MXPA98004499A - Abrasive resistance diaphragm - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved diaphragm which will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, by preventing intimate contact between a flexion portion of the diaphragm and a non-flexible surface, this diaphragm being used in certain applications, wherein at least a portion of the diaphragm it moves in relation to, and is in contact with, a non-flexible surface, which would tend to abrade and excessively abrade the diaphragm by a constant deflection of the diaphragm during service, this diaphragm comprising: (a) at least one layer of an elastomeric material , at least one layer of elastomeric material being selected from the group consisting of EPDM, nitriles, neoprene, fluoroelastomers, and different mixtures thereof, having at least one layer of elastomeric material a first predetermined thickness and configuration, having the elastomeric material at least one ca internal pa of a fabric-type material, (b) at least a predetermined portion of at least one layer of elastomeric material that is disposed adjacent to the non-flexing surface, and includes a predetermined second thickness, at least a portion previously determined of at least one layer of the elastomeric material has a diameter substantially equal to the non-flexing surface, with the second predetermined thickness being greater than the first predetermined thickness, the previously determined portion of at least one layer of elastomeric material is disposed at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface and having the previously determined second thickness, being placed on a previously determined side of the diaphragm, whereby the intimate contact between the flexible portion of the diaphragm and the non-flexible surface is prevented; the second thickness previously determined is generally between approximately 0.635 millimeters and 1.016 millimeters larger than the first predetermined thickness, and (c) an aperture, having a predetermined diameter, formed through, and substantially in a diametrical center of, at least one layer of elastomeric material, and the inner layer of a fabric-like material and having at least a predetermined portion of said at least one layer of elastomeric material the second thickness previously determined

Description

ABRASION RESISTANT DIAPHRAGM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to diaphragms which are subjected to a damaging wear during service, due to abrasion caused by contact with surfaces of non-flexible type, which move in relation to these diaphragms when used in pumps and in pumping systems, and more particularly, this invention relates to diaphragms that have been modified to substantially reduce this abrasion and wear in the area of the diaphragm that is in contact with non-flexing surfaces, where it is more likely to present the wear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known in general, in the prior art, diaphragms are an integral part of pumps. In these applications, it is necessary that the diaphragms are flexible, in order to perform their intended function. However, the constant bending of certain portions of the diaphragm when the pump is used creates stresses on the non-flexing portions of the diaphragm that is attached to the pump.

