Diaphragm cartridge and pump having a diaphragm cartridge

Abstract

A diaphragm pump includes a diaphragm cartridge assembly. The diaphragm cartridge is a self-contained unit having a diaphragm defining a pumped fluid side and a hydraulic fluid side and a seat receiving the hydraulic fluid side of the diaphragm and having a center opening. A biasing rod mounts to the diaphragm on the hydraulic fluid side and extending through the opening of the seat. A valve guide at an extended end of the biasing rod and a valve spool slidably mounts on the valve guide. A biasing element engages the seat and the valve guide. The pump may also include valve cartridges including a combined inlet check valve and discharge check valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A diaphragm pump comprising:
 a diaphragm cartridge assembly;
 a diaphragm defining a pumped fluid side and a hydraulic fluid side; 
 a seat receiving the hydraulic fluid side of the diaphragm and having a center opening; 
 a biasing rod mounted to the diaphragm on the hydraulic fluid side and extending through the opening of the seat; 
 a valve guide at an extended end of the biasing rod; 
 a valve spool slidably mounted on the valve guide; 
   a biasing element engaging the seat and the valve guide.   
     
     
         2 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising an air bleed line at an upper portion of the seat in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid side. 
     
     
         3 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 2 , further comprising an air bleed device on the diaphragm assembly to facilitate air removal through the air bleed line. 
     
     
         4 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising an alignment element. 
     
     
         5 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 3 , further comprising an alignment element on the diaphragm assembly to align the air bleed device with the air bleed line. 
     
     
         6 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises a plurality of the diaphragm cartridge assemblies. 
     
     
         7 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises a crankshaft driving a plunger impelling hydraulic fluid against the diaphragm. 
     
     
         8 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising a leak detection system. 
     
     
         9 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising a check valve cartridge including an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve. 
     
     
         10 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 10 , further comprising a manifold including an inlet and an outlet. 
     
     
         11 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of diaphragm cartridge assemblies and a manifold including an inlet and an outlet. wherein the manifold includes a of check valve cartridges. 
     
     
         12 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 11 , wherein the manifold includes a plurality of check valve cartridges including an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve. 
     
     
         13 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of diaphragm cartridge assemblies is in fluid communication with an associated one of the plurality of check valve cartridges. 
     
     
         14 . A diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises a crankshaft driving a plurality of plungers impelling hydraulic fluid against an associated diaphragm of the plurality of diaphragm cartridge assemblies. 
     
     
         15 . A diaphragm cartridge assembly for a diaphragm pump comprising:
 a diaphragm defining a pumped fluid side and a hydraulic fluid side;   a seat receiving the hydraulic fluid side of the diaphragm and a center opening;   a biasing rod mounted to the diaphragm on the hydraulic fluid side and extending through the center opening of the seat;   a valve guide at an extended end of the biasing rod;   a valve spool slidably mounted on the valve guide;   a biasing element engaging the seat and the valve guide.   
     
     
         16 . A diaphragm cartridge assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the diaphragm cartridge assembly is a self-contained removable cartridge. 
     
     
         17 . A diaphragm cartridge assembly according to  claim 15 , further comprising an air bleed line at an upper portion of the seat. 
     
     
         18 . A diaphragm cartridge assembly according to  claim 15 , further comprising an alignment element.