Valve-seat interface architecture

A pump assembly comprising:

• a conformable valve insert;
• a valve having a valve head comprising an exposed strike face and a circumferential recess, said circumferential recess accommodating said conformable valve insert;
• said conformable valve insert having a circumferential component, the circumferential component partially defining an outermost profile of said valve;
• and
• a valve seat to accommodate striking of said conformable valve insert and the exposed strike face, said valve seat having a robust region aligned with the exposed strike face and an adjacent region aligned with said conformable valve insert, the robust region of abrasion resistance exceeding that of the adjacent region;
• wherein the circumferential component comprises a curved concave surface reducing said outermost profile of said valve and a rounded abutment to initiate the striking of the conformable valve insert at the valve seat in a tapered manner in advance of the striking of the valve seat by the exposed strike face, said rounded abutment extending radially beyond said curved concave surface;
• and wherein said conformable valve insert does not extend outwardly beyond an outermost radial edge of the valve head.

A pump assembly for pumping an abrasive fluid and comprising:

• a valve seat;
• a conformable seat insert disposed at a surface of said valve seat;
• and
• a valve having a valve head and a conformable valve insert exposed at a surface thereof for striking upon said conformable seat insert;
• said conformable valve insert having a circumferential component, the circumferential component partially defining an outermost profile of said valve;
• wherein the circumferential component comprises a curved concave surface reducing said outermost profile of said valve and a rounded abutment to initiate the striking of the conformable seat insert in a tapered manner in advance of a striking of the valve seat by the valve head, said rounded abutment extending radially beyond said curved concave surface;
• and wherein said conformable valve insert does not extend outwardly beyond an outermost radial edge of the valve head.

A valve for a positive displacement pump, the valve comprising:

• a head having a circumferential recess and configured for striking a valve seat within the positive displacement pump;
• and
• a conformable valve insert disposed within the circumferential recess for contacting the valve seat during the striking and having a circumferential component to reduce a radial strain of deformation of said conformable valve insert upon the striking, the circumferential component partially defining an outermost profile of said valve;
• wherein the circumferential component comprises a curved concave surface reducing said outermost profile of said valve and a rounded abutment to initiate contact with said valve seat in a tapered manner upon the striking, said rounded abutment extending radially beyond said curved concave surface;
• wherein said conformable valve insert does not extend outwardly beyond an outermost radial edge of the head.