Patent ID: 8403003

Claim:
A fluid flow control device comprising: a body defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet; a valve seat ring coupled to the body and defining an orifice through which the fluid flow path passes, the valve seat ring further defining an annular stop surface; a cage coupled to the body and defining an interior bore, the cage including at least one passage through which the fluid flow path passes; a throttling element sized for insertion into the cage interior bore and movable along an axis between open and closed positions, the throttling element defining a sealing surface oriented substantially parallel to the axis, a lower end of the throttling element defining an annular stop surface, wherein the sealing surface is located on an interior perimeter of the throttling element and wherein the annular stop surface of the lower end of the throttling element is adapted to engage the annular stop surface of the valve seat ring to limit travel of the throttling element; a primary leak path formed between the annular stop surface of the valve seat ring and the annular stop surface of the throttling element; and a seal disposed along the primary leak path and positioned to engage the sealing surface when the throttling element is substantially in the closed position, thereby to restrict fluid flow through the valve seat ring orifice.