Stabilizer cartridge for a fluid regulator

A stabilizer cartridge for enhancing stability of a fluid regulator having a regulator body, a control element configured to control a fluid flow through the regulator body, a valve stem coupled to the control element, and an actuator assembly operatively coupled to the valve stem to control a position of the control element, the stabilizer cartridge comprising:

• a body adapted to be disposed around the valve stem, the body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
• a first disk coupled to the body proximate the first end, the first disk defining one or more flow paths for facilitating pressure relief;
• a second disk movably coupled to the body, the second disk being movable relative to the first disk responsive to fluid flow through the one or more flow paths of the first disk;
• and
• a biasing element arranged between the second disk and the second end of the body, the biasing element configured to bias the second disk toward the first disk.

A fluid regulator, comprising:

• a regulator body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passageway between the inlet and the outlet, the fluid flow passageway comprising a throat area;
• a control element configured to control fluid flow through the fluid passageway;
• a valve stem coupled to the control element;
• an actuator assembly operatively coupled to the valve stem to control a position of the control element, the actuator comprising:
• an actuator housing;
• a diaphragm disposed in the actuator housing, the diaphragm configured to sense a pressure at the outlet via the throat area;
• a first chamber defined adjacent a first side of the diaphragm;
• a second chamber defined adjacent a second side of the diaphragm;
• and
• an exhaust port formed in the actuator housing to fluidly couple the second chamber to atmosphere;
• and
• a stabilizer cartridge arranged between the first chamber and the throat area of the regulator body, the stabilizer cartridge comprising:
• a body sized to receive the valve stem;
• a first disk coupled to the body and defining one or more flow paths, the one or more flow paths in selective fluid communication with the exhaust port;
• and
• a second disk movably coupled to the body, the second disk being movable relative to the first disk, responsive to fluid flowing through the one or more flow paths, between a first position, in which the second disk sealingly engages the flow paths of the first disk, such that the flow paths are not in fluid communication with the exhaust port, and a second position, in which the second disk is spaced from the flow paths of the first disk, such that the flow paths are in fluid communication with the exhaust port.