Restrained, unattached, ultrapure pump diaphragm

Abstract

In one example, a fluid system component includes a first element and a second element, where one or both of the first and second elements are configured to be exposed to a fluid. The fluid system also includes a flexible diaphragm positioned between the first and second elements. Finally, the fluid system component includes one or more retaining elements, each retaining element having a first portion received in the first element and a second portion received in the second element. The retaining elements also extend through the flexible diaphragm.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid system component, comprising:
 a first element;   a second element, wherein one or both of the first and second elements are configured to be exposed to a fluid;   a flexible diaphragm positioned between the first and second elements; and   a plurality of retaining elements, each retaining element having a first portion received in the first element and a second portion received in the second element, and the retaining elements each extending through the flexible diaphragm.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid system component as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the retaining elements comprises a pin. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid system component as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second elements each comprise respective first and second complementary that are engaged with each other, and wherein a portion of the flexible diaphragm is held between the first and second complementary structures. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid system component as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid system component comprises a valve. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid system component as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid system component comprises a pump. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid system component as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the first element comprises a pump head, and the second element comprises a pump body. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid system component as recited in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first element, second element, retaining elements, and diaphragm is substantially constructed of plastic. 
     
     
         8 . A fluid pump, comprising:
 a pump body;   a pump head attached to the pump body;   a flexible diaphragm positioned between the pump head and pump body; and   a plurality of retaining elements, each retaining element having a first portion received in the first element and a second portion received in the second element, and the retaining elements each extending through the flexible diaphragm.   
     
     
         9 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the pump body, pump head, and the flexible diaphragm are substantially constructed of plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the pump head and pump body each comprise respective first and second complementary structures that are engaged with each other, and wherein a portion of the flexible diaphragm is held between the first and second complementary structures. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the retaining elements is located outside of a pump seal cooperatively formed by the first and second complementary structures and the flexible diaphragm. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the retaining elements is located within a pump seal cooperatively formed by the first and second complementary structures and the flexible diaphragm. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 8 , wherein one or more of the retaining elements is implemented as a pin, each pin having a first portion received in a recess defined by the pump head, and the pin having a second portion received in a recess defined by the pump body. 
     
     
         14 . A fluid pump, comprising:
 a pump body that defines a first complementary structure;   a pump head attached to the pump body, the pump body defining a second complementary structure configured to engage the first complementary structure;   a flexible diaphragm positioned between the pump head and pump body, a portion of the flexible diaphragm being positioned between the first and second complementary structures; and   a plurality of retaining elements, each retaining element having a first portion received in the first element and a second portion received in the second element, and the retaining elements each extending through the flexible diaphragm.   
     
     
         15 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the first complementary structure comprises a circumferential groove with a substantially V-shaped cross-section, and the second complementary structure comprises a circumferential ridge having a substantially V-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the pump body a threaded pump head mount, and the fluid pump further comprises a union configured to engage threads of the pump head mount and releasably retain the pump body, flexible diaphragm and pump head together. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the retaining element each comprise a pin that is located outside of a pump seal cooperatively formed by the first and second complementary structures and the flexible diaphragm, the pins being disposed about a circumference of the flexible diaphragm. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the pump head, pump body, flexible diaphragm and retaining elements are substantially constructed of plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the pump body comprises an additional pump head mount, and the fluid pump comprises an additional pump head mounted to the additional pump head mount. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the fluid pump is operable to pump a process fluid in response to receipt of a flow of a pressurized operating fluid. 
     
     
         21 . The fluid pump as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the flexible diaphragm comprises one of the following types of diaphragms: flat; blousing; pillow; trampoline; convolute; shallow draw; dish; “pie pan;” drop center; offset convolute; deep draw; “top hat;” double taper deep draw; bellows; and, double bellows.