Flow diverter for mud saver valves

摘要

Valve assembly comprising a flow diverter ring 130 which directs fluid flow radially away from an upper seat 112 of the valve to reducing wear on the seat. The valve may form part of a mud saver valve assembly. The flow diverter ring may form an annulus optimized to reduce fluid flow velocity. A biasing mechanism (124, FIG 1) may force the upper seat 112 into contact with a lower seat 122 to stop flow through the valve. The flow diverter ring 130 may be removably attached to the valve assembly and can extend over the upper seat 112 to cover and protect it. The invention aims to increase the life of valve seats in mud saver valves by protecting the valve seat from wear and erosion by directing fluid flow away from the seat.