Patent Publication Number: US-2022228945-A1

Title: Valve seal assemblies, valve testing machines including the same, and associated methods

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/138,008, entitled “VALVE SEAL ASSEMBLIES AND VALVE TESTING MACHINES INCLUDING THE SAME,” filed on Jan. 15, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to valve seal assemblies, valve testing machines including the same, and associated methods. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Valve testing machines may be utilized to verify and/or characterize the performance of pressure relief valves by supplying a pressurized fluid flow to a valve inlet of the valve at a controlled pressure. In some examples, the valve testing machines form a fluid-tight seal with the valve via a clamping force that is applied between a sealing flange of the valve and a seal plate of the valve testing machine. However, variations in the sizes of the valves to be tested may necessitate providing a plurality of seal plates of correspondingly various sizes. Additionally, variations in the thickness of the sealing flange may diminish the robustness of the fluid seal between the sealing flange and the seal plate. Thus, there exists a need for improved valve seal assemblies and valve testing machines including the same. 
     SUMMARY 
     Valve seal assemblies, valve testing machines including the same, and associated methods are disclosed herein. A valve seal assembly for operatively coupling a valve to a valve testing machine includes a seal plate structure and a force transfer member. The seal plate structure includes a valve seal surface configured to engage a sealing flange of the valve to form a fluid-tight seal with the sealing flange. The force transfer member includes a force transfer member body configured to be operatively coupled to a force exerting mechanism of the valve testing machine. The seal plate structure includes a base seal plate with a base seal plate first surface and a base seal plate second surface opposite the base seal plate first surface. The base seal plate second surface includes a base seal plate sealing interface. 
     In some examples, the seal plate structure additionally includes an expansion adapter seal plate with an expansion adapter seal plate first surface and an expansion adapter seal plate second surface opposite the expansion adapter seal plate first surface. The base seal plate sealing interface is configured to form a fluid-tight seal with the expansion adapter seal plate first surface. The expansion adapter seal plate second surface includes an expansion adapter seal plate sealing interface that is configured to form a fluid-tight seal with the sealing flange and/or with another component of the seal plate structure. 
     In some examples, one of the seal plate structure and the force transfer member includes a socket receiver opposite the valve seal surface, and the other of the seal plate structure and the force transfer member includes a socket head extending from the force transfer member body. During operative use of the valve testing machine, the socket head is received within the socket receiver to convey a sealing force from the force exerting mechanism to the seal plate structure. The valve seal assembly is configured to convey a pressurized fluid to a valve inlet of the valve during operative use of the valve testing machine. The force transfer member defines a force transfer member fluid channel for conveying the pressurized fluid through the force transfer member, and the base seal plate defines at least a portion of a seal plate fluid channel extending through at least a portion of the seal plate structure. During operative use of the valve testing machine, the force transfer member fluid channel is at least partially aligned with the seal plate fluid channel to permit the pressurized fluid to flow from the fluid inlet into the valve inlet via the force transfer member fluid channel and the seal plate fluid channel. 
     A method of utilizing a valve testing machine to test a valve includes configuring the seal plate structure for use to test the valve and forming the fluid-tight seal between the sealing flange and the valve seal surface. In some examples, the configuring the seal plate structure includes assembling the expansion adapter seal plate to the base seal plate. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation view illustrating examples of valve testing machines including valve seal assemblies according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic fragmentary cross-sectional side elevation view illustrating an example of a valve seal assembly including a base seal plate that defines a valve seal surface according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic fragmentary cross-sectional side elevation view illustrating an example of a valve seal assembly including a reduction adapter seal plate that defines a valve seal surface according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional side elevation view illustrating an example of a valve seal assembly with a base seal plate that is angled relative to a force transfer member by a threshold offset angle according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a top front side isometric view of a first example of a valve seal assembly operatively coupling a valve to a valve testing machine according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the valve seal assembly, the valve, and the valve testing machine of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary cross-sectional top front side isometric view of the valve seal assembly, the valve, and the valve testing machine of  FIGS. 5-6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary cross-sectional top front side isometric view of the valve seal assembly and the valve testing machine of  FIGS. 5-7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the valve seal assembly and the valve testing machine of  FIGS. 5-8 . 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded cross-sectional top rear isometric view of the valve seal assembly of  FIGS. 5-9 . 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded cross-sectional bottom rear isometric view of the valve seal assembly of  FIGS. 5-10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a top front side isometric view of a second example of a valve seal assembly operatively coupled to a valve testing machine according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional top rear isometric view of the valve seal assembly and the valve testing machine of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the valve seal assembly and the valve testing machine of  FIGS. 12-13 . 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded cross-sectional top rear isometric view of the valve seal assembly of  FIGS. 12-14 . 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded cross-sectional bottom rear isometric view of the valve seal assembly of  FIGS. 12-15 . 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded top front isometric view of a seal plate structure of a third example of a valve seal assembly according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the seal plate structure of  FIG. 17  in an assembled configuration. 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional front side isometric view of the seal plate structure of  FIGS. 17-18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart depicting examples of methods of utilizing a valve seal assembly according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-20  provide examples of valve seal assemblies  100  of valve testing machines  50  that utilize valve seal assemblies  100 , and/or of methods  200  of utilizing valve seal assemblies  100 , according to the present disclosure. Elements that serve a similar, or at least substantially similar, purpose are labeled with like numbers in each of  FIGS. 1-20 , and these elements may not be discussed in detail herein with reference to each of  FIGS. 1-20 . Similarly, all elements may not be labeled in each of  FIGS. 1-20 , but reference numerals associated therewith may be utilized herein for consistency. Elements, components, and/or features that are discussed herein with reference to one or more of  FIGS. 1-20  may be included in and/or utilized with any of  FIGS. 1-20  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In general, elements that are likely to be included in a particular embodiment are illustrated in solid lines, while elements that are optional are illustrated in dashed lines. However, elements that are shown in solid lines may not be essential and, in some embodiments, may be omitted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIGS. 1-4  are schematic illustrations of examples of a valve testing machine  50  configured to test a valve  10  (shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) utilizing a valve seal assembly  100  according to the present disclosure, while  FIGS. 5-19  provide less schematic illustrations of examples of valve seal assemblies and/or of valve testing machines utilizing the valve seal assemblies. In particular,  FIGS. 5-11  illustrate a first example seal assembly  1000 , which is an example of valve seal assembly  100  according to the present disclosure.  FIGS. 12-16  illustrate a second example valve seal assembly  2000 , which is another example of valve seal assembly  100  according to the present disclosure, with  FIGS. 12-14  illustrating the second example seal assembly  2000  in combination with valve testing machine  50 .  FIGS. 17-19  illustrate a third example seal assembly  3000 , which is another example of valve seal assembly  100  according to the present disclosure. In the present disclosure, valve testing machine  50  may be described as including valve seal assembly  100 , and/or valve seal assembly  100  may be described as an accessory for use with valve testing machine  50 . 
     As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 5-6 , the present disclosure generally relates to valve seal assemblies  100  for operatively coupling a valve  10  to a valve testing machine  50 . In particular, the present disclosure generally relates to examples in which valve  10  is a pressure relief valve and/or a safety relief valve. For example, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIG. 5 , valve  10  may include a valve inlet  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) that is configured to receive a pressurized fluid and a pressure relief outlet  14  that is configured to release at least a portion of the pressurized fluid when a pressure of the pressurized fluid exceeds a threshold operative fluid pressure. In this manner, valve  10  may be configured to be utilized in conjunction with a pressurized fluid system to prevent failure, damage, and/or injury in the event that a system pressure exceeds the threshold operative fluid pressure. 
     In view of the important role that such valves perform in ensuring workplace safety, it often is desirable to evaluate the performance of such valves periodically to ensure that the valves function according to specification. Accordingly, valve testing machines  50  according to the present disclosure generally are configured to convey a pressurized fluid to valve inlet  12  at a controlled pressure and to test the performance of the valve to expel the pressurized fluid from pressure relief outlet  14  in an appropriate manner. Examples of pressurized fluids that may be utilized by valve testing machines  50  (e.g., during operative use in a pressurized fluid system and/or during testing by valve testing machine  50 ) include a liquid, water, a gas, air, and/or nitrogen. 
     In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , valve  10  includes a sealing flange  20  to facilitate operatively coupling the valve to a pressurized fluid system. In some examples, sealing flange  20  is configured to receive, to engage, and/or to be utilized in conjunction with a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as bolts, to install the valve on the pressurized fluid system in a fluid-tight and semi-permanent manner. However, the process of coupling sealing flange  20  to the pressurized fluid system with such bolts may be time- and/or labor-intensive. Thus, in order to facilitate efficient testing of valve  10  by valve testing machine  50 , it may be desirable to fluidly couple the valve to the valve testing machine or to an associated component without the use of such mechanical fasteners. Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to examples in which valve testing machine  50  forms a fluid-tight connection with valve  10  at least partially by exerting a clamping force upon sealing flange  20  to urge valve seal assembly  100  into fluid-tight contact with valve  10 . 
     In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 5-6 , valve testing machine  50  includes a machine base  60  and a plurality of clamp arms  62  operatively coupled to the machine base and configured to engage sealing flange  20  of valve  10 . As additionally shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5-6 , valve testing machine  50  further includes a force exerting mechanism  70  configured to translate along a testing machine central axis  52  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 ) to apply a sealing force to valve  10 . More specifically, and as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  and less schematically illustrated in  FIG. 6 , sealing flange  20  may include a first flange surface  22  and a second flange surface  24  opposite the first flange surface, such that the first flange surface is configured to engage valve seal assembly  100  and such that the second flange surface is configured to engage each clamp arm  62 . Accordingly, during operative use of the valve testing machine, and as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 , force exerting mechanism  70  applies the sealing force to first flange surface  22  of sealing flange  20  via valve seal assembly  100  while each clamp arm  62  engages second flange surface  24  of sealing flange  20 , thus urging valve  10  and valve seal assembly  100  into a secure and fluid-tight connection. 
