Diaphragmatic damper

A flow control device comprising:

• a first channel;
• a second channel;
• and
• a diaphragm positioned in a diaphragm section between the first channel and the second channel, wherein the diaphragm includes a first side and a second side that faces an opposite direction as the first side,
• wherein the diaphragm is configured and arranged to alternatively operate in both:
• a closed condition in which flow from the first channel to the second channel is impeded, and an open condition in which flow from the first channel to the second channel occurs,
• wherein the diaphragm is configured and arranged to change from the closed condition to the open condition when a force of a positive fluid flow through the first channel towards the first side of the diaphragm exceeds a combination of a gravitational force and a force of atmospheric pressure upon the second side of the diaphragm, and
• wherein:
• said first channel extends in a first axial direction;
• said second channel also extends in said first axial direction;
• an outermost peripheral edge of the diaphragm defines a single plane, when the outermost peripheral edge is considered in its entirety;
• and
• the outermost peripheral edge of the diaphragm includes a leading edge that faces towards the first channel and a trailing edge that faces towards the second channel, wherein the leading edge is positioned within the diaphragm section directly within a flowpath of the flow from the first channel;
• and
• further wherein:
• said diaphragm includes a concave contour in a central portion thereof, when considered from the second side, when said diaphragm is in the closed condition;
• and
• said central portion of said diaphragm changes to a convex contour, when considered from the second side, when said diaphragm is in the open condition.

A flow control device comprising:

• a first channel;
• a second channel;
• and
• a diaphragm positioned in a diaphragm section between the first channel and the second channel, wherein the diaphragm includes a first side and a second side that faces an opposite direction as the first side,
• wherein the diaphragm is configured and arranged to alternatively operate in both:
• a closed condition in which flow from the first channel to the second channel is impeded, and an open condition in which flow from the first channel to the second channel occurs,
• wherein the diaphragm is configured and arranged to change from the closed condition to the open condition when a force of a positive fluid flow through the first channel towards the first side of the diaphragm exceeds a combination of a gravitational force and a force of atmospheric pressure upon the second side of the diaphragm, and
• wherein:
• said first channel extends in a first axial direction;
• said second channel extends in a second axial direction, and further wherein said first axial direction is coaxial with said second axial direction;
• an outermost peripheral edge of the diaphragm defines a single plane, when the outermost peripheral edge is considered in its entirety;
• and
• the outermost peripheral edge of the diaphragm includes a leading edge that faces towards the first channel and a trailing edge that faces towards the second channel, wherein the leading edge is positioned within the diaphragm section directly within a flowpath of the flow from the first channel;
• and
• further wherein:
• said diaphragm includes a concave contour in a central portion thereof, when considered from the second side, when said diaphragm is in the closed condition;
• and
• said central portion of said diaphragm changes to a convex contour, when considered from the second side, when said diaphragm is in the open condition.