Fluid flow control device with valve seat configured to mitigate flashing

A fluid control valve comprising:

• a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
• a valve seat coupled to the housing and positioned between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the valve seat extending around a seat axis and having:
• an end surface extending around the seat axis;
• a seating surface extending from the end surface toward the seat axis;
• a non-linear groove surface extending from the seating surface and defining a groove extending around the seat axis, the groove surface including a first segment generally perpendicular to the seat axis, a second segment generally parallel to the seat axis and a rounded corner segment connecting the first segment and the second segment;
• and
• an inner surface defining a central bore extending along the seat axis;
• and
• a spindle disposed within the housing and reciprocally moveable between closed and open positions within the central bore of the valve seat, the spindle defining a longitudinal axis and having an outer surface and a plurality of flow passages formed in the outer surface to prescribed lengths and extending in generally parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the spindle, the spindle being in abutting contact with seating surface when in the closed position.

A fluid control valve comprising:

• a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
• a valve seat coupled to the housing and positioned between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the valve seat having:
• an inner surface defining a central bore extending along a seat axis;
• a non-linear groove surface extending from the inner surface and defining a groove extending around the seat axis, at least a portion of the groove surface extending radially outward relative to the seat axis, the groove surface including a first segment generally perpendicular to the seat axis, a second segment generally parallel to the seat axis and a rounded corner segment connecting the first segment and the second segment;
• and
• a seating surface extending from the groove surface;
• and
• a spindle disposed within the housing and defining a longitudinal axis, the spindle having an outer surface and a plurality of flow passages formed in the outer surface to prescribed lengths and extending in generally parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the spindle, the spindle being moveable relative to the valve seat between closed and open positions, movement of the spindle from the closed position toward the open position allowing fluid to flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet along at least one of the plurality of flow passages, the spindle being in abutting contact with seating surface when in the closed position.