US2576200A - Diaphragm pump - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 27, 1951 I R, VON ROTZ 2,576,200

DIAPHRAGM PUMP Filed May 6, 1949 B 2 V J ATTORNEY Patentecil Nov. 27, 1,951l

DIAPIRAGMPUMP Robert Von Rotz, MManhasset, N. Y., assigner to .The Dayton Pump =& `Manufacturing Company,

Dayton, Oho,a corporatiomof AOhio @exitation-Mays, 1949;-seria11N0."91mm `9 claims. (Chios-315e) 1 This Ainvention relatest-o diaphragmpumps, particularly `as used in `water systemsand thelike for the transfer of liquid from one place 'o'f storage to another.

Pumps fof `theclass-described `are characterized ley `a pumpingchamber with-*which-Jcheck valve controlled" inlet and outlet passagesrcommunicate, there being ka diaphragm in the `pumping lchamber `which i`s"`flexe`d 'inranapproximately reciprocablemotion to 'induce fluid -fl-ow between 'the inlet and "'outlet'passa'ges Athrough lthepumping'chamber. Efforts'to improve such pump-are 'usually directed tto the supporting vand "guiding vmeans for the "diaphragm"`and =to the Lactuating means therefor, 'with "the objects 'of "avoiding twisting and "chaiing ofthe diaphragm andgenerally 'of reducing the =`size, `weight and *costof manufacture of the 'pum-p.

It is broadly to these ends thatthe vinstant `invention 'is directed and itisthought that the designnb'jectives:havebeen achievedwith-`greater success than Ain similar pumpsiheretoforelknown. Toobtainapumpso characterized Ais a particular Vobj ect of `th`e`invention.

Another objectof the invention is `to enable `a 're1ati'vely""thin diaphragm to"be used,"with a correspondingincrease in pumping -einciencv In attaining this object is is'propo'sed to 'providean actuator guide bearing for the diaphragm f-extending axially through "the "pumping cham-ber andcomprising an actuator working uponflthe diaphragm 'from"o'ne "side 'thereof and an Lextension of `said actuator having"a"`bearing in the pump 'Ibo'dyon the opposite side o'fthe diaphragm. The Afunction of the extension bearing in inhibiting twisting 'and chai-ing` of the diaphragm 4makes possible the use of a thindiaphragm Heretofore, the diaphragm has been'made `relatively thick and heavy to`withstandv the veffects of distortion and 'chaiing A 'further object of 'the invention is to permit the use of a simplified reciprocatingdevice'for the diaphragm, as, "for example, a crank-A and "ec- Acentric mechanical movement, in conjunction with the'described extension bearing. 1t willbe appreciated that 'the extension `bearing will-ordinarily require an axial straightline movement of the actuator on the "opposite side-of `the"`dia phragm. To obtain' such straight line movement a Vmechanism considerably more elaborate and expensive than a 'crank andeccentric device is necessary, however, and the needfor su'chmechanism may negative the advantages gained from use A'of :the extension bearing. By this invention the Abenefits both off-the extension bearing and of the crank-land eccentric actuator-lmaybereallizedinthe sa'rne lp'ump, such oonstructioniloeing made ipossible, in f-part, aby the :provision fof ra fmovable'imounting @for @theextension bearing per- Amitting andcom-pensatingfor tnelslig-htlyarcuate motion in lthe movement of thecraHIcarm.

1Stillfanother-obje`ct l "of `theinventionJ -is to-1ar- 1range the "movablel mounting for thenextension bearing in such manner as ltol restrict the n`escape of pressure lffluid itliereby from f'the pumping chamber. l

still further-object ef-ithe inventionis topro- =vide #af *mounting rforithe` Jdiaphragm 1inhibiting Achanr-ig f and lateral-shifting thereof.

Other objectsfand lstructuraledetails of the invention will appearffromtheifollowingdescrip- `tion `-vvhen-rea'd inf'connectioni-fwith the faccom- -panying drawings, `wherein Fig.` A1 is --al Aytop lplanf View; l partly broken away, nf fa diaphragm -`pump face ordance with the 4invent-ion and n i Fig.i`2 is a view -`in -vertical :longitudinal section, taken-substantially *along the line 2-42 of IlFig.` l1-.

