and the second open position;
a single-piece inner housing statically sealed to the valve body and enclosing the first actuation element, the inner housing comprising a metal alloy material, the inner housing extending continuously from a static seal with the body to surround the first actuation element on all lateral sides and an upper portion of the first actuation element opposing the valve member to define a containment system for fluid in the valve body, wherein the single-piece inner housing further extends radially inward from the static seal with the body to a location adjacent to the valve member to define the opening through which a portion of the valve member passes;
a second actuation element comprising one or more magnets, the second actuation element configured to be coupled to a valve actuator for moving the second actuation element relative to the first actuation element, the valve body, and the inner housing via magnetic force applied between the one or more magnets of the first actuation element and the one or more magnets of the second actuation element, wherein movement of the second actuation element is configured to indirectly apply a force to the first actuation element through the inner housing, and wherein the one or more magnets of the first actuation element are at least partially axially aligned with the one or more magnets of the second actuation element and laterally spaced from the one or more magnets of the second actuation element in a lateral direction of the valve assembly that is transverse to the axial direction of the valve assembly; and
an outer housing directly abutting the inner housing, wherein the second actuation element is enclosed between the inner housing and the outer housing, and wherein the outer housing is configured to be removed from direct abutment with the inner housing for maintenance of the second actuation element without exposing the fluid to atmosphere.
2 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second actuation element is configured to apply a magnetic force to the first actuation element through the inner housing.
3 . The valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the second actuation element and the first actuation element comprises magnets.
4 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner housing physically separates the second actuation element from the first actuation element in the lateral direction of the valve assembly.
5 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner housing is coupled and sealed to the valve body on one side of the inner housing, the inner housing defining an opening into the valve body and enclosing the first actuation element and at least a portion of the valve member on remaining sides of the inner housing.
6 . The valve assembly of claim 5 , wherein the shaft extends through the opening in the inner housing and terminates in a plug head.
7 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second actuation element is configured to apply an indirect rotational force to the first actuation element through the inner housing.
8 . The valve assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second actuation element is configured to apply an indirect translational force to the first actuation element through the inner housing.
9 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second actuation element is configured to apply a noncontact force to the first actuation element through the inner housing.
10 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first actuation element comprises a rotary-to-linear device configured to translate the valve member in response to a rotational force applied to the first actuation element by the second actuation element through the inner housing.
11 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the outer housing comprises a single-piece structure.
12 . The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner housing is statically sealed to the valve body with an O-ring.
13 . A valve assembly, comprising:
a valve member on a shaft to be disposed in a chamber of a valve body that is in communication with a fluid passage through the valve body, the valve member being movable via the shaft to inhibit fluid flow through the fluid passage in a first closed position and to enable fluid flow in a second open position through the fluid passage;
an inner actuation assembly coupled to the valve member, the inner actuation assembly configured to move the valve member between the first closed position and the second open position;
a housing having an outer circumference enclosing the inner actuation assembly and configured to be statically sealed to the valve body, a lowermost portion of the housing being received within a recess in the valve body and extending continuously laterally inward from the outer circumference to define an opening configured for the shaft of the valve member to extend;
a static seal in the recess in the valve body and positioned between the lowermost portion of the housing and the valve body;
an outer actuation assembly positioned over at least a portion of the inner actuation assembly, the outer actuation assembly configured to be coupled to a valve actuator for moving the outer actuation assembly relative to the inner actuation assembly and the housing, wherein movement of the outer actuation assembly is configured to apply an indirect force to the inner actuation assembly through the housing; and
an outer housing abutting a portion of the housing and positioned over the outer actuation assembly.
14 . The valve assembly of claim 13 , wherein the outer actuation assembly is configured to apply an indirect magnetic force to the inner actuation assembly radially through the housing in order to rotate at least a portion of the inner actuation assembly.
15 . The valve assembly of claim 13 , wherein an interface between the fluid passage and the housing positioned over the valve member lacks any dynamically loaded seals such that the valve assembly is operated using only the static seal to separate interior liquid flow through the fluid passage from external rotating parts of the outer actuation assembly.
16 . The valve assembly of claim 13 , wherein the housing encloses and radially separates the outer actuation assembly from the inner actuation assembly.
17 . The valve assembly of claim 16 , wherein the housing is configured to seal the inner actuation assembly between the housing and the valve body.
18 . The valve assembly of claim 13 , wherein the housing includes a continuous portion extending from the valve body and enclosing the inner actuation assembly on all sides except for the opening for the shaft.
19 . A method of actuating a valve assembly, comprising:
disposing a valve member in a chamber of a valve body that is in communication with a fluid passage through the valve body; and
moving the valve member between a first closed position to inhibit fluid flow through the fluid passage and a second close position to enable fluid flow through the fluid passage, the moving the valve member comprising:
driving an outer actuation assembly with a valve actuator; and
applying an indirect force to an inner actuation assembly coupled to the valve member with the outer actuation assembly in primarily a radial direction through a housing enclosing the inner actuation assembly to the valve body, the housing extending around the inner actuation assembly and radially inward to a location adjacent to the valve member to enclose and seal the inner actuation assembly, the valve assembly lacking any sliding seals or rotating seals between the fluid passage and the housing such that the valve assembly is operated using only static seals to separate interior liquid flow through the fluid passage from external rotating parts of the outer actuation assembly.
20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
enclosing the outer actuation assembly with an outer housing directly abutting the housing; and
removing the outer housing from direct abutment with the inner housing to maintenance of the second actuation element without exposing fluid in in the valve body to atmosphere.