Pump valve seal with abrasion gauge

A valve element comprising:

• a valve body member formed of a rigid material, the valve body member defining a front-to-rear extending longitudinal axis and including:
• a generally radially outwardly facing first contact surface of generally frusto-conical configuration tapering forwardly;
• a radially inwardly extending annular recess disposed rearwardly of the contact surface;
• and,
• a sealing insert mounted on the valve body member, the sealing insert comprising:
• a generally radially inwardly projecting lip received in the recess;
• an axially forwardly facing sealing face;
• a radially inwardly facing second contact surface disposed between the sealing face and the lip and tightly engaging the first contact surface to conform to the frusto-conical configuration thereof;
• and,
• a seal abrasion gauge integrated with an outer peripheral portion of the axially forwardly facing sealing face.

A valve element comprising:

• a valve body member formed of a rigid material, the valve body member defining a front-to-rear extending longitudinal axis and including:
• a generally radially outwardly facing first contact surface of generally frusto-conical configuration tapering forwardly;
• a radially inwardly extending annular recess disposed rearwardly of the contact surface;
• a sealing insert mounted on the valve body member, the sealing insert comprising:
• a generally radially inwardly projecting lip received in the recess;
• an axially forwardly facing sealing face;
• a radially inwardly facing second contact surface disposed between the sealing face and the lip and tightly engaging the first contact surface to conform to the frusto-conical configuration thereof;
• a radially outwardly facing third contact surface disposed upon an opposing side of the sealing insert relative the second contact surface;
• and,
• a seal abrasion gauge disposed adjacent the third contact surface.