Referring -to the drawings-ia 1 diaphragm rl-pump in accordance Mwith -the `=present invention "may comprise* Afirst andi-second -body portions Hl and il held in abutting end. to end relation by cennection -screwsiitl `Body member l ll represents the base 1of the! Lpump,l having-a Hangei 3 Ato `-ioe bolted to asiiitable support, wwliile body ymember `H has -thefiormof armate-attached L-to-a'nd mounted on the'base. rIhe `bod-yor"loaseilllhas a pair lof vertically arranged lloosses "t4 and f5 spaced Aapartand interconnected lby a `web1f-I'6. The boss vI-"4 presents-anual? terminatingin-an annular space :1*8. s'iniila'rlbore I9 inthe-boss f! 5 Eterminatesina-'similar annular spiace `2 i. The bosses l LIFT #and fl9 function alternatively Aas `the inlet `and ioutletpassages of ithe* pump and are tapered {internal-ly, screw thre'adedat theiroute'r ends for kthe lmaking fof l appropriate l plumbing connections; as; `for example; by a connector 1212, tting 2-3 and Avpipe T214" shown I in communication 'with bore fl 1. 'Checklvalves-*mounted `infthebores il and i9 determine the function of theboi-'e'sfas dening #the inlet Eor lou-tiet. yIn reach noire, outwardlyo'fthe spaces -I"8 and 2l isl a` cup -5freceived therein lwith a'pressfit. `"Th tleottomnflthefcup is 'formed "with a plurality'lof iiiid .passing kpenings "-256 and-'isoverla'id by `-a rubberor y'rubleie'r-like disc lil *normally fclo'sing the openings. integral;` teat- 2 8 @centrally of" the l disc :is pressed into 'a centralopening in -thebottom offitlie cup and retainsltheidisc andfeupinioperati-ve relation while permitting 'outward fleiiue f'f: fthe fdiscYf-to 3 uncover the openings 26. The construction and arrangement of parts is such that uid pressure entering the open end of the cup 25 is applied through the openings 26 to the disc 21, deforming it to allow free ow through the openings. Reverse fluid flow is denied by the valve because the pressure is exerted in a direction to seat the disc 21 upon the bottom of the cup 25, closing openings 26. The check valves are reversely arranged in the bores I1 and I9 to achieve, in the illustrated instance, an inward direction of flow in bore I1 and an outward direction of ow in bore I9. Accordingly, bore I1 is the inlet passage and bore I6 the outlet passage.

The adjacent faces of the body base I and the body plate II have complementary recesses cooperating to define a cylindrical pumping chamber 29. Openings Bland 32 in the intervening wall between the pumping chamber and the annularspaces I8 and 2l communicate the chamber with the respective bores I1 and I9. The pumping chamber is vertically partitioned by a diaphragm 33 peripherally clamped between the abutting ends of members I0 and II in such manner as to provide for limited fore and aft flexure of that portion of the diaphragm within the pumping chamber. On the periphery of the diaphragm is formed a flange 34 which is received in aV ring shaped groove 35 in plate member II to inhibitv lateral shifting of the diaphragm.

The diaphragm seals Yol that end f the chamber 29 communicating with the inlet and outlet passages, and in moving through fore and aft motions alternately increases and decreases the volume of that end of the chamber. In conjunction vvith the check valves in bores I1 and I9, therefore, the diaphragm is eiective when moving in one direction to draw 4fluid into the pumping chamber through opening 3l and when moving in the opposite direction to force the fluid so admitted out of the chamber through opening 32. Resistant effects of vacuum and back pressure upon motion of the diaphragm are avoided by connecting the chamber 29 on the opposite side of the diaphragm to atmosphere through a port 30. Y g

Positive flexure of the diaphragm 33 is accomplished by connecting thereto a crank arm 36 operated by a power driven eccentric 31. 'Ihe eccentric 31 is secured to the inner end of a shaft 38 rotatably mounted in a bushing 39 arranged in a .transverse bore in a rearward extension of plate I I. The outer end of the shaft 38vprojects outside such bore for connection with a source of power, as, for example, through a sheave 4I fast on the shaft and driven from an adjoining electric motor (not shown). The eccentric 31 lies in a chamber 42 and is closely sur-mounted by the base end of crank arm 36. Lubrication of the bearing between the crank arm and eccentric is provided for by a passage 43 which leads through the shaft V38 from an annular lubricant reservoir 44, surrounding the shaft, to the periphery of the eccentric.

In response to rotation of shaft 38, and therefore of eccentric 31, the crank arm 36 has a reciprocating motion which while primarily axial necessarily incorporates an arcuate movement due to the action of the eccentric. The outer end of the crank arm -projects into the chamber 29 and abuts a rigid disc I5v one of which engages each side of the mid portion of the diaphragm. Registering central openings in the discs 45 and in the diaphragm permit passage therethrough of a 4 threaded stud 46 of reduced diameter integral with and constituting an extension of the crank arm. A nut 41 on stud 46 is turned up against the disc I5 0n the opposite side of the diaphragm with the result that the diaphragm is clamped to the crank arm and 'partakes of the motion thereof.

A stem 48 is integral with or otherwise secured to the stud 46 and constitutes a further extension of the crank arm 36. The stem extension passes through the chamber 29 and into a bore 49 in the web I6, which bore is greater in diameter than stem 48 and in the same horizontal plane as the shaft 38. The bore 49 is intersected by a second bore 5I at right angles to the first and in which is mounted a cylindrical bearing member 52 substantially closing bore 9 and presenting a transverse opening 53 receiving the stem extension 48 with a sliding fit. The mounting for the bearing member 52 is such as to permit free oscillation thereof. IThe bore 5I opens to the exterior of the pump and is ordinarily closed by a simple pipe plug 54.

The operation of the pump is largely self evident from the preceding disclosure. .It will be noted that advantage is taken o a simple crank and eccentric type of mechanical movement to reciprocate the diaphragm and that by the'inn stant invention such movement is utilized in connection with a bearing for the opposite end of the crank arm as represented by the stem extension 48. This is made possible by the construction and arrangement of thebylindrical bearing 52, which, being free to oscillate, permits and compensates for theV arcuate movement forming a part of the motion of the crank arm. Further', the bearing member 52 is arranged to inhibit or restrict the flow of pressure thereby from chamber 29.

The provision of such forward bearing for the crank arm serves a useful purpose in limiting twisting and chang Vof the diaphragm and so permits the use of a relatively thin diaphragm with correspondingly greater efficiency. As a further guard against such chai-lng, the mating edges of members I0 andV II in the periphery of theV pumping chamberV 29 are smoothly curved to avoid sharp edges which might cut into the diaphragm.

The greater eiciency of operation brought about by the structure of the invention is re- Vilected in a speed of operation and pumping capacity not ordinarily achieved in pumps of this kind. In a test installation, for example, the pump has been operated for a prolonged period at a speed of 900 revolutions per minute with a discharge rate of approximately 250 gallons per hour. Enabling and facilitating such high speed operation is the unique check valve construction and the very thin diaphragm. The valves 21 have an exceptionally quick opening' and closing action, due to inherent resilience and low inertia. The'diaphragm 33, being thin and of light Weight construction is readily flexed. Moreover', an action resulting from the constructionl and mounting vof the diaphragm has been observed in which an Vannular bead is formed in the diaphragm at the start of its fore and aft strokes, which in straightening provides a forceV for continued momentum of the diaphragm during those short periods of dwell in which the eccentric 31 does not exert an axial thrust upon the crank arm 36. As a result of this combination of eiects, and'perhaps for other reasons which have not yet been fully determined and analyzed, the

averaged 5, required throw wof the eccentric may be reduced and its speed of rotation increased. In the test installation mentioned, the ,developed eccentricity is only one-eighth inch for atotal vstroke `of one quarter inch. With Vfurther regard to the diaphragm, the short stroke contributes to `a minimizing of abrasive Wear thereon.

What is claimed is: f

l. A diaphragm pump, including a housing presenting inlet and outlet ports, ai'pumping chamber intercommunicating said inlet and outlet ports, a flexible diaphragm'insaidchamber, reciprocating means for said diaphragm including a crank having a stem portion extending through and beyond said diaphragm, and a bearing in said housing receiving said stem extension and mounted for rotary motion about an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of said stem extension.

2. A diaphragm pump, including a housing presenting parallel inlet and outlet ports opening through one end of said housing, oppositely disposed check valves in said ports, means dening a chamber in the opposite end of said housing, a flexible diaphragm partitioning said chamber into rst and second compartments, openings connecting said rst compartment to said inlet and outlet ports, an opening connecting said second compartment to atmosphere, a crank for reciprocating said diaphragm having a stem portion extending through said second compartment into cooperative relation with said diaphragm and a stem extension projecting from said diaphragm through said rst compartment, and a bearing member mounted for oscillating motion in said housing between said inlet and outlet ports receiving said stem extension.

3. A diaphragm pump, including a housing presenting parallel inlet and outlet passages opening through one end thereof, oppositely disposed check valves in said passages, a plate detachably secured to the opposite end of said housing, complementary recesses in said plate and its adjacent end of the housing dening a pumping chamber, communicating at one side thereof with said inlet and outlet ports and at its other side with the atmosphere, a flexible diaphragm vertically partitioning said pumping chamber and peripherally clamped between said plate and said housing, a power driven eccentric rotatably mounted in said plate, a crank arm reciprocable by said eccentric and extending int-o said pumping chamber into cooperative relation with said diaphragm, an extension on said crank arm projecting beyond said diaphragm, and a cylindrical bearing rotatably mounted in said housing between said inlet and outlet passages and having a transverse opening receiving said extension with a sliding fit.

4. A diaphragm pump, including a housing presenting parallel inlet and outlet passages opening through one end thereof, oppositely disposed check valves in said passages, a plate detachably secured to the opposite end of said housing, complementary recesses in said plate and its adjacent end of the housing defining a pumping chamber communicating on the housing side thereof with said inlet and outlet passages and on the plate side thereof with the atmosphere, a flexible diaphragm vertically partitioning said chamber and peripherally clamped between said plate and said housing, a power transmission shaft laterally carried by said plate and formed with an eccentric on its inner end, a crank arm mounted on said eccentric to be reciprocated thereby axiallyy of said diaphragm, said Lrm having a'limited rocking motion by reason of fits mounting-on `said eccentric, a stem on said crank arm operatively engaging said diaphragm `onfthe plate side thereof'and a rigid extension ofsaid stem projecting `beyond said diaphragm into the adjacent end of Said housing at a point between said inlet and outlet passages, and a cylindrical bearing mounted in said housing at said point for rocking motion in conjunction with therocking Amotion of said crank arm receiving said extension.

f5. A `diaphragm pump according to Aclaim l4 characterized in that said :cylindrical bearing -is arranged with its axis at 'right angles 'to fsad extension, having a transverse opening -to receive said extension, said bearing being located in intersecting bores in said housing, one of which admits said extension and the other of which provides for installation of said bearing.,

6. A diaphragm pump according to claim 5, characterized in that said cylindrical bearing is arranged substantially to close the former of said bores.

7. A diaphragm pump, including a body presenting inlet and outlet passages arranged in parallel spaced relation and opening through one end thereof, oppositely disposed check valves in said passages, a pumping chamber adjacent the inner ends of said passages, openings radially oiset with respect to the aXis of said chamber communicating said chamber with said inlet and outlet passages, a diaphragm arranged for flexure in said chamber to draw fluid into said chamber through said inlet passage, and to discharge it through said outlet passage, reciprocable flexing means for said diaphragm including a stem extending axially through said chamber and connected to said diaphragm centrally thereof, a bore in said housing to accommodate orne end of said stem, a second bore transverse to and intersecting the rst, and a cylindrical member mounted in the second bore and closing' said first bore, said cylindrical member having a transverse opening to receive said one end of the stem with a sliding fit.

8. A diaphragm pump, including a body presenting a pumping chamber, fluid inlet and outlet passages communicating with one end of said chamber, a diaphragm arranged for fore and aft flexing movement in said chamber to effect a ilow of iluid from said inlet passage to said outlet passage through said chamber, a reciprocable crank arm for ilexing said diaphragm, said crank arm entering said chamber from the opposite end thereof and comprising an extension portion passing through and beyond said diaphragm, a iirst bore in said body opening into said one end of the pumping chamber accommodating said extension portion, a second bore at right angles to and intersecting the first, a cylindrical bearing member mounted in said second bore in position substantially to close said iirst bore and presenting a transverse opening receiving said extension portion with a sliding fit.

9. A diaphragm pump, including rst and second body members arranged in end to end relation with the adjacent faces thereof complementarily recessed to define a pumping chamber, valve controlled iluid inlet and outlet passages in said rst body member opening into one end of said pumping chamber, a exible diaphragm vertically partitioning said chamber and peripherally clamped between said body members, a ilange on the periphery of said diaphragm and a oinplemntaryrecess in one of said body members locking said diaphragm against radial shifting motion, a reciprocable crank arm mounted in said secondrbody member, and extending into said pumping chamber into cooperative relation with Saiddiaphragm, said arm having a stem extension passing centrally through said diaphragm, means on said stem extension for clamping said diaphragm against axial motion relatively to said `crank arm, and a cylindrical bearing member mounted in said rst body member about an axis at right angles to said stem extension and having a transverse opening to receive said vstem extension with a sliding t, said bearing member being mounted for oscillation about its axis to permit and compensate for the introduction of arcuate motion in the movement of said crank arm.

ROBERT VON ROTZ.

imEEmsNoEsl CITE The following references are of Vrecord in the Viile of this patent:

UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number

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