Patent ID: 7210668

Claim:
A valve assembly, comprising: a valve body having at least a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, at least one of the valve body fluid inlet and fluid outlet defining a cross sectional flow area; a plug disposed within the valve body, the plug having a least an outer surface and a flow passage extending therethrough, the plug selectively moveable between (i) an open position, in which the flow passage is in fluid communication with the valve body fluid inlet and fluid outlet, and (ii) a closed position, in which the flow passage is not in fluid communication with the valve body fluid inlet and fluid outlet; and a segment seal assembly coupled to the plug, the segment seal assembly including: a main body having a first side, a second side, and an opening extending therebetween, the segment seal first side disposed proximate the plug outer surface, a seal gland formed in the main body first side and surrounding the main body opening, a seal disposed within the seal gland and in contact with the plug outer surface, whereby a sealed vent region is formed between the main body first side and the plug outer surface, wherein the sealed vent region has a cross sectional area that is less than the defined cross sectional flow area.