Fully-draining diaphragm pump and check valve assembly
AssigneeMurzan, Inc.
InventorAlberto L. BAZAN
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fully-draining check valve with a mushroom assembly having a tapered back edge and a drain line disposed with the lower rim of the drain line below the tapered back edge to ensure no fluid becomes trapped in the check valve when not in use. Additionally, a fully-draining diaphragm pump is disclosed having a drain line configured to drain the lowest point of a product chamber to ensure no fluid becomes trapped in the diaphragm pump when not in use. A method of cleaning a fully-draining diaphragm pump and fully-draining check valve assembly is further disclosed comprising inducing turbulent flow of water, wash solution, and/or sanitizer through the assembly and opening ball valves the drain lines of the fully-draining check valves to vent the assembly.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a valve disc having a seating surface and a back surface opposite the seating surface;
- a valve body having a seat, the seat configured to receive the seating surface of the valve disc;
- a drain line coupled to the valve body at a drain line inlet;
- and
- a valve stem extending from the back surface of the valve disc;
- wherein a portion of the back surface extends at a continuous slope from the valve stem and terminates at the drain line inlet when the seat receives the seating surface of the valve disc.
An apparatus comprising:
- a valve disc having a seating surface and a back surface opposite the seating surface;
- a valve body having a seat, the seat configured to receive the seating surface of the valve disc;
- a valve stem extending from the back surface of the valve disc;
- a drain plenum defined at least in part by the back surface, the valve body, and the valve stem;
- and
- a drain line coupled to the valve body such that an inlet of the drain line is disposed at the lowest point of the drain plenum.
An apparatus comprising:
- a valve disc bound by a seating surface and a back surface, the seating surface and back surface meeting at a disc edge extending about the perimeter of the valve disc;
- a valve body having a seat, the seat configured to receive the seating surface of the valve disc;
- and
- a drain line coupled to the valve body at a drain line inlet, wherein the disc edge contacts a rim of the drain line inlet.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.