Improved particle tolerant fluid flow control and isolation valve

Abstract

A flow control device (10) having at least a first sealing element (10, 13) having at least one flow opening therein and at least a second sealing element (17) having at least one flow opening therein (16, 18). The at least first and second sealing elements are in sliding sealing contact with one another. An actuator (14) is configured for moving the at least first sealing element relative to the second sealing element, wherein the at least one flow opening of each of the first and second sealing elements cooperate through relative movement to affect fluid flow through the first and second sealing elements. A method for controlling fluid flow, the method comprising sliding a first sealing element relative to a second sealing element to cause respective flow openings to control fluid flow as desired.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of flow control (such as valves) for controlling fluid flow. More specifically, this disclosure describes a method / solution / apparatus for flow control with enhanced tolerance when handling fluids containing particles.

[0002] In process industries, such as the oil and gas production industry, fluid flow control is required, for example, to provide pressure control, flow rate control and flow barriers (such as unidirectional flow (e.g., check valves)) and / or pressure isolation barriers.

[0003] In many flow control applications, there are particles and contaminated fluids present in the controlled flow; in many cases, this is a challenge for known fluid control devices and can lead to undesirable throttling, blockage, seal / seat leakage, wear, and tearing, which can then cause functional failure. Typical fluid and gas flow control principles involve a ball and seat, a valve needle with a corresponding seat, and a plunger with a corresponding housing / seat. Particles and contaminants are common problems in the applications mentioned. However, particles and contaminants have become a critical and well-known issue in applications such as chemical injection for oil and gas production wells, where very small amounts of fluid to be controlled (typically as low as 0.1 liters / hour) are present, requiring controlled throttling through small flow channels in the control device. When controlling such small flows of fluids containing particles, particles and contaminants have become common challenges. These challenges typically include partial blockage of the flow path, lack of seals when needed, etc. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One aspect of this disclosure is a flow control device. The flow control device according to this aspect has at least a first sealing element and at least a second sealing element, the at least first sealing element having at least one flow opening, and the at least second sealing element having at least one flow opening. The at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element are in sliding sealing contact with each other. An actuator is configured to move the at least first sealing element relative to the second sealing element, wherein the at least one flow opening of each of the first sealing element and the second sealing element engages through relative movement to influence fluid flow through the first sealing element and the second sealing element.

[0005] In some embodiments, the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element comprise a disc.

[0006] In some implementations, the actuator is configured to rotate the disks relative to each other.

[0007] In some implementations, the actuator includes a stepper motor or a servo motor.

[0008] In some embodiments, the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element comprise metallic or ceramic materials.

[0009] In some embodiments, the at least first sealing element includes a full-flow port and a tortuous flow path hydraulically connected to each full-flow port.

[0010] In some embodiments, at least the first sealing element includes a full-flow port and a flushing flow path hydraulically connected to each full-flow port.

[0011] Some embodiments also include a movable sealing element disposed between the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element, the movable sealing element including opposing arcuate grooves, the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element including opposing ports, wherein the arcuate grooves and the opposing ports of the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element are arranged to reverse the flow through the flow control device by reorienting the movable sealing element.

[0012] In some embodiments, each of the first sealing element and the second sealing element includes at least one flow port, the at least one flow port having a shape, wherein the relative movement causes the communicating flow area between the respective tapered flow ports to change longitudinally and / or laterally.

[0013] In some embodiments, the at least one flow port of the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element includes at least one full-flow port and a tapered flow channel fluidly connected to the at least one flow port, wherein the tapered flow channel of the at least first sealing element is laterally offset from the tapered flow channel of the at least second sealing element, wherein the relative motion causes the flow area of ​​the communication between the respective tapered flow channels to change longitudinally and laterally.

[0014] In some implementations, the actuator is configured to rotate the movable sealing element.

[0015] In some embodiments, the opposite ports of at least the first sealing element are angularly separated by 90 degrees from the opposite ports of at least the second sealing element.

[0016] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for controlling fluid flow includes moving fluid from an inlet of a fluid control device to a first slidable sealing element. The first slidable sealing element includes at least one opening therein. The first slidable sealing element is slidable relative to a second slidable sealing element that is sealingly engaged with the first slidable sealing element, such that at least one opening in the second slidable sealing element engages with at least one opening in the first slidable sealing element to control the flow of the fluid to an outlet of the fluid control device.

