DEVICE FOR PROTECTING A DIAPHRAGM PUMP FROM PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL

• US 20190323493A1
• Filed: 04/17/2019
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wanner Engineering, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Wanner Engineering, Inc.
• Inventors: Meinz, Peter, Featherstone, Dustin, Hollister, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 11,448,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 2205/064 in a reservoir linked to the pump inlet
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/0063 bell-shaped flexible members
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/0081 systems, control, safety measures
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/067 the fluid being actuated directly by a piston
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 45/0333 the fluid being actuated directly by a piston
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/00 Component parts, details or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F04B1/00 - F04B23/00 or F04B39/00 - F04B47/00
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/006 Crankshafts

Abstract

A diaphragm pump includes a transfer chamber containing hydraulic fluid and a pumping chamber for fluid to be pumped. A connecting assembly includes a plunger extending to the transfer chamber. A diaphragm connects to the connecting assembly and separates the transfer chamber and the pumping chamber. A pressure protection device mounts to the connecting assembly and is configured to seal against the transfer chamber when pressure differential, including reverse pressure differential, across the diaphragm exceeds a predetermined value. The pressure protection device is intermediate the plunger and the diaphragm and supports the diaphragm when there is excess pressure differential across the diaphragm.

Claims

1. A diaphragm pump apparatus comprising:

a transfer chamber containing hydraulic fluid;

a pumping chamber for fluid to be pumped;

a connection assembly including a plunger extending to the transfer chamber;

a diaphragm connected to the connecting assembly, the diaphragm separating the transfer chamber and the pumping chamber; and

a pressure protection device mounted to the connecting assembly, the pressure protection device configured to seal against the transfer chamber when pressure differential across the diaphragm exceeds a predetermined value.

2. A diaphragm pump apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure protection device is intermediate the plunger and the diaphragm.

3. A diaphragm pump apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressure protection device engages a wall of the transfer chamber.

4. A diaphragm pump apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pump comprises a hydraulic housing and the ring engages the hydraulic housing when subjected to the pressure differential.

5. A diaphragm pump apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure protection device comprises a disk.

6. A diaphragm pump apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure protection device comprises a flange.

7. A diaphragm pump apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure protection device comprises a washer.

8. A diaphragm pump apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure protection device comprises a molded ring.

9. A diaphragm pump apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the molded ring comprises a lip.

10. A diaphragm pump apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure protection device mates with the transfer chamber when deformed.

11. A diaphragm pump apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure protection device has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the diaphragm.

12. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm in a diaphragm pump, the pump having a connecting assembly mounted to a diaphragm, a transfer chamber and a pumping chamber, the pressure protection device comprising:

a pressure protection device mounted to the connecting assembly, the pressure protection device configured to seal against the transfer chamber when subjected to reverse differential pressure.

13. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm according to claim 12, wherein the pressure protection device supports the diaphragm on a transfer chamber side of the diaphragm.

14. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm according to claim 13, wherein the pressure protection device engages a wall of the transfer chamber.

15. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm according to claim 12, the connecting assembly comprising a plunger extending to the transfer chamber;

wherein the pressure protection device is intermediate the plunger and the diaphragm.

16. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm according to claim 12, wherein the pressure protection device comprises a disk.

17. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm according to claim 12, wherein the pressure protection device comprises a flange.

18. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm according to claim 12, wherein the pressure protection device comprises a washer.

19. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm according to claim 12, wherein the pressure protection device comprises a molded ring.

20. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm according to claim 19, wherein the molded ring comprises a lip.

21. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm according to claim 12, wherein the pressure protection device mates with the transfer chamber when deformed.

22. A pressure protection device for a diaphragm according to claim 12, wherein the pressure protection device has stiffness greater than a stiffness of the diaphragm.