US Patent 9217389 Rocket turbopump valves and associated systems and methods

Rocket turbopump valves and associated system and methods. A valve in accordance with at least one embodiment includes a housing having a valve aperture, and first and second valve elements positioned in the housing and movable relative to the valve aperture between a closed position and an open position. Each valve element can be pivotably connected to the housing toward a first end and supported by the other valve element toward a second end. A drive mechanism is coupled to the first and second valve elements to pivot the valve elements toward and away from their open and closed positions.