Check valves

Abstract

A check valve includes a housing having an upstream end and a downstream end. The housing includes a throughbore extending from the upstream end to the downstream end, an outer surface extending from the upstream end to the downstream end, and an access port extending from the outer surface to the throughbore. The access port includes an internal annular shoulder and one or more recesses extending into the internal annular shoulder. In addition, the check valve includes a valve seat disposed in the throughbore of the housing. Further, the check valve includes a check valve assembly at least partially disposed in the access port. The check valve assembly includes a flapper extending into the throughbore and configured to pivot relative to the valve seat between an open position spaced apart from the valve seat and a closed position engaging the valve seat. The check valve assembly also includes one or more flapper alignment members pivotally coupled to the flapper, wherein each flapper alignment member is slidingly seated in one of the recesses in the internal annular shoulder of the access port to align the flapper with the valve seat in the throughbore.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.