     Force exerting mechanism  70  may include and/or be any of a variety of mechanisms, devices, machines, etc. that are configured to apply the sealing force to valve  10  via valve seal assembly  100 . As an example, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 5-9 and 12-14 , force exerting mechanism  70  may include and/or be a hydraulic ram. As additional examples, force exerting mechanism  70  may include and/or be a mechanical force exerting mechanism, a screw mechanism, an ACME screw, a lead screw, a cam mechanism, etc. 
     As used herein, valve testing machine  50  and/or valve seal assembly  100  may be described as being “in operative use” and/or as being “operatively utilized” when valve seal assembly  100  engages valve  10  and/or sealing flange  20  thereof to form a fluid-tight connection such that the valve testing machine is operative to supply the pressurized fluid to the valve via the valve seal assembly. In this manner, references within the present disclosure to valve testing machine  50 , valve seal assembly  100 , and/or various components thereof in conjunction with valve  10  and/or sealing flange  20  are intended to refer to a configuration in which valve testing machine  50  and/or valve seal assembly  100  operatively engage valve  10  as described herein. However, while the present disclosure generally describes examples in which valve testing machine  50  and/or valve seal assembly  100  operatively engage valve  10 , such examples are not intended to be limiting, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure that valve testing machine  50  and/or valve seal assembly  100  are not always operatively coupled to and/or actively utilized in conjunction with valve  10 . Additionally, as used herein, a state in which valve testing machine  50  is in operative use also may be referred to as a state in which valve seal assembly  100  is in operative use, and vice-versa. 
     In various examples, valve testing machine  50  is configured such that the configurations and/or positions of clamp arms  62  may be selectively adjusted, such as to accommodate any of a variety of valves  10  and/or sealing flanges  20  thereof. In particular, in some examples, each clamp arm is configured to be selectively translated relative to machine base  60 , such as along a direction perpendicular to testing machine central axis  52 , but is restricted from translating relative to machine base  60  along a direction parallel to testing machine central axis  52 . 
     In some prior art examples of valve testing machines (e.g., valve testing machines that do not utilize valve seal assemblies  100  according to the present disclosure), a force exerting mechanism (e.g., a component functionally equivalent to force exerting mechanism  70 ) urges sealing flange  20  of valve  10  into a fluid-tight connection with a seal plate through which the pressurized fluid is provided to valve inlet  12 . In such examples, the dimensions (e.g., the inner diameter and/or the outer diameter) of the seal plate effectively impose constraints on the dimensions of valves  10  that may be tested while in fluid-tight engagement with the seal plate. Accordingly, in some such prior art valve testing machines, the seal plate is selected from among a plurality of available seal plates to match and/or otherwise correspond to a diameter of sealing flange  20  of valve  10  to be engaged by the valve testing machine. Moreover, in some such valve testing machines, a plane defined by the seal plate surface facing sealing flange  20  and a plane of contact defined by clamp arms of the valve testing machine (e.g., components functionally equivalent to clamp arms  62 ) are perfectly, or nearly perfectly, parallel to one another. Accordingly, such a configuration may necessitate that first flange surface  22  and second flange surface  24  of sealing flange  20  be similarly perfectly (or nearly perfectly) parallel to one another in order to maintain a secure and fluid-tight connection between the sealing flange and the seal plate. As described in more detail herein, valve seal assemblies  100  according to the present disclosure alleviate these and other issues associated with prior art valve testing machines. 
     As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , valve seal assembly  100  is configured to operatively fluidly couple valve  10  to valve testing machine  50 , as described herein. In particular, and schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , valve seal assembly  100  includes a seal plate structure  108  with a valve seal surface  132  that is configured to engage sealing flange  20  of valve  10  to form a fluid-tight seal with the sealing flange. Valve seal assembly  100  additionally includes a force transfer member  160  with a force transfer member body  168  that is configured to be operatively coupled to force exerting mechanism  70  of valve testing machine  50  (as shown at least in  FIG. 1 ). In particular, force transfer member body  168  is configured to be interposed between force exerting mechanism  70  and seal plate structure  108  such that, when the force exerting mechanism is actuated to exert the sealing force, the force transfer member body conveys at least a portion of the sealing force to the seal plate structure. In this manner, force transfer member  160  is configured such that force transfer member  160  urges seal plate structure  108  into contact with sealing flange  20  under the sealing force applied by force exerting mechanism  70 . 
     Valve seal assembly  100  generally is configured to supply the pressurized fluid to valve  10  via seal plate structure  108 . In particular, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , force transfer member body  168  defines a fluid inlet  170  for receiving a flow of the pressurized fluid, and force transfer member  160  defines a force transfer member fluid channel  164  for conveying the pressurized fluid through the force transfer member. In such examples, seal plate structure  108  defines a seal plate fluid channel  114  extending through at least a portion of the seal plate structure. In such examples, and as shown at least in  FIG. 2 , valve seal assembly  100  is configured such that force transfer member fluid channel  164  is at least partially aligned with seal plate fluid channel  114  during operative use of valve testing machine  50  to permit the pressurized fluid to flow from fluid inlet  170  to valve inlet  12  via force transfer member fluid channel  164  and seal plate fluid channel  114 . As used herein, the term “at least partially aligned,” as used to describe a relative configuration of two channels, apertures, holes, etc. is intended to refer to any configuration in which the two channels, apertures, holes, etc. are fluidly connected and/or coupled to one another to permit a fluid to flow from one to the other. 
     Seal plate structure  108  may include any of a variety of components, or sets of components, for forming a fluid-tight seal against sealing flange  20  of valve  10  and/or for conveying the pressurized fluid flow from force transfer member  160  to valve inlet  12  in a fluid-tight manner. In particular, in various examples, and as described in more detail herein, seal plate structure  108  includes one or more components that may be selectively utilized in order to adapt valve seal assembly  100  for operative use with valve  10  of any of a variety of dimensions. 
     In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , seal plate structure  108  includes a base seal plate  110  with a base seal plate first surface  120  and a base seal plate second surface  130  opposite the base seal plate first surface. As schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , base seal plate first surface  120  may be configured to face toward and/or engage force transfer member  160  during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . As additionally schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , base seal plate second surface  130  includes a base seal plate sealing interface  131  that is configured to form a fluid-tight seal with a component that engages base seal plate  110 . In particular, in some examples, base seal plate sealing interface  131  is configured to form a fluid-tight seal with valve  10  and/or sealing flange  20 . In such examples, base seal plate second surface  130  and/or base seal plate sealing interface  131  may be described as including, or as being, valve seal surface  132 . 
     In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , base seal plate  110  includes valve seal surface  132 , such that base seal plate  110  directly engages sealing flange  20  during operative use of valve testing machine  50  to test valve  10 . In such examples, and as described in more detail below, base seal plate  110  may include any of a variety of features for forming a fluid-tight seal with sealing flanges  20  of any of a variety of dimensions (e.g., diameters). However, in some examples, base seal plate  110  may not be appropriately sized to form a suitable fluid-tight seal against a given sealing flange  20 . For example, it may be desirable to utilize valve seal assembly  100  to form a fluid-tight seal with a particular valve  10  with a respective valve inlet  12  that has an inner diameter that is comparable to, or larger than, an outer diameter of base seal plate  110 . As another example, it may be desirable to utilize valve seal assembly  100  to form a fluid-tight seal with a particular valve  10  with a respective sealing flange  20  that has an outer diameter that is comparable to, or smaller than, an inner diameter of seal plate fluid channel  114  within base seal plate  110 . In such examples, base seal plate  110  may be utilized in combination with one or more other elements of seal plate structure  108  to adapt the seal plate structure to the dimensions of valve  10  to be tested without necessitating replacement of base seal plate  110 . 
     More specifically, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 13-16 , seal plate structure  108  includes at least one expansion adapter seal plate  140  that is configured to be interposed between base seal plate  110  and valve  10  during operative use of valve seal assembly  100 . Specifically, in such examples, expansion adapter seal plate  140  may have an outer diameter that is greater than that of base seal plate  110 . For example, in an example in which valve seal assembly  100  is to be used to test a valve  10  with a sealing flange  20  that has a diameter that is too large to form an operative seal with base seal plate  110 , expansion adapter seal plate  140  may be interposed between base seal plate  110  and sealing flange  20  such that the expansion adapter seal plate  140  sealingly engages base seal plate  110 . Stated differently, in such examples, expansion adapter seal plate  140  includes valve seal surface  132 . Thus, in such examples, expansion adapter seal plate  140  may be utilized to form a fluid-tight connection with a sealing flange  20  that is too large to form a fluid-tight connection to base seal plate  110  directly. 
     As used herein, the term “diameter,” as used to characterize a linear dimension of a component of valve seal assembly  100  and/or of valve  10 , generally refers to a dimension as measured perpendicular to a central axis characterizing the component. As an example, an inner diameter and/or an outer diameter of sealing flange  20  of valve  10  generally refers to a dimension as measured perpendicular to testing machine central axis  52  during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . Similarly, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , seal plate structure  108  may be described as defining a seal plate central axis  112  that is perpendicular to valve seal surface  132 . Accordingly, an inner diameter and/or an outer diameter of a component of seal plate structure  108  (e.g., of base seal plate  110  and/or of expansion adapter seal plate  140 ) generally refers to a dimension as measured perpendicular to seal plate central axis  112 . 
