Flap valve for diaphragm pump

A flap valve for a diaphragm pump comprising:

• a body being configured to switch between an open position and a closed position, the body comprising:
• a front portion configured to sealingly engage with a valve seat, wherein the front portion faces a valve inlet portion;
• and
• a rear portion oppositely disposed from the front portion, wherein the rear portion is downstream a valve outlet portion, the valve seat disposed between the valve inlet portion and the valve outlet portion and comprising an opening between the valve inlet portion and the valve outlet portion;
• a self-centering hinge portion operably connected to the body, wherein the self-centering hinge portion translates about an x-axis and rotates about a dynamically changing longitudinal axis, wherein the dynamically changing longitudinal axis moves about a y-and/or z-axis;
• a stem portion operably connected to and extending from the rear portion;
• a retainer structure operably connected to the valve seat, wherein the retainer structure comprises a cavity configured to receive the self-centering hinge portion to rotatably fix the body to the valve seat at the self-centering hinge portion, and wherein the cavity has dimensions that are larger than dimensions of the self-centering hinge portion such that the self-centering hinge portion can float in multiple directions within the cavity of the retainer structure to sealingly engage the body to the valve seat;
• and
• a bias pad coupled to the retainer structure and on the rear portion of the body, wherein the retainer structure is disposed between the valve seat and the bias pad.

A flap valve for a diaphragm pump, comprising:

• a body configured to move between an open position and a closed position, the body comprising:
• a front portion configured to sealingly engage with a valve seat, wherein the front portion faces a valve inlet portion;
• a rear portion oppositely disposed from the front portion, wherein the rear portion is downstream a valve outlet portion, the valve seat disposed between the valve inlet portion and the valve outlet portion and comprising an opening between the valve inlet portion and the valve outlet portion;
• and
• a self-centering hinge portion operably connected to the body and operably connected to the valve seat, the self-centering hinge portion having a dynamically changing longitudinal axis, the body configured to translate about the dynamically changing longitudinal axis and simultaneously rotate about the dynamically changing longitudinal axis to close against the valve seat, wherein the self-centering hinge portion translates about an x-axis and rotates about the dynamically changing longitudinal axis, wherein the dynamically changing longitudinal axis moves about a y-and/or z-axis;
• a stem portion operably connected to and extending from the rear portion;
• a retainer structure operably connected to the valve seat, wherein the retainer structure comprises a cavity defined therein that is configured to receive the self-centering hinge portion to rotatably fix the body to the valve seat at the self-centering hinge portion, and wherein the cavity has dimensions that are larger than dimensions of the self-centering hinge portion such that the self-centering hinge portion can float in multiple directions within the cavity of the retainer structure to sealingly engage the body to the valve seat, the retainer structure having a gap defined therein to receive the stem portion;
• a bias pad operably connected to the retainer structure, the bias pad configured to apply force to the rear portion of the body against the direction of fluid flow, the bias pad being a flexible material;
• and
• a rigid stop structure operably connected to the bias pad, the rigid stop structure configured to limit rotation of the bias pad and the body,
• wherein the body, the self-centering hinge portion and the retainer structure are a single unitary piece.