Diffuser assembly

A diffuser assembly composed of two members and adapted to aerate a first fluid medium within which said diffuser assembly is contained while exerting pressure on said diffuser assembly, where:

• 1. the first of said members comprises a fluid chamber having means at one end thereof for connecting to a source of a second fluid medium under pressure, and at the opposite end a cover support having a flanged portion adapted to engage a cover,
• a. said flanged portion having a continuous annular portion and a peripheral edge which is provided with a plurality of radially projecting major segments separated from adjacent