US Patent 10100936 Parallel slide gate valves and related methods

A parallel slide gate valve includes a valve body comprising an interior surface, and an obturator therein. A portion of the interior surface defines a groove having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a direction of flow through the valve body. The groove has a first width at a first end proximate to the fluid flow path and a second width at a second end distal from the fluid flow path, the second width smaller than the first width. The obturator is at least partially within the at least one groove. The obturator is configured to translate from the first end of the at least one groove toward the second end of the at least one groove as the obturator moves from a closed position to an open position.