     In some examples, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 17-19 , base seal plate  110  may be utilized in conjunction with a single expansion adapter seal plate  140  during operative use of valve seal assembly  100 . Stated differently, in such examples, the expansion adapter seal plate is configured to directly engage each of base seal plate  110  and sealing flange  20 . However, in some examples, a single and/or a particular expansion adapter seal plate  140  may be improperly sized to provide valve seal surface  132  with a sufficient diameter to sealingly engage sealing flange  20  of a particular valve  10 . Accordingly, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , seal plate structure  108  may include a plurality of expansion adapter seal plates  140  that are configured to engage one another, such as in a sequence of progressively increasing outer diameter. Thus, in various examples, preparing valve seal assembly  100  and/or valve testing machine  50  for operative use to test a particular valve  10  may include selecting an expansion adapter seal plate  140 , or a plurality of expansion adapter seal plates, with dimensions that collectively are suitable for forming a fluid-tight fluid conduit between base seal plate  110  and valve inlet  12 . While  FIG. 1  schematically illustrates an example in which base seal plate  110  is utilized in conjunction with two expansion adapter seal plates  140 , it is within the scope of the present disclosure that any suitable number of expansion adapter seal plates may be utilized to form the fluid-tight fluid conduit between base seal plate  110  and valve inlet  12 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 12-16 , seal plate structure  108  includes a reduction adapter seal plate  102  that is configured to be at least partially received within base seal plate  110  and/or seal plate fluid channel  114  during operative use of valve seal assembly  100 . When present, and as perhaps best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , reduction adapter seal plate  102  may enable valve seal assembly  100  to be utilized to test a valve  10  with a sealing flange  20  and/or a valve inlet  12  that is too small (e.g., in inner diameter and/or outer diameter) to form a suitable fluid-tight seal directly with base seal plate  110 . In such examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 3 , reduction adapter seal plate  102  includes at least a portion of valve seal surface  132 . In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 15-16 , reduction adapter seal plate  102  defines a reduction adapter seal plate fluid channel  104  that is aligned with and/or fluidly connected to seal plate fluid channel during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . Accordingly, in such examples, valve seal assembly  100  may be configured such that the pressurized fluid flows to valve  10  via reduction adapter seal plate fluid channel  104  during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . 
     While  FIGS. 1 and 12-16  illustrate examples of valve seal assembly  100  that include expansion adapter seal plate(s)  140  as well as reduction adapter seal plate  102 , these components may not be (and typically are not) utilized in combination with one another during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . Instead,  FIGS. 1 and 12-16  illustrate expansion adapter seal plate(s)  140  and reduction adapter seal plate  102  as examples of components of seal plate structure  108  that may be selectively utilized based upon dimensions and/or characteristics of the valve to be tested. For example, second example seal assembly  2000  of  FIGS. 12-16  may be configured such that, during operative use of valve testing machine  50 , seal plate structure  108  includes base seal plate  110  alone, includes base seal plate  110  in combination with expansion adapter seal plate  140 , or includes base seal plate  110  in combination with reduction adapter seal plate  102 , depending upon the dimensions of valve  10 , of sealing flange  20 , and/or of valve inlet  12 . 
     In addition to accommodating valves  10  and/or sealing flanges  20  of any of a variety of dimensions, valve seal assembly  100  also may be configured to accommodate variances in the shape and/or dimensions of the sealing flange itself. For example, force transfer member  160  may be configured to engage seal plate structure  108  such that an orientation (e.g., a rotational orientation) of seal plate structure  108  relative to force transfer member  160  may be selectively and/or automatically adjusted (e.g., prior to operative use of valve testing machine  50  to test valve  10 ). In particular, and as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , seal plate structure  108  may include a socket receiver  122  opposite valve seal surface  132 , and force transfer member  160  may include a socket head  166  extending from force transfer member body  168  such that the socket head is received within the socket receiver during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . In some examples, base seal plate first surface  120  includes socket receiver  122 . In this manner, during operative use of valve testing machine  50 , the sealing force is conveyed from force transfer member  160  to seal plate structure  108  via the interface of socket receiver  122  and socket head  166 . In some such examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , force transfer member fluid channel  164  extends between fluid inlet  170  and socket head  166 , and seal plate fluid channel  114  extends at least partially between socket receiver  122  and valve seal surface  132 . 
     While the present disclosure generally relates to examples in which seal plate structure  108  includes socket receiver  122  and force transfer member  160  includes socket head  166 , this is not required of all examples of valve testing machine  50  and/or of valve seal assembly  100 . For example, it also is within the scope of the present disclosure that seal plate structure  108  may include socket head  166  and that force transfer member  160  may include socket receiver  122 . 
     In some examples, and as illustrated at least in  FIG. 4 , socket head  166  is a convex socket head  166 , and socket receiver  122  is a concave socket receiver  122  that is configured to receive socket head  166  in any of a plurality of distinct orientations (such as rotational and/or angular orientations). Stated differently, in such examples, socket head  166  and socket receiver  122  may include respective mating surfaces that are configured to stably engage one another when the socket receiver is in any of a plurality of rotational orientations relative to the socket head. In this manner, in such examples, valve seal assembly  100  may be configured such that seal plate structure  108  may engage force transfer member  160  in a fluid-tight seal even when the seal plate structure is angled and/or tilted relative to the force transfer member (and/or relative to testing machine central axis  52 ). 
     In particular, in some examples, valve seal assembly  100  is configured such that force transfer member fluid channel  164  and seal plate fluid channel  114  remain fluidly coupled to one another when seal plate structure  108  is in any of a variety of rotational and/or angular orientations relative to force transfer member  160 . For example, and as illustrated at least in  FIG. 4 , force transfer member  160  may be described as extending along and defining a force transfer member central axis  162 , which may be angled relative to seal plate central axis  112  during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . Valve seal assembly  100  thus may be described as being configured such that force transfer member fluid channel  164  and seal plate fluid channel  114  are fluidly connected (or, equivalently, such that the force transfer member fluid channel and the seal plate fluid channel are at least partially aligned) when seal plate central axis  112  and force transfer member central axis  162  are sufficiently aligned. More specifically, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4 , valve seal assembly  100  may be configured such that force transfer member fluid channel  164  and seal plate fluid channel  114  are fluidly connected when socket head  166  is operatively received within socket receiver  122  and when seal plate central axis  112  is either collinear with force transfer member central axis  162  or is angled relative to the force transfer member central axis by at most a threshold offset angle  116 . For clarity, the threshold offset angle is exaggerated in the schematic illustration of  FIG. 4 . 
     Valve seal assembly  100  may be configured such that threshold offset angle  116  assumes any of a variety of values. As examples, the threshold offset angle may be at least 1 degree, at least 3 degrees, at least 5 degrees, at most 10 degrees, at most 7 degrees, and/or at most 2 degrees. Such configurations may facilitate forming a fluid-tight seal between sealing flange  20  and seal plate structure  108  even when first flange surface  22  and second flange surface  24  are not perfectly parallel to one another. In particular, in some examples, sealing flange  20  may vary slightly in thickness across an area of the sealing flange, such that first flange surface  22  and second flange surface  24  are not fully parallel to one another. Accordingly, when testing valve  10  with such a sealing flange, the rotational adjustability of seal plate structure  108  relative to force transfer member  160  may enable the seal plate structure to form a fluid-tight seal against the first flange surface in a plane that is angled relative to a plane in which each clamp arm  62  engages the second flange surface. 
     In some examples, socket head  166  and/or socket receiver  122  are at least substantially spherical in shape, such as to ensure that socket head  166  remains in sealing engagement with socket receiver  122  when seal plate structure  108  is in any of a variety of rotational and/or angular orientations relative to force transfer member  160 . As used herein, a component (such as socket head  166  and/or socket receiver  122 ) may be described as being spherical, or at least substantially spherical, in shape when at least a portion of the component forms at least a portion of a sphere. Accordingly, such descriptions do not require that the component form a full sphere, but instead are intended to characterize a manner in which the component is curved. 
     Utilizing expansion adapter seal plate  140  in combination with base seal plate  110  during operative use of valve testing machine  50  may offer any of a variety of functional benefits over utilizing expansion adapter seal plate  140  without base seal plate  110  (e.g., by configuring the expansion adapter seal plate to directly engage each of sealing flange  20  and force transfer member  160 ). For example, utilizing a seal plate (such as base seal plate  110  or expansion adapter seal plate  140 ) with an outer diameter that is large relative to a diameter of the interface between seal plate structure  108  and force transfer member  160  (e.g., the diameter of socket receiver  122 ) may result in a correspondingly large torque and/or bending moment being applied across the seal plate. In particular, such a torque and/or bending moment may arise from the center of the seal plate being urged upward by force transfer member  160  while an outer perimeter of the seal plate is restricted from translating upward by sealing flange  20  (e.g., due to engagement with the fixed clamp arms  62 ). By contrast, configuring seal plate structure  108  such that base seal plate  110  engages force transfer member  160  and such that expansion adapter seal plate  140  is interposed between base seal plate  110  and sealing flange  20  may operate to enhance a rigidity of seal plate structure  108 , thereby mitigating any adverse effects associated with such a bending moment. Additionally, such a configuration provides a degree of modularity in accommodating valves  10  of various sizes, such as by enabling a user to select one or more expansion adapter seal plates  140  that correspond in size with the specific valve  10  under test. 
     In some examples, valve seal assembly  100  is configured such that seal plate structure  108  and force transfer member  160  are not fixedly coupled to one another. Stated differently, in such examples, valve seal assembly  100  may be configured such that seal plate structure  108  and force transfer member  160  remain in a static orientation relative to one another during operative use of valve testing machine  50 , but such that the seal plate structure is free to move relative to the force transfer member when valve  10  is removed from the valve testing machine. For example, valve seal assembly  100  may lack structures and/or fasteners for fixedly coupling seal plate structure  108  and force transfer member  160  to one another, such that an orientation of seal plate structure  108  relative to force transfer member  160  is fixed only upon applying the sealing force with force exerting mechanism  70 . 