In these types of pumps, there is a follower and flange that support the diaphragm and help secure it in place inside the pump housing. These areas of the diaphragm that are in movable contact with these followers and flanges, will normally exhibit more severe wear, and after prolonged use with constant bending of the diaphragm, will eventually crack and / or have wear holes through the diaphragm. When this occurs, the pump is out of service, until a new diaphragm can be installed to replace the worn diaphragm. In many cases, the rest of the diaphragm is still in a relatively good shape. It is primarily at the wear points of this diaphragm, caused by relative movement between the diaphragm and the follower and flange members, under normal circumstances, where the diaphragm will reveal major problems. However, diaphragm replacement is only one of the problems found by maintenance personnel. The location of many pumps is such that not only can they be very difficult to reach, but even after arriving at the pump, the job of replacing a diaphragm can occur, and often presents a real challenge. Therefore, the longer time that a pump can be kept in operation, without the need for service, represents a considerable saving, not only in the time of the maintenance personnel, but in the working time for any operation in which it is being used. the bomb. Any improvement in the diaphragm design that can significantly increase your life expectancy is a welcome improvement. The present invention specifically relates to improvements in the wear characteristics of a diaphragm at the aforementioned stress points, in the areas of the follower and the diaphragm flange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear. This diaphragm, which is used in certain applications where at least a portion of the diaphragm moves in relation and is in contact with a non-flexing surface, would tend to abrade and excessively abrade this diaphragm, by a constant bending of the diaphragm during the service. This diaphragm includes at least one layer of a flexible material. This at least one layer of flexible material is selected from the group consisting of EPDM, nitriles, neoprene, fluoroelastomers, and different mixtures thereof. This at least one layer of flexible material has a first predetermined thickness. The diaphragm further has at least a portion of at least one layer of flexible material disposed at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface. This portion of the diaphragm has a second predetermined thickness. The second thickness previously determined is greater than the first thickness previously determined. The at least one portion of the at least one layer of flexible material, it is arranged at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface, and has the second predetermined thickness placed on a previously determined side of the diaphragm. The diaphragm also includes an aperture, having a previously determined diameter, formed through, and substantially in a diametral center of, the at least one layer of flexible material, and the at least a portion of the at least one layer of material flexible, has the second thickness previously determined.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide an improved diaphragm that resists significant wear at least around the periphery of the follower and / or flange area, where this diaphragm is more susceptible to wear. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm exhibiting better wear, by increasing the thickness of the diaphragm in the area of the follower and / or the flange, in such a way that the follower and / or the flange do not remain in a rubbed contact with the portion of the diaphragm that is subject to flexion. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm which does not substantially affect the flexibility of the diaphragm, by increasing the thickness of the diaphragm at least in the area where it is secured to the follower portion and / or flange of the pump. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved diaphragm that is resistant to abrasive wear, and that is ready to be used after molding, without significant additional processing. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm that is relatively easy and economical to manufacture. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm that significantly reduces the lost time of the pump, where the diaphragm is used, thus providing greater productivity. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm that can be manufactured in a number of different sizes and from a number of different materials, without adversely affecting the operative operation of the diaphragm. In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention, which has been described in some detail above, other different objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in pumping systems, and more particularly, in diaphragms. used in these pumps, from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly when the detailed description is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a typical circular type diaphragm having a presently preferred embodiment of the invention incorporated therein. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the diaphragm, taken along lines II-II of the Figure FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENTLY PREFERRED MODALITY AND DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVE MODALITIES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION Before proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for clarity of understanding of the invention, identical components with identical functions Identical reference numerals have been designated throughout all the Figures in the drawing. Reference is now made more particularly to Figures 1 and 2. There is illustrated a currently preferred embodiment of the diaphragm, which has been designated as a general 10. As noted above, Figure 1 is a plan view. of the diaphragm 10, which shows the currently preferred basic form of a diaphragm 10. There is an opening 3 formed substantially through the diametric center of the diaphragm 10. The threaded end portion of a piston rod (not shown) passes through the opening 3 of the diaphragm 10, to flex the diaphragm 10 during the operation. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the circular diaphragm 10 through a diameter thereof. This view shows a composite type diaphragm in multiple layers 10, the first layer 2 being an elastomer, the inner layer 4 being a material of the fabric type, and the second layer 6 being also an elastomer. The first layer 2 and the second layer 6 can be the same or different elastomers. These elastomers are selected from a group consisting of fluoroelastomers, nitriles, neoprene, and ethylene-propylene-diene (EPD) monomers, and different mixtures thereof. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, these elastomers are bonded around the inner fabric layer 4. In this presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner fabric layer 4 is preferably a polyamide, such as nylon. This inner layer of fabric 4 provides the required amount of reinforcement for the diaphragm 10. As is evident in Figure 2, the second layer 6 has a raised portion 8, which is preferably made of the same material as the second layer 6. Accordingly, this portion of the diaphragm 10 becomes thicker than the remainder of the diaphragm 10. This raised portion 8 preferably has a previously determined diameter of between about 7.62 centimeters and about 10.16 centimeters. This diameter corresponds in general to the diameter of a follower (not shown). With the raised portion 8, this follower (not shown) does not come into intimate contact with the flexing portion of the diaphragm 10, and as such, does not wear on the outer surface of the second layer 6 of the diaphragm 10. The thickness currently The preferred portion of the raised portion 8 of this diaphragm 10 is between about 0.635 millimeters and about 1016 millimeters, and is normally sufficient to prevent the tracker from contacting the portion of the diaphragm 10 that flexes. The most preferred thickness of the raised portion 8 of this diaphragm 10 is between about 0.762 millimeters and about 0.889 millimeters. The raised portion 8 of the diaphragm 10 is preferably of the same material as the second layer 6. Additionally, because the diaphragm 10 is thicker in the portion of the diaphragm 10 that comes into contact with the follower by between about 0.635 millimeters and about 1016 millimeters than the rest of the diaphragm 10, it has been found that a significant increase in the number of operating cycles can easily be achieved. Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the first layer 2 includes a raised portion 12 that is preferably made of the same material as the first layer 2. This raised portion 12 is disposed on the opposite side of the diaphragm 10 from the side with the raised portion 8 of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. Although the raised portion 8 was in contact with a follower, and was placed on the fluid side of the diaphragm 10, this raised portion 12 is in contact with a flange (not shown), and is placed on the air side of the diaphragm 10. The raised portion 12 of this diaphragm 10 preferably has a thickness of between about 0.635 millimeters and about 1.016 millimeters, and this thickness is usually sufficient to prevent the flange member from contacting the portion of the diaphragm 10 that flexes. Accordingly, this portion of the diaphragm 10 becomes thicker than the rest of the diaphragm 10. The raised portion 12 preferably has a previously determined diameter of between about 7.62 centimeters and about 10.16 centimeters. This diameter corresponds in general to the diameter of a flange (not shown). With the raised portion 12, the flange (not shown) does not come into intimate contact with the flexing portion of the diaphragm 10, and as such, does not wear on the outer surface of the first layer 2 of the diaphragm 10. The raised portion 12 of the diaphragm 10 is preferably of the same material as the first layer 2. Additionally, because the diaphragm 10 is thicker in the portion of the diaphragm 10 that comes in contact with the flange by between about 0.635 millimeters and about 1016 millimeters that the remainder of the diaphragm 10, it has been found that a significant increase in the number of operating cycles can be easily achieved. When the diaphragm 10 with the raised portion 8 of the present invention was tested in the laboratory, to determine failures due to undesirable cracks or holes in the wear area, this diaphragm 10 exceeded 7 million cycles, and all of it did not exhibit any evidence of failure. By having the follower only in contact with the raised portion 8 of the diaphragm 10, and not with the flexing portion of the diaphragm 10, the abrasion resulting from the constant bending of the diaphragm 10, while in service, is markedly reduced, and significantly extends the life of the diaphragm. This raised portion 8, in a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, is on the fluid side of the diaphragm 10, while, in an alternative embodiment, the raised portion 12 is on the air side. Although Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a diaphragm 10 that includes an inner layer of fabric 4, it should be noted that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a diaphragm 10 that does not require the use of an inner layer of fabric 4. However, when the inner layer of fabric 4 is used in this diaphragm 10, the fabric is preferably selected from one of the different nylon formulations. The diaphragm 10, with a raised portion 8 or a raised portion 12, is molded as such, and therefore, no further processing is required other than perforation of the central opening 3 when the diaphragm 10 is removed from the mold. Although a currently preferred embodiment and an alternative embodiment of the present invention have been described in detail above, it should be understood that persons who are particularly skilled in the field related to pumping systems, and more particularly with the diaphragms used in those systems of Pumping, can make adaptations and / or modifications of the present invention, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (20)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the above invention, it is considered as a novelty, and therefore, the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, this diaphragm being used in certain applications where at least a portion of the diaphragm moves relative to, and is in contact with, a non-flexing surface, which would tend to abrade and abrade excessively the diaphragm by a constant deflection of the diaphragm during service, this diaphragm comprising: (a) At least one layer of a flexible material, this being selected, at least one layer of flexible material from the group consisting of EPDM, nitriles, neoprene, fluoroelastomers, and different mixtures thereof, this at least one layer of flexible material having a previously determined first thickness, and a previously determined configuration; (b) at least a predetermined portion of the at least one layer of flexible material is arranged at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface, and includes a second predetermined thickness, this second predetermined thickness being greater than the first thickness previously determined, the at least one predetermined portion of the at least one layer of flexible material being arranged at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface, and having the previously determined second thickness, being placed on a previously determined side of the diaphragm; and (c) an aperture, having a previously determined diameter, formed through, and substantially in a diametral center of, the at least one layer of flexible material, and having the at least one predetermined portion of the at least one layer of flexible material, the second thickness previously determined.

2. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the diaphragm further includes an inner layer of fabric.

3. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the inner fabric layer is nylon.

4. An improved nfragma that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the at least one portion of the at least one layer of flexible material disposed at least adjacent to the surface that is not flexes, and having the second thickness previously determined, is arranged adjacent to a follower.

5. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the at least one portion of the at least one layer of flexible material disposed at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface. , and having the second predetermined thickness, is disposed adjacent to a flange.

6. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the second predetermined thickness is generally between about 0.635 millimeters and about 1.016 millimeters greater than the first predetermined thickness.

7. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the second predetermined thickness is generally between about 0.762 millimeters and about 0.889 millimeters greater than the first predetermined thickness.

8. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least a portion of the at least one layer of flexible material arranged at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface, and having the second predetermined thickness, has a diameter of between approximately 7.62 centimeters and approximately 10.16 centimeters.

9. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the at least one portion of the at least one layer of flexible material disposed at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface. , and having the second predetermined thickness, exhibits in general a diameter substantially equal to a follower. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that at least a portion of the at least one layer of flexible material disposed at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface , and having the second predetermined thickness, generally exhibits a diameter substantially equal to a flange. 11. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the at least one layer of flexible material is EPDM. 12. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the at least one layer of flexible material is a nitrile. 13. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the at least one layer of flexible material is neoprene. 14. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the at least one layer of flexible material is a fluoroelastomer. 15. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the at least one layer of flexible material selected from the group consisting of EPDM, nitriles, neoprene, fluoroelastomers, and different mixtures of them, it is a mixture. 16. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the improved diaphragm further includes a predetermined number of openings formed through the at least one layer, closely adjacent to an aperture. external periphery thereof, to facilitate the assembly of the diaphragm inside the pump. 17. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined diameter of the opening is substantially equal to a diameter of a piston rod disposed inside the pump, and that it has at least one follower and one tab. 18. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that each of the at least one layer of flexible material and the at least one predetermined portion of the at least one layer of flexible material disposed at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface is selected from the group consisting of EPDM, nitriles, neoprene, fluoroelastomers and different mixtures thereof. 19. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 18, characterized in that one of each of the at least one layer of flexible material and the at least one predetermined portion of the at least one layer of flexible material disposed at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface is selected from one of the group consisting of EPDM, nitriles, neoprene, and fluoroelastomers, and an opposite of each of the at least one layer of flexible material and the at least one predetermined portion of the at least one layer of flexible material disposed at least adjacent to the non-flexing surface is selected from a different one from the group consisting of EPDM, nitriles, neoprene, and fluoroelastomers. 20. An improved diaphragm that will substantially resist harmful abrasive wear, in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the previously determined configuration of the at least one layer of flexible material is generally round. O O V