MXPA99008480A - Diaphragm of prolonged pump resistance to desga - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a diaphragm used in pump applications in which at least a predetermined portion of the diaphragm is in contact with an external piston which will tend to abrade the diaphragm, the diaphragm is formed of at least one layer of pre-selected flexible material, The diaphragm consists of: (a) a flange-type external portion for securing said diaphragm with a pump casing, the flange-type outer portion having a first predetermined configuration, (b) a flexible annular portion, the flexible annular portion includes: (i) ) a relatively short, flat type first portion having a first end formed contiguously with said outer rim-like portion and extending around an inner periphery thereof, (ii) a first generally arcuate shaped portion having a first end formed contiguously with a second end of said first flat type portion, relatively short and extending and around an inner periphery thereof (iii) a generally conical shaped middle portion having a first end formed contiguously with a second end of said first generally arcuate shaped portion and extending around a periphery thereof, ( iv) a second generally arcuate shaped portion having a first end formed contiguously with a second end of said middle portion formed generally conical and extending around another periphery thereof, and (v) a second flat type portion, relatively short, having a first end formed contiguously with a second end of said second portion formed generally arcuate and extending around a periphery thereof, said flexible annular portion having a first predetermined thickness, essentially uniform; elongated bubosa portion contiguously formed with a second end of said second flat type portion, rela Short of said flexible annular portion and extending around an outer periphery thereof, the elongated bulbous portion has a second predetermined configuration: (d) an elongated section formed as a protrusion and extending outwardly only from an external surface. of the second, relatively short planar portion of said flexible annular portion, said elongated section being contiguously formed with the elongated bulbous portion and extending around an outer periphery thereof, said elongated section being formed as a protrusion in said second portion flat, relatively short type of said flexible annular portion causing said second, relatively short planar portion of said flexible annular portion to be thicker than the first predetermined thickness, said elongated section being formed as a protrusion in said second flat type portion, relatively short of said porc flexible annular ion less than one half of a thickness of said first predetermined thickness, said elongated section is in contact with one end of said external piston; (e) a generally planar central portion having a second substantially uniform predetermined thickness, the central portion generally planar is formed contiguously with the elongated bulbous portion and extends around the inner periphery thereof, and (f) an opening having a second predetermined diameter, formed through and essentially at the center of the portion diameter generally flat central to receive a piston rod

Description

FIRE DIAPHRAGM OF PROLONGED WEAR RESISTANCE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to diaphragms that are subjected to damaging wear during service, due to abrasion caused by contact with surfaces of non-flexible type that move with respect to diaphragms, when used in pumps or pumping systems and, more particularly, this invention relates to diaphragms that have been modified to substantially reduce abrasion and wear in the area of the diaphragm that is in contact with non-flexible surfaces, where wear is more likely to occur.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known 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 the proper function. However, the constant flexion of certain portions of the diaphragm when the pump is in use creates forces in the non-flexible portions of the diaphragm that are attached to the pump. In this type of pumps there is a counter-flange and P1703 / 98MX a flange that support the diaphragm and help secure it in place inside the pump casing. These areas of the diaphragm that are in mobile contact with these counter flanges and flanges will normally exhibit severe wear and, after prolonged use, with constant bending of the diaphragm will eventually rupture and / or have wear holes through the diaphragm. When this occurs, the pump is out of service until a new diaphragm is installed to replace the worn diaphragm. In many cases the remaining part of the diaphragm is relatively in good shape. It is mainly at the diaphragm wear points, caused by the relative movement between the diaphragm and the counterflange and flange parts, under normal circumstances, where the diaphragm will present major problems. However, diaphragm replacement is just one of the problems that maintenance personnel can encounter. The location of many pumps is such that not only is it difficult to remove them, but after arriving at the pump, performing the job of replacing a diaphragm can and often becomes a real challenge. In this way, the more the pump can be maintained in operation, without the need for service, it represents considerable savings in the time of the personnel P1703 / 98MX maintenance and "working" time for any operation for which the pump is used. Any improvement in the design of the diaphragm that can significantly increase its expected service life is a welcome improvement. The present invention specifically relates to improving the wear resistance characteristics of a diaphragm, at the aforementioned stress points in the counterflange and flange areas of the diaphragm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a diaphragm for use in pump applications, wherein at least a predetermined portion of the diaphragm is in contact with the external piston which will tend to abrade the diaphragm. The diaphragm is formed of at least one layer of pre-selected flexible material. The diaphragm consists of an external flange-type portion to secure the diaphragm to the pump casing. The outer rim-type portion has a first predetermined configuration. There is a portion of annular bending having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end