[0017] In some implementations, the sliding includes rotation.

[0018] In some embodiments, at least one opening in the first slidable sealing element includes a tortuous path.

[0019] In some implementations, the zigzag path includes a full-flow opening at one end of the zigzag path.

[0020] In some embodiments, at least one opening in the first slidable sealing element includes a flushing path.

[0021] In some implementations, the flushing path includes a full-flow opening at the end of the flushing path.

[0022] Some embodiments further include moving fluid from a first slidable sealing element through a third slidable sealing element to a second slidable sealing element, wherein the first and second slidable sealing elements are held in fixed positions, and the third slidable sealing element is moved relative to the first and second slidable sealing elements to reverse the fluid flow through the fluid control device.

[0023] In some implementations, the sliding includes rotation.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first slidable sealing element, the second slidable sealing element, and the third slidable sealing element include a disc.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first slidable sealing element and the second slidable sealing element include opposing flow ports.

[0026] In some embodiments, the third slidable sealing element includes opposing arcuate grooves.

[0027] In some embodiments, the opposite ports of the first slidable sealing element are 90 degrees apart from the opposite ports of the second slidable sealing element.

[0028] In some embodiments, the flow rate of the moving fluid is controlled by selecting the amount of time during which the slidable sealing element is arranged to allow fluid to flow in a first direction and the amount of time during which the slidable sealing element is arranged to allow fluid to flow in the opposite direction.

[0029] In some embodiments, each of the first sealing element and the second sealing element includes at least one flow port, the at least one flow port having a shape, wherein the relative movement causes the communicating flow area between the respective tapered flow ports to change longitudinally and / or laterally.

[0030] In some embodiments, the at least one flow port of the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element includes at least one full-flow port and a tapered flow channel fluidly connected to the at least one flow port, wherein the tapered flow channel of the at least first sealing element is laterally offset from the tapered flow channel of the at least second sealing element, wherein the relative motion causes the flow area of ​​the communication between the respective tapered flow channels to change longitudinally and laterally.

[0031] Other aspects and potential advantages will be apparent from the description and the appended claims.

[0032] Brief description of the attached figures Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary sliding seal element is shown, which can define a controllable flow path configuration for flow control / pressure control / flow throttling / pressure throttling.

[0033] Figure 3 An exemplary flow control component for flow control / pressure control is shown.

[0034] Figure 4 Exemplary components for open / close / orifice selection / one-way flow functionality are shown. Specific components are illustrated with exemplary configurations that allow selection of closure by sliding two sealing elements to desired relative positions, as well as different orifices / apertures, to achieve a controlled selected range of fluid control and flow cutoff, such as for controlling gas flow or other fluids. The function as a one-way (check valve) barrier can generally be achieved by configuring the sealing elements to open or close for the fluid passing through.

[0035] Figure 5A and Figure 5BAn exemplary flow control assembly for flow direction control and / or metering control is shown. The specific assembly is an exemplary configuration in which the flow direction is controlled by the relative position between sliding sealing elements, which can be controlled by a flow meter (such as a reciprocating piston, bellows, or similar device) via the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet ports to measure the flow rate and / or velocity flowing through the flow control assembly. The flow rate can be adjusted and controlled by the time between changes in directional flow, for example by controlling the speed of surface movement using a stepper motor or the like.

[0036] Figure 6 Another exemplary embodiment of the sealing element according to this disclosure is shown.

[0037] Figure 7 The assembly with a second sealing element of similar construction is shown. Figure 6 A three-dimensional view of the sealing elements is provided to show the fit of the corresponding flow paths in each sealing element.

[0038] Figure 8 Shown in plan view Figure 7 The sealing elements are shown to illustrate certain characteristics of the flow path in each sealing element.

[0039] Figure 9 Details of another embodiment of the actuator that enables relative movement between sealing elements are shown.

