WO2019138298A2

WO2019138298A2 - Hose motion regulation system and method for control valve

Info

Publication number: WO2019138298A2
Application number: PCT/IB2019/000112
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zhiming PANG
Original assignee: Emerson Process Management (Tianjin) Valves Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2018-01-15
Filing date: 2019-01-15
Publication date: 2019-07-18
Also published as: WO2019138298A3

Abstract

A hose motion regulation system for a control valve. The hose motion regulation system includes a tracking rail assembly, a plurality of car carriers coupled to the tracking rail assembly, and a driving modular assembly adapted to be coupled to the control valve. A fastening assembly includes at least one moveable clamp base mounted on a moveable car carrier, and a slave modular assembly includes a straightening component and a bending component. A hose is disposed within the straightening component and the bending component and clamped to the plurality of car carriers by the fastening assembly. So configured, the slave modular assembly is driven by the driving modular assembly to regulate movement of the hose along a pathway defined by the tracking rail assembly, the straightening component maintaining movement of the hose in a single plane, preventing radial movement of the hose.

Description

HOSE MOTION REGULATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROL VALVE

Field of the Disclosure

[0001] The disclosure generally relates to control valves and, more specifically, to a flexible hose motion regulation system and method for a control valve, such as a rotary valve.

Background of the Disclosure

[0002] Process control systems often employ control valves, such as rotary valves, including ball valves, butterfly valves, eccentric-disk valves, eccentric-plug valves, etc., to control the flow of process fluids. Rotary valves typically include a valve trim assembly having a seat disposed in the fluid path and surrounding a flow aperture, and a fluid control element (e.g., a disk, a ball, etc.) disposed in the fluid path and rotatably coupled to the body of the valve via a shaft. To control the flow of fluid through some rotary valves, the position of the fluid control element may be varied from a closed position at which the fluid control element is in sealing engagement with the seat, thereby preventing fluid flow through the flow aperture, to a fully open or maximum flow rate position at which the fluid control element is spaced away from the seat, thereby allowing fluid flow through the flow aperture.

[0003] In some specific applications of process control, fluid must remain in liquid or gaseous phase at all times in a process line. In one example, steam is used as a media to maintain fluid temperature at a desired high point. When some devices, such as valves, are introduced into the process, whole trim parts directly contacting with fluid must be heated by the steam, for example.

[0004] In some rotary valves, such as the rotary valve 10 depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, steam is often pressurized into a port 12 disposed on a drive shaft 14 of the rotary valve 10 separated from a steam pipe line (not shown). The steam then flows through a tunnel 16 disposed within the drive shaft 14 and extending into a disk 18 of the rotary valve 10 and finally flows out from a port 20 disposed on a follower shaft 22. A stationary flange 24 is used as an inlet of steam input and is adapted to be connected to a steam pipe line (not shown).

[0005] In some examples, and referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, a flexible hose 26 has been used to connect with the stationary flange 24 and the drive shaft 14 of the rotary valve 10. During a typical operating cycle, the drive shaft 14 rotates from a closed position, such as a 0-degree position, to an open position, such as a 90-degree position. In operation, this cycle of opening and closing of the rotary valve 10 may occur over 100 times per day.

[0006] Existing flexible hoses, however, are not tailored to specific control devices and process configurations, most of which have designs different from one another. Vendors manufacturing the existing flexible hoses for control valve devices provide some instructions for flexible hose installation and connection, but only very basic guidance is provided, which often cannot be used for specific conditions. As a result, existing flexible hoses 26 are used in an arbitrary way without considering safety and reliability of usage. For example, and as depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, the flexible hose 26 often twists significantly in different motion planes during use. In addition, an end 28 of the flexible hose 26 also rotates along with rotation of the drive shaft 14. Such improper configurations result in hose damage and shorten service life of both the flexible hose 26 and control valve 10.

Summary

[0007] In accordance with a first exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a hose motion regulation system for a control valve, the hose motion regulation system comprising a tracking rail assembly, a plurality of car carriers coupled to the tracking rail assembly, and a driving modular assembly including a driver block coupled to a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers and adapted to be coupled to a valve shaft of the control valve. A fastening assembly includes at least one moveable clamp base mounted on a moveable car carrier of the plurality of car carriers and at least one stationary clamp base. In addition, a slave modular assembly includes a straightening component and a bending component, and a hose is disposed within the straightening component and the bending component of the slave modular assembly and clamped to the plurality of car carriers by the fastening assembly. So configured, the slave modular assembly is driven by the driving modular assembly to regulate movement of the hose along a pathway defined by the tracking rail assembly, the straightening component maintaining movement of the hose in a single plane, preventing radial movement of the hose.

[0008] In accordance with a second exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a control valve comprises a valve body defining a control passage and a control element disposed within the control passage via a valve shaft to control fluid flow in the control passage. A hose motion regulation system coupled to the valve shaft and includes a tracking rail assembly and a plurality of car carriers coupled to the tracking rail assembly. A driving modular assembly includes a driver block coupled to a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers and the valve shaft, and a fastening assembly includes at least one moveable clamp base mounted on a moveable car carrier of the plurality of car carriers and at least one stationary clamp base. A slave modular assembly includes a straightening component and a bending component, and a hose is coupled to the plurality of car carriers via the fastening assembly. So configured, the slave modular assembly is driven by the driving modular assembly to regulate movement of the hose along a pathway defined by the tracking rail assembly, such that the hose is moved in a direction along the pathway toward the bending component when the control valve moves from a closed position to an open position. In addition, the straightening component maintains movement of the hose in a single plane, preventing radial movement of the hose.

[0009] According to a further exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling motion of a hose for use with a control valve comprises coupling a hose motion regulation system to a valve shaft of the control valve, disposing a hose within the hose motion regulation system, and maintaining a stationary position of the hose while steam is injected into the flexible hose and the control valve is in a closed position. The method further comprises moving the hose in a direction along a predetermined path defined at least in part by a curved section and at least one straight rail of a tracking rail assembly of the hose motion regulation system via at least one car carrier when the control valve moves to an open position from the closed position. The method still further includes maintaining movement of the hose in a single plane via a straightening component of a slave modular assembly of the hose motion regulation system, preventing twisting of the hose.

[0010] In further accordance with any one or more of the exemplary aspects, the hose motion regulation system, the control valve, or any method of the present disclosure may include any one or more of the following preferred forms.

[0011] In some preferred forms, the tracking rail assembly comprises a pair of straight rails disposed parallel to each other and a curved section attached to one straight rail of the pair of straight rails, the curved section including a 90 degree curve rail. In addition, the plurality of car carriers may include six car carriers, a first pair of car carriers disposed on a first straight rail of the pair of straight rails, a second pair of car carriers disposed on a second straight rail of the pair of straight rails opposite the first pair of car carriers, and a third pair of car carriers disposed on the curved section of the tracking rail assembly.

Further, the driving modular assembly may further comprise a driving head coupled to a car carrier and a driving arm having a first end coupled to the driving block and a second end coupled to the driving head, the driving arm securing the driving block to the driving head. Still further, the driving head of the driving modular assembly may be disposed on a first moveable car carrier of the pair of car carriers mounted to the curved section of the tracking rail assembly, and the first car carrier of the pair of car carriers may be coupled to a second moveable car carrier of the pair of car carriers mounted to the curved section of the tracking rail assembly via an eyelet bolt.

[0012] In some other preferred forms, the fastening assembly may further comprise a first moveable clamp base attached to a first moveable car carrier of a pair of car carriers initially disposed on a curved section of the tracking rail assembly and a second moveable clamp base attached to a second moveable car carrier of a pair of car carriers initially disposed on the curved section of the tracking rail assembly. In addition, the fastening assembly may further comprise a first stationary clamp base attached to a stationary end of the hose and a second stationary clamp base attached to an end of a straight rail of the tracking rail assembly. Further, the fastening assembly may further include a moveable component mounted to the at least one moveable clamp base, and a locking mechanism mounted to the moveable component. The moveable component may be adapted to slide on the at least one moveable clamp base along a radial direction of a curved section of the tracking rail assembly to compensate for radial displacement of a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers when moving from the curved section to a straight section of the tracking rail assembly. Still further, the locking mechanism of the fastening assembly may comprise one or more of a lower clip mounted to the at least one moveable component, an upper clip attached to the lower clip, a recess formed in a center portion between the lower clip and the upper clip, the recess for receiving a portion of the hose, and a liner disposed between the upper clip and lower clip.

[0013] In yet still other preferred forms, the straightening component may be disposed on each straight rail of the tracking rail assembly to maintain movement of the hose in a single plane, avoiding twisting of the hose. In addition, the bending component may include a plurality of sub-components, and the plurality of sub-components may include a first sub component disposed at a 0 degree position relative to a circular portion of the hose disposed within the bending component. The circular portion may have a radius equal to a required minimum dynamic radius. In addition, the plurality of sub-components may further include a second sub-component disposed at a 45 degree position relative to the circular portion, a third sub-component disposed at a 90 degree position relative to the circular portion, a fourth sub-component disposed at a 135 degree position relative to the circular portion, and a fifth sub-component disposed at a 180 degree position relative to the circular portion. Further, the bending component may include a plurality of sub-components, each sub-component having a locating roller and a clamping roller, the clamping roller disposed on a bearing bracket and the locating roller coupled to arm bracket, the arm bracket attached to a base plate of the bearing bracket. Still further, the bending component may comprise one of a first bending component or a second bending component. The first bending component may be disposed at a 0 degree position relative to a circular portion of the hose with a radius equal to a minimum dynamic radius and a 180 degree position relative to the circular portion. The second bending component may be disposed at one or more of a 45 degree position, a 90 degree position, and a 135 degree position relative to the circular portion.

[0014] In still some other preferred forms, coupling a hose motion regulation system to the valve shaft of the control valve may include one or more of fastening a driver block to a valve shaft of the control valve, mounting a tracking rail assembly to a bracket, and mounting a plurality of car carriers onto the tracking rail assembly. In addition, coupling a hose motion regulation system to the valve shaft of the control valve may include attaching the straightening component and a bending component to the tracking rail assembly, disposing the hose within the straightening component and bending components, the hose bending according to a minimum dynamic radius when disposed within the bending component, and mounting a driver head to a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers and driver arm to the driver head and the driver block. Further, the method may further comprise coupling the hose to the valve shaft via a fitting and connecting an external steam line to an inlet flange of the hose motion regulation system. Still further, moving the hose in a first direction along a predetermined path defined at least in part by a curved section of a tracking rail assembly of the hose motion regulation system via at least one car carrier when the control valve moves to an open position from the closed position may comprise moving a first moveable car carrier from a 0 degree position to a 45 degree position along the curved section, and simultaneously moving a second car carrier from the 45 degree position along the curved section to a 90 degree position along a straight rail of the tracking rail assembly.

[0015] In still other preferred forms, moving the hose in a direction along a predetermined path defined by a curved section of a tracking rail assembly of the hose motion regulation system when the control valve moves to an open position from the closed position may comprise moving a first car carrier from a 0 degree position to a 90 degree position along a straight rail of the tracking system, and simultaneously moving a second moveable car carrier from the 45 degree position along the straight rail to a position further along the straight rail. In addition, the method may further comprise moving the hose in a second direction along a predetermined path defined by the at least one straight rail and the curved section of the tracking rail assembly via at least one car carrier when the control valve moves back to the closed position from a fully open position, the second direction including a direction away from the bending component.

[0016] Moreover, moving the hose in the second direction along a predetermined path when the control valve moves back to the closed position from an open position may comprise moving a first moveable car carrier from a 90 degree position along a straight rail to a 0 degree position along the curved section, and simultaneously moving a second moveable car carrier from a position further along the 90 degree position on the straight rail to a 45 degree position along the curved section. In another example, moving the hose in the second direction along a predetermined path when the control valve moves back to the closed position from an open position may comprise moving a first car carrier from a 45 degree position along the curved section to a 0 degree position along the curved section, and simultaneously moving the second car carrier from a 90 degree position along the straight rail to a 45 degree position along the curved section.

