US Patent 10378659 Gate valve protector sleeve

In one aspect, this disclosure relates to a protector sleeve for a frac gate valve. The disclosed protector sleeve prevents frac sand and other particulates from becoming trapped between the seat and the seat pockets. In another aspect, this disclosure relates to a gate valve including the protector sleeve described above. The gate valve may include two protector sleeves, one disposed proximate the contact surfaces of each of the two seats and the two seat pockets.