FLAPPER CHECK VALVE

A check valve comprising a housing (22) defining a pair of valve openings (24), a pair of flappers (30, 30a, 30b) pivotably mounted to a pin (28) and such that they are configured to rotate relative to the housing between an open position in which they permit fluid flow through the valve openings and a closed position in which they prevent fluid flow through the valve openings, and a stop element (42) configured to stop and hold the flappers in the open position. A cavity (50) is formed between the pair of flappers and the stop element when the flappers are in the open position. Each of the flappers comprise one or more contact surfaces (34) configured to contact the stop element when in the open position. The stop element comprises a pair of stop surfaces (44) comprising respective contact areas (44a) configured to oppose and abut the contact surfaces of the flappers when the flappers are in the open position, and said contact area configured to remain stationary. At least one of the contact surfaces of the flappers and contact areas of the stop element are formed on one or more bumpers (32) disposed on a respective one of the flappers and/or stop surfaces. One or more openings (38) are formed between each of the flappers and the stop element adjacent to the one or more bumpers when in the open position. Each of the contact areas of the stop elements are configured to be conformal to the contact surface of a respective flapper when the flappers are in the open position.