of the flexible annular portion are generally flat. The flexible ring portion has a middle portion with silhouette P1703 / 98MX arched that forms contiguous with the first end and the second end. The first end of the flexible annular portion is contiguously formed with the outer rim-like portion and extends around the inner periphery thereof. The flexible annular portion has a first predetermined thickness, essentially uniform. A bulbous elongate portion is contiguously formed with the second end of the flexible annular portion and extends around the inner periphery thereof. The elongated bulbous portion has a second predetermined configuration. The diaphragm has an elongated section formed as a protrusion and extending outwardly from an external surface of the generally flat second end of the flexible annular portion. The elongated section is contiguously formed with the elongated bulbous portion and extends around the outer periphery thereof. The elongated section formed as a protrusion at the second generally flat end of the flexible annular portion causes the second end of the flexible annular portion to be thicker than the first predetermined thickness. The elongated section formed as a protrusion at the generally flat second end of the flexible annular portion is less than half the thickness of the first predetermined thickness. In addition, there is a central portion P1703 / 98MX generally flat having a second predetermined thickness essentially uniform. The generally planar central portion is contiguously formed with the elongated bulbous portion and extends around the inner periphery thereof. An opening, having a second predetermined diameter, is formed through and essentially at the center of the diameter of the generally flat central portion to receive the piston rod.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION Therefore, one of the main objects of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm that resists significant wear, at least around the periphery of the counter flange and / or flange area, where the diaphragm is more susceptible to wear. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm which will exhibit improved wear by increasing the thickness of the diaphragm in the counter flange / flange area so that the counter flange and / or flange is not in frictional contact with the portion of the diaphragm that is subjected to flexion. Additionally, another object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm which is P1703 / 98 X abrasive wear resistant and ready for use after molding without any significant additional processing. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm that is relatively easy and economical to manufacture. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm which significantly reduces the idle time of the pump in which the diaphragm is used, thus providing increased productivity. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved diaphragm that can be manufactured in several different sizes and materials without adversely affecting the operating performance of the diaphragm. In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention which have been described in certain details above, various objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the pumping system technology, and more particularly, in diaphragms used in those pumps, from the following detailed description of the invention, particularly, when the detailed description is taken together with the accompanying Figures and with the appended claims.

P1703 / 98MX BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OR FIGURES Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a diaphragm of prior technology. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of an external piston. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a diaphragm showing an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a diaphragm of Figure 3, showing one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CURRENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS MODALITIES ALTERNATIVE MODALITIES OF THE INVENTION Before proceeding to a more detailed description of the present invention, it should be noted that for purposes of clarity in describing the invention, the components with identical functions have been designated with identical numbers of reference in all the Figures. Figures 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views of a diaphragm as used in the prior art, Figure 2 includes an external piston. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a diaphragm, generally designated with the number 10, which shows the embodiment of the present P1703 / 98 X xvencxon. The diaphragm has an external flange type portion 16. The outer flange-type portion 16 has a first predetermined configuration and is used to secure the diaphragm 10 to a pump casing (not shown). In a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the first predetermined configuration is generally round. The diaphragm 10 has a flexible annular portion 14 having a first end 18 and a second end 22. The first end 18 and the second end 18 of the flexible annular portion 14 are generally flat. The flexible annular portion has a generally arched middle portion, which is contiguously formed with the first end 18 and a second end 22. The first end 18 of the flexible annular portion 14 is contiguously formed with the outer flange-like portion 16 and extends around the inner periphery of the same The flexible annular portion 14 has a predetermined essentially uniform first thickness A. There is an elongated bulbous portion 6 which is contiguously formed with the second end 22 of the flexible annular portion 14 and extends around the inner periphery thereof. The elongated bulbous portion 6 has a second predetermined configuration. In a modality P1703 / 98MX currently preferred of the present invention, the second predetermined configuration is elliptical. It is also preferred that the height of elongated elongated bulbous portion 6, taken from an axis that is parallel to an axis taken along the piston rod is greater than the thickness of the bulbous portion taken on the transverse axis parallel axis of the piston rod. The diaphragm 10 has an elongated section 12 formed as a protrusion and extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the second generally flat end 22 of the flexible annular portion 14. The elongated section 12 is contiguously formed with the elongated bulbous portion 6 and extends around the periphery thereof. The elongate portion 12 is formed as a protrusion at the second generally flat end 22 of the flexible annular portion 14, causing the second end 22 of the flexible annular portion 14 to be thicker than the first predetermined thickness A. In one embodiment of the invention, currently preferred, the thickness of the tapered, elongated section 12 is less than half, of the predetermined thickness A. The diaphragm 10 also has a generally flat central portion 2 having a second thickness B predetermined, essentially uniform. The portion 2 P1703 / 98MX generally flat is formed contiguously with elongated bulbous portion 6 and extends around the inner periphery thereof. There is also an opening 4, having a second predetermined diameter, which is formed through and essentially at the center of the diameter of the generally flat central portion 2 for receiving the piston rod. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongated section 12, which is formed as a protrusion and extends outwardly from the outer periphery of the generally flat second end 22 of the flexible annular portion 14, has a tapered portion. The elongate section 12 is thicker wherein the second end 22 of the flexible, generally arcuate annular portion 14 abuts the elongated bulbous portion 6, and is thinner at the opposite end of the second generally flat end 22 of the portion 14 flexible annular. Presently it is preferred that the elongated section 12 have a generally planar portion wherein the second end 22 of the flexible, generally arcuate annular portion 14 abuts the elongated bulbous portion 6 and then with a tapered portion at the opposite end of the second end 22 generally flat. When the diaphragm 10 is installed in a pump, the external portion or the fluid side of the diaphragm 10 is P1703 / 98MX secures the piston rod by an external piston shown in Figure 2 of the prior art. The inner surface or air side of the diaphragm is secured to the piston rod by an internal piston (not shown). The external piston is also referred to as an external counterflange or counterflange and the internal piston is also referred to as an internal flange or counterflange. As is evident from Figure 2 of the prior art, the external piston generally follows the silhouette of the diaphragm 10 as it extends through the generally flat central portion 2, has a portion enclosing the bulbous portion 4 and ends just outside the bulbous portion. When the diaphragm 10 is in operation and the flexible annular portion 14 is flexed, the outer piston contacts the diaphragm 10 in the area designated as the generally flat end 22 of the flexible annular portion 14. This area receives the greatest abrasive wear due to repeated contact and release with the external piston. In the currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the generally planar second end 22 of the flexible annular portion 14, generally arcuate, has been modified to include the elongated section 12. The thickness in this area increases unlike the diaphragms of the previous technology. In this way, the portion of the diaphragm that is exposed to the P1703 / 98 X greater abrasive wear becomes thicker, which allows the diaphragm 10 to better withstand the abrasion caused by the external piston. The embodiment of the present invention significantly prolongs the service life of a diaphragm. Although the elongated section 12 is designated as a separate section for the purpose of describing the difference with the diaphragms of the prior art, during molding, the diaphragm is formed as an integral part and not as a separate extension. It is evident that the thickness of the generally flat second end 22 of the flexible annular portion 14 is greater than the thickness A of the remainder of the flexible annular portion 14, because it has the thickness A plus the thickness of the elongated section 12. In one embodiment of the presently preferred invention, the thickness A is greater than the thickness B of the generally flat central portion 2. The diaphragm 10 is formed of at least one layer of pre-selected flexible material. The preselected flexible material is selected from the group including natural rubber, synthetic rubbers, EPDM and fluoroelastomers. The preselected flexible material may also include an inner layer of fabric as reinforcement. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the preselected flexible material includes the fabric reinforcement. I also know P1703 / 98MX prefers that the fabric reinforcement be nylon. It is within the embodiment of the invention that the diaphragm can also comprise two layers of two different materials bonded with an inner layer of fabric. While the currently preferred embodiment and alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various modifications and / or adaptations of the present invention can be made by persons skilled in the art related to pumping systems, and more particularly, with the diaphragms used in the pumping systems, without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

P1703 / 98MX

Claims (15)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following CLAIMS is claimed as property: 1. A diaphragm used in pump applications in which at least a predetermined portion of the diaphragm is in contact with the external piston that will tend to abrade the diaphragm, the diaphragm is formed of at least one layer of preselected flexible material, the diaphragm consists of: (a) an external portion type flange to secure the outer portion type flange with the pump casing, the outer flange-type portion has a first predetermined configuration; (b) a flexible annular portion, the flexible annular portion includes: (i) a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end of the flexible annular portion are generally planar; and (ii) a generally arcuate middle portion formed contiguously with the first end and the
2. P1703 / 98MX second end, the first end of the flexible annular portion is contiguously formed with the outer rim-like portion and extends around the inner periphery thereof, the flexible annular portion having a first predetermined, essentially uniform thickness.
3. I (c) an elongated bulbous portion formed contiguously with the second end of the flexible annular portion and extending around the inner periphery thereof, the elongated bulbous portion having a second predetermined configuration; (d) an elongated section formed as a protrusion and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the second generally flat end "of the flexible annular portion, the elongated section being contiguously formed with the elongated bulbous portion and extending around of the outer periphery of the same, the elongated section is formed as a protrusion at the second generally flat end of the flexible annular portion and causes the second end of the flexible annular portion to be thicker than the first predetermined thickness, the section elongated formed as
4. P1703 / 98MX a protrusion at the generally flat second end of the flexible annular portion is less than half the thickness of the first predetermined thickness; (e) a generally planar central portion having a second substantially uniform predetermined thickness, the generally planar central portion being contiguously formed with the elongated bulbous portion and extending around the internal periphery thereof; and (f) an opening having a second predetermined diameter, formed through and essentially in the center of the diameter of the generally planar central portion for receiving the piston rod. 2. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined configuration is generally round. 3. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 1, wherein the second predetermined configuration is generally elliptical. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 1, wherein the elongated section, formed as a protrusion and extending outward from the outer periphery of the second generally flat end of the flexible annular portion, includes a tapering portion. 5. A diaphragm used in pump applications,
5. P1703 / 98MX according to claim 4, wherein the elongated section formed as a protrusion and extending outward from the outer periphery of the second generally flat end of the flexible annular portion, is thicker where the second end of the The flexible annular portion abuts the elongated and thinner bulbous portion at the opposite end of the second generally flat end of the flexible annular portion.
6. 6. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 1, wherein the preselected flexible material is selected from a group including natural rubber, synthetic rubbers, EPDM, fluoroelastomers and various mixtures thereof.
7. 7. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 6, wherein the preselected flexible material is nitrile.
8. 8. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 6, wherein the preselected flexible material is neoprene.
9. 9. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 6, wherein the preselected flexible material is EPDM.
10. 10. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 6, wherein the preselected flexible material is fluoroelastomer. P1703 / 98MX
11. 11. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 6, wherein the flexible material further includes at least one fabric-like reinforcement layer.
12. 12. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 11, wherein the fabric reinforcement material is nylon. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm includes at least two layers of a preselected flexible material. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 13, wherein the first of at least two layers of the flexible material is selected from a first group that includes natural rubber, synthetic rubber, EPDM and fluoroelastomers and the second of at least two layers of flexible material is selected from a second group that includes natural rubber, synthetic rubber, EPDM and fluoroelastomers. 15. A diaphragm used in pump applications, according to claim 1, wherein the first predetermined thickness is greater than the second predetermined thickness. P1703 / 98MX SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a diaphragm for use in pump applications, in which a predetermined portion of the diaphragm is in contact with the external piston which will tend to abrade the diaphragm. The diaphragm is formed of at least one layer of pre-selected flexible material. The diaphragm consists of an external flange-type portion to secure the diaphragm to a pump casing. There is a flexible annular portion having a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end are generally flat and an arcuate middle portion is contiguously formed with the first end and the second end. The first end is formed contiguously with the outer rim-like portion. The flexible annular portion has a first predetermined essentially uniform thickness. An elongated bulbous portion is contiguously formed with the second end and extends around the inner periphery thereof. The elongated bulbous portion has a predetermined configuration. The diaphragm has an elongated section formed as a protrusion extending outwardly from the outer surface of the generally flat second end. The elongated section is formed "contiguously with the elongated bulbous portion and extends around the outer periphery thereof. P1703 / 98MX The elongated section causes the second end to be thicker than the first predetermined thickness. In addition, there is a generally planar central portion that is contiguously formed with the elongated bulbous portion and extends around the internal periphery thereof. P1703 / 98MX