Pulsing purge diaphragm valve and related method

A method of purging a purge region of a diaphragm valve, the method comprising:

• injecting actuating gas into the diaphragm valve via a gas inlet, the diaphragm valve comprising:
• a valve cap provided with a plurality of process conduits extending therethrough, the valve cap having a cap interface, and each one of the process conduits comprising a process port opening on the cap interface;
• a valve body engageable with the valve cap and having a body interface adapted to face the cap interface and being provided with a recess, the valve body comprising a plurality of plunger passages extending therethrough, whereby the plunger passages open on the recess;
• a diaphragm positioned between the valve cap and valve body and having a process groove for circulating fluid therein, the process groove being shaped and sized to engage with the recess of the valve body;
• a plunger assembly provided within the valve body, the plunger assembly comprising a plurality of plungers slidably fitted within a corresponding one of the plunger passages, each plunger being movable between a closed position where the plunger engages the diaphragm and blocks fluid circulation along the process groove between two process ports, and an open position where the plunger is spaced from the diaphragm, thereby allowing fluid to circulate along the process groove;
• and
• an actuating assembly comprising the gas inlet extending through the valve body to allow injection of the actuating gas for moving the plungers between the open and closed positions, the actuating assembly further comprising a purging system, comprising the gas inlet, for purging the purge region located between the diaphragm and the body interface utilizing the injected actuating gas;
• routing the actuating gas along a purging circuit to reach the purging region;
• pressurizing the purging region;
• and
• releasing the actuation gas via a gas outlet to purge the purging region.

A diaphragm valve for gas analysis applications, comprising:

• a valve cap provided with a plurality of process conduits extending therethrough, the valve cap having a cap interface, and each one of the process conduits comprising a process port opening on the cap interface;
• a valve body engageable with the valve cap and having a body interface adapted to face the cap interface and being provided with a recess, the valve body comprising a plurality of plunger passages extending therethrough, whereby the plunger passages open on the recess;
• a diaphragm positioned between the valve cap and valve body and having a process groove for circulating fluid therein, the process groove being shaped and sized to engage with the recess of the valve body;
• a plunger assembly adapted to be installed within the valve body, the plunger assembly comprising a plurality of plungers slidably fitted within a corresponding one of the plunger passages, each plunger being adapted to selectively engage the diaphragm to control fluid circulation along the process groove;
• an actuating assembly comprising an activation system comprising an actuation screw operably connectable to the plunger assembly and being operable between an engaged position, where the diaphragm valve can be operated for gas analysis applications, and a disengaged position;
• and
• a storage mechanism comprising a set screw engageable with a first portion of the actuation screw for indicating that the actuation screw is in the engaged position, and a second portion of the actuation screw for indicating that the actuation screw is in the disengaged position.