Pump and valve system

Abstract

A device ( 10 ) which can operate as a pump or a valve includes a pump chamber ( 31 ), a fluid inlet passageway ( 34 ) and a fluid outlet passageway ( 37 ). A valve assembly ( 40 ) is positioned between the fluid inlet passageway ( 34 ) and the pump chamber ( 31 ) and between the pump chamber ( 31 ) and the fluid outlet passageway ( 37 ). A drive member ( 17 ) carries a plunger ( 20 ) which carries a diaphragm ( 24 ) and, when the effluent fluid destination is above the source of the fluid, the drive member ( 17 ) reciprocates the diaphragm ( 20 ) in the pump chamber ( 31 ) to pump fluid from the fluid inlet passageway ( 34 ), through the valve assembly ( 40 ), into the pump chamber ( 31 ), through the valve assembly ( 40 ) and through the fluid outlet passageway ( 37 ). When the source of fluid is above the effluent destination, the drive member ( 17 ) may position the diaphragm ( 24 ) in the pump chamber ( 31 ) so that fluid will flow from the fluid inlet passageway ( 34 ), through the valve assembly ( 40 ), into the pump chamber ( 31 ), through the valve assembly ( 40 ), and through the outlet passageway ( 37 ).

1 . A method of moving fluid from an inlet, through a valve to a chamber, and from the chamber through the valve to an outlet comprising the steps of selectively reciprocating a diaphragm in the chamber to create the desired movement of the fluid when fluid motion is against gravity, or positioning the diaphragm proximate the seat for the valve to permit and control the desired movement of the fluid when the fluid motion is assisted by gravity. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of selectively positioning the diaphragm in contact with the seat of the valve to prevent fluid from moving from the chamber through the valve to the outlet. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of selectively reciprocating is accomplished by a linear actuator programmed to move the diaphragm a preselected amount to create the desired movement of the fluid. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of positioning is accomplished by a linear actuator programmed to position the diaphragm at a desired distance from the valve seat in the chamber at a preselected position to permit the desired movement of the fluid. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the valve seat is formed on a valve retainer and the step of positioning locates the diaphragm proximate to the retainer.