     Accordingly, in some such examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 6-16 , valve seal assembly  100  includes a retaining ring  180  that is configured to restrict seal plate structure  108  from being fully removed from force transfer member  160 . In such examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated at least in  FIGS. 6, 9, and 16 , retaining ring  180  is configured to be selectively and operatively coupled to seal plate structure  108 , such as via one or more retaining ring mechanical fasteners  184  (e.g., bolts). 
     When present, and when fixedly coupled to seal plate structure  108 , retaining ring  180  (and thus seal plate structure  108 ) may be mechanically restricted from being removed from force transfer member  160  due to one or more geometrical features of the force transfer member. For example, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4 , force transfer member body  168  may have a force transfer member body diameter  169 , and socket head  166  may have a socket head diameter  165  (e.g., as measured along a direction perpendicular to force transfer member central axis  162 ) that is greater than the force transfer member body diameter. In such examples, the socket head may be described as including a lip and/or an overhang that extends beyond the outermost radial extent of the force transfer member body. In some such examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 10-11 and 15-16 , retaining ring  180  defines a retaining ring recess  182  that is configured to receive a portion of socket head  166  while retaining ring  180  is operatively coupled to seal plate structure  108 . In particular, such a configuration may allow for movement (e.g., shifting and/or rotating) of seal plate structure  108  relative to force transfer member  160  while restricting the seal plate structure from being entirely removed from and/or inadvertently falling off of the force transfer member. 
     In some examples, such as in the examples of  FIGS. 5-16 , force transfer member body  168  is at least substantially cylindrical. However, this is not required of all examples of force transfer member  160 , and it is additionally within the scope of the present disclosure that force transfer member body  168  may have any of a variety of forms, configurations, and/or shapes (e.g., cross-sectional shapes). In some examples, force transfer member  160  is configured to be fixedly, permanently, and/or semi-permanently coupled to force exerting mechanism  70 . For example, and as illustrated at least in  FIGS. 7-8, 10-11, and 15-16 , valve seal assembly  100  may include one or more force transfer member mechanical fasteners  172  (e.g., bolts) configured to fixedly couple force transfer member  160  to force exerting mechanism  70 . Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, force exerting mechanism  70  may include at least a portion of force transfer member  160  and/or a portion of force transfer member body  168 . 
     Fluid inlet  170  may be configured to receive and/or direct the pressurized fluid in any of a variety of manners during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . In some examples, fluid inlet  170  is configured to receive a fluid flow of the pressurized fluid along a direction that is oblique to force transfer member central axis  162 . For example, and as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , at least a portion of force transfer member fluid channel  164  may be oriented along a direction that is oblique to force transfer member central axis  162  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). Such a configuration may enhance the flow dynamics of the pressurized fluid through force transfer member fluid channel  164  during operative use of valve testing machine  50 , such as relative to a configuration in which the force transfer member fluid channel receives and/or directs the pressurized fluid along a direction perpendicular to the force transfer member central axis. In particular, because force transfer member fluid channel  164  directs the pressurized fluid out of socket head  166  along a direction at least substantially parallel to force transfer member central axis  162 , configuring fluid inlet  170  to receive the pressurized fluid along a direction oblique to force transfer member central axis  162  may reduce a pressure drop of the pressurized fluid within force transfer member  160  relative to a configuration in which force transfer member fluid channel  164  includes a more abrupt (e.g., 90-degree) bend within force transfer member  160 . 
     As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4 , force transfer member fluid channel  164  may be characterized by an inlet angle  174 , which represents an angle between force transfer member central axis  162  and a direction along which the force transfer member fluid channel receives the pressurized fluid. As a more specific example, and as schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4  and less schematically illustrated at least in  FIGS. 6, 9, and 14 , inlet angle  174  (labeled in  FIG. 4 ) may be about 45 degrees. However, this is not required of all examples of force transfer member  160 , and it is additionally within the scope of the present disclosure that the inlet angle may be any of a variety of angles, examples of which include at least 10 degrees, at least 20 degrees, at least 30 degrees, at least 40 degrees, at least 50 degrees, at least 60 degrees, at least 70 degrees, at most 75 degrees, at most 65 degrees, at most 55 degrees, at most 45 degrees, at most 35 degrees, at most 25 degrees, and/or at most 15 degrees. 
     In various examples, valve seal assembly  100  additionally includes one or more components for forming and/or enhancing a fluid-tight seal between various components disclosed herein. For example, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2  and less schematically illustrated at least in  FIGS. 8-11 and 15-16 , base seal plate sealing interface  131  may include a plurality of base seal plate sealing component channels  134 , and valve seal assembly  100  may include one or more sealing components  136  (illustrated in  FIG. 15 ), each received within a corresponding base seal plate sealing component channel. Specifically, in such examples, each base seal plate sealing component channel  134  is configured to receive a corresponding sealing component  136  for forming a fluid-tight seal, such as with valve  10 , with sealing flange  20 , and/or with another component of seal plate structure  108 . 
     As discussed, in some examples, such as in the example of  FIGS. 5-11 , valve seal assembly  100  is configured such that base seal plate  110  directly engages sealing flange  20  (shown in  FIGS. 5-7 ), such that base seal plate sealing interface  131  includes and/or is valve seal surface  132 . In some such examples, the plurality of base seal plate sealing component channels  134  of varying diameters may enable base seal plate  110  to form a fluid-tight seal with valves  10  with sealing flanges  20  with any of a corresponding variety of diameters. 
     As discussed in more detail herein, one or more sealing components  136  of valve seal assembly  100  additionally or alternatively may be utilized to form a fluid-tight seal with and/or between other components of valve seal assembly  100  and/or of valve  10 . As examples, sealing component  136  (e.g., a particular sealing component of valve seal assembly  100 ) may be utilized to form a fluid-tight seal between any two of base seal plate  110 , expansion adapter seal plate  140  (e.g., a first expansion adapter seal plate), another expansion adapter seal plate  140  (e.g., a second expansion adapter seal plate that forms a fluid-tight seal against the first expansion adapter seal plate), reduction adapter seal plate  102 , force transfer member  160 , valve  10 , and/or sealing flange  20 . As a more specific example, and as illustrated at least in  FIG. 15 , reduction adapter seal plate  102  may be configured to receive a corresponding sealing component  136 . 
     Each sealing component  136  may include and/or be any of a variety of components for forming, maintaining, and/or enhancing a fluid-tight seal between the components between which the sealing component is interposed. As an example, and as illustrated at least in  FIGS. 10-11 and 15-16 , each sealing component  136  may be an O-ring. However, this is not required of all examples of valve seal assembly  100 , and it is additionally within the scope of the present disclosure that sealing component  136  may be any of a variety of other components for forming a fluid-tight seal, examples of which include a sealing gasket, a ring type joint, and a sealing surface. 
     In some examples, each base seal plate sealing component channel  134  is at least substantially circular, and the plurality of base seal plate sealing component channels are at least substantially concentric with one another. In such examples, each base seal plate sealing component channel  134  may have a distinct respective diameter, such as to enable base seal plate sealing interface  131  to form a fluid-tight seal with components of any of a corresponding variety of diameters. 
     Similarly, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2  and less schematically illustrated at least in  FIGS. 10-11 and 15 , socket head  166  includes a socket head sealing component channel  167  that is configured to receive a corresponding sealing component  136  for forming a fluid-tight seal against socket receiver  122 . While the present disclosure generally is directed to examples in which socket head  166  includes socket head sealing component channel  167 , this is not required of all examples of valve seal assembly  100 . For example, it also is within the scope of the present disclosure that socket receiver  122  additionally or alternatively may include a sealing component channel for receiving a corresponding sealing component  136 . 
     In various examples, components of valve seal assembly  100  and/or of valve  10  may be described as being directly and/or sealingly engaged with one another, as being fluidly coupled to one another, and/or as featuring a fluid-tight seal therebetween even when such components do not directly contact one another. For example, a pair of components may be described as being directly and/or sealingly engaged with one another, as being fluidly coupled to one another, and/or as featuring a fluid-tight seal therebetween even when the components are operatively coupled to one another only via one or more sealing components  136  that are interposed between the components. For example, socket head  166  may be described as being directly and/or sealingly engaged with socket receiver  122  even in a configuration in which the socket head and the socket receiver are not in direct contact with one another but instead are sealingly engaged with a common sealing component  136  received within socket head sealing component channel  167 . 
     As discussed, in some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 13-19 , valve seal assembly  100  includes at least one expansion adapter seal plate  140  that is configured to be interposed between base seal plate  110  and valve  10  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . In such examples, each expansion adapter seal plate  140  may include any of a variety of features and/or components for operatively engaging another component of valve seal assembly  100  and/or for facilitating the flow of the pressurized fluid therethrough. 
     In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , expansion adapter seal plate  140  defines an expansion adapter seal plate central opening  150  that is aligned with and/or fluidly connected to seal plate fluid channel  114  during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . Accordingly, in such examples and during operative use of valve testing machine  50  to test valve  10 , the pressurized fluid flows to valve inlet  12  via each of seal plate fluid channel  114  of base seal plate  110  and expansion adapter seal plate central opening  150  of expansion adapter seal plate  140 . 
     In some examples, such as in the examples of  FIGS. 1 and 12-16 , expansion adapter seal plate central opening  150  (labeled in  FIGS. 1 and 14-16 ) has an inner diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of seal plate fluid channel  114  (labeled in  FIGS. 1 and 14-16 ). In other examples, such as in the example of  FIGS. 17-18 , expansion adapter seal plate central opening  150  has an inner diameter that is at least substantially equal to the inner diameter of seal plate fluid channel  114 . It further is within the scope of the present disclosure that expansion adapter seal plate central opening  150  may have an inner diameter that is less than the inner diameter of seal plate fluid channel  114 . 
