Scupper valve

A vessel comprising:

• a hull;
• a scupper extending through the hull;
• and
• a scupper valve at the scupper, wherein the scupper valve comprises:
• a frame;
• a rigid flapper coupled to the frame, wherein the rigid flapper is configured to swing relative to the rigid frame between an open and closed position;
• a flexible annular seal that defines a centrally-disposed circular opening and a first annular projection that surrounds the centrally-disposed opening,
• wherein the rigid flapper, in the closed position, contacts a distal edge of the first annular projection to create a circular line contact that restricts or prevents fluid flow through the centrally-disposed circular opening in the flexible annular seal;
• a rigid annular backplate adjacent to and in direct physical contact with an entirety of a flat, annular surface of the flexible seal on a side of the flexible seal opposite the rigid flapper;
• and
• one or more fasteners fastening the scupper valve to the hull at the scupper.

A method comprising:

• providing an annular frame configured to define a centrally-disposed opening, a substantially annular groove, and a pair of linear grooves that are aligned with one another;
• providing a rigid flapper configured to define a flapping portion with an outer edge that follows a substantially circular path for a portion of the circular path's circumference and a support portion that extends upward from a top of the substantially circular flapping portion and outward in two opposite directions to define two support arms;
• coupling the support arms of the rigid flapper in the linear grooves of the annular frame;
• providing a flexible annular seal that defines a centrally-disposed circular opening, a first annular projection that surrounds the centrally-disposed opening of the flexible annular seal, and a second annular projection that surrounds the centrally-disposed opening of the flexible annular seal, wherein the second annular projection has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the first annular projection;
• positioning the flexible annular seal such that the rigid flapper contacts an entirety of a distal edge of the first annular projection in a closed position and such that second annular projection of the flexible annular seal is inside the substantially annular groove in the annular frame;
• providing a flat, rigid annular backplate;
• positioning the flat, rigid annular backplate adjacent to and in direct physical contact with an entirety of a flat, annular surface of the flexible seal on a side of the flexible seal opposite the rigid flapper;
• and
• providing one or more fasteners to fasten the scupper valve to a hull of a vessel.

A scupper valve comprising:

• a frame;
• a rigid flapper coupled to the frame, wherein the rigid flapper is configured to swing relative to the rigid frame between an open and closed position;
• and
• a flexible annular seal that defines a centrally-disposed circular opening and a first annular projection that surrounds the centrally-disposed opening,
• wherein the rigid flapper, in the closed position, contacts a distal edge of the first annular projection to create a circular line contact that restricts or prevents fluid flow through the centrally-disposed circular opening in the flexible annular seal;
• and
• a rigid annular backplate adjacent to and in direct physical contact with an annular surface of the flexible seal on a side of the flexible seal opposite the rigid flapper, and
• wherein the rigid annular backplate is in direct physical contact with an entirety of the annular surface of the flexible seal on the side of the flexible seal opposite the rigid flapper.