[0017] Additional optional aspects and features are disclosed, which may be arranged in any functionally appropriate manner, either alone or in any functionally viable combination, consistent with the teachings of the disclosure. Other aspects and advantages will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] The features of this invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the several FIGS., in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional control valve;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the control valve of Fig. 1 , taken along the lines A-A of FIG. 1 ;

[0021] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the conventional control valve of FIG. 1 with a conventional flexible hose coupled to the control valve, the control valve in a closed position, and the flexible hose in an arbitrary position;

[0022] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the control valve of FIG. 3 with the flexible hose in another arbitrary configuration;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a control valve having a hose motion regulation system and method according to present disclosure, the control valve in a closed position;

[0024] FIG. 6 is another perspective of the control valve of FIG. 5, the control valve in an open position;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a top, perspective view of a hose motion regulation system according to the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a guiding assembly of the hose motion regulation system of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a tracking rail assembly of the guiding assembly of FIG. 8A;

[0028] FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a plurality of car carriers secured to the tracking rail assembly of the guiding assembly of FIG. 8A;

[0029] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a driving modular assembly of the hose motion regulation system of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG. 9B is another perspective view of a close up view of the driving modular assembly;

[0031] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a moveable clamp base of a fastening assembly of the hose motion regulation system of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a stationary clamp base of the fastening assembly of the hose motion regulation system;

[0033] FIG. 10C is a perspective view of a moveable component of the fastening assembly of the hose motion regulation system; [0034] FIG. 10D is a perspective view of a locking mechanism of the fastening assembly of the hose motion regulation system;

[0035] FIG. 1 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a slave modular assembly of the hose motion regulation system;

[0036] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another portion of the slave modular assembly of hose motion regulation system;

[0037] FIG. 13 is another perspective view of another portion of the slave modular assembly of the hose motion regulation system;

[0038] FIG. 14A is a perspective view of an exemplary bending component of the slave modular assembly;

[0039] FIG. 14B is a perspective view of an exemplary bearing bracket of the bending component of FIG. 14A;

[0040] FIG. 15A is a perspective view of another exemplary bending component of the slave modular assembly;

[0041] FIG. 15B is a perspective view of another exemplary bearing bracket of the bending component of FIG. 15A;

[0042] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a locating roller of bending component of FIGS. 14A and 15A;

[0043] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a valve shaft of the control valve of FIGS. 5 and 6, and a driver block of the driving modular assembly;

[0044] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a portion of a partially assembled hose motion regulation system of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another portion of a partially assembled hose motion regulation system of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 20 is another perspective view of another portion of the hose motion regulation system including the tracking rail assembly, the plurality of car carriers, the fastening assembly, and the slave modular assembly;

[0047] FIG. 21 A is a perspective view of the partially assembled hose motion regulation system of FIG. 20, including a hose partially disposed therein;

[0048] FIG. 21 B is another perspective view of the partially assembled hose motion regulation system of FIG. 20, including the hose fully disposed therein;

[0049] FIG. 22 is a portion of the hose motion regulation system coupled to a fitting assembly;

[0050] FIG. 23 is a portion of the hose motion regulation system defining a portion of a pathway of hose and direction of motion of hose;

[0051] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the hose motion regulation system coupled to the valve shaft of the control valve, the control valve in a partially open position; and [0052] FIG. 25 is another perspective view of the hose motion regulation system coupled to the vale shaft of the control valve, the control valve in a fully open position.

Detailed Description

[0053] The present disclosure is directed to a hose motion regulation system for a control valve, such as a rotary valve. In one example, the hose motion regulation system includes a bracket having a tracking rail assembly attached thereto and a plurality of car carriers coupled to the tracking rail assembly. A driving modular assembly includes a driver block coupled to a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers. The driver block is also coupled to a valve shaft of the control valve to drive, such as rotate, the control valve to and from various positions, including from a closed position to an open position and from an open position and to the closed position, for example. A fastening assembly includes at least one moveable clamp base mounted to a car carrier and a stationary clamp base. A slave modular assembly is driven by the driving modular assembly to regulate movement of the hose along the tracking rail assembly and includes a straightening component and a bending

component. A hose is disposed within the straightening component and the bending component and clamped to the plurality of car carriers via the fastening assembly. A section of the hose disposed on the straightening component is only allowed to move in a single plane, such as an axial direction, preventing any radial movement. Upon movement of the driver block to rotate the valve shaft move the control valve to and from open and closed positions, the section of the hose disposed on the bending component only moves only along a pathway formed by the bending component, for example, preventing any twisting or unwanted directional movement of the hose. As a result, less damage due to excessive twisting and wear of the hose, for example, occurs and both the hose and control valve enjoy a longer service life.

[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a control valve 100 according to the present disclosure is depicted. The control valve 100 includes a valve body 1 12 defining a control passage 1 14. A control element 1 16 is disposed within the control passage 1 14 via a valve shaft 1 18 to control fluid flow in the control passage 1 14, for example. A portion of a hose motion regulation system 120 of the present disclosure is coupled to the valve shaft 1 18 and controls a position and movement of a hose 122 for carrying steam, as explained more below.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of a fully assembled hose motion regulation system 120 is depicted. The hose motion regulation system 120 includes a bracket 124, a tracking rail assembly 126 mounted to the bracket 124, and a plurality of car carriers 128 coupled to the tracking rail assembly 126. The hose motion regulation system 120 further includes a driving modular assembly 130 for driving the valve shaft 1 18 to rotate to and from various positions to control the state of the control valve 100, e.g., from an open position to a closed position and vice versa. A fastening assembly 132 includes at least one moveable clamp base 134 mounted on a moveable car carrier 128 of the plurality of car carriers 128 and at least one stationary clamp base 136. The fastening assembly 132 helps secure a hose of the hose motion regulation system 120 to the plurality of car carriers 128, as also explained more below.

[0056] In addition, the hose motion regulation system 120 also includes a slave modular assembly 138, which is driven by the driving modular assembly 130 to regulate movement of the hose along the tracking rail assembly 126. The slave modular assembly 138 includes a straightening component 140 and a bending mechanism 142, such as a bending component 142. The straightening component 140 maintains a section of the hose disposed on the straightening component 140 in a single plane, such as an axial direction only, preventing any radial movement of the hose, including twisting of the hose 122.

[0057] The hose 122 is coupled to the plurality of car carriers 128 via the fastening assembly 132 and disposed between the straightening component 140 of the slave modular assembly 138 and the bending component 142. So configured, and as explained more below, the slave modular assembly 138 is driven by the driving modular assembly 130 to regulate movement of the hose 122 along the tracking rail assembly 126, for example. For example, the straightening component maintains an axial position of a section of the hose 122 disposed in the straightening component, preventing any radial movement of the hose 122. In addition, a portion of the fastening assembly 132 maintains a stationary position of one end of the hose 122 during any movement of other sections of the hose 122, preventing any twisting of the hose 122 at that end.

[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8C, the tracking rail assembly 126 and plurality of car carriers 128 are depicted. In FIG. 8A, the tracking rail assembly 126 is disposed on the bracket 124, with the plurality of car carriers 128 disposed on various sections of the tracking rail assembly 126. The tracking rail assembly 126 includes a pair of straight rails 146 disposed parallel to each other and a curved section 148 attached to one straight rail 146 of the pair of straight rails 146, as depicted in FIG. 8B, for example. The curved section 148 includes a 90 degree curved rail with a radius equal to or greater than a minimum dynamic radius of the hose 122, which is typically provided by suppliers of regulation hoses for use with control valves, such as the control valve 100, for example.

[0059] In one example, the plurality of car carriers 128 includes six car carriers 155. As depicted in FIG. 8C, a first pair of car carriers is disposed on a first straight rail 154 of the pair of straight rails and includes a first car carrier 155a and a second car carrier 155b. A second pair of car carriers is disposed on a second straight rail 156 of the pair of straight rails 146 and includes third car carrier 155c and a fourth car carrier 155d. A third pair of car carriers is disposed on the curved section 148 of the tracking rail assembly 126 and includes a fifth car carrier 155e and a sixth car carrier 155f. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the plurality of car carriers 128 may include fewer or more than six car carriers and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0060] Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9B, the driving modular assembly 130 further includes a driver head 157 coupled to a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers 128, such as the fifth car carrier 155e disposed on the curved section 148 of the track rail assembly 126. The driving modular assembly 130 also includes a driver arm 158 having a first end 158a coupled to a driving block 160 and a second end 158b coupled to the driver head 157. So configured, the driver arm 158 secures the driving block 160 to the driver head 157. The first car carrier 155 of the pair of car carriers disposed on the curved section 148, such as the first moveable car carrier or the fifth car carrier 155e in one example, is coupled to the second car carrier of the pair of car carriers disposed on the curved section 148 via an eyelet bolt 162. In one example, the second car carrier is the second moveable car carrier 155f or the sixth car carrier 155f of the plurality of car carriers 128. As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, various other securing mechanisms able to function in manner similar to or the same as the eyelet bolt 162 may alternatively be used to secure this pair of car carriers together and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10D, various portions of the fastening assembly 132 are depicted. For example, the at least one moveable clamp base 134 of the fastening assembly 132 may include a first moveable clamp base 134a attached to a first car carrier of the pair of car carriers 155 disposed on the curved section 148, such as the fifth car carrier 155e of the plurality of car carriers 128. In addition, a second moveable clamp base 134b may be attached to a second car carrier of the pair of car carriers disposed on the curved section 148, such as the sixth car carrier 155f of the plurality of car carriers 128. The at least one stationary clamp base 136 may include a first stationary clamp base 136a attached to a stationary end 122a (FIG. 7) of the hose 122 and a second stationary clamp base 136b attached to an end 164 of the straight rail 146 of the tracking rail assembly 126.

[0062] In another example, the fastening assembly 132 further includes a moveable component 166 that may be attached to one or more of the moveable clamp bases 134a, 134b or the stationary clamp bases 136a, 136b. The moveable component 166 is adapted to slide on the moveable clamp bases 134a, 134b, for example, along a radial direction of the curved section 148 of the tracking rail assembly 126 to compensate for any radial displacement of the car carriers 155, such as car carriers 155e, 155f, when moving from the curved section 148 to the straight rail 146, 156.

[0063] In addition, a locking mechanism 168, as depicted in FIGS. 10C and 10D, may be mounted to the moveable component 166 to further secure the hose 122. In one example, the locking mechanism 168 includes a lower clip 170 mounted to the moveable component 166 and having ends 170a, 170b. An upper clip 172 also having ends 172a, 172b may be coupled to the lower clip 170, such that the ends 170a, 170b of the lower clip 170 attach to the ends 172a, 172b of the upper clip 172, forming a recess 174 (FIGS. 10C and 10D) in a center portion disposed between the respective ends 170a, 170b and 172a, 172b of the lower clip 170 and the upper clip 172, respectively. In addition, a liner 173 may be disposed between the lower clip 170 and the upper 172, as depicted in FIG. 10D.

[0064] Referring now to FIG. 1 1 , an exemplary path of motion of the hose 122 along and between the straight rails 146 of the track railing assembly 126 is depicted. More

specifically, the hose 122 is capable of moving in a back and forth axial direction AD-AD along a portion of the path defined by the straight rails 146. A section of the hose 122 disposed between the straight rails 146 moves in a radial direction, limited by the structure and distance between the straight rails 146 and the bending component 142 of the slave modular assembly 138, as explained more below.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 12, the straightening component 140 of the slave modular assembly 138 is depicted. In this example, there are two straightening components 140 disposed on a portion of each of the straight rails 146 of the tracking rail assembly 126. Said another way, and more specifically, each straightening component 140 is disposed on a car carrier 155, such as the first car carrier 155a and the third car carrier 155c, of each straight rail 146 to maintain the movement of the hose 122 in a single plane, such as only in an axial direction. As a result, any twisting of hose 122 is avoided.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 13, the bending mechanism 142, such as the bending component 142, is depicted disposed on and between the straight rails 146. In one example, the bending component 142 includes a plurality of sub-components 176. The plurality of sub-components 176 includes a first sub-component 176a disposed at a 0 degree position relative to an axis A of a circular portion C formed between the first and second straight rails 154, 156, respectively, by a section of the hose 122. The circular portion C includes a radius R equal to a minimum dynamic radius required in manufacturing specifications of the hose 122. A second sub-component 176b is disposed at a 45 degree position relative to the circular portion C, a third sub-component 176c is disposed at a 90 degree position relative to the circular portion C, a fourth sub-component 176d is disposed at a 135 degree position relative to the circular portion C, and a fifth sub-component 176e is disposed at a 180 degree position relative to the circular portion C.

[0067] In another example, and referring now to FIGS. 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B and 16, each sub-component 176 includes a locating roller 178 (FIG. 16) and a clamping roller 180 (FIGS. 14B and 15B). The clamping roller 180 is disposed on a bearing bracket 182 and the locating roller 178 is coupled to an arm bracket 184 attached to a base plate 186 of the bearing bracket 182 to couple the locating roller 178 to the clamping roller 180. In one example, the bending component 176 may include a first bending component 176a, as depicted in FIG. 14A, or a second bending component 176b, as depicted in FIG. 15A. In this example, the first bending component 176a is disposed at the 0 degree position and the 180 degree position relative to the circle C referenced above. In addition, the second bending component 176b is disposed at one or more of the 45 degree position, the 90 degree position or the 135 degree position relative to the circle C referenced above. As further depicted in FIGS. 14B and 15B, a first bearing bracket 182a is used with the first bending component 176a, and a second bearing bracket 182b is used with the second bending component 176b.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 17, to install the hose motion regulation system 120, the valve shaft 1 18 of the control valve 100 must first be set to a position corresponding to a closed position of the control valve 100. Next, the driver block 160 is secured to the valve shaft 1 18 by shaft connection poles 180, washer locks 181 and jam nuts 182. More specifically, and in one example, the valve shaft 1 18 includes a pair of threaded holes 183 disposed on the valve shaft 1 18 and the driver block 160 includes a pair of corresponding holes 184 for receiving the shaft connection poles 180. The driver block 160 is disposed adjacent to the threaded holes 183 of the valve shaft 1 18, such that the holes 184 of the driver block 160 are aligned with the holes 183 of the valve shaft 1 18. The shaft connection poles 180 are the disposed into and through the holes 184 of the driver block 160 and then into the threaded holes 183 on the valve shaft 1 18. The washer locks 181 are then placed on the ends of the shaft connection poles 180 extending outside of the driver block 160 and then the jam nuts 182 are placed on each of the ends of the shaft connection poles 180 to secure the shaft connection poles 180 to the driver block 160 and within the valve shaft 1 18. In addition, a fitting 185 is secured into another threaded hole 186 disposed on the valve shaft 1 18, and the fitting 185 is for receiving an end of the flexible hose 122, as explained more below.

[0069] Referring now to FIG. 18, the tracking rail assembly 126 is then mounted to the bracket 124 and the plurality of car carriers 128 are disposed on the tracking rail assembly 126. More specifically, and in one example, the six car carriers 155a-f of the plurality of car carriers 128 are disposed on the tracking rail assembly 126, such that the first and second car carriers 155a and 155b are disposed on one of the two straight rails 146, the third and fourth car carriers 155c and 155d are disposed on the other of the two straight rails 146, and the fifth and six car carriers 155e and 155f are disposed on the curved section 148. One base holder 187 is secured to one end of one of the straight rails 146 and another base holder 187 is mounted to the bracket 124, adjacent the base holder 187 secured to the straight rail 146. In addition, a base holder 188 is secured to each of the car carriers 155e and 155f disposed initially on the curved rail 148, the car carrier 155e supporting a portion of the drive modular assembly 130, as explained above. The moveable clamp bases 134a and 134b are then secured to each of the base holders 188 secured to the car carriers 155e,

155f, and the stationary clamp bases 136a and 136b are secured to the base holders 187.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 19, an inlet flange 188 is secured to a flange bracket 189, which is attached to the base holder 187 (see also FIG. 20). As explained more below, an external steam line may be connected to the inlet flange 188 to direct steam through the hose 122 and the valve shaft 1 18.

[0071] As depicted in FIG. 20, the straightening components 140 of the slave modular assembly 138 are then fastened to the car carriers 155a and 155c of the plurality of car carriers 128. In addition, the bending component 142, including five sub-components 176a- 176e, are secured to the tracking rail assembly 126 and some car carriers of the plurality of car carriers 128.

[0072] As depicted in FIGS. 21 A and 21 B, the hose 122 is next assembled and disposed within the stationary clamp bases 136a and 136b, the straightening components 140, the bending component 142 and the moveable clamp bases 134a, 134b disposed on car carriers 155e, 155f, as explained above.

[0073] A fitting system 190 is then mounted to the hose motion regulation system 120, as depicted in FIG. 22. The fitting system 190 includes a connector 191 , which may be an L- shaped connector, having a first end 191 a coupled to the fitting 185 disposed on the valve shaft 1 18 and a second end 191 b coupled to another fitting 192 attached to an end of the hose 122 secured within the drive modular assembly 130. So configured, the fitting system 190 couples the hose 122 to the valve shaft 1 18, allowing steam from the hose to pass through and into the valve shaft 1 18. Further, a steam line (not shown) is then connected to the inlet flangel 88 to connect the stem line to the other end of the hose 122 disposed within the stationary clamp base 136a, for example. In operation, upon actuation of the steam line, steam flows from the steam line into the inlet flange 188, through the hose 122, into the connector 191 and to the valve shaft 1 18.

[0074] So configured and once installation of the hose motion regulation system 120 is complete, the hose motion regulation system 1200 may operate according to the following method. In one example, the method includes a method of controlling the motion of the hose 122 for use with the control valve 100. Specifically, after coupling the hose motion regulation system 120 to the valve shaft 1 18 of the control valve 100, as explained above, the method may further include setting the control valve 100 to a closed position and maintaining a stationary position of the hose 122 while steam is being injected into and/or flowing through the hose 122. For example, and as depicted in FIG. 7, steam is pressured from the external steam line (not shown) and flows into a stationary end 122a of the hose 122, travels through a curved component 122b of the hose 122, through a moveable component 122c of the hose and to a moveable end 122d of the hose 122, finally flowing through the inlet port 186 (FIG. 17) of the valve shaft 1 18. During this process, the hose 122 is restrained, such as maintained in a stationary position, by the hose motion regulation system 120.

