System for monitoring diaphragm pump failure
First Claim
1. A diaphragm failure monitoring system and apparatus, for detecting leakage in a diaphragm of a diaphragm pump, comprising:
- a) a pump having an operating chamber containing a working fluid and a pumping chamber for pumping material into and out of the pump and a diaphragm separating the operating chamber and the pumping chamber;
b) a first optic fiber joined to said operating chamber for transmitting an optic signal across said working fluid;
c) a second optic fiber joined to said operating chamber, in spaced arrangement from said first optic fiber, and without being connected to said first optic fiber at said operating chamber, for receiving said optic signal from said first optic fiber;
d) means for establishing a first electrical signal, corresponding to a minimum optic signal level of light attenuation, when the optic signal from said first optic fiber to said second optic fiber passes through the working fluid in an uncontaminated state; and
e) means for establishing a second electrical signal different from the first electrical signal, and corresponding to a higher optic signal level of light attenuation than the minimum optic signal level of light attenuation, when the optic signal from said first optic fiber to said second optic fiber passes through working fluid in a contaminated state, whereby leakage of a contaminating material, that is part of the material being pumped, into said working fluid through said diaphragm into said operating chamber can be detected when said second electrical signal is established.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diaphragm failure monitoring system for detecting leakage in a diaphragm of a diaphragm pump. The system includes a pump having an operating chamber containing a working fluid and a pumping chamber for pumping material into and out of the pump and a diaphragm separating the operating and pumping chambers. A first optic fiber is joined to the operating chamber for transmitting an optic signal across the working fluid. A second optic fiber is joined to the operating chamber for receiving the optic signal from the first optic fiber. An electric signal establishing device establishes a first electrical signal when the optic signal from the first optic fiber to the second optic fiber passes through uncontaminated working fluid. The electric signal establishing device establishes a second electrical signal when the optic signal from the first optic fiber to the second optic fiber passes through contaminated working fluid, whereby leakage of a contaminating material through the diaphragm into the operating chamber can be detected when the second electrical signal is established.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A diaphragm failure monitoring system and apparatus, for detecting leakage in a diaphragm of a diaphragm pump, comprising:
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a) a pump having an operating chamber containing a working fluid and a pumping chamber for pumping material into and out of the pump and a diaphragm separating the operating chamber and the pumping chamber; b) a first optic fiber joined to said operating chamber for transmitting an optic signal across said working fluid; c) a second optic fiber joined to said operating chamber, in spaced arrangement from said first optic fiber, and without being connected to said first optic fiber at said operating chamber, for receiving said optic signal from said first optic fiber; d) means for establishing a first electrical signal, corresponding to a minimum optic signal level of light attenuation, when the optic signal from said first optic fiber to said second optic fiber passes through the working fluid in an uncontaminated state; and e) means for establishing a second electrical signal different from the first electrical signal, and corresponding to a higher optic signal level of light attenuation than the minimum optic signal level of light attenuation, when the optic signal from said first optic fiber to said second optic fiber passes through working fluid in a contaminated state, whereby leakage of a contaminating material, that is part of the material being pumped, into said working fluid through said diaphragm into said operating chamber can be detected when said second electrical signal is established. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of detecting leakage in a diaphragm of a diaphragm pump, said pump having an operating chamber containing a working fluid and a pumping chamber for pumping material into and out of the pump and a diaphragm separating the operating chamber and the pumping chamber, comprising:
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a) transmitting an optic signal through said working fluid from one optic fiber to a second optic fiber that receives the transmitted optic signal; b) maintaining the first and second optic fibers spaced and unconnected to each other at the working fluid; c) establishing a first electrical signal corresponding to a minimum optic signal level of light attenuation when the received optic signal passes through the working fluid in an uncontaminated state; and d) establishing a second electrical signal corresponding to a higher signal level of light attenuation than the minimum optic signal level of light attenuation when the received optic signal passes through the working fluid in a contaminated state, whereby leakage of a contaminating material, that is part of the material being pumped through said diaphragm into said operating chamber can be detected when said second electrical signal is established. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification