Patent ID: 8225874

Claim:
A gas lift valve usable with a well, comprising: a valve seat; a check valve element adapted to engage the valve seat to block fluid communication through the valve seat in a first flow direction and retract from the seat to allow fluid communication through the valve seat in a second direction; and a body to guide movement of the check valve element along a longitudinal axis wherein the body comprises a conical portion; a longitudinal passageway to communicate fluid flowing in the second direction in response to the retraction of the check valve element wherein the longitudinal passageway comprises an opening disposed along the conical portion of the body; and a suction passageway in communication with the longitudinal passageway to exert a retraction force on the check valve element in response to the fluid being communicated through the longitudinal passageway wherein the suction passageway comprises an opening that coincides with the opening of the longitudinal passageway disposed along the conical portion of the body; and wherein the suction passageway comprises a first path that meets the longitudinal passageway, the first path being substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal passageway wherein the first path and the longitudinal passageway meet.