Valve seat for use with pumps for handling abrasive fluids

An improved valve system for use in pumps for handling abrasive fluids, comprising:

• a valve body, said valve body comprising a portion having a sloped surface for engaging a complementary sloped surface of a valve seat, said sloped surface of said valve body including a first portion comprising metal and a second portion comprising an elastomer insert;
• a valve seat having a sloped surface for engaging the sloped surface of said valve body, said valve seat comprising a generally cylindrical body;
• and
• means for increasing deflection of a portion of said valve seat at a point of impact of said sloped portion of said valve body with said sloped portion of said valve seat to reduce the impact stress at said point of impact of said sloped surface of said valve body with said sloped surface of said valve seat, said means for increasing deflection being adapted to reduce impact stress at the point of contact of said metal portion of said sloped face of said valve body sloped face with the face of said valve seat, said means for increasing deflection comprising an annular groove in a portion of said cylindrical body, said annular groove being defined by first and second vertical sidewalls and an arched portion extending between said first and second sidewalls.