Air operated double diaphragm pump with accessible features

Abstract

One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for an air operated double diaphragm pump with a selectably removable valve body for convenient repair and maintenance. The pump may include an inlet, an outlet, and first and second diaphragm chamber housings. Each first and second diaphragm chamber housings defines a diaphragm chamber. A valve body housing is arranged between the first and second diaphragm chamber housings. A valve body is arranged within the valve body housing, is in fluid communication with the diaphragm chambers of the first and second diaphragm chamber housings, and includes pilot signal ports, diaphragm chamber inlet ports, and chamber exhaust ports that are all accessible on a signal surface of the valve body. The signal surface may be on a same side of the valve body. To stabilize the pump during repair and maintenance, stabilizing feet may project from outer edges of the diaphragm chamber housings.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pump comprising: 
 a first pumping chamber housing and a second pumping chamber housing, each defining at least part of a pumping chamber; and   a valve body arranged between the first and second pumping chamber housings,    wherein each pumping chamber housing further comprises an outer edge and a plurality of stabilizing feet, wherein the plurality of stabilizing feet are extrusions off the outer edges of the pumping chamber housings, and wherein each pumping chamber housing comprises at least two stabilizing feet having substantially flat surfaces configures to provide two points of contact with an underlying surface and to stabilize each pumping chamber housing when on the underlying surface.    
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve body housing, the valve body arranged within the valve body housing, wherein the valve body is selectably removable from the valve body housing. 
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 2 , wherein the valve body comprises a polymer, and wherein the valve body housing comprises a conductive material. 
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 2 , further comprising a removable plate configured to be selectably removable from the valve body housing, wherein the valve body is selectably removable from the valve body housing upon removal of the removable plate. 
     
     
         5 . The pump of  claim 4 , further comprising a muffler assembly coupled to the removable plate, wherein the muffler assembly comprises a cover that encloses muffler features to the removable plate. 
     
     
         6 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve body housing, wherein the valve body is arranged within the valve body housing and is in fluid communication with each pumping chamber of the first and second pumping chamber housings, wherein a bottommost surface of the valve body is configured to contact and be supported by an inner lower surface of the valve body housing when arranged within the valve body housing. 
     
     
         7 . The pump of  claim 6 , wherein the valve body is selectably removable from the valve body housing. 
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the valve body comprises pilot signal ports, pumping chamber inlet ports, and chamber exhaust ports that are all accessible on a signal surface of the valve body, the signal surface being on a single side of the valve body. 
     
     
         9 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second pumping chamber housings each further comprise a diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm and the respective pumping chamber housings define at least part of the respective pumping chamber. 
     
     
         10 . A pump comprising: 
 a first pumping chamber housing and a second pumping chamber housing, each defining at least in part a pumping chamber;   a valve body housing disposed between the pumping chamber housings configured to be in fluid communication with each pumping chamber; and   a valve body disposed within the valve body housing, the valve body comprising: 
 a pilot valve bore housing a pilot valve assembly, and  
 a main fluid valve bore housing a main fluid valve assembly, the main fluid valve bore being different than the pilot valve bore, and  
 wherein the valve body is configured to be selectably removeable from the valve body housing, wherein the valve body is configured such that the pilot valve assembly and the main fluid valve assembly remain housed within the valve body during the selective removal of the valve body from the valve body housing.  
   
     
     
         11 . The pump of  claim 10 , wherein the pilot valve assembly comprises a pilot valve sleeve and a pilot valve spool, the pilot valve assembly configured to be selectably removable from the valve body. 
     
     
         12 . The pump of  claim 10 , wherein the main fluid valve assembly comprises a main fluid valve sleeve and a main fluid valve spool, the main fluid valve assembly configured to be selectably removable from the valve body. 
     
     
         13 . The pump of  claim 10 , wherein the valve body is a single component. 
     
     
         14 . The pump of  claim 10 , wherein each pumping chamber housing comprises an outer edge, the outer edge including a plurality of stabilizing feet radially spaced around the outer edge of each diaphragm chamber housing, the plurality of stabilizing feet configured to directly contact a surface to support and stabilize the pump during maintenance of the pump. 
     
     
         15 . The pump of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second pumping chamber housings each further comprise a diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm and the respective pumping chamber housings define at least part of the respective pumping chamber. 
     
     
         16 . A pump comprising: 
 a first pumping chamber housing and a second pumping chamber housing, each defining at least in part a pumping chamber;   a valve body housing disposed between the pumping chamber housings; and   a valve body disposed within the valve body housing and in fluid communication with each pumping chamber of the first and second pumping chamber housings, wherein a bottommost surface of the valve body is configured to contact and be supported by an inner lower surface of the valve body housing when arranged within the valve body housing, the valve body being selectably removable from the valve body housing and comprising: 
 a pilot valve bore housing a pilot valve assembly, and  
 a main fluid valve bore housing a main fluid valve assembly, the main fluid valve bore being different than the pilot valve bore.  
   
     
     
         17 . The pump of  claim 16 , wherein the valve body is configured such that the pilot valve assembly and the main fluid valve assembly remain housed within the valve body during the selective removal of the valve body from the valve body housing.  
     
     
         18 . The pump of  claim 16 , wherein the valve body is a single component. 
     
     
         19 . The pump of  claim 16 , wherein each pumping chamber housing comprises an outer edge, the outer edge including a plurality of stabilizing feet radially spaced around the outer edge of each diaphragm chamber housing, the plurality of stabilizing feet configured to directly contact a surface to support and stabilize the pump during maintenance of the pump. 
     
     
         20 . The pump of  claim 16 , further comprising a removable plate configured to be selectably removable from the valve body housing, wherein the valve body is selectably removable from the valve body housing upon removal of the removable plate.