Abstract: A pump assembly comprising an apparatus for reducing process noise manifest in a piping system. The invention introduces a pump pulse to counteract a negative dip in pressure when the reciprocating pump is at the completion of each pump stroke.

Abstract: A double diaphragm pump having a spool valve. The spool valve includes a housing that has a first end, a second end, and at least one housing aperture defined therethrough from the first end to the second end of the housing. The spool valve also includes end plates positioned at the first and second ends of the housing. The end plates include at least one plate aperture defined therein that is aligned with the housing aperture. The spool valve further includes at least one stiffening and retaining rod inserted through the plate apertures and the housing.

Abstract: A pump having a diaphragm positioned within a diaphragm housing comprised of an air cap and a fluid cap. The air cap and fluid cap include inner surfaces that cooperate to define a diaphragm chamber in which the diaphragm moves between a withdrawn deformed position and an extended deformed position. The inner surfaces of the air cap and fluid cap are designed to fully accommodate the movement of the diaphragm between its withdrawn deformed position and an extended deformed position. Finite element analysis is used to estimate the diaphragm's withdrawn deformed position and an extended deformed position.

Abstract: A pump having a diaphragm positioned within a diaphragm housing comprised of an air cap and a fluid cap. The air cap and fluid cap include inner surfaces that cooperate to define a diaphragm chamber in which the diaphragm moves between a withdrawn deformed position and an extended deformed position. The inner surfaces of the air cap and fluid cap are designed to fully accommodate the movement of the diaphragm between its withdrawn deformed position and an extended deformed position. Finite element analysis is used to estimate the diaphragm's withdrawn deformed position and an extended deformed position.

Abstract: A non-metallic pressure cap equivalent for a metallic pressure cap of a diaphragm pump, is provided the non-metallic pressure cap having a plate portion, a flange portion, and a wall portion located between and connecting the plate and the flange portions. The thickness of the flange portion of the non-metallic pressure cap is greater than the thickness of a flange portion of the metallic pressure cap. Also provided is a non-metallic pressure cap for a diaphragm pump, the non-metallic pressure cap having a plate portion, a flange portion, and a wall portion located between and connecting the plate and the flange portions. The wall portion has a thickness, tw, and defines a radius, r, on an outer surface transition between the wall and flange portions, the ratio between the radius and the thickness of the wall portion being defined according to the following equation r>⅓ (tw).

Abstract: A double diaphragm pump having a spool valve. The spool valve includes a housing that has a first end, a second end, and at least one housing aperture defined therethrough from the first end to the second end of the housing. The spool valve also includes end plates positioned at the first and second ends of the housing. The end plates include at least one plate aperture defined therein that is aligned with the housing aperture. The spool valve further includes at least one stiffening and retaining rod inserted through the plate apertures and the housing.

Abstract: A method for reducing ice formation in a gas-driven motor and a reduced-icing, gas-driven motor are provided, the motor having a housing with a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber. At least one partition is disposed in the housing and is reciprocally moveable therein responsive to a motive gas being alternately provided to and exhausted from the first and second pressure chambers. A motive gas conduit is disposed between and connects the pressure chambers such that, upon providing the first pressure chamber with motive gas and exhausting the second pressure chamber of motive gas, a portion of the motive gas is permitted to pass from the first pressure chamber to the second pressure chamber through the motive gas conduit. Also provided are a reduced-icing diaphragm and piston pumps having the reduced-icing, gas-driven motor according to the present invention.

Abstract: A method for reducing ice formation in a gas-driven motor and a reduced-icing, gas-driven motor are provided, the motor having a housing with a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber. At least one partition is disposed in the housing and is reciprocally moveable therein responsive to a motive gas being alternately provided to and exhausted from the first and second pressure chambers. A motive gas conduit is disposed between and connects the pressure chambers such that, upon providing the first pressure chamber with motive gas and exhausting the second pressure chamber of motive gas, a portion of the motive gas is permitted to pass from the first pressure chamber to the second pressure chamber through the motive gas conduit. Also provided are a reduced-icing diaphragm and piston pumps having the reduced-icing, gas-driven motor according to the present invention.

