| abstract |
The present invention is entitled "Valve, Valve Assembly, and Uses Thereof." This article describes a valve and valve assembly that employs an architecture that mitigates degrading wear mechanisms, thereby extending the life of the assembly. In one aspect, the valve includes a head including a circumferential surface and a valve seat mating surface. The leg members extend from the head, wherein the thickness of one or more of the leg members tapers away from the head to induce laminar fluid flow around the head. The valve may also include a seal coupled to the circumferential surface of the head. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the seal exhibits a radius of curvature to maintain laminar fluid flow around the valve. Additionally, in some embodiments, the seal may overlap a portion of the seat mating surface. |