Abstract: A method of facilitating the maintenance of a pump and for facilitating changes in the operation of a pump is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a pump including wear parts, a processor and a memory; sensing at least one operating condition of the pump indicative of the operation of the pump; generating pump operational data reflective of the sensed operating condition; storing the generated operational data in the memory of the processor; storing parts identification data identifying wear parts of the pump in the memory; storing at least one predetermined level of operational information; and operating the processor to compare the stored predetermined level to the stored operational data and in dependent response thereto outputting information as to the desirability of replacing or repairing at least one selected wear part or modifying the operation of the pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sound attenuator for pneumatic exhaust that includes a body having an open end and an inner cavity defined by an inner wall, an inlet port provided in the body adapted to establish fluid communication between a source of pneumatic exhaust and the inner cavity, a cap releasably connected to the body to cover the open end, at least one exit port in fluid communication with the inner cavity, a plurality of baffles arranged within the inner cavity so as to define a series of sequential closed chambers between the inlet port and the exit port, and a deflector proximal to the exit port, the deflector redirecting the flow of pneumatic exhaust at least 90° and cooperating with an exterior surface of the body to define an expansion zone. Each of the baffles has a periphery in contact with the inner wall and is adapted to flex under a predetermined pneumatic pressure load to permit the pneumatic exhaust to flow between the periphery and the inner wall of the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sound attenuator for pneumatic exhaust that includes a body having an open end and an inner cavity defined by an inner wall, an inlet port provided in the body adapted to establish fluid communication between a source of pneumatic exhaust and the inner cavity, a cap releasably connected to the body to cover the open end, at least one exit port in fluid communication with the inner cavity, a plurality of baffles arranged within the inner cavity so as to define a series of sequential closed chambers between the inlet port and the exit port, and a deflector proximal to the exit port, the deflector redirecting the flow of pneumatic exhaust at least 90° and cooperating with an exterior surface of the body to define an expansion zone. Each of the baffles has a periphery in contact with the inner wall and is adapted to flex under a predetermined pneumatic pressure load to permit the pneumatic exhaust to flow between the periphery and the inner wall of the body.

Abstract: A fluid powered diaphragm pump is provided which includes three means for supplementing the pilot valve signal to the main fluid valve spool. The means include a cross porting of the main fluid valve spool, or engineered orifices that communicate pressurized air being delivered to one of the inner diaphragm chambers of the pump to the main fluid valve spool by way of either the intermediate bracket or the pilot valve housing. Design features also include the location of the pilot valve assembly immediately below the pressurized fluid inlet cap and between the inlet cap and the main fluid valve assembly. Further, an integrated exhaust muffler is mounted directly to the main fluid valve housing and the main fluid valve housing includes a segmented sleeve assembly which makes it easier to service the main fluid valve assembly and, specifically, the main fluid valve spool.

Abstract: A governor for fluid powered diaphragm pumps is shown and described. At least one pump member or oscillatory member moves in response to the varying pressures in the inner chambers of the diaphragm pump. Thus, each pump member or oscillatory member moves at the frequency at which the pump operates. Each pump member pumps fluid through a hydraulic circuit. The fluid flowing through the hydraulic circuit moves a flow regulator disposed in the line that provides communication between the air or power fluid supply and the main air valve or main valve with a pump. In the event the pump operates too fast or at too high a frequency, the pump member or members will pump hydraulic fluid through the circuit at a sufficient flowrate so as to move the flow regulator to a position where it reduces the flow rate of power fluid to the main valve of the pump.

Abstract: An electric shifting mechanism for a fluid-powered diaphragm pump is provided. The shifting mechanism includes a controller programmed to switch the pump at timed intervals, a solenoid valve and an end of stroke valve. The end of stroke valve translates the pneumatic end of stroke signals generated by the pilot valve into electric signals. The electric signals are then transmitted to the controller. The controller sends timed switch signals to an operator of the solenoid valve. The operator shifts the solenoid valve which transmits a pilot signal generated from the compressed air supply to either the right or the left pilot signal port of the main air valve. The main air valve does not receive pilot signals directly from the pilot valve but, in turn, receives its pilot signals from the solenoid valve which receives signals from the controller. The controller receives end of stroke signals from the end of stroke valve which translates the pneumatic signals generated by the pilot valve into electric signals.

Abstract: A fluid powered diaphragm pump with an adjustable stroke is provided. The stroke of the pump is adjusted by providing an inner diaphragm plate assembly that includes a retractable piston. The piston is biased towards the inner plate by one or more standoffs that attach the piston to the plate. The bias of the piston is overcome by pressurized fluid that is communicated to a chamber defined by the piston and the inner plate. The fluid may be communicated to the chamber through the diaphragm rod. The inner diaphragm plate assemblies of both diaphragm chambers may be connected to different pressurized fluid supplies there enabling the stroke or capacity of the two diaphragm chambers to be controlled independently. As a result, the stroke or capacity of the two diaphragm chambers may differ.

Abstract: A fluid diaphragm pump is provided with a means for controlling the flowrate of fluid to the main fluid valve. Specifically, in the main fluid valve, a sleeve accommodates a sliding spool. The sleeve may include control orifices disposed at either end of the sleeve for controlling the flowrate of fluid past the spool to the outlet of the main fluid valve. The pilot valve housing may also include removable inserts for regulating the flow of fluid to the inlet side of the main fluid valve which results in a restriction of the flowrate of fluid to the main fluid valve. In both embodiments, the flowrate can be changed by either changing one or more components of the sleeve to increase or decrease the diameter of the control orifices or by removing the inserts in the pilot valve housing to either increase or decrease the diameter of the control orifices defined in by the inserts.