[0040] Figure 10 It shows Figure 9 Flow control in the actuator and flow control housing, the flow control housing including for movement via pressure differential Figure 9 A device for actuator components. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The fluid flow control according to this disclosure may include at least two adjacent flow control elements, each having a sealing surface movable relative to the other. The flow control may be provided with at least one fluid inlet and one fluid outlet. The two adjacent sealing surfaces may be based on a rigid material (e.g., metal or ceramic) and may have a very fine and precise surface finish to provide a direct-contact, fluid-impermeable seal without requiring additional sealing elements such as elastic materials (e.g., elastomers or the like).

[0042] The configuration of fluid flow across adjacent sealing surfaces depends on the specific control functions required. This configuration can be, for example, a variable throttling flow path between adjacent sealing surfaces to obtain a specific throttling range for controlling flow rate and / or pressure; and / or openings or orifices exposed between adjacent sealing surfaces to obtain flow interception, orifice selection capability, unidirectional flow functionality, or a combination of these functions. By utilizing sliding adjacent sealing surfaces to control variable throttling, on / off functions, directional flow control, etc., and possibly in combination with cleaning functions, significantly enhanced particle tolerance has been demonstrated compared to conventional flow control typically used in some applications where solid particles are suspended in the controlled fluid.

[0043] "Term sealing surface: As used herein, it refers to the surface of a sealing element. Sealing surfaces may have the properties explained above to form a fluid-impermeable seal when such sealing surfaces are adjacent to each other or adjacent to another fluid handling component of flow control."

[0044] Several types of devices and / or methods can be used to actuate adjacent sealing elements. Such devices and / or methods can be, for example, but not limited to, electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, thermal, etc. The actuator to be connected to the flow control to cause adjacent sealing elements to slide or rotate linearly or rotatably relative to each other can be, for example, directly connected to the flow control, can be part of the flow control, or can be indirectly connected to the flow control, and can include, for example, but not limited to, electric stepper motors, pistons, air bladders, bellows, Bourdon tubes, direct delta pressure driven by area design, and other possible actuation devices.

[0045] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a sliding seal element is shown, which can define a variable throttling flow path for flow control and / or flow throttling. When adjacent sliding seal elements are in the flow control assembly (in... Figure 3 When adjacent to each other (as shown in the example 10), the fluid channel shape formed in the sliding sealing element in the example shown is such that between adjacent sliding sealing elements (e.g., via as...). Figure 1 and Figure 2 The disk shown provides a variable throttling flow path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The specific flow path shapes shown are only considered examples, as the actual shape, design, and dimensions of any specific flow path in adjacent sliding seal elements can be optimized for desired flow control characteristics, flow range, and required functionality.

[0046] exist Figure 1In this process, the first sealing element may include a movable (rotating) disk 11, which includes a full-flow orifice 11A that passes through the rotating disk 11 at the peripheral end of a tortuous flow path 11B. When the rotating disk 11 is oriented such that the full-flow orifice 11A respectively interacts with the flow control assembly ( Figure 3 The fluid inlet port in 10) Figure 3 16) and fluid outlet port ( Figure 3 When aligned (18) in the middle, the flow control component ( Figure 3 The fluid flow in 10) is subject to minimal throttling. When the movable disk 11 rotates so that a longer tortuous path 11B aligns with the fluid inlet 16 and the fluid outlet 18 ports, the throttling is enhanced.

[0047] exist Figure 2 In the middle, the movable disk 13 is similar to Figure 1 The example shown includes a full-flow orifice 13A. The fluid flushing path 13B provides both variable flow throttling as the movable disk 13 rotates and a mechanism to flush away solid particles accumulated in the movable disk 13 and through the flow control components ( Figure 3 The flow path of 10 in the middle.

[0048] despite this, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The exemplary implementation shown provides Figure 1 Variable throttling flow path and Figure 2 The function of flushing the flow path. By generating velocity fluctuations / turbulence on the controlled flow path, Figure 2 The flushing flow path shown can be used to improve flushing efficiency to more effectively clean controlled flow paths (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 1 Solid particles (as shown).