Abstract: A partially preloaded diaphragm having an outer attachment portion defining a first plane (P) and disposed about an axis substantially perpendicular to the first plane. An inner attachment portion is disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis of the outer attachment portion and defines a second plane (C). The inner attachment portion is movable away from the outer attachment portion into a fully extended pumping position defining a third plane (F). The first plane and the second plane are spaced at a distance to define a preload distance (PC) when the diaphragm is at rest, and the first and third plane are spaced to define a pump stroke distance (PF) when the diaphragm is fully extended. The preload distance is from about 25 percent to about 85 percent of the pump stroke distance.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump having an active feedback system is provided. The diaphragm pump includes a diaphragm pump having a housing including a pumping cavity. The pump cavity having at least one diaphragm dividing the pumping cavity into a first pumping chamber and a first pump actuating chamber. A rod is attached to and reciprocally movable along an axis with the at least one diaphragm with the rod including a ferromagnetic material. An induction coil disposed around the rod wherein relative axial movement between the inductance coil and the ferromagnetic material of the rod varies the inductance of the induction coil. Also provided is a diaphragm pump having an active feedback system in which the rod has an electrically conductive, diametrically tapered portion. A linear displacement sensor is disposed next to the tapered portion which induces a current in the tapered portion and generates an output voltage proportional to a relative position between the linear displacement sensor and the tapered portion.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump having an active feedback system is provided. The reciprocating pump includes a reciprocating pump having a pump chamber with a rod reciprocally movable along a longitudinal axis of the pump chamber, with the rod including a ferromagnetic material. An induction coil disposed around the rod wherein relative axial movement between the inductance coil and the ferromagnetic material of the rod varies the inductance of the induction coil. Also provided is a reciprocating pump having an active feedback system in which the rod has an electrically conductive, diametrically tapered portion. A linear displacement sensor is disposed next to the tapered portion which induces a current in the tapered portion and generates an output voltage proportional to a relative position between the linear displacement sensor and the tapered portion.

Abstract: A selectively bonded two-ply diaphragm for a diaphragm pump having adjacent first and second layers of the diaphragm which are selectively bonded at the interface between the layers in at least one attachment portion, which is adapted for attachment to a pump. A working portion is provided in which the first and second layers are free to move relative to one another at the interface. The attachment portion may include a central portion which is adapted for attachment to a diaphragm rod of a pump and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion which is adapted for stationary attachment to a pump housing. The working portion joins the peripheral portion and the central portion. Selective bonding of the diaphragm is by at least partially bonding or substantially bonding the first and second layers at the interface in the peripheral portion, the central portion, or both.

Abstract: A backup washer for clamping a diaphragm having a flexible washer disposed next to a rigid washer, the flexible washer including a material less stiff than a material of the rigid washer. The flexible washer may include an elastomer material such as rubber. A flexible washer having a varied stiffness profile may also be provided to the face by incorporating materials having different stiffnesses, contouring, or both. The rigid washer may include a metal, plastic, composite materials, or combinations of these and may also be bowed or ribbed. The flexible washer and rigid washer of the backup washer may mechanically fastened, bonded, or molded together. A diaphragm pump having a diaphragm which is clamped by at least one backup washer having a flexible washer which includes a material less stiff than the material of the diaphragm and a rigid washer next to the flexible washer which includes a material more stiff than the diaphragm material.

Abstract: A check valve cartridge for a fluid pump, the check valve cartridge including: a valve seat; a flap valve member seated on the valve seat, the flap member having a first portion movable toward and away from the valve seat; a bumper seated on the flap member, said bumper member for biasing the first portion of the flap valve member toward the valve seat. The check valve cartridge also including a stop member located on the bumper, between the stop member and the flap member; and fastening means for joining the base, flap member, bumper, and stop member to form the integral valve cartridge. The check valve cartridge is seated in a recess formed in the pump housing and is located between the pump housing and a flow manifold.

Abstract: A defined exhuast restriction in the form of an orifice or variable valve is provided to back-pressure the pulsating exhaust of an air motor or the like to reduce the formation of ice in the exhaust system.

Abstract: Insulation is provided in the form of wall insulation, piston or diaphragm insulation and/or piston rod and/or diaphragm washer insulation to increase the temperature in the working air chamber of an air motor of the piston or diaphragm type to reduce the formation of ice on exhaust.

Abstract: A pneumatic fluid flow limiting device which is pressure compensated and resets automatically when the pneumatic fluid driven device is shut off. Pressure compensation is accomplished by a vented differential diameter chamber and reset is accomplished by a bypass orifice in a spool valve which further may be variable in flow to accommodate different flow requirements for tool operation.

Abstract: A valve assembly for fluid pressure regulation provides freedom from static pressure creep by eliminating distortions and stresses normally introduced to valve parts during assembly of the regulator. A floating valve seat permits normal installation of a valve seat housing in the regulator body with no transfer of stress or distortion to the valve seat. Thus statis pressure creep, normally attributable to micro distortions of the valve seat, is avoided. Options are also provided to install the floating valve seat directly in a regulator body without the valve seat housing.