Check valve cartridge for pump

Abstract

A pump includes a check valve cartridge removably mounted to the pump. The cartridge includes an inlet check valve and a discharge check valve. A connector mounts intermediate the inlet check valve and the discharge check valve. The inlet and discharge check valves each have a valve ball movable between an open position and a closed position, a valve seat engaging the valve member in the closed position, an inlet and an outlet. The check valve cartridge is threadably mounted to the pump or a manifold and is a self-contained assembly

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pump comprising:
 a check valve cartridge removably mounted to the pump comprising:
 an inlet check valve; 
 a discharge check valve; 
 a connector mounted to the inlet check valve and the discharge check valve. 
   
     
     
         2 . A pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the connector is intermediate the inlet check valve and the discharge check valve. 
     
     
         3 . A pump according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the inlet check valve comprises:
 a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position;   a valve seat engaging the valve member in the closed position;   an inlet; and   an outlet.   
     
     
         4 . A pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the check valve cartridge comprises a self-contained assembly. 
     
     
         5 . A pump according to  claim 1 , each of the check valves comprises a seal for the valve member. 
     
     
         6 . A pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the valve member comprises a valve ball. 
     
     
         7 . A pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the check valve cartridge is threadably mounted to the pump. 
     
     
         8 . A pump according to  claim 7 , wherein the check valve cartridge is mounted to the manifold. 
     
     
         9 . A pump according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of the check valve cartridges. 
     
     
         10 . A pump according to  claim 9 , further comprising a manifold forming a header, wherein the plurality of check valve cartridges mount to the manifold in fluid communication with the header. 
     
     
         11 . A pump according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the check valves comprises a limiter restricting travel of the valve member. 
     
     
         12 . A pump according to  claim 11 , wherein the limiter comprises a connecting pin mounting the check valve to the connector. 
     
     
         13 . A pump according to  claim 12 , wherein the connecting pin is releasably mounted. 
     
     
         14 . A pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises a diaphragm pump. 
     
     
         15 . A pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises a metering pump. 
     
     
         16 . A check valve cartridge for a pump, the check valve cartridge comprising:
 an inlet check valve;   a discharge check valve;   a connector intermediate the discharge check valve and the inlet check valve.   
     
     
         17 . A check valve cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein the connector is intermediate the inlet check valve and the discharge check valve. 
     
     
         18 . A check valve cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein each of the check valves comprises:
 a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position;   a valve seat engaging the valve member in the closed position;   
     
     
         19 . A check valve cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein each of the check valves comprises a limiter restricting travel of the valve member. 
     
     
         20 . A check valve cartridge according to  claim 19 , wherein limiter comprises a connecting pin mounting the check valve to the connector. 
     
     
         21 . A check valve cartridge according to  claim 20 , wherein the connecting pin is removably retained in the check valve cartridge. 
     
     
         22 . A check valve cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein each of the check valves includes a check valve ball. 
     
     
         23 . A check valve cartridge according to  claim 22 , wherein each of the check valves forms a seating surface for the check valve ball. 
     
     
         24 . A check valve cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein the check valve forms a fluid passage connecting to the header of the manifold 
     
     
         25 . A check valve cartridge according to  claim 16 , wherein the check valve cartridge comprises a threaded mounting portion.