[0049] Figure 3 An exemplary flow control assembly 10 is shown, which is used to utilize adjacent sliding sealing elements (e.g., as shown in the diagram). Figure 1 The disk 11 shown and / or with Figure 2 Flow control / pressure control is performed using a rotary actuator 14, where the relative movement between the movable disk 11 or 13 and the rest of the flow control assembly 10 can be achieved by a rotary actuator 14. In some embodiments, the rotary actuator may be a stepper motor or a servo motor. An inlet port 16 and an outlet port 18 are disposed in a port housing 17, which forms part of the flow control assembly 10. The inlet port 16 and the outlet port 18 terminate at the surface of the movable disk 11 or 13 such that the inlet port 16 and the outlet port 18 are adjacent to the full-flow orifice in a rotational orientation (in...). Figure 1 and Figure 2The two are 11A and 13A respectively), and as the rotary actuator 14 reorients the movable disk 11 or 13 when the flow throttling is adjusted, it moves adjacent to the longer, more tortuous path. Figure 1 11B and Figure 2 (13B in the diagram). The adjacent sliding sealing element shown at 19 may include any suitable type of feature (not shown) to allow flow from inlet port 16 to outlet port 18 through a selected full-flow port of movable disc 11 or 13. Figure 1 11A or Figure 2 13A in the middle) or the selected part of the meandering path ( Figure 1 11B or Figure 2 13B in the middle).

[0050] Figure 4 An exemplary flow control component 10 is shown, which can provide flow opening and closing functions, variable throttling flow control selection, and / or unidirectional flow direction functions. Figure 4 Exemplary components may have closure surfaces selectable by sliding (e.g., rotating) two sealing elements 15, 17 to desired relative positions, such as an arcuate groove at 15A on one sealing element 15 and orifices / apertures of different sizes at 17A to 17E on the other sealing element 17, to obtain a controlled or selected range of fluid flow throttling, for example, to control the flow rate and / or pressure of gas or other fluid flows. Functionality such as a one-way (check valve) barrier and / or a controlled opening and closing barrier can generally be achieved by constructing and / or controlling actuator 14 (e.g., bellows, Bourdon tube, spring, stepper motor, or servo motor, or combinations thereof) to open or close the flow path by oriented closure surfaces and orifices to achieve open / close or one-way flow control functionality.

[0051] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An exemplary flow control component 20 is shown that can be used for flow direction control and / or flow metering. For clarity, from... Figure 5A and Figure 5B The actuator is omitted. Figure 5A and Figure 5B The flow control assembly 20 shown has a rotating disk 24 disposed between two stationary disks 22, 26. This configuration allows the flow direction through the flow control assembly 20 to be controlled by the relative position of sliding sealing elements relative to each other. In one embodiment, the pressure difference between the inlet port 16 and the outlet port 18 is controlled, for example, by a positive displacement metering device 34 (such as...). Figure 5A and 5BThe reciprocating piston metering device, bellows, lobed rotor metering device, gear metering device, etc. shown are used to measure the flow velocity and / or fluid volume moving through the flow control component 20. Figure 5A The exemplary flow control assembly 20 shown illustrates a sliding sealing element 22 in a first fixed position and a sliding sealing element 26 in a second fixed position. The sliding sealing element 22 in the first fixed position is connected to, via TO16 and TO18, as shown in the figure. Figure 5A The main fluid inlet 16 and main fluid outlet 18 are in fluid communication. A movable (rotatable) sliding sealing element or disc 24 may have long arcuate groove openings 24A, 24B thereon, wherein the movable disc 24 is disposed between the fixed sliding sealing elements 22, 26. The second fixed sliding sealing element 26 has openings TO30, TO32, which are in fluid communication with the metering circuit or other fluid device, as explained below. In this exemplary embodiment, the openings in the first fixed sliding sealing element 22 and the openings in the second fixed sliding sealing element can be oriented at a 90-degree angular spacing as shown, such that the arcuate grooves 24A, 24B can be rotatably oriented to reverse the fluid flow through the sliding sealing elements between the main fluid inlet and the metering circuit outlet. Figure 5A In this example, the orientation of the rotating disk 24 aligns the arcuate grooves 24A and 24B so that the fluid flow through the metering circuit is in the direction shown. The metering circuit in this example may include a fluid inlet 32 ​​fluidly connected between one of the two ports in the second-positioned sealing element 26 and a port on one side of the flow metering device 34, which may be of any of the types described above. The other port of the flow metering device 34 is fluidly connected to another port in the second-positioned sealing element 26. Figure 5B In this process, the movable disc 24 is rotated to the indicated orientation to align the slots, thereby providing flow directions through the metering circuits (30, 32, 34) in opposite directions, even when the flow directions relative to the main fluid inlet 16 and the main fluid outlet 18 remain the same. Figure 5A and Figure 5B The arrangement shown can be used, for example, to enhance the removal of solids and contaminants by providing reversible flow through a metering loop or other fluid flow path, while maintaining the flow direction relative to the main fluid inlet 16 and the main fluid outlet 18.

[0052] The fluid flow rate can be adjusted and controlled by the amount of time between changes in directional flow, for example by controlling the speed of the rotation (relative motion) of the rotating disk 24 between adjacent sliding sealing elements 22, 26 using a stepper motor, servo motor, etc. In this example embodiment, as shown, rotation can be applied to the movable disk; it is conceivable that the sealing capabilities of the adjacent sealing elements and their sealing surfaces, as explained above, will avoid the need for a rotating shaft seal in the case where the drive shaft passes through either or both of the fixed-position sealing elements 22, 26.

[0053] Figure 6 Another exemplary embodiment of the sealing element 111 according to this disclosure is shown. The sealing element 111 may be made of any material used to manufacture sealing elements as described elsewhere herein, such as, but not limited to, metals and / or ceramics. In this exemplary embodiment, a sealing surface 112 may be formed on a raised feature extending outward from the body of the sealing element 111. A flow path extending through the sealing element 111 may include a full-flow opening 113 having a tapered flow channel 113A connected thereto, the tapered flow channel 113A intersecting the full-flow opening 113 at its longitudinal end. The tapered flow channel 113A may be formed on the surface of the sealing element 111, but may not completely penetrate the sealing element 111.

[0054] Figure 6 The sealing element 111 moves relative to the sealing element 111 through a relative motion. Figure 7 The three-dimensional view shows the corresponding sealing element 211, which is configured to influence fluid flow. The corresponding sealing element 211 may include a flow path comprising a full-flow opening 213 and intersecting tapered flow channels 213A, such as... Figure 7 As shown. In this exemplary embodiment, the sealing elements 211, 111 may be disc-shaped and rotatable relative to each other, such that different portions of the corresponding flow paths on each sealing element 211, 111 cooperate to control the fluid flow controlled by the flow control constructed using such sealing elements 211, 111.

[0055] refer to Figure 8 To better understand Figure 7Certain characteristics of the flow path in the sealing elements at 211, 111. In this exemplary embodiment, the tapered flow channels 113A, 213A may include a generally arcuate shape, and the tapered flow channel 113A of the first sealing element 111 may be laterally (radially in this example) offset from the tapered flow channel 213A of the second sealing element 211. Because the arcuate tapered flow channels 113A, 213A are laterally offset, when the sealing elements 111, 211 rotate to overlap the flow channels 113A, 213A, the communicating flow area between the flow channels 113A, 213A increases both longitudinally (along the direction of the flow channels 113A, 213A) and laterally. The foregoing features can enhance the responsiveness of the flow control according to this disclosure, particularly at lower flow ranges of the flow control, where more relative movement of the sealing elements 111, 211 may be required to achieve a certain magnitude of flow rate or pressure change, while closer to the full flow position of the flow control may require less corresponding movement.

[0056] Figures 6 to 8 The exemplary sealing element provided is merely one example of a flow port according to this disclosure. Other embodiments of the flow port may be used such that the relative movement of one sealing element with respect to another provides a connected flow area that varies longitudinally and / or laterally (i.e., along one or both lateral directions) between them, to provide enhanced flow throttling responsiveness with respect to the relative positions of the sealing elements with respect to each other.