     As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , each expansion adapter seal plate  140  may be described as including an expansion adapter seal plate first surface  142  and an expansion adapter seal plate second surface  146  opposite the expansion adapter seal plate first surface. Specifically, expansion adapter seal plate first surface  142  is configured to sealingly engage another component of seal plate structure  108  (such as base seal plate  110  or another expansion adapter seal plate  140 ), and expansion adapter seal plate second surface  146  is configured to engage valve  10  (and/or sealing flange  20  thereof) and/or another component of seal plate structure  108  (such as another expansion adapter seal plate  140 ). In some examples, expansion adapter seal plate first surface  142  also may be referred to as an expansion adapter seal plate lower surface  142 , and/or expansion adapter seal plate second surface  146  also may be referred to as an expansion adapter seal plate upper surface  146 . 
     As used herein, positional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below,” and the like generally are intended to refer to positional relationships as exhibited in a configuration in which valve testing machine  50  is in operative use to test valve  10  with the valve positioned above (e.g., supported by) seal plate structure  108 , such that testing machine central axis  52  extends perpendicular to a ground surface. For example, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , each clamp arm  62  of valve testing machine  50  may be described as being configured to extend above sealing flange  20  of valve  10  during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . As another example, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , force transfer member  160  may be described as being positioned below base seal plate  110  during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . However, such descriptions are not limiting, and such descriptions are not intended to require that the corresponding components of valve seal assembly  100  always be in such an operative configuration and/or orientation. 
     Expansion adapter seal plate first surface  142  may include any of a variety of features and/or configurations for forming a fluid-tight seal with another component of seal plate structure  108 . In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 15-16 and 18-19 , expansion adapter seal plate first surface  142  defines an expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess  144  that is configured to receive another component of seal plate structure  108 , such as base seal plate  110  or another expansion adapter seal plate  140 . Stated differently, in such examples, expansion adapter seal plate first surface  142  may include a recess, an annular recess, an indentation, etc. such that base seal plate  110  (and/or another component of seal plate structure  108 ) is at least partially received within expansion adapter seal plate  140  during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . In particular, in some such examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 15-16 and 18-19 , expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess  144  includes at least a portion of expansion adapter seal plate first surface  142  as well as an expansion adapter seal plate inner wall  145  extending away from the expansion adapter seal plate first surface (e.g., along a direction at least substantially parallel to seal plate central axis  112 , shown in  FIG. 1 ). In such examples, expansion adapter seal plate  140  may be configured and/or sized such that the component that is received within expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess  144  engages each of expansion adapter seal plate first surface  142  and expansion adapter seal plate inner wall  145 . In this manner, expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess  144  may provide for an increased surface area of engagement between the component received within the expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess and expansion adapter seal plate  140 , and thus a more robust transfer of the sealing force from the component received within the expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess to the expansion adapter seal plate, relative to a configuration in which expansion adapter seal plate first surface  142  is substantially flat and/or otherwise lacks expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess  144 . 
     Expansion adapter seal plate second surface  146  also may include any of a variety of features and/or configurations for forming a fluid-tight seal with valve  10  and/or with another component of seal plate structure  108  (e.g., another expansion adapter seal plate  140 ). In some examples, and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated in  FIGS. 13-19 , expansion adapter seal plate second surface  146  includes an expansion adapter seal plate sealing interface  147 . In particular, similar to base seal plate sealing interface  131 , and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  and less schematically illustrated at least in  FIGS. 15-17 , expansion adapter seal plate sealing interface  147  may include a plurality of expansion adapter seal plate sealing component channels  148 . In such examples, each expansion adapter seal plate sealing component channel  148  is configured to receive a corresponding sealing component  136  for forming a fluid-tight seal, such as with valve  10 , with sealing flange  20 , and/or with another component of seal plate structure  108  (e.g., with another expansion adapter seal plate  140 ). In some such examples, the plurality of expansion adapter seal plate sealing component channels  148  are at least substantially concentric with one another and feature varying respective diameters, such as to enable expansion adapter seal plate sealing interface  147  to form a fluid-tight seal with components of any of a corresponding variety of diameters. 
     In some examples, such as in second example seal assembly  2000  of  FIGS. 12-16  and in third example seal plate assembly  3000  of  FIGS. 17-19 , seal plate structure  108  includes a single expansion adapter seal plate  140 , such that expansion adapter seal plate sealing interface  147  of the single expansion adapter seal plate includes and/or is valve seal surface  132 . However, as discussed and as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it additionally is within the scope of the present disclosure that seal plate structure  108  may include a plurality of expansion adapter seal plates  140  of progressively increasing diameters, such that the plurality of expansion adapter seal plates are stacked in order (from bottom to top) of increasing outer diameter during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . In some such examples, each expansion adapter seal plate  140  of the plurality of expansion adapter seal plates includes a respective expansion adapter seal plate sealing interface  147 , such that a fluid-tight seal is formed between each pair of adjacent expansion adapter seal plates  140  during operative use of valve testing machine  50 . In such examples, configuring valve seal assembly  100  to be utilized in conjunction with valve testing machine  50  to test a particular valve  10  may include selecting a particular expansion adapter seal plate  140  (e.g., a single expansion adapter seal plate  140 ), or may include selecting an appropriate subset of the plurality of expansion adapter seal plates  140 , such as based upon a dimension of the particular valve (e.g., a diameter of valve inlet  12  and/or of sealing flange  20  of the particular valve). Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, configuring valve seal assembly  100  to be utilized in conjunction with valve testing machine  50  to test a particular valve  10  may include selecting a particular base seal plate  110  from among a plurality of base seal plates  110  of varying dimensions (e.g., diameters), such as based upon a dimension of the particular valve (e.g., a diameter of valve inlet  12  and/or of sealing flange  20  of the particular valve). 
     As discussed, various aspects and/or features of valve seal assembly  100  may be described as offering a degree of modularity and/or versatility, such as to enable valve seal assembly  100  to be utilized in conjunction with any of a variety of differently sized valves  10 . As an example, and as discussed, base seal plate  110  may be configured to be utilized in conjunction with one or more expansion adapter seal plates  140  when testing a particular valve  10  with a corresponding sealing flange  20  that is too large in diameter to form an effective fluid-tight seal with base seal plate second surface  130 . Accordingly, in such an example, configuring valve seal assembly  100  to operatively engage the particular valve  10  may include selecting a particular expansion adapter seal plate  140 , or a particular set of expansion adapter seal plates  140 , that is/are appropriately sized for operative use with the particular valve  10 . 
     As another example, and as discussed, base seal plate  110  may be configured to be utilized in conjunction with reduction adapter seal plate  102  when testing a particular valve  10  with a corresponding sealing flange  20  that is too small in diameter to form an effective fluid-tight seal with base seal plate second surface  130 . Accordingly, in such an example, configuring valve seal assembly  100  to operatively engage the particular valve  10  may include selecting a particular reduction adapter seal plate  102  that is appropriately sized for operative use with the particular valve  10 . 
     As yet another example, and as discussed, base seal plate  110  itself may be selected based on one or more dimensions thereof in order to form an effective fluid-tight seal with the corresponding sealing flange  20  of a particular valve  10 . However, because base seal plate  110  may be restricted from removal from force transfer member  160  (e.g., by retaining ring  180 , as described herein), it may be preferable to accommodate the dimensions of the particular valve  10  to be tested by utilizing expansion adapter seal plate(s)  140  or reduction adapter seal plate  102  as appropriate to provide an appropriately sized valve seal surface  132  without removing base seal plate  110  from force transfer member  160 . 
     In all such examples, and as indicated in the Figures, various components of valve seal assembly  100  may be described as representing components of a valve seal assembly kit  90 . For example, valve seal assembly kit  90  may include any components of valve seal assembly  100  disclosed herein, and/or may include pluralities of such components as appropriate to yield the modular functionality disclosed herein. As more specific examples, valve seal assembly kit  90  may include a single base seal plate  110 , a plurality of differently dimensioned base seal plates  110 , a single expansion adapter seal plate  140 , a plurality of differently dimensioned expansion adapter seal plates  140 , a single reduction adapter seal plate  102 , a plurality of differently dimensioned reduction adapter seal plates  102 , etc. Accordingly, in such examples, configuring valve seal assembly  100  for operative use in conjunction with a particular valve  10  may include selecting various components from valve seal assembly kit  90  to be assembled into seal plate structure  108 . 
       FIG. 20  is a flowchart representing examples of methods  200 , according to the present disclosure, of utilizing a valve testing machine that includes a valve seal assembly to test a valve. Examples of valve testing machines, of valves, and/or of valve seal assemblies that may be utilized in conjunction with methods  200  are disclosed herein with reference to valve testing machine  50 , valve  10 , and/or valve seal assembly  100 , respectively. As shown in  FIG. 20 , methods  200  include configuring, at  210 , a seal plate structure for use to test the valve and forming, at  250 , a fluid-tight seal between a sealing flange of the valve and a valve seal surface of the seal plate structure. Examples of seal plate structures, of sealing flanges, and/or of valve seal surfaces that may be utilized in conjunction with methods  200  are disclosed herein with reference to seal plate structure  108 , sealing flange  20 , and/or valve seal surface  132 , respectively. In some examples, the forming the fluid-tight seal at  250  is performed subsequent to the configuring the seal plate structure at  210 . 
