Diaphragm pump using duckbill and other types of valves

• US 8,690,554 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2011
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xylem Ip Holdings LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Xylem Ip Holdings LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Inventors: Villagomez, Manuel, Meza, Humberto V., Phillips, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): FREAY, CHARLES GRANT
• Application Number:
  US13/183,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20130017110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 417/269, 417/560, 417/571
• US Class Current: 417/560
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/0045 with a number of independent working chambers which are actuated successively by one mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/026 each plate-like pumping flexible member working in its own pumping chamber
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/04 Pumps having electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/10 Valves; Arrangement of valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/147 the closure elements having specially formed slits or being of an elongated easily collapsible form
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7882 Having exit lip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7886 Internally extending mount

Abstract

A diaphragm pump is provided that features a valve housing configured with inlet openings and outlet openings; inlet duckbill check valve assemblies, each configured to be arranged in a respective inlet opening; and outlet duckbill check valve assemblies, each configured to be arranged in a respective outlet opening; each duckbill check valve assembly comprising: a duckbill check valve seat configured with an end having a slit to open to provide the fluid and particulate, and to close to prevent the backflow of the fluid and particulate; and a duckbill check valve support having a base portion configured to be inserted inside the duckbill check valve seat, and having a W-shaped portion configured with an opening to pass the fluid and particulate through the duckbill check valve support to the duckbill check valve seat and also configured to provide support for walls of the duckbill check valve seat in response to back pressure caused by the fluid and particulate.

Claims

1. A diaphragm pump comprising:

a valve housing configured with inlet openings and outlet openings;

inlet duckbill check valve assemblies, each configured to be arranged in a respective inlet opening; and

outlet duckbill check valve assemblies, each configured to be arranged in a respective outlet opening;

each duckbill check valve assembly comprising;

a duckbill check valve seat configured with an end having a slit to open to provide the fluid and particulate, and to close to prevent the backflow of the fluid and particulate; and

a duckbill check valve support having a base portion configured to be inserted inside the duckbill check valve seat, and having a W-shaped portion configured with an opening to pass the fluid and particulate through the duckbill check valve support to the duckbill check valve seat and also configured to provide support for walls of the duckbill check valve seat in response to back pressure caused by the fluid and particulate, the W-shaped portion comprising two end supporting arms and two raised intermediate supporting arms configured to form the opening to pass the fluid and particulate through the duckbill check valve support to the duckbill check valve seat and provide support for walls of the duckbill check valve seat in response to back pressure caused by the fluid and particulate, including back pressure up to about 80 PSI.

2. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the valve housing is configured with a valve housing chamber to receive the fluid from an inlet chamber via the inlet duckbill check valve assemblies.

3. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the valve housing is configured with a valve housing chamber to provide the fluid to an outlet chamber via the outlet duckbill check valve assemblies.

4. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein each inlet duckbill check valve seat is configured with the end having the slit to open to provide the fluid and particulate from an inlet side to a discharge side, and to close to prevent the backflow of the fluid and particulate from the discharge side to inlet side.

5. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein each outlet duckbill check valve seat is configured with the end having the slit to open to provide the fluid and particulate from a discharge side, and to close to prevent the backflow of the fluid and particulate from the discharge side to an inlet side.

6. A diaphragm pump according to claim 2, wherein the valve housing is shaped as a pentagon, and the valve housing has five inlet openings for providing the fluid and particulate from the inlet chamber to the valve housing chamber.

7. A diaphragm pump according to claim 3, wherein the valve housing is configured as a pentagon, and the valve housing has five outlet openings for providing the fluid and particulate from the valve housing chamber to the outlet chamber.

8. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the W-shaped portion is configured with outer walls to support walls of the end of the duckbill check valve seat.

9. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the duckbill check valve support includes two locating tabs or wings, and the base portion of the duckbill check valve seat includes two locating recesses arranged in its internal walls and configured to receive the two locating tabs or wings in order to axially align the duckbill check valve seat in relation to the duckbill check valve support in a proper orientation and at a proper depth, as well as to prevent the duckbill check valve support from being pushed out of the duckbill check valve seat due to back pressure.

10. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the duckbill check valve support is made of metal or plastic, the duckbill check valve seat is made of a pliable material, including rubber or a synthetic elastomeric material, or the combination thereof.

11. A diaphragm pump according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm pump is a rotary diaphragm pump.

12. A diaphragm pump comprising:

a valve housing configured with at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening; and

at least one inlet duckbill check valve assembly configured to be received in said at least one inlet opening;

at least one outlet duckbill check valve assembly configured to be received in said at least one outlet opening;

each duckbill check valve assembly comprising;

a duckbill check valve seat configured with an end having a slit to open to provide the fluid and particulate, and to close to prevent the backflow of the fluid and particulate; and

a duckbill check valve support having a base portion configured to be inserted inside the duckbill check valve seat, and having a W-shaped portion configured with an opening to pass the fluid and particulate through the duckbill check valve support to the duckbill check valve seat and also configured to provide support for walls of the duckbill check valve seat in response to back pressure caused by the fluid and particulate, the W-shaped portion comprising two end supporting arms and two raised intermediate supporting arms configured to form the opening to pass the fluid and particulate through the duckbill check valve support to the duckbill check valve seat and provide support for walls of the duckbill check valve seat in response to back pressure caused by the fluid and particulate, including back pressure up to about 80 PSI.

13. A diaphragm pump according to claim 12, wherein

said valve housing is configured with a plurality of inlet openings;

and

said at least one inlet duckbill check valve assembly comprising a plurality of inlet duckbill check valve assemblies, each configured to be arranged in a respective one of said plurality of inlet openings.

14. A diaphragm pump according to claim 13, wherein

said valve housing is configured with a plurality of outlet openings;

and

said at least one outlet duckbill check valve assembly comprising a plurality of outlet duckbill check valve assemblies, each configured to be arranged in a respective one of said plurality of outlet openings.

15. A diaphragm pump according to claim 12, wherein

said valve housing is configured with a plurality of outlet openings;

and

said at least one outlet duckbill check valve assembly comprising a plurality of outlet duckbill check valve assemblies, each configured to be arranged in a respective one of said plurality of outlet openings.