[0075] When the valve shaft 1 18 is driven by an actuator (not shown) to rotate from the closed position to an open position, the method further includes moving the hose 122 in a first direction along the curved section 148 and the at least one straight rail 146 of the tracking rail assembly 126 via at least one car carrier of the plurality of car carriers 128.

More specifically, and in one example, the drive arm 158 moves a first moveable car carrier, such as car carrier 155e, from a 0 degree position, as depicted in FIG. 7, to a 45 degree position along the curved section 148, as depicted in FIG. 24. Simultaneously, a second moveable car carrier, such as car carrier 155f, is moved from the 45 degree position (FIGS.

7 and 22) along the curved rail 148 to the 90 degree position on the straight rail 146, as also depicted in FIG. 24. The movement occurs when the valve shaft 1 18 rotates to a 45 degree position. In one example, the second moveable car carrier 155f moves to the 90 degree position by traveling 1/8^th a perimeter of a circle. The moveable portion 122c of the hose 122 is clamped onto the first and second moveable car carriers 155e, 155f and travels along a predetermined path defined by the curved section 148, the straight rail 146, for example.

[0076] In another example, moving the hose 122 in a first direction, such as a direction toward the bending component 142, along the curved section 148 and the at least one straight rail 146 of the tracking rail assembly 126 via at least one car carrier of the plurality of car carriers 128 when the control valve 100 moves from the closed position to an open position includes moving the first moveable car carrier 155e from the 0 degree position along the curved section 148 to the 90 degree position on the straight rail and simultaneously moving the second moveable car carrier 155f from the 45 degree position along the curved section 148 to a position further along the straight rail from the 90 degree position, as depicted in FIG. 25. This movement occurs when the valve shaft 1 18 rotates to 90 degree position. In one example, the second moveable car carrier 155f moves further along the straight rail 146 (as noted) by traveling 1/8 of a perimeter of a circle formed by the curved section 148 of the tracking rail assembly 126. The moveable portion 122c of the hose 122 keeps moving and drives the bending component 142 of the slave modular assembly 138 to move by traveling 1/16^th of the perimeter of the circle.

[0077] The method further includes restraining the hose 122, such as the moveable section 122c of the hose 122, on the slave modular assembly 138, such as the straightening component 140, of the hose motion regulation system 120 from moving in a radial direction and allowing the hose 122 to move only in a single plane, such as an axial direction, while disposed on the straightening component 140. [0078] In another example, the method may further include moving the hose 122 in a second direction, such as a direction away from the bending component 142, opposite the first direction along a predetermined path defined by the least one straight rail 146 and the curved section 148 of the tracking rail assembly 126 via at least one car carrier when the control valve 100 moves back to the closed position from a fully open position. In one example, moving the hose 122 in the second direction along a predetermined path when the control valve 100 moves back to the closed position from an open position comprises moving the first moveable car carrier 155e from the 90 degree position along the straight rail 146 (FIG. 25) to a 0 degree position along the curved section 148, and simultaneously moving the second moveable car carrier 155f from a position further along the 90 degree position on the straight rail 146 (FIG. 25) to a 45 degree position along the curved section 148. In another example, and/or alternatively, moving the hose 122 in the second direction along a predetermined path when the control valve 1 10 moves back to the closed position from an open position comprises moving the first moveable car carrier 155e from a 45 degree position along the curved section 148 to a 0 degree position along the curved section 148, and simultaneously moving the second moveable car carrier 155f from a 90 degree position along the straight rail 146 to a 45 degree position along the curved section 148.

[0079] From the foregoing, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the several advantages of the foregoing hose motion regulation system 120 and methods. For example, and as explained above, movement of the hose 122 is restricted to a single plane, avoiding any twisting condition of the hose. In addition, the configuration of the bending component 142 of the slave modular assembly 138 makes the hose 122 bend on a reliable range by limiting the radius the hose 122 is bending to a minimum dynamic radius published by a supplier of the hose 122, for example. Further, the fastening assembly 132 fixes the hose 122 during movement of the moveable car carriers 155e, 155f, for example, transferring axial compression and extension forces from the hose 122 to parts of the hose motion regulation system 120. As a result, ballooned or release failure of the hose 122 is eliminated. Moreover, the various parts of the fastening assembly 132 described above are able to provide continuously variable clamping force during adjustment of the hose motion regulation system 120 for the purpose of reaching an ideal friction condition, for example.

As such, the hose 122 moves along the pathway defined at least in part by the tracking rail assembly 126, avoiding the introduction of extra abrasion on an outer surface of the hose 122. Still further, the hose motion regulation system can be adjusted to tolerate various lengths of hoses within a certain range, for example, and assembly, disassembly and maintenance of the hose motion regulation system 120 is simplified due to various modular parts and assemblies explained above. [0080] More generally, the hose motion regulation system 120 and method of the present disclosure help regulate the hose 122 to move in a desired way, as explained in detail above. This hose motion regulation prevents the hose 122 from interfering with other parts in the whole system, including the control valve 100, which has resulted in unpredictable impact, twining, abrasion and other issues for the hose, reducing the service life of the hose. In addition, the sub-components of the bending component 142 include the rotating devices that guide the hose 122 in the bending component 142 along a desired path, resulting in only rolling friction between the outer surface of the hose 122 and rotating parts of the bending component 142, for example. As a result, abrasion to the hose 122 is significantly decreased compared to conventional systems and methods.

[0081] Still further, the hose motion regulation system 120 and method can be used for ambient or high temperature and pressure applications by using specific materials for various parts. The modular design of various assemblies of the hose regulation system 120 along with fast-connection-fittings, as described above, make assembly, adjustment and maintenance of the hose motion regulation system 120 easier than conventional systems.

In addition, flexible mounting of the hose motion regulation system 120 is available, such as a vertical mounting style, depending upon the application of the control valve, for example.

[0082] Although certain control valves, such as rotary valves, have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, while the invention has been shown and described in connection with various preferred embodiments, it is apparent that certain changes and modifications, in addition to those mentioned above, may be made. This patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents. Accordingly, it is the intention to protect all variations and modifications that may occur to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0083] The following additional considerations apply to the foregoing discussion.

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.

[0084] Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using words such as “processing,”“computing,”“calculating,”“determining,”“presenting,”“displaying,” or the like may refer to actions or processes of a machine ( e.g ., a computer) that manipulates or transforms data represented as physical {e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities within one or more memories {e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or other machine components that receive, store, transmit, or display information.

[0085] As used herein any reference to“one implementation,”“one embodiment,”“an implementation,” or“an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the implementation is included in at least one implementation. The appearances of the phrase“in one implementation” or“in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same implementation.

[0086] Some implementations may be described using the expression“coupled” along with its derivatives. For example, some implementations may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term“coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The

implementations are not limited in this context.

[0087] As used herein, the terms“comprises,”“comprising,”“includes,”“including,”“has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0088] In addition, use of the“a” or“an” are employed to describe elements and components of the implementations herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0089] Moreover, the patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 1 12(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as“means for” or“step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s). The systems and methods described herein are directed to an improvement to computer functionality, and improve the functioning of conventional computers.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A hose motion regulation system for a control valve, the hose motion regulation system comprising:

a tracking rail assembly;

a plurality of car carriers coupled to the tracking rail assembly;

a driving modular assembly coupled to a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers and adapted to be coupled to a valve shaft of the control valve;

a fastening assembly including at least one moveable clamp base mounted on a moveable car carrier of the plurality of car carriers;

a slave modular assembly including a straightening component and a bending component; and

a hose clamped to the plurality of car carriers by the fastening assembly and disposed within the straightening component and the bending component of the slave modular assembly,

wherein the slave modular assembly is driven by the driving modular assembly to regulate movement of the hose along a pathway defined by the tracking rail assembly, the straightening component maintaining movement of the hose in a single plane, preventing radial movement of the hose.

2. The system of claim 1 , the tracking rail assembly comprising a pair of straight rails disposed parallel to each other and a curved section attached to one straight rail of the pair of straight rails, the curved section including a 90 degree curve rail.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of car carriers includes six car carriers, a first pair of car carriers disposed on a first straight rail of the pair of straight rails, a second pair of car carriers disposed on a second straight rail of the pair of straight rails opposite the first pair of car carriers, and a third pair of car carriers disposed on the curved section of the tracking rail assembly.

4. The system of any of the preceding claims, the driving modular assembly comprising a driver block coupled to a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers and adapted to be coupled to the valve shaft of the control valve, a driving head coupled to the car carrier and a driving arm having a first end coupled to the driving block and a second end coupled to the driving head, the driving arm securing the driving block to the driving head.

5. The system of claim 4, the driver head of the driving modular assembly disposed on a first moveable car carrier of the pair of car carriers mounted to the curved section of the tracking rail assembly, the first car carrier of the pair of car carriers coupled to a second moveable car carrier of the pair of car carriers mounted to the curved section of the tracking rail assembly via an eyelet bolt.

6. The system of any of the preceding claims, the fastening assembly further comprising a first moveable clamp base attached to a first moveable car carrier of a pair of car carriers initially disposed on a curved section of the tracking rail assembly and a second moveable clamp based attached to a second moveable car carrier of a pair of car carriers initially disposed on the curved section of the tracking rail assembly.

7. The system of any of the preceding claims, the fastening assembly further comprising a first stationary clamp base attached to a stationary end of the hose and a second stationary clamp base attached to an end of a straight rail of the tracking rail assembly.

8. The system of any of the preceding claims, the fastening assembly further including a moveable component mounted to the at least one moveable clamp base, and a locking mechanism mounted to the moveable component, the moveable component adapted to slide on the at least one moveable clamp base along a radial direction of a curved section of the tracking rail assembly to compensate for radial displacement of a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers when moving from the curved section to a straight section of the tracking rail assembly.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism of the fastening assembly comprises a lower clip mounted to the at least one moveable component, an upper clip attached to the lower clip, a recess formed in a center portion between the lower clip and the upper clip, the recess for receiving a portion of the hose, and a liner disposed between the upper clip and lower clip.

10. The system of any of the preceding claims, the straightening component disposed on each straight rail of the tracking rail assembly to maintain movement of the hose in a single plane, avoiding twisting of the hose.

1 1 . The system of any of the preceding claims, the bending component including a plurality of sub-components, the plurality of sub-components including a first sub component disposed at a 0 degree position relative to a circular portion of the hose disposed within the bending component, the circular portion having a radius equal to a required minimum dynamic radius, a second sub-component disposed at a 45 degree position relative to the circular portion, a third sub-component disposed at a 90 degree position relative to the circular portion, a fourth sub-component disposed at a 135 degree position relative to the circular portion, and a fifth sub-component disposed at a 180 degree position relative to the circular portion.

12. The system of any of the preceding claims, the bending component including a plurality of sub-components, each sub-component having a locating roller and a clamping roller, the clamping roller disposed on a bearing bracket and the locating roller coupled to arm bracket, the arm bracket attached to a base plate of the bearing bracket to connect the locating roller to the clamping roller.

13. The system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the bending component comprises one of a first bending component or a second bending component, the first bending component disposed at a 0 degree position relative to a circular portion of the hose with a radius equal to a minimum dynamic radius and a 180 degree position relative to the circular portion and the second bending component disposed at one or more of a 45 degree position, a 90 degree position, and a 135 degree position relative to the circular portion.