     The configuring the seal plate structure at  210  may be performed in any of a variety of manners, such as to configure and/or adapt the seal plate structure for forming a fluid-tight seal with the sealing flange. Accordingly, in some examples, the configuring the seal plate structure at  210  is performed at least partially based upon one or more dimensions of the valve, such as an outer diameter of the sealing flange. In particular, in some examples, and as discussed, the seal plate structure may include a base seal plate (such as base seal plate  110  disclosed herein) that is not sufficiently large (e.g., in outer diameter) to form an effective fluid-tight seal with the sealing flange. Accordingly, in some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the configuring the seal plate structure at  210  includes assembling, at  214 , an expansion adapter seal plate to the base seal plate. In particular, in some such examples, the assembling the expansion adapter seal plate to the base seal plate at  214  includes receiving the base seal plate within an expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess of the expansion adapter seal plate such that a base seal plate sealing interface of the base seal plate sealingly engages an expansion adapter seal plate first surface of the expansion adapter seal plate. Examples of expansion adapter seal plates, of expansion adapter seal plate receiver recesses, of base seal plate sealing interfaces, and/or of expansion adapter seal plate first surfaces that may be utilized in conjunction with methods  200  are disclosed herein with reference to expansion adapter seal plate  140 , expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess  144 , base seal plate sealing interface  131 , and/or expansion adapter seal plate first surface  142 , respectively. 
     In some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the configuring the seal plate structure at  210  additionally includes, prior to the assembling the expansion adapter seal plate to the base seal plate at  214 , selecting, at  216 , the expansion adapter seal plate to be utilized in the seal plate structure. For example, the selecting the expansion adapter seal plate at  216  may include selecting based upon one or more dimensions of the base seal plate and/or of the valve. As a more specific example, the selecting the expansion adapter seal plate at  216  may include selecting the expansion adapter seal plate such that the expansion adapter seal plate first surface of the expansion adapter seal plate is sized to sealingly engage the base seal plate and such that an expansion adapter seal plate second surface of the expansion adapter seal plate is sized to sealingly engage the sealing flange. Examples of expansion adapter seal plate second surfaces that may be utilized in conjunction with methods  200  are disclosed herein with reference to expansion adapter seal plate second surface  146 . 
     In some examples, the configuring the seal plate structure at  210  includes selecting a plurality of expansion adapter seal plates, such as may be utilized in a stacked arrangement to adapt the base seal plate to the sealing flange of the valve to be tested. In particular, in some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the expansion adapter seal plate selected in the selecting the expansion adapter seal plate at  216  is a first expansion adapter seal plate, and the configuring the seal plate structure at  210  additionally includes selecting, at  218 , a second expansion adapter seal plate. In some such examples, the selecting the second expansion adapter seal plate at  218  includes selecting the second expansion adapter seal plate such that the expansion adapter seal plate first surface of the second expansion adapter seal plate is sized to sealingly engage the expansion adapter seal plate second surface of the first expansion adapter seal plate. Additionally or alternatively, in some such examples, the selecting the second expansion adapter seal plate at  218  includes selecting the second expansion adapter seal plate such that the expansion adapter seal plate second surface of the second expansion adapter seal plate is sized to sealingly engage the sealing flange. In some examples, the configuring the seal plate structure at  210  may include repeating the selecting the second expansion adapter seal plate at  218  to select any suitable number of expansion adapter seal plates that are assembled to one another (e.g., in a stacked arrangement) in the seal plate structure. 
     In some examples, and as discussed, the seal plate structure may include a base seal plate that defines a seal plate fluid channel (such as seal plate fluid channel  114  disclosed herein) that is too large (e.g., in outer diameter) for the base seal plate to form an effective fluid-tight seal with the sealing flange. Accordingly, in some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the configuring the seal plate structure at  210  includes assembling, at  220 , a reduction adapter seal plate to the base seal plate. In particular, in some such examples, the assembling the reduction adapter seal plate to the base seal plate at  220  includes inserting the reduction adapter seal plate at least partially into the seal plate fluid channel. In some such examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , methods  200  additionally include, prior to the assembling the reduction adapter seal plate to the base seal plate at  220 , selecting, at  222 , the reduction adapter seal plate to be utilized in the seal plate structure. For example, the assembling the reduction adapter seal plate to the base seal plate at  220  may include selecting based upon one or more dimensions of the base seal plate and/or of the valve. 
     Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the configuring the seal plate structure at  210  includes selecting, at  212 , the base seal plate, such as based upon one or more dimensions of the base seal plate and/or of the valve. For example, the selecting the base seal plate at  212  may include selecting such that the base seal plate sealing interface of the base seal plate is sized to sealingly engage the sealing flange of the valve. 
     In various examples, the configuring the seal plate structure at  210  includes utilizing a valve seal assembly kit, such as valve seal assembly kit  90  disclosed herein. In particular, in such examples, various steps of the configuring the seal plate structure at  210  may include selecting components from the valve seal assembly kit to form the seal plate structure. As a more specific example, the selecting the expansion adapter seal plate at  216  and/or the selecting the second expansion adapter seal plate at  218  may include selecting each expansion adapter seal plate from among a plurality of differently sized expansion adapter seal plates of the valve seal assembly kit. Similarly, the selecting the base seal plate at  212  may include selecting the base seal plate from among a plurality of differently sized base seal plates of the valve seal assembly kit, and/or the selecting the reduction adapter seal plate at  222  may include selecting the reduction adapter seal plate from among a plurality of differently sized reduction adapter seal plates of the valve seal assembly kit. 
     In some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , methods  200  additionally include positioning, at  230 , the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member. In such examples, the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member at  230  may be performed in any of a variety of manners. In some examples, the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member at  230  is at least partially performed subsequent to the configuring the seal plate structure at  210 . Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member at  230  is at least partially performed prior to the forming the fluid-tight seal at  250 . In some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member at  230  includes receiving, at  232 , a socket head of the valve seal assembly (such as socket head  166  disclosed herein) within a socket receiver of the valve seal assembly (such as socket receiver  122  disclosed herein). As discussed herein, such a configuration may enable the base seal plate to tilt relative to the force transfer member, such as to enable the valve seal assembly to form a fluid-tight seal with the valve even when opposed surfaces of the sealing flange of the valve are not perfectly parallel to one another. Accordingly, in some such examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member at  230  includes tilting, at  234 , the base seal plate relative to the force transfer member. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member at  230  includes operatively coupling, at  236 , a retaining ring to the seal plate structure, such as to restrict the base seal plate from being fully removed from the force transfer member. Examples of retaining rings that may be utilized in conjunction with methods  200  are disclosed herein with reference to retaining ring  180 . 
     The forming the fluid-tight seal between the sealing flange and the valve seal surface at  250  may be performed in any of a variety of manners. In some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the forming the fluid-tight seal at  250  includes positioning, at  252 , the valve relative to the seal plate structure. More specifically, in some such examples, the positioning the valve relative to the seal plate structure at  252  includes engaging the valve seal surface with the sealing flange. In some examples, the positioning the valve relative to the seal plate structure at  252  includes lowering the valve onto the assembled seal plate structure. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the forming the fluid-tight seal at  250  includes, subsequent to the positioning the valve relative to the seal plate structure at  252 , engaging, at  254 , the sealing flange with a plurality of clamp arms of the valve testing machine, such as clamp arms  62  disclosed herein. Additionally or alternatively, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , the forming the fluid-tight seal at  250  may include, subsequent to the positioning the valve relative to the seal plate structure at  252  and/or to the engaging the sealing flange with the plurality of clamp arms at  254 , applying, at  256 , a sealing force to the seal plate structure with a force exerting mechanism (such as force exerting mechanism  70  disclosed herein). 
     In some examples, and as shown in  FIG. 20 , methods  200  additionally include, subsequent to the forming the fluid-tight seal at  250 , supplying, at  270 , a pressurized fluid to the valve. In particular, in such examples, the supplying the pressurized fluid to the valve at  270  may include utilizing the valve testing machine to perform a pressure test of the valve. In such examples, the supplying the pressurized fluid to the valve at  270  may include supplying the pressurized fluid in any of a variety of manners. As examples, the supplying the pressurized fluid to the valve at  270  may include supplying the pressurized fluid at least partially via a fluid inlet of the force transfer member, a force transfer member fluid channel of the force transfer member, a seal plate fluid channel of the base seal plate, an expansion adapter seal plate central opening of the expansion adapter seal plate(s), and/or a reduction adapter seal plate fluid channel of the reduction adapter seal plate. Examples of fluid inlets, of force transfer member fluid channels, of seal plate fluid channels, of expansion adapters seal plate central openings, and/or of reduction adapter seal plate fluid channels that may be utilized in conjunction with methods  200  are disclosed herein with reference to fluid inlet  170 , force transfer member fluid channel  164 , seal plate fluid channel  114 , expansion adapter seal plate central opening  150 , and/or reduction adapter seal plate fluid channel  104 , respectively. 
     Illustrative, non-exclusive examples of inventive subject matter according to the present disclosure are described in the following enumerated paragraphs: 
     A1. A valve seal assembly for operatively fluidly coupling a valve to a valve testing machine, the valve seal assembly comprising: 
     a seal plate structure with a valve seal surface configured to engage a sealing flange of the valve to form a fluid-tight seal with the sealing flange; and 
     a force transfer member with a force transfer member body configured to be operatively coupled to a force exerting mechanism of the valve testing machine. 
     A2. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A1, wherein the valve seal assembly is configured to convey a pressurized fluid to a valve inlet of the valve during operative use of the valve testing machine. 
     A3. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A2, wherein the force transfer member is configured to convey a sealing force from the force exerting mechanism to the seal plate structure during operative use of the valve testing machine. 
     A4. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A3, wherein one of the seal plate structure and the force transfer member includes a socket receiver opposite the valve seal surface; wherein the other of the seal plate structure and the force transfer member includes a socket head extending from the force transfer member body; and wherein, during operative use of the valve testing machine, the socket head is received within the socket receiver to convey a/the sealing force from the force exerting mechanism to the seal plate structure. 
