Check valve having a spherical loading element

A liquid chromatography system, comprising:

• a pump;
• a port;
• and
• a check valve, comprising:
• a valve housing having a bore with a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of the first end or the second end is in fluid communication with the port;
• a valve seat disposed proximate to the first end of the bore;
• a ball disposed in the bore and movable in an axial direction of the bore and at least one additional degree of movement between a closed position in which the ball is received against the valve seat and prevents a flow of fluid through the bore and an open position in which the ball is displaced from the valve seat and allows the flow of fluid through the bore when the pump transitions between an intake stroke and a delivery stroke;
• and
• a spherical loading element disposed in the bore and movable between the ball and the second end of the bore, the spherical loading element applying a supplemental force to move the ball against the valve seat during closing of the check valve, wherein the bore has a lower bore section proximate to the first end and an upper bore section proximate to the second end and wherein a diameter of the lower bore section is greater than a diameter of the upper bore section, wherein the spherical loading element has a lower portion that contacts the ball in the lower bore section and an upper portion in the upper bore section, wherein the spherical loading element has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the ball.

A check valve for a liquid chromatography system, comprising:

• a valve housing having a bore with a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of the first end or the second end is in fluid communication with a port of the liquid chromatography system;
• a valve seat disposed proximate to the first end of the bore;
• a ball disposed in the bore and movable in an axial direction of the bore and at least one additional degree of movement between a closed position in which the ball is received against the valve seat and prevents a flow of fluid through the bore and an open position in which the ball is displaced from the valve seat and allows the flow of fluid through the bore when a pump of the liquid chromatography system transitions between an intake stroke and a delivery stroke;
• a spherical loading element disposed in the bore and movable between the ball and the second end of the bore, the spherical loading element applying a supplemental force to move the ball against the valve seat during closing of the check valve, wherein the bore has a lower bore section proximate to the first end and an upper bore section proximate to the second end and wherein a diameter of the lower bore section is greater than a diameter of the upper bore section, wherein the spherical loading element has a lower portion that contacts the ball in the lower bore section and an upper portion in the upper bore section;
• and
• a spacer element having an aperture and disposed above the valve seat in the lower bore section, wherein a diameter of the aperture is less than a diameter of the upper bore section and wherein the ball is disposed in the aperture.