Diaphragm metering pump having a degassing system

Abstract

A diaphragm metering pump includes a pump body having a head portion including a suction side and a discharge side defining a flow path. A valve seat is arranged at one of the suction side and the discharge side, and a check valve is arranged at the valve seat. A degassing system includes a check valve actuator operatively connected to the check valve. The check valve actuator is selectively activated to unseat the check valve from the valve seat to allow gases trapped in the head portion to pass through the discharge side.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A diaphragm metering pump comprising:
 a pump body having a head portion including a suction side and a discharge side defining a flow path;   a valve seat arranged at the discharge side;   a check valve arranged at the valve seat; and   a degassing system including a check valve actuator operatively connected to the check valve, the check valve actuator being selectively activated to unseat the check valve from the valve seat to allow gases trapped in the head portion to pass through the discharge side.   
     
     
         2 . The diaphragm metering pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the check valve actuator is configured and disposed to act upon the check valve along an axis substantially parallel to the flow path. 
     
     
         3 . The diaphragm metering pump according to  claim 1 , wherein check valve actuator is configured and disposed to act upon the check valve along an axis extending at an angle relative to the flow path. 
     
     
         4 . The diaphragm metering pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the check valve actuator is configured and disposed to act upon the check valve along an axis that coincides with the flow path. 
     
     
         5 . The diaphragm metering pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the check valve actuator comprises a solenoid having a plunger. 
     
     
         6 . The diaphragm metering pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the plunger acts upon actuator pin that acts directly upon the check valve. 
     
     
         7 . The diaphragm metering pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the plunger acts indirectly upon the check valve. 
     
     
         8 . The diaphragm metering pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the check valve is integrally formed with the plunger. 
     
     
         9 . The diaphragm metering pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the check valve is detachably connected to the plunger. 
     
     
         10 . The diaphragm metering pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the check valve comprises a check ball. 
     
     
         11 . The diaphragm metering pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the check valve comprises a diaphragm valve. 
     
     
         12 . A method of degassing a diaphragm metering pump comprising:
 drawing a liquid from a liquid source through a suction side of a diaphragm metering pump;   passing the liquid from the suction side into a head portion of the diaphragm metering pump;   guiding the liquid through a check valve from the head portion to a discharge side of the diaphragm metering pump; and   initiating a check valve actuator to unseat the check valve allowing gases collected in the head portion to pass through the discharge side.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: sensing a parameter of the liquid passing from the discharge side of the diaphragm metering pump, wherein the check valve actuator is initiated in response to the parameter of the liquid passing from the discharge side of the pump. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the check valve actuator is initiated in response to passage of a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein initiating the check valve actuator includes activating a linear actuator having a plunger. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein unseating the check valve comprises guiding the plunger into contact with the check valve. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein unseating the check valve comprises creating a pulse of liquid through operation of the plunger. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein unseating the check valve comprises moving the check valve off a valve seat in a direction of flow of the liquid through the diaphragm metering pump. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein unseating the check valve comprises moving the check valve off a valve seat in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of flow of the liquid through the diaphragm metering pump. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein unseating the check valve comprises moving the check valve from a valve seat in response to an electro-magnetic force generated by the check valve actuator.