Abstract: A composite flexible diaphragm for a diaphragm pump. The diaphragm has a diaphragm body with an outer perimeter, a center axis, and first and second exterior surfaces. The body has a perimeter flange portion extending around the body adjacent the outer perimeter. The body also has a disc portion extending radially outward from the center axis. The body has a convoluted flex portion disposed between the perimeter flange portion and the disc portion. The composite flexible diaphragm has a first layer of a chemically resistant material defining the first exterior surface. The diaphragm also has a second layer of flexible material which is bonded to the first layer and defines the second exterior surface of the diaphragm. The first layer of chemically resistant material has a reduced material thickness in the area of the flex portion of the diaphragm body.

Abstract: A three-piece combination spacer and shim assembly is provided for an air operated diaphragm pump. The spacer/shim assembly is disposed between adjacent parts of the manifold assemblies of the pumps to alleviate dimensional stack up and misalignment problems associated with the manifold assemblies of air operated diaphragm pumps. The assemblies provide a seal between the spacer component and the adjoining flanges of the manifold components.

Abstract: A check ball valve seat assembly for a diaphragm pump is provided that includes an annular carrier plate which accommodates an annular seat member. The assembly is sandwiched between two components of a diaphragm pump, such as a component for providing a retainer for the ball component of the check valve and a retainer providing a backing support for the check ball valve seat assembly. The annular seat member sealingly engages the ball retainer component and the support component of the pump which prevents the fluid that is being pumped from coming into contact with the annular carrier plate.

Abstract: A two-piece diaphragm assembly for a fluid powered diaphragm pump is provided. The diaphragm assembly includes a key as part of a overlay diaphragm extending towards a recess in a backup diaphragm, for properly aligning the overlay diaphragm and the backup diaphragm during installation of the diaphragm assembly. The diaphragm assembly also provides an improved mechanism for attaching the inner plate of the diaphragm assembly to the outer plate of the diaphragm assembly. A method of installing a two-piece diaphragm assembly onto a fluid powered diaphragm pump is also provided.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a valve housing with a spool valve mounted for reciprocation within the valve housing, with a detent mechanism disposed on the spool valve and the valve housing for selectively locking the spool valve against reciprocal movement, and for providing an externally observable indicator of valve position. In an illustrative embodiment, the detent assembly of the present invention includes at least one detent pin disposed on the spool valve, with at least one guide flange disposed on the valve housing. The guide flange is adapted to at least partially surround the detent pin. At least one retaining clip is provided which is adapted for insertion through the guide flange to engage the detent pin. When the retaining clip is inserted through the guide flange and in engagement with the detent pin, the spool valve is locked into a predetermined stationary position, and cannot reciprocate.

Abstract: The fluid-operated, double diaphragm pump of the invention includes a central housing block having opposed side faces, and a pair of diaphragm housing end sections secured to opposite sides of the central housing block. The diaphragm housings define a pair of enclosures having a common central axis. Mounted in each of the diaphragm housings is a diaphragm that serves to divide each enclosure into an inner pumping chamber, defined by a side face of the housing block and the diaphragm, and a drive chamber defined by the opposite side of the diaphragm and, at least in part, by the inner surface of the respective end section. The central housing block defines inlet and discharge passages for the inner pumping chambers, the flow of material through the passages being controlled by one-way check valves associated therewith. In one embodiment of the invention, the pump also includes a connecting arrangement disposed externally of the pumping chambers.

Abstract: A modular check valve system includes a plurality of modular check valves all having a common stack height. The common stack height allows for a substitution of individual valve modules. The substitution capability provides an economical way to increase or decrease the flow area through the valve assembly by varying size of the ball within the check valve. Thus, the specifications of the pump can be relatively easily changed, either at the factory or in the field. The modular construction also permits the use of different types of valves (e.g. flap valves, poppets, duckbills, or trihedrals) without having to change any additional pump fittings. In one embodiment, the modular valve system of the present invention is described in conjunction with a pump having at least one fluid communication fitting adapted to receive a check valve assembly.

Abstract: A pump control interface for use in a diaphragm pump including at least one diaphragm adapted to move between a suction stroke and a discharge stroke during operation of the pump. A diaphragm follower is connected for movement with the diaphragm during operation of the pump. A sensor mechanism is provided for sensing at least the position and rate of movement of the diaphragm by sensing the position and rate of movement of the diaphragm follower. In one embodiment, the control interface is provided as a rod interconnecting two diaphragms of a dual diaphragm pump for synchronous movement. A plurality of conductive targets are disposed on the rod, and a proximity switch is mounted adjacent to the rod, in order to produce pulsed output signals when in proximity with the conductive targets.

Abstract: A piston-driven fluid pump including a drive chamber containing drive fluid and a drive diaphragm forming a wall of the drive chamber. The pump also includes a spill containment chamber disposed adjacent the drive chamber and containing drive fluid, with a pumping diaphragm forming a wall of the spill containment chamber. A pump chamber assembly is disposed adjacent the fluid containment chamber, and is in fluid communication with a source of fluid to be pumped. A selectively actuable piston pressurizes the drive fluid in the drive chamber, and a pressure compensation device, disposed in fluid communication with the drive chamber, provides selectively variable pressure relief to the drive chamber.