14. A control valve comprising :

a valve body defining a control passage;

a control element disposed within the control passage via a valve shaft to control fluid flow in the control passage;

a hose motion regulation system coupled to the valve shaft, the hose motion regulation system including:

a tracking rail assembly and a plurality of car carriers coupled to the tracking rail assembly;

a driving modular assembly including a driver block coupled to a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers and the valve shaft;

a fastening assembly including at least one moveable clamp base mounted on a moveable car carrier of the plurality of car carriers and at least one stationary clamp base;

a hose coupled to the plurality of car carriers via the fastening assembly; wherein the slave modular assembly is driven by the driving modular assembly to regulate movement of the hose along a pathway defined by the tracking rail assembly, such that the hose is moved in a direction along the pathway toward the bending component when the control valve moves from a closed position to an open position, the straightening component maintaining movement of the hose in a single plane, preventing radial movement of the hose.

15. The control valve of claim 14, the tracking rail assembly comprising a pair of straight rails disposed parallel to each other and a curved section attached to one straight rail of the pair of straight rails, the curved section including a 90 degree curve rail.

16. The control valve of claim 15, wherein the plurality of car carriers includes six car carriers, a first pair of car carriers disposed on a first straight rail of the pair of straight rails, a second pair of car carriers disposed on a second straight rail of the pair of straight rails opposite the first pair of car carriers, and a third pair of car carriers disposed on the curved section of the tracking rail assembly.

17. The control valve of any of the preceding claims, the driving modular assembly further comprising a driving head coupled to a car carrier and a driving arm having a first end coupled to the driving block and a second end coupled to the driving head, the driving arm securing the driving block to the driving head.

18. The control valve any of the preceding claims, the fastening assembly further comprising a first moveable clamp base attached to a first moveable car carrier of a pair of car carriers initially disposed on a curved section of the tracking rail assembly and a second moveable clamp based attached to a second moveable car carrier of a pair of car carriers initially disposed on the curved section of the tracking rail assembly.

19. The control valve of any of the preceding claims, the fastening assembly further comprising a first stationary clamp base attached to the stationary end of the hose and a second stationary clamp base attached to an end of a straight rail of the tracking rail assembly.

20. The control valve of any of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism of the fastening assembly comprises a lower clip mounted to the moveable component, an upper clip attached to the lower clip, a recess formed in a center portion between the lower clip and the upper clip, the recess for receiving a portion of the hose, and a liner disposed between the upper clip and lower clip.

21 . The control valve of any of the preceding claims, wherein the hose is moved in a direction along the pathway away from the bending component when the control valve moves from an open position to a closed position, the straightening component maintaining movement of the hose in a single plane, preventing radial movement of the hose.

22. The control valve of any of the preceding claims, the bending component including a plurality of sub-components, the plurality of sub-components including a first sub component disposed at a 0 degree position relative to a circular portion of the hose, a second sub-component disposed at a 45 degree position relative to the circular portion, a third sub-component disposed at a 90 degree position relative to the circular portion, a fourth sub-component disposed at a 135 degree position relative to the circular portion, and a fifth sub-component disposed at a 180 degree position relative to the circular portion.

23. The control valve of any of the preceding claims, the bending component including a plurality of sub-components, each sub-component having a locating roller and a clamping roller, the clamping roller disposed on a bearing bracket and the locating roller coupled to an arm bracket, the arm bracket attached to a base plate of the bearing bracket to connect the locating roller to the clamping roller.

24. A method of controlling motion of a hose for use with a control valve, the method comprising:

coupling a hose motion regulation system to a valve shaft of the control valve; disposing a hose within the hose motion regulation system;

maintaining a stationary position of the hose while steam is injected into the hose and the control valve is in a closed position;

moving the hose in a direction along a predetermined path defined at least in part by a curved section and at least one straight rail of a tracking rail assembly of the hose motion regulation system via at least one car carrier when the control valve moves to an open position from the closed position; and

maintaining movement of the hose in a single plane via a straightening component of a slave modular assembly of the hose motion regulation system, preventing twisting of the hose.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein coupling a hose motion regulation system to the valve shaft of the control valve includes one or more of fastening a driver block to a valve shaft of the control valve, mounting a tracking rail assembly to a bracket, and mounting a plurality of car carriers onto the tracking rail assembly.

26. The method of any one of claims 24-25, wherein coupling a hose motion regulation system to the valve shaft of the control valve includes attaching the straightening component and a bending component to the tracking rail assembly, disposing the hose within the straightening component and bending components, the hose bending according to a minimum dynamic radius when disposed within the bending component, and mounting a driver head to a car carrier of the plurality of car carriers and driver arm to the driver head and the driver block.

27. The method of any one of claims 24-26, further comprising coupling the hose to the valve shaft via a fitting and connecting an external steam line to an inlet flange of the hose motion regulation system.

28. The method of any one of claims 24-27, wherein moving the hose in a first direction along a predetermined path defined by a curved section of a tracking rail assembly of the hose motion regulation system via at least one car carrier when the control valve moves to an open position from the closed position comprises moving a first moveable car carrier from a 0 degree position to a 45 degree position along the curved section, and simultaneously moving a second car carrier from the 45 degree position along the curved section to a 90 degree position along a straight rail of the tracking rail assembly.

29. The method of any of claims 24-28, wherein moving the hose in a direction along a predetermined path defined by a curved section of a tracking rail assembly of the hose motion regulation system when the control valve moves to an open position from the closed position comprises moving a first car carrier from a 0 degree position to a 90 degree position along a straight rail of the tracking system, and simultaneously moving a second moveable car carrier from the 45 degree position along the straight rail to a position further along the straight rail.

30. The method of any one of claims 24-29, further comprising moving the hose in a second direction along a predetermined path defined by the least one straight rail and the curved section of the tracking rail assembly via at least one car carrier when the control valve moves back to the closed position from a fully open position, the second direction including a direction away from the bending component.

31 . The method of claim 30, wherein moving the hose in the second direction along a predetermined path when the control valve moves back to the closed position from an open position comprises moving a first moveable car carrier from a 90 degree position along a straight rail to a 0 degree position along the curved section, and simultaneously moving a second moveable car carrier from a position further along the 90 degree position on the straight rail to a 45 degree position along the curved section.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein moving the hose in the second direction along a predetermined path when the control valve moves back to the closed position from an open position comprises moving a first car carrier from a 45 degree position along the curved section to a 0 degree position along the curved section, and simultaneously moving the second car carrier from a 90 degree position along the straight rail to a 45 degree position along the curved section.