Patent attributes
Embodiments of the invention include a knife gate valve. The knife gate valve can include: a valve body that defines a center aperture, the valve body configured to be coupled to a conduit; a gate disposed at least partially within the valve body, the gate configured to move vertically in relation to the valve body; a seat disposed in a portion of the valve body, the seat comprising a first end and a second end; and a packing area disposed within the valve body, wherein the packing area comprises a packing element is disposed around a portion of the gate; wherein the first end of the seat and the second end of the seat terminate within the valve body between a middle of the center aperture and the packing area. Other embodiments are also included herein.