Patent Description:
The inventions relate to valves used to control fluid flow and delivery.

Valves are well known for use as flow control devices for gas and liquid fluid delivery. In the semiconductor industry as well as others, delivery of process chemicals during various processing operations is controlled using valves, for example, high purity valves. Exemplary applications for valves used in the semiconductor industry include chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD). In many applications, rapid precise control of the amount of fluid supplied is required.

A prior art valve with a seat carrier subassembly is known from <CIT>. This disclosure shows a valve comprising a valve body including a valve cavity and first and second fluid ports extending to the valve cavity, a seat carrier subassembly installed in the valve cavity, the seat carrier subassembly comprising a seat carrier body including a first annular inner wall and a valve seat, and a second annular inner wall defining a flow aperture, a valve element disposed within the valve cavity and movable between a closed position sealing against the valve seat and an open position permitting fluid flow across the valve seat between the first and second fluid ports, and an orifice restriction.

In accordance with an exemplary aspect of one or more of the inventions presented in this disclosure, a valve includes a valve body, a seat carrier subassembly, a valve element, and an orifice restriction. The valve body includes a valve cavity and first and second fluid ports extending to the valve cavity. The seat carrier subassembly is installed in the valve cavity and includes a seat carrier body including a first annular inner wall defining a first flow aperture aligned with the first fluid port and a valve seat disposed in an annular recess surrounding the first annular inner wall, and a second annular inner wall defining a second flow aperture aligned with the second fluid port. The valve element is disposed within the valve cavity and is movable between a closed position sealing against the valve seat and an open position permitting fluid flow across the valve seat between the first and second flow apertures. The orifice restriction has an outer periphery seated against an interior portion of one of the first annular inner wall and the second annular inner wall.

This Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as claimed is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the inventions may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present inventions. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts and features of the inventions--such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, circuits, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on--may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present inventions even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Parameters identified as "approximate" or "about" a specified value are intended to include both the specified value and values within <NUM>% of the specified value, unless expressly stated otherwise. Further, it is to be understood that the drawings accompanying the present disclosure may, but need not, be to scale, and therefore may be understood as teaching various ratios and proportions evident in the drawings. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention, the inventions instead being set forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated. The scope of the invention is determined by the appended claims only.

Flow orifices are commonplace in applications where a controlled or restricted flow is desired. In semiconductor applications flow orifices are often placed near a valve so that flow through the orifice can be turned on an off. A precision orifice, such as a wire-honed ruby insert, provides a means to have a similar flow rate across multiple streams simply by providing a uniform pressure upstream of the orifice. An orifice is also used in conjunction with a pressure control device to provide a degree of flow control in a fluid system.

In semiconductor applications surface mount component configurations are commonly employed. In these systems flow orifices are commonly disposed in orifice plates that are placed between the surface mount component and substrate, in a "C-seal" or VCR® gasket used to create a hermetic seal between connected components, and sometimes integrated directly into the control valves. The orifice can be placed in a separate component with a precision hole geometry that is integrated into a seal or valve component or the orifice can be directly created in a valve component by conventional drilling, laser drilling, or other means to form a precision hole. In most applications where flow orifices are used it is desirable to provide a means for the orifice to be easily replaced in the event the flow conditions need to be changed or there is a problem with the orifice.

When the orifice is used in conjunction with a control valve the volume between the orifice and the shutoff point or valve seat of the valve is often an important consideration. The flow through an orifice is a function of the pressure gradient across the orifice. When used in conjunction with a shutoff valve that controls the flow through the orifice there will exist a transient period where the pressure conditions across the orifice shift from a non-flowing (similar pressure upstream and downstream of the orifice) to a more steady state condition where the pressure differential across the orifice has reached an equilibrium. The duration of the transient state where the flow thru the orifice is changing is a function of the volume between the orifice and shutoff valve.

An orifice placed downstream of a shutoff valve in the closed state will reach equilibrium with the pressure conditions downstream of the valve and an orifice placed upstream of a shutoff valve will reach equilibrium with the pressure conditions upstream of the shutoff valve. When the orifice is placed downstream of the shutoff valve a change in state of the valve from closed to open produces a transient state that delivers a lower than equilibrium flow while the volume between the shutoff valve and orifice charges to the equilibrium pressure. In this configuration when the upstream valve changes state from open to closed the flow through the orifice will begin to decay and the transient period where flow continues through the orifice will also be a function of the volume between orifice and shutoff valve. When a flow orifice resides upstream of a shutoff valve a "burst" of flow associated with the volume between the orifice and valve that is in equilibrium with the upstream pressure being rapidly released through the opening shutoff valve. In the upstream orifice configuration, closing the shutoff valve produces a more discrete cessation of flow downstream of the valve but there remains a transient flow condition through the orifice as the volume between orifice and shutoff valve charges to the upstream system pressure. In many applications it is important to minimize the transient behavior to provide a more discrete realization of the desired steady-state flow conditions through the flow orifice. Minimizing the volume between flow orifice and shutoff valves helps reduce the duration of transient flow conditions when the shutoff valve changes state.

According to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a valve may be provided with a flow restricting orifice adjacent to the valve seat to minimize the fluid volume between the valve seat and the flow restricting orifice, to reduce the duration of transient flow conditions when the shutoff valve changes state. In some such valve arrangements, a valve may include an annular valve seat staked or otherwise secured in an annular recess in a seating surface of a valve cavity, surrounding a fluid port in the valve cavity, with a flow restricting orifice disc or other such insert captured between the valve seat and the valve cavity. Such an arrangement effectively positions the flow restricting orifice adjacent to the valve seat or valve shutoff point, thereby minimizing the volume between the seat seal and the flow restricting orifice.

With reference to <FIG>, in an illustrative example, an actuated valve assembly <NUM> includes a shutoff valve <NUM> and an actuator <NUM> (e.g., a pneumatic actuator) operable to move an actuator stem <NUM> for direct or indirect actuating engagement of a valve element (e.g., diaphragm, as shown) <NUM> within the valve. The valve <NUM> includes a valve body <NUM> having a valve cavity <NUM> partially defined by a seating surface <NUM>, and first and second fluid ports <NUM>, <NUM> extending to the seating surface. A bonnet nut <NUM> assembled with the valve body <NUM> applies a clamping force to an outer periphery of the diaphragm <NUM> to seal the diaphragm against an outer periphery of the seating surface <NUM>. The exemplary seating surface <NUM> includes an annular groove or recess <NUM> surrounding the first fluid port <NUM>. An annular valve seat <NUM> (e.g., a plastic or polymer seat ring) is staked or otherwise secured (e.g., press fit or interference fit) in the recess <NUM>. While many different seat retaining arrangements may be used, in the illustrated example, the recess <NUM> is defined by an annular inner wall portion <NUM> and an annular outer wall portion <NUM>. Once the valve seat is inserted into the recess <NUM>, the outer wall portion <NUM> may be staked or crimped radially inward to securely retain the valve seat <NUM>. As used herein, "annular" may include circular, as shown, or any other suitable surrounding shape (e.g., oblong, elliptical, etc.).

When the diaphragm <NUM> is moved into sealing contact with the valve seat <NUM> by operation of the actuator <NUM>, the valve <NUM> is in a closed position, and when the diaphragm <NUM> moves out of contact from the valve seat <NUM>, the valve <NUM> is in an open position, permitting fluid flow across the valve seat. Fluid flow may pass through the valve <NUM> from the first port <NUM> serving as an inlet or upstream port to the second port <NUM> serving as an outlet or downstream port; however, flow direction may also be reversed.

To provide a flow restriction within the valve <NUM>, the valve seat <NUM> may be configured to function as an orifice carrier, with an internal counterbore or shoulder <NUM> of the valve seat receiving an orifice restriction (e.g., a flow restricting orifice disc or insert <NUM>), for example, as a press fit subassembly. When the valve seat <NUM> is staked, crimped, or otherwise installed into the seating surface recess <NUM>, the flow restricting orifice disc <NUM> is captured or sandwiched between the valve seat counterbore <NUM> and an annular inner wall portion <NUM> disposed between the annular recess <NUM> and the first port <NUM>.

In another illustrative example, a flow restricting orifice disc may be assembled with (e.g., staked into, welded to) a valve seating surface at a first fluid port, radially inward of the valve seat. <FIG> illustrates an actuated valve assembly <NUM>, similar to the actuated valve assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, but with an orifice restriction <NUM> assembled with an interior portion of an annular inner wall portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>, inward of the valve seat retaining recess <NUM> and surrounding the first fluid port <NUM>. The annular inner wall portion <NUM> may be staked or crimped over the outer periphery of the orifice restriction <NUM>. While the orifice restriction <NUM> may be provided as a single piece component to be assembled with the inner wall portion, in the illustrated example, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, the orifice restriction <NUM> includes an orifice carrier <NUM> retaining a flow restricting orifice disc <NUM> and assembled with the inner wall portion <NUM>, for example, with an outer peripheral step or shoulder <NUM> seated against an inner peripheral recess <NUM> of the inner wall portion. The exemplary orifice carrier <NUM> includes an inner diameter counterbore <NUM> that receives the flow restricting orifice disc <NUM>, and a surrounding wall portion <NUM> that may be staked or crimped over the outer edge of the orifice disc for secure, sealed retention therewith.

The outer periphery <NUM> of the orifice carrier <NUM> of <FIG> may be press fit or staked into seating engagement with the inner wall portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. In other embodiments, an orifice carrier may be configured for welded retention with the valve body. <FIG> illustrate an orifice restriction <NUM>' including an orifice carrier <NUM>' having a substantially cylindrical outer periphery <NUM>' and an inner diameter counterbore <NUM>' sized to receive an orifice disc or insert <NUM>' press fit or staked into the counterbore. An inner lip portion <NUM>' may be crimped over the orifice disc <NUM>' to securely and sealingly retain the orifice disc with the orifice carrier <NUM>'.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary valve assembly <NUM>' having an orifice restriction <NUM>' (e.g., the orifice restriction of <FIG>) welded with an interior portion of an annular inner wall portion <NUM>' of the valve body <NUM>', inward of the valve seat <NUM>' and surrounding the first fluid port <NUM>'. The cylindrical outer periphery <NUM>' of the orifice carrier <NUM>' may be seated in a counterbore portion <NUM>' of the annular inner wall portion <NUM>' and welded (at annular weld bead <NUM>') to the annular inner wall portion, for example, to securely and sealingly retain the orifice restriction <NUM>' with the valve body <NUM>'. The weld bead <NUM>' may extend along the entire junction between the counterbore portion <NUM>' and the cylindrical outer periphery <NUM>' (e.g., through to the base flange portion of the counterbore), or only a portion of the junction sufficient to eliminate any crevice or seam between the orifice carrier <NUM>' and the annular inner wall portion <NUM>'.

In another illustrative example, a flow restricting orifice disc may be assembled with (e.g., staked into, welded to) a valve seating surface at a second fluid port, radially offset from the valve seat. <FIG> illustrates an actuated valve assembly <NUM>, similar to the actuated valve assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, but with an orifice restriction <NUM> assembled with an interior portion of an annular inner wall portion <NUM> at the second fluid port <NUM>. While the orifice restriction may be provided as a single piece component to be assembled with the inner wall portion, in the illustrated example, an orifice carrier <NUM> retaining a flow restricting orifice disc <NUM> (which may, but need not, be similar to the orifice carrier <NUM> and disc <NUM> arrangement shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and described above) is assembled with the inner wall portion <NUM>, for example, with an outer peripheral step or shoulder <NUM> seated against an inner peripheral recess <NUM> of the inner wall portion.

As shown in <FIG>, the seating surface <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, annular seat recess <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, inner wall portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, outer wall portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and first and second ports <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be integral with and entirely defined by the valve body <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, for installation or assembly of the valve seat <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and orifice restriction <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> directly with the valve body <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In embodiments according to the invention, a valve may be provided with a replaceable seat carrier subassembly or cartridge that includes a valve seat (e.g., a staked or crimped plastic or polymeric seat) and a flow restricting orifice (e.g., flow restricting orifice insert or disc), for example, to allow for replacement of a worn or damaged valve seat, and/or replacement of an orifice restriction (e.g., to adjust the desired flow rate through the valve).

<FIG> illustrates an actuated valve assembly <NUM>, similar to the actuated valve assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, but with a seat carrier subassembly <NUM> installed in the valve cavity <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>. The seat carrier subassembly <NUM> (<FIG>) includes a seat carrier body <NUM> defining an annular seat recess <NUM> and inner and outer wall portions <NUM>, <NUM> retaining a valve seat <NUM>, and first and second flow apertures <NUM>, <NUM> aligned with (i.e., in direct fluid communication with) first and second fluid ports <NUM>, <NUM> in the valve body <NUM>. As shown, the seat carrier body <NUM> may include multiple second flow apertures <NUM>, for example, to provide substantially consistent flow regardless of rotational orientation of the seat carrier subassembly within the valve body. A bonnet nut <NUM> assembled with the valve body <NUM> applies a clamping force to an outer periphery of the diaphragm <NUM> and the seat carrier body <NUM> to seal the diaphragm against the seat carrier body, and to seal the outer periphery of the seat carrier body against an outer periphery of the seating surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the diaphragm <NUM> may be welded to the outer periphery of the seat carrier body <NUM> to ensure a seal between the seat carrier body and the diaphragm, and to provide the diaphragm as part of the seat carrier subassembly. The exemplary seat carrier subassembly <NUM> further includes a body seal <NUM> (e.g., a plastic or polymeric seal ring) retained (e.g., staked or press fit) in an annular groove <NUM> in the seat carrier body <NUM> to seal against a body cavity surface <NUM> surrounding the first fluid port <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>.

A valve seat <NUM> includes an internal counterbore or shoulder <NUM> that receives a flow restricting orifice disc or insert <NUM>, for example, as a press fit subassembly. When the valve seat <NUM> is staked, crimped, or otherwise installed into the annular seat recess <NUM>, the flow restricting orifice disc <NUM> is captured or sandwiched between the valve seat counterbore <NUM> and the annular inner wall portion <NUM>. Once the valve seat <NUM> is inserted into the recess <NUM>, the outer wall portion <NUM> may be staked or crimped radially inward to securely retain the valve seat <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an actuated valve assembly <NUM>, similar to the actuated valve assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, but with the seat carrier subassembly <NUM> including an orifice restriction <NUM> assembled with the annular inner wall portion <NUM>, inward of the valve seat retaining recess <NUM> and surrounding the first flow aperture <NUM>. While the orifice restriction may be provided as a single piece component to be assembled with the inner wall portion, in the illustrated example, an orifice carrier <NUM> retaining a flow restricting orifice disc <NUM> (which may, but need not, be similar to the orifice carrier <NUM> and disc <NUM> arrangement shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and described above) is assembled with the inner wall portion <NUM>, for example, with an outer peripheral step or shoulder <NUM> seated against an inner peripheral recess <NUM> of the inner wall portion.

The seat carrier subassembly <NUM> (<FIG>) includes a seat carrier body <NUM> defining an annular seat recess <NUM> and inner and outer wall portions <NUM>, <NUM> retaining a valve seat <NUM>, and first and second flow apertures <NUM>, <NUM> aligned with (i.e., in direct fluid communication with) first and second fluid ports <NUM>, <NUM> in the valve body <NUM>. As shown, the seat carrier body <NUM> may include multiple second flow apertures <NUM>, for example, to provide substantially consistent flow regardless of rotational orientation of the seat carrier subassembly within the valve body. A bonnet nut <NUM> assembled with the valve body <NUM> applies a clamping force to an outer periphery of the diaphragm <NUM> and the seat carrier body <NUM> to seal the diaphragm against the seat carrier body, and to seal the outer periphery of the seat carrier body against an outer periphery of the seating surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the diaphragm <NUM> may be welded to the outer periphery of the seat carrier body <NUM> to ensure a seal between the seat carrier body and the diaphragm, and to provide the diaphragm as part of the seat carrier subassembly. The exemplary seat carrier subassembly <NUM> further includes a body seal <NUM> (e.g., a plastic or polymeric seal ring) retained (e.g., staked or press fit) in an annular groove <NUM> in the seat carrier body <NUM> to seal against a body cavity surface <NUM> surrounding the first fluid port <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>.

The valve seat <NUM> may be staked, crimped, or otherwise installed into the annular seat recess <NUM>, for example, with the outer wall portion <NUM> staked or crimped radially inward to securely retain the valve seat <NUM>.

The outer periphery <NUM> of the orifice carrier <NUM> may be press fit or staked into seating engagement with the inner wall portion <NUM> of the seat carrier body <NUM>. In other embodiments, an orifice carrier may be configured for welded retention with the seat carrier subassembly for installation in a valve body (e.g., any of the seat carrier retaining disclosed herein). <FIG> illustrates a seat carrier subassembly <NUM>' including an orifice restriction <NUM>' (which may be consistent with the orifice restriction <NUM>' of <FIG>), with the substantially cylindrical outer periphery <NUM>' of the orifice carrier <NUM>' welded with an interior portion of an annular inner wall portion <NUM>' of the seat carrier body <NUM>', inward of the valve seat <NUM>' and surrounding the first flow aperture <NUM>'. The cylindrical outer periphery <NUM>' of the orifice carrier <NUM>' may be seated against an inner peripheral recess or counterbore <NUM>' of the inner wall portion <NUM>' and welded (at annular weld bead <NUM>') to the annular inner wall portion <NUM>', for example, to securely and sealingly retain the orifice restriction <NUM>' with the seat carrier body <NUM>'. The weld bead <NUM>' may extend along the entire junction between the counterbore portion <NUM>' and the cylindrical outer periphery <NUM>' (e.g., through to the base flange portion of the counterbore), or only a portion of the junction sufficient to eliminate any crevice or seam between the orifice carrier <NUM>' and the annular inner wall portion <NUM>'.

<FIG> illustrates an actuated valve assembly <NUM>, similar to the actuated valve assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, but with an orifice restriction <NUM> assembled with an interior portion of an annular inner wall portion at the second flow aperture <NUM> of the seat carrier <NUM>.

While the orifice restriction may be provided as a single piece component to be assembled with the inner wall portion, in the illustrated example, an orifice carrier <NUM> retaining a flow restricting orifice disc <NUM> (which may, but need not, be similar to the orifice carrier <NUM> and disc <NUM> arrangement shown in <FIG> and described above) is assembled with the inner wall portion <NUM>, for example, with an outer peripheral step or shoulder <NUM> seated against an inner peripheral recess <NUM> of the inner wall portion.

In other embodiments, an orifice carrier may be adapted to permit removal from, and replacement in, the seat carrier, for example, without removing the valve seat and/or body seal, and/or with a diaphragm welded to the seat carrier. In one such embodiment, a plastic (e.g., perfluoroalkoxy alkane, or PFA) orifice carrier may be sized to be removably inserted (e.g., press fit) into a central flow aperture in the seat carrier, with an orifice disc installed (e.g., press fit) in a central bore of the orifice carrier.

<FIG> illustrates a valve assembly <NUM> including a seat carrier subassembly <NUM> including an orifice restriction <NUM> assembled with a first, central flow aperture <NUM> in the seat carrier body <NUM>. While the orifice restriction may be provided as a single piece component to be assembled with the first flow aperture <NUM>, in the illustrated example, a plastic (e.g., PFA) orifice carrier <NUM> retaining a flow restricting orifice disc <NUM>, press fit into the central bore <NUM> of the orifice carrier, is press fit into the first flow port <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the orifice carrier <NUM> may, but need not, extend into alignment with the annular inner wall portion <NUM>, for example, to provide an extended surface of press fit engagement between the seat carrier body <NUM> and the orifice carrier. The orifice carrier <NUM> may include an outer shoulder (e.g., chamfered shoulder) <NUM> that engages a surface (e.g., inner chamfer) <NUM> of the first flow aperture <NUM> for proper axial alignment of the orifice carrier <NUM> in the seat carrier body <NUM>. A distal end <NUM> of the orifice carrier <NUM> may be sized to extend beyond the body engaging end of the seat carrier body <NUM>, and into the first fluid port <NUM> of the valve body <NUM>, for example, to facilitate user grasping and removal of the orifice carrier <NUM> from a removed seat carrier subassembly <NUM>.

In other embodiments, an orifice restriction may be provided as a flow restricting orifice disc or insert staked directly into a recessed or counterbore portion of a seat carrier, surrounding the seat carrier flow aperture. <FIG> illustrates an exemplary seat carrier subassembly <NUM> for use in a valve assembly (e.g., the valve assembly of any of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). The seat carrier subassembly <NUM> includes a flow restricting orifice disc or insert <NUM> received in an inner peripheral upper counterbore or recess <NUM> surrounding a first, central flow aperture <NUM> in a seat carrier body <NUM>, and surrounded by an upper valve seat <NUM> and a lower body seal <NUM>. The orifice disc <NUM> is staked or press fit into the inner peripheral recess <NUM> to provide an interference fit between the orifice disk and the seat carrier body <NUM>. In other embodiments (not shown), a flow restricting orifice disc or insert may be staked or press fit into an inner peripheral lower counterbore or recess surrounding a first, central flow aperture, or into an inner peripheral upper or lower counterbore or recess surrounding a second, offset flow aperture.

In still other embodiments, an orifice restriction may be secured with the seat carrier by a welded arrangement, for example, to minimize or eliminate crevices and associated potential for leak paths and/or spaces for entrapment of contamination. In some such embodiments, the welded arrangement may provide for flexed, live loaded engagement of the orifice restriction to minimize or eliminate crevices around the orifice restriction. In one such embodiment, an orifice restriction may be captured between the seat carrier and an annular disc or weld ring welded with the seat carrier.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary seat carrier subassembly <NUM> for use in a valve assembly (e.g., the valve assembly of any of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). The seat carrier subassembly <NUM> includes a flow restricting orifice disc or insert <NUM> received in an inner peripheral lower counterbore or recess <NUM> surrounding a first, central flow aperture <NUM> in a seat carrier body <NUM>, and surrounded by an upper valve seat <NUM> and a lower body seal <NUM>. The orifice disc <NUM> is captured in the inner peripheral recess <NUM> by an annular weld ring <NUM> received in an outer peripheral lower counterbore or recess <NUM> in the seat carrier body <NUM>, and welded with the seat carrier body by an annular weld bead <NUM> penetrating the seat carrier body and weld ring from an upper, diaphragm facing surface of the seat carrier body. As shown, the full penetration of the weld bead <NUM> may prevent any crevices between the outer peripheral recess <NUM> and the seat carrier body <NUM>. Further, an axial load applied to the weld ring <NUM> against the orifice disc <NUM> may prevent leakage between the weld ring and the orifice restriction, and may provide for flexed, live loaded engagement between an inner lip portion 969a of the seat carrier body <NUM> and the orifice disc. In other embodiments (not shown), a flow restricting orifice disc or insert may be similarly retained in an inner peripheral lower counterbore or recess surrounding a second, offset flow aperture in the seat carrier body.

<FIG> illustrates another exemplary seat carrier subassembly <NUM> for use in a valve assembly (e.g., the valve assembly of any of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). The seat carrier subassembly <NUM> includes a flow restricting orifice disc or insert <NUM> received in an inner peripheral upper counterbore or recess <NUM> surrounding a first, central flow aperture <NUM> in a seat carrier body <NUM>, and surrounded by an upper valve seat <NUM> and a lower body seal <NUM>. The orifice disc <NUM> is captured in the inner peripheral recess <NUM> by an annular weld ring or disc <NUM> received in an outer peripheral upper counterbore or recess <NUM> in the seat carrier body <NUM>, and welded with the seat carrier body by an annular weld bead <NUM> penetrating the weld ring and seat carrier body from an upper, diaphragm facing surface of the seat carrier body. As shown, the full penetration of the weld bead <NUM> may prevent any crevices between the outer peripheral recess <NUM> and the seat carrier body <NUM>. Further, the weld operation may cause the relatively thin annular weld ring or disc <NUM> to flex against the orifice disc <NUM>, for example, to provide for flexed, live loaded engagement between the weld ring and the orifice restriction. In other embodiments (not shown), a flow restricting orifice disc or insert may be similarly retained in an inner peripheral upper counterbore or recess surrounding a second, offset flow aperture in the seat carrier body.

In other illustrative examples, similar weld retained orifice restriction arrangements may be directly integrated with a valve body. <FIG> illustrates an exemplary actuated valve assembly <NUM>, similar to the actuated valve assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, but with a flow restricting orifice disc or insert <NUM> secured with an interior portion of an annular inner wall portion <NUM> of the valve body <NUM> by a welded arrangement, inward of the valve seat retaining recess <NUM> and surrounding the first fluid port <NUM>. The orifice disc <NUM> is received in an inner peripheral upper counterbore or recess <NUM> surrounding the first fluid port <NUM>, and surrounded by an upper valve seat <NUM>. The orifice disc <NUM> is captured in the inner peripheral recess <NUM> by an annular weld ring or disc <NUM> received in an outer peripheral upper counterbore or recess <NUM> in the valve body <NUM>, and welded with the valve body by an annular weld bead <NUM> penetrating the weld ring and valve body from an upper, diaphragm facing surface of the valve body. As shown, the full penetration of the weld bead <NUM> may prevent any crevices between the outer peripheral recess <NUM> and the valve body <NUM>. Further, the weld operation may cause the relatively thin annular weld ring or disc <NUM> to flex against the orifice disc <NUM>, for example, to provide for flexed, live loaded engagement between the weld ring and the orifice restriction.

Claim 1:
A valve (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a valve body (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a valve cavity and first and second fluid ports (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) extending to the valve cavity;
a seat carrier subassembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) installed in the valve cavity, the seat carrier subassembly comprising a seat carrier body (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a first annular inner wall (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) defining a first flow aperture (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) aligned with the first fluid port and a valve seat (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in an annular recess (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) surrounding the first annular inner wall, and a second annular inner wall defining a second flow aperture (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) aligned with the second fluid port;
a valve element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed within the valve cavity and movable between a closed position sealing against the valve seat and an open position permitting fluid flow across the valve seat between the first and second flow apertures; and
an orifice restriction (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) having an outer periphery seated against an interior portion of one of the first annular inner wall and the second annular inner wall.