[0057] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Another example embodiment of the actuator 114 for flow control according to this disclosure is shown. This exemplary embodiment may include, for example, a disc-shaped sealing element at 113, which corresponds to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The sealing element shown; it should be clearly understood that the sealing element (including the reference) Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 5A and Figure 5BOther shapes and configurations of the described sealing element can be used with this actuator 114 with equivalent effects. This exemplary actuator 114 may include opposing first links 115A, 115B, each of which is connected at a longitudinal end (e.g., at 113) on opposite sides of the centerline 113C of the movable sealing element 113 to a movable one of the sealing elements at 113. The opposing longitudinal ends of each first link 115A, 115B are connected to the crank 117 on the respective side of the crank pivot 117A. Therefore, rotation of the crank 117 about the pivot 117A results in opposite movements of the links 115A, 115B, thereby transmitting rotational motion to the movable sealing element 113. Rotation of the crank 117 may be achieved by a second link 119, which is connected at one end to the crank 117 on one side of the pivot 117A. The second link 119 can be connected to the linear motor 121 at its other end, which will refer to Figure 10 To explain.

[0058] Figure 10 A cross-sectional side view of a flow control device 100 according to this exemplary embodiment, including actuator 114, is shown. The flow control 10 according to any embodiment disclosed herein may be housed within a pressure-resistant housing 101. The housing 101 may include a fluid inlet compartment 101B on one side. Fluid inlet compartment 101B may be connected to a fluid inlet 116. The housing 101 may include a fluid outlet compartment 101A on the other side, which is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet 118.

[0059] Fluid entering inlet compartment 101B through fluid inlet 116 can enter inlet bellows 114A disposed in fluid inlet compartment 101B. As the fluid moves toward flow control 10, it can exit inlet bellows 114A to fill the volume of inlet compartment 101B outside inlet bellows 114A. Inlet bellows 114A acts as an accumulator to maintain inlet fluid pressure. Inlet fluid pressure is also transmitted to the volume inside housing 101 where flow control 10 is disposed. In this way, the pressure difference between the outside and inside of flow control 10 is minimized, thereby reducing the possibility of fluid leakage through flow control 10. Fluid flowing from fluid inlet compartment 101B can enter flow control 10 through its fluid inlet 16, substantially as per reference. Figure 3 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B As explained. The controlled fluid leaving flow control 10 exits through fluid outlet 18, essentially as described in the reference. Figure 3 , Figure 5A and Figure 5BAs explained, a controlled fluid can enter an outlet bellows 114B disposed in a fluid outlet compartment 101A. The volume of the fluid outlet compartment 101A outside the outlet bellows 114B can be filled with pressurized gas, wherein changes in fluid pressure inside the outlet bellows 114B cause the outlet bellows 114B to expand and contract. A second link 119 is connected at its other end to one end of the outlet bellows 114B, such that the expansion and contraction of the outlet bellows 114B are transmitted to the second link 119. In this way, the combination of the outlet bellows 114B and the second link 119 forms a linear motor 121.

[0060] Shaft 102 can be connected to movable sealing element 113, wherein rotation of movable sealing element 113 is transmitted to shaft 102. Shaft 102 can be used to operate a rotary encoder (not shown) or other device, or shaft 102 can be connected to a rotary actuator (such as a stepper motor) to operate movable sealing element 113.

[0061] Based on the principles and exemplary embodiments described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that modifications in arrangement and detail can be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from these principles. The foregoing discussion focuses on specific embodiments, but other configurations are also contemplated. In particular, even when expressions such as “implementation” are used herein, these phrases are intended to generally refer to the possibilities of implementation and are not intended to limit this disclosure to particular implementation configurations. As used herein, these terms may refer to the same or different embodiments that can be combined into other embodiments. Generally, unless otherwise stated, any embodiment referenced herein can be freely combined with any one or more other embodiments referenced herein, and any number of features of different embodiments can be combined with each other. Although only a few examples have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many modifications can be made within the scope of the described examples. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flow control device, comprising: At least a first sealing element, wherein the at least first sealing element has at least one flow opening; At least a second sealing element having at least one flow opening, and the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element being in sliding sealing contact with each other; as well as An actuator for moving the at least first sealing element relative to the at least second sealing element, wherein at least one flow opening of each of the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element engages through relative movement to influence fluid flow through the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element.

2. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein, The at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element include a disc.

3. The flow control device according to claim 2, wherein, The actuator is configured to rotate the disks relative to each other.

4. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein, The actuator includes a stepper motor or a servo motor.

5. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein, The at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element comprise metallic or ceramic materials.

6. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein, The at least first sealing element includes a full-flow port and a tortuous flow path hydraulically connected to each full-flow port.

7. The flow control according to claim 1, wherein, The at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element each include at least one flow port, the at least one flow port having a shape, wherein the relative movement causes the flow area of ​​the communication between the respective flow ports to change longitudinally and / or laterally.

8. The flow control according to claim 7, wherein, The at least one flow port of the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element includes at least one full-flow port and a tapered flow channel fluidly connected to the at least one flow port, wherein the tapered flow channel of the at least first sealing element is laterally offset from the tapered flow channel of the at least second sealing element, wherein the relative motion causes the flow area of ​​the communication between the respective tapered flow channels to change longitudinally and laterally.

9. The flow control device according to claim 1, wherein, The at least first sealing element includes a full-flow port and a flushing flow path hydraulically connected to each full-flow port.

10. The flow control device of claim 1, further comprising a movable sealing element disposed between the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element, the movable sealing element including opposing arcuate grooves, the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element including opposing ports, wherein the arcuate grooves and the opposing ports of the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element are arranged to reverse the flow through the flow control device by reorienting the movable sealing element.

11. The flow control according to claim 10, wherein, The actuator is configured to rotate the movable sealing element.

12. The flow control according to claim 10, wherein, The opposing ports of the at least first sealing element are 90 degrees apart from the opposing ports of the at least second sealing element.

13. A method for controlling fluid flow, comprising: Fluid is moved from the inlet of the fluid control device to a first slidable sealing element, the first slidable sealing element including at least one opening therein; The first slidable sealing element is slidable relative to a second slidable sealing element that is sealingly engaged with the first slidable sealing element, such that at least one opening in the second slidable sealing element engages with at least one opening in the first slidable sealing element to control the flow of the fluid to the outlet of the fluid control device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The sliding includes rotation.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The at least one opening in the first slidable sealing element includes a tortuous path.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The meandering path includes a full-flow opening at one end of the meandering path.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element each include at least one flow port, the at least one flow port having a shape, wherein the relative movement causes the flow area of ​​the communication between the respective flow ports to change longitudinally and / or laterally.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The at least one flow port of the at least first sealing element and the at least second sealing element includes at least one full-flow port and a tapered flow channel fluidly connected to the at least one flow port, wherein the tapered flow channel of the at least first sealing element is laterally offset from the tapered flow channel of the at least second sealing element, wherein the relative motion causes the flow area of ​​the communication between the respective tapered flow channels to change longitudinally and laterally.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The at least one opening of the first slidable sealing element includes a flushing path.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein, The flushing path includes a full-flow opening at one end of the flushing path.

21. The method of claim 13, further comprising moving fluid from the first slidable sealing element through a third slidable sealing element to the second slidable sealing element, wherein the first slidable sealing element and the second slidable sealing element are held in fixed positions, and the third slidable sealing element is moved relative to the first slidable sealing element and the second slidable sealing element to reverse the fluid flow through the fluid control device.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The sliding includes rotation.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The first slidable sealing element, the second slidable sealing element, and the third slidable sealing element all include a disc.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The first slidable sealing element and the second slidable sealing element include opposing flow ports.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein, The third slidable sealing element includes opposing arcuate grooves.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein, The opposite ports of the first slidable sealing element are 90 degrees apart from the opposite ports of the second slidable sealing element.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein, The flow rate of the moving fluid is controlled by selecting the amount of time during which the sliding sealing element is arranged to allow fluid to flow in a first direction and the amount of time during which the sliding sealing element is arranged to allow fluid to flow in the opposite direction.

28. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The first slidable sealing element and the second slidable sealing element are disposed in a fluid with a pressure equal to the fluid pressure at the inlet.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising applying fluid pressure from the outlet to a bellows having a gas at a selected pressure on either the interior or exterior of the bellows, which is not in communication with the applied fluid pressure, wherein a change in the applied fluid pressure causes the bellows to expand and / or contract, the expansion and / or contraction being applied to either the first or the second slidable sealing element to achieve relative movement between them.

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