     A5. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A4, wherein the seal plate structure includes a base seal plate with a base seal plate first surface and a base seal plate second surface opposite the base seal plate first surface; wherein the base seal plate second surface includes a base seal plate sealing interface that is configured to form a fluid-tight seal with one or both of: 
     (i) another component of the seal plate structure; and 
     (ii) the sealing flange. 
     A6. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A5, wherein the force transfer member body defines a fluid inlet for receiving a flow of a/the pressurized fluid. 
     A7. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A6, wherein the force transfer member defines a force transfer member fluid channel for conveying a/the pressurized fluid through the force transfer member. 
     A8. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A7, when dependent from paragraph A5, wherein the base seal plate defines at least a portion of a seal plate fluid channel extending through at least a portion of the seal plate structure. 
     A9. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A8, wherein the base seal plate defines an entirety of the seal plate fluid channel. 
     A10. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A9, when dependent from paragraphs A7 and A8, wherein, during operative use of the valve testing machine, the force transfer member fluid channel is at least partially aligned with the seal plate fluid channel to permit the pressurized fluid to flow from a/the fluid inlet into a/the valve inlet via the force transfer member fluid channel and the seal plate fluid channel. 
     A11. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A10, when dependent from paragraphs A4, A7, and A8, wherein the seal plate structure defines a seal plate central axis that is perpendicular to the valve seal surface; wherein the force transfer member extends along and defines a force transfer member central axis; and wherein the valve seal assembly is configured such that the force transfer member fluid channel and the seal plate fluid channel are fluidly connected when the socket head is operatively received within the socket receiver and when either of: 
     (i) the seal plate central axis and the force transfer member central axis are collinear; or 
     (ii) the seal plate central axis and the force transfer member central axis are angled relative to one another by at most a threshold offset angle. 
     A12. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A11, wherein the threshold offset angle is one or more of at least 1 degree, at least 3 degrees, at least 5 degrees, at most 10 degrees, at most 7 degrees, and at most 2 degrees. 
     A13. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A12, wherein a/the fluid inlet is configured to receive a fluid flow of a/the pressurized fluid along a direction that is oblique to a/the force transfer member central axis. 
     A14. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A13, wherein a/the fluid inlet is configured to receive a/the fluid flow along a direction that is angled relative to a/the force transfer member central axis by an inlet angle that is one or more of at least 10 degrees, at least 20 degrees, at least 30 degrees, at least 40 degrees, at least 50 degrees, at least 60 degrees, at least 70 degrees, at most 75 degrees, at most 65 degrees, at most 55 degrees, at most 45 degrees, at most 35 degrees, at most 25 degrees, and at most 15 degrees. 
     A15. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A14, when dependent from paragraph A4, wherein the socket head is a convex socket head; and wherein the socket receiver is a concave socket receiver that is configured to receive the socket head in any of a plurality of distinct orientations. 
     A16. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A15, when dependent from paragraph A4, wherein one or both of the socket head and the socket receiver is at least substantially spherical in shape. 
     A17. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A16, when dependent from paragraph A4, wherein the valve seal assembly is configured such that the seal plate structure may shift relative to the force transfer member while the socket head is operatively received within the socket receiver. 
     A18. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A17, when dependent from paragraph A4, wherein the valve seal assembly includes one or more sealing components for forming a fluid-tight seal between two or more components of the valve seal assembly; and wherein one of the socket head and the socket receiver includes a socket head sealing component channel configured to receive a corresponding sealing component of the one or more sealing components for forming a fluid-tight seal against the other of the socket head and the socket receiver. 
     A19. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A18, wherein each sealing component of the one or more sealing components includes, and optionally is, one or more of an O-ring, a sealing gasket, a ring type joint, and a sealing surface. 
     A20. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A19, when dependent from paragraph A4, wherein the socket head has a diameter, as measured along a direction perpendicular to a/the force transfer member central axis, that is greater than a diameter of the force transfer member body. 
     A21. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A20, when dependent from paragraph A4, wherein the force transfer member fluid channel extends between a/the fluid inlet and the socket head. 
     A22. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A21, when dependent from paragraph A4, wherein a/the seal plate fluid channel extends at least partially between the socket receiver and the valve seal surface. 
     A23. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A22, wherein the valve seal assembly further includes a retaining ring that is configured to restrict the seal plate structure from being fully removed from the force transfer member during operative use of the valve testing machine. 
     A24. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A23, when dependent from paragraph A12, wherein the retaining ring is configured to be selectively and operatively coupled to the seal plate structure during operative use of the valve testing machine, optionally via one or more retaining ring mechanical fasteners; and wherein the retaining ring defines a retaining ring recess that is configured to receive a portion of the socket head while the retaining ring is operatively coupled to the seal plate structure to restrict the seal plate structure from being removed from the force transfer member during operative use of the valve testing machine. 
     A25. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A24, when dependent from paragraph A5, wherein the base seal plate sealing interface is configured to form a fluid-tight seal with one or both of: 
     (i) another component of the seal plate structure; and 
     (ii) the sealing flange. 
     A26. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A25, when dependent from paragraph A5, wherein the base seal plate first surface is configured to face toward the force transfer member during operative use of the valve testing machine. 
     A27. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A26, when dependent from paragraph A5, wherein the base seal plate first surface includes a/the socket receiver. 
     A28. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A27, when dependent from paragraph A5, wherein the base seal plate sealing interface includes a plurality of base seal plate sealing component channels, each configured to receive a corresponding sealing component of an/the one or more sealing components. 
     A29. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A28, when dependent from paragraph A5, wherein the base seal plate sealing interface includes, and optionally is, the valve seal surface. 
     A30. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A29, wherein the seal plate structure further includes an expansion adapter seal plate with an expansion adapter seal plate first surface and an expansion adapter seal plate second surface opposite the expansion adapter seal plate first surface; optionally wherein the expansion adapter seal plate first surface is configured to sealingly engage another component of the seal plate structure, optionally the base seal plate, during operative use of the valve testing machine; and wherein the expansion adapter seal plate second surface includes an expansion adapter seal plate sealing interface that is configured to form a fluid-tight seal with one or both of: 
     (i) another component of the seal plate structure; and 
     (ii) the sealing flange. 
     A31. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A30, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate has an outer diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the base seal plate. 
     A32. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A31, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate sealing interface includes a plurality of expansion adapter seal plate sealing component channels, each configured to receive a corresponding sealing component of a/the one or more sealing components for forming a fluid-tight seal between the expansion adapter seal plate and one or both of: 
     (i) another component of the seal plate structure; and 
     (ii) the sealing flange. 
     A33. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A32, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate sealing interface includes, and optionally is, the valve seal surface. 
     A34. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A33, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate first surface defines an expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess that is configured to receive at least a portion of another component of the seal plate structure, optionally the base seal plate, during operative use of the valve testing machine. 
     A35. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A34, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess includes: 
     at least a portion of the expansion adapter seal plate first surface; and 
     an expansion adapter seal plate inner wall extending away from the expansion adapter seal plate first surface. 
     A36. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A35, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate inner wall extends away from the expansion adapter seal plate first surface along a direction at least substantially parallel to a/the seal plate central axis. 
     A37. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A35-A36, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate is configured such that the other component of the seal plate structure that is received within the expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess engages each of the expansion adapter seal plate first surface and the expansion adapter seal plate inner wall during operative use of the valve testing machine. 
     A38. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A37, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate defines an expansion adapter seal plate central opening that is one or both of aligned with and fluidly connected to a/the seal plate fluid channel during operative use of the valve testing machine. 
     A39. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A38, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate central opening has an inner diameter that is at least substantially equal to an inner diameter of the seal plate fluid channel. 
     A40. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A38, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate central opening has an inner diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the seal plate fluid channel. 
     A41. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A30-A40, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate is a first expansion adapter seal plate of a plurality of expansion adapter seal plates. 
     A42. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A41, wherein the valve seal assembly is configured such that the plurality of expansion adapter seal plates are stacked in order of increasing diameter during operative use of the valve testing machine. 
     A43. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A41-A42, wherein each expansion adapter seal plate of the plurality of expansion adapter seal plates includes a respective expansion adapter seal plate first surface and a respective expansion adapter seal plate second surface opposite the respective expansion adapter seal plate first surface; and wherein the respective expansion adapter seal plate second surface of each expansion adapter seal plate of the plurality of expansion adapter seal plates includes an/the expansion adapter seal plate sealing interface. 
     A44. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A43, wherein the seal plate structure further includes a reduction adapter seal plate that is configured to be at least partially received within the base seal plate, optionally within the seal plate fluid channel, during operative use of the valve testing machine; and wherein the reduction adapter seal plate includes at least a portion of the valve seal surface. 
     A45. The valve seal assembly of paragraph A44, wherein the reduction adapter seal plate defines a reduction adapter seal plate fluid channel that is one or both of aligned with and fluidly connected to the seal plate fluid channel during operative use of the valve testing machine. 
     A46. The valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A45, wherein the force transfer member is configured to be fixedly coupled to the force exerting mechanism during operative use of the valve testing machine; and optionally wherein the valve seal assembly includes one or more force transfer member mechanical fasteners configured to fixedly couple the force transfer member to the force exerting mechanism. 
     B1. A valve testing machine comprising the valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A46. 
     B2. The valve testing machine of paragraph B1, wherein the valve includes a pressure relief outlet; and wherein the valve testing machine is configured to test a performance of the valve to divert at least a portion of a flow of a pressurized fluid to the pressure relief outlet when a pressure of the pressurized fluid exceeds a threshold operative fluid pressure. 
     B3. The valve testing machine of paragraph B2, wherein the pressurized fluid includes one or more of a liquid, water, a gas, air, and nitrogen. 
     B4. The valve testing machine of any of paragraphs B1-B3, wherein the valve testing machine includes a machine base and a plurality of clamp arms operatively coupled to the machine base and configured to engage the sealing flange; wherein the sealing flange includes a first flange surface configured to engage the valve seal assembly and a second flange surface opposite the first flange surface and configured to engage each clamp arm of the plurality of clamp arms; and wherein, during operative use of the valve testing machine, the valve seal surface engages the first flange surface of the sealing flange and each clamp arm of the plurality of clamp arms engages the second flange surface of the sealing flange such that applying a/the sealing force to the valve seal assembly urges the seal plate structure into fluid-tight engagement with the first flange surface. 
     B5. The valve testing machine of any of paragraphs B1-B4, wherein the valve testing machine defines a testing machine central axis; and wherein the force exerting mechanism is configured to translate along the testing machine central axis to apply a/the sealing force. 
     C1. A valve seal assembly kit comprising the valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A46. 
     D1. A method of utilizing a valve testing machine comprising the valve seal assembly of any of paragraphs A1-A46 to test a valve, the method comprising: 
     configuring the seal plate structure for use to test the valve; and 
     forming the fluid-tight seal between the sealing flange and the valve seal surface. 
     D2. The method of paragraph D1, wherein the forming the fluid-tight seal between the sealing flange and the valve seal interface is performed subsequent to the configuring the seal plate structure for use to test the valve. 
     D3. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D2, wherein the configuring the seal plate structure includes assembling an/the expansion adapter seal plate to the base seal plate. 
     D4. The method of paragraph D3, wherein the assembling the expansion adapter seal plate to the base seal plate includes receiving the base seal plate within an/the expansion adapter seal plate receiver recess such that a/the base seal plate sealing interface sealingly engages an/the expansion adapter seal plate first surface of the expansion adapter seal plate. 
     D5. The method of any of paragraphs D3-D4, wherein the configuring the seal plate structure includes, prior to the assembling the expansion adapter seal plate to the base seal plate, selecting the expansion adapter seal plate to be utilized in the seal plate structure. 
     D6. The method of paragraph D5, wherein the selecting the expansion adapter seal plate includes selecting such that an/the expansion adapter seal plate first surface of the expansion adapter seal plate is sized to sealingly engage the base seal plate and such that an/the expansion adapter seal plate second surface of the expansion adapter seal plate is sized to sealingly engage the sealing flange. 
     D7. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D6, wherein the expansion adapter seal plate is a/the first expansion adapter seal plate of a/the plurality of expansion adapter seal plates; and wherein the configuring the seal plate structure additionally includes selecting a/the second expansion adapter seal plate of the plurality of expansion adapter seal plates. 
     D8. The method of paragraph D7, wherein the selecting the second expansion adapter seal plate includes selecting such that one or both of: 
     (i) an/the expansion adapter seal plate first surface of the second expansion adapter seal plate is sized to sealingly engage an/the expansion adapter seal plate second surface of the first expansion adapter seal plate; and 
     (ii) the expansion adapter seal plate second surface of the second expansion adapter seal plate is sized to sealingly engage the sealing flange. 
     D9. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D8, wherein one or more of a/the selecting the expansion adapter seal plate, a/the selecting the first expansion adapter seal plate, and a/the selecting the second expansion adapter seal plate includes selecting from a valve seal assembly kit. 
     D10. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D9, wherein the configuring the seal plate structure includes assembling a/the reduction adapter seal plate to the base seal plate. 
     D11. The method of paragraph D10, wherein the assembling the reduction adapter seal plate to the base seal plate includes inserting the reduction adapter seal plate at least partially into a/the seal plate fluid channel. 
     D12. The method of any of paragraphs D10-D11, wherein the configuring the seal plate structure includes, prior to the assembling the reduction adapter seal plate to the base seal plate, selecting the reduction adapter seal plate to be utilized in the seal plate structure. 
     D13. The method of paragraph D12, wherein the selecting the reduction adapter seal plate includes selecting from a/the valve seal assembly kit. 
     D14. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D13, wherein the configuring the seal plate structure includes selecting the base seal plate. 
     D15. The method of paragraph D14, wherein the selecting the base seal plate includes selecting such that a/the base seal plate sealing interface is sized to sealingly engage the sealing flange. 
     D16. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D15, wherein the forming the fluid-tight seal between the sealing flange and the valve seal surface includes positioning the valve relative to the seal plate structure. 
     D17. The method of paragraph D16, wherein the positioning the valve relative to the seal plate structure includes engaging the valve seal surface with the sealing flange. 
     D18. The method of any of paragraphs D16-D17, wherein the positioning the valve relative to the seal plate structure includes lowering the valve onto the seal plate structure. 
     D19. The method of any of paragraphs D16-D18, wherein the valve testing machine includes a machine base and a plurality of clamp arms operatively coupled to the machine base and configured to engage the sealing flange; wherein the sealing flange includes a first flange surface configured to engage the valve seal assembly and a second flange surface opposite the first flange surface and configured to engage each clamp arm of the plurality of clamp arms; wherein, during operative use of the valve testing machine, the valve seal surface engages the first flange surface of the sealing flange and each clamp arm of the plurality of clamp arms engages the second flange surface of the sealing flange such that applying a/the sealing force to the valve seal assembly urges the seal plate structure into fluid-tight engagement with the first flange surface; and wherein the forming the fluid-tight seal between the sealing flange and the valve seal surface includes, subsequent to the positioning the valve relative to the seal plate structure, engaging the sealing flange with the plurality of clamp arms. 
     D20. The method of any of paragraphs D16-D19, wherein the forming the fluid-tight seal between the sealing flange and the valve seal surface includes, subsequent to one or both of the positioning the valve relative to the seal plate structure and an/the engaging a/the sealing flange with a/the plurality of clamp arms, applying a/the sealing force with a/the force exerting mechanism. 
     D21. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D20, further comprising positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member. 
     D22. The method of paragraph D21, wherein the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member is at least partially performed subsequent to the configuring the seal plate structure. 
     D23. The method of any of paragraphs D21-D22, wherein the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member is at least partially performed prior to the forming the fluid-tight seal between the sealing flange and the valve seal surface. 
     D24. The method of any of paragraphs D21-D23, wherein the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member includes receiving a/the socket head within a/the socket receiver. 
     D25. The method of any of paragraphs D21-D24, wherein the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member includes tilting the base seal plate relative to the force transfer member. 
     D26. The method of any of paragraphs D21-D25, wherein the positioning the seal plate structure relative to the force transfer member includes operatively coupling a/the retaining ring to the seal plate structure. 
     D27. The method of any of paragraphs D1-D26, further comprising, subsequent to the forming the fluid-tight seal between the sealing flange and the valve seal surface, supplying the pressurized fluid to the valve. 
     D28. The method of paragraph D27, wherein the supplying the pressurized fluid to the valve includes supplying the pressurized fluid at least partially via one or more of a/the fluid inlet of the force transfer member, a/the force transfer member fluid channel, a/the seal plate fluid channel, an/the expansion adapter seal plate central opening, and a/the reduction adapter seal plate fluid channel. 
     As used herein, the terms “adapted” and “configured” mean that the element, component, or other subject matter is designed and/or intended to perform a given function. Thus, the use of the terms “adapted” and “configured” should not be construed to mean that a given element, component, or other subject matter is simply “capable of” performing a given function but that the element, component, and/or other subject matter is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the function. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that elements, components, and/or other recited subject matter that is recited as being adapted to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being configured to perform that function, and vice versa. Similarly, subject matter that is recited as being configured to perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being operative to perform that function. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or” placed between a first entity and a second entity means one of (1) the first entity, (2) the second entity, and (3) the first entity and the second entity. Multiple entries listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same manner, i.e., “one or more” of the entities so conjoined. Other entities optionally may be present other than the entities specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B,” when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising,” may refer, in one example, to A only (optionally including entities other than B); in another example, to B only (optionally including entities other than A); in yet another example, to both A and B (optionally including other entities). These entities may refer to elements, actions, structures, steps, operations, values, and the like. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more entities should be understood to mean at least one entity selected from any one or more of the entities in the list of entities, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every entity specifically listed within the list of entities and not excluding any combinations of entities in the list of entities. This definition also allows that entities may optionally be present other than the entities specifically identified within the list of entities to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those entities specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) may refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including entities other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including entities other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other entities). In other words, the phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” may mean A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, A, B, and C together, and optionally any of the above in combination with at least one other entity. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least substantially,” when modifying a degree or relationship, includes not only the recited “substantial” degree or relationship, but also the full extent of the recited degree or relationship. A substantial amount of a recited degree or relationship may include at least 75% of the recited degree or relationship. For example, a first component that extends at least substantially around a second component includes a first component that extends around at least 75% of a circumference of the second component and also includes a first component that extends fully circumferentially around the second component. 
     As used herein, the phrase, “for example,” the phrase, “as an example,” and/or simply the term “example,” when used with reference to one or more components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure, are intended to convey that the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is an illustrative, non-exclusive example of components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods according to the present disclosure. Thus, the described component, feature, detail, structure, embodiment, and/or method is not intended to be limiting, required, or exclusive/exhaustive; and other components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, including structurally and/or functionally similar and/or equivalent components, features, details, structures, embodiments, and/or methods, are also within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The various disclosed elements of apparatuses disclosed herein are not required to all apparatuses according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements disclosed herein. Moreover, one or more of the various elements disclosed herein may define independent inventive subject matter that is separate and apart from the whole of a disclosed apparatus. Accordingly, such inventive subject matter is not required to be associated with the specific apparatuses that are expressly disclosed herein, and such inventive subject matter may find utility in apparatuses and/or methods that are not expressly disclosed herein. 
     It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 
     It is believed that the following claims particularly point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are directed to one of the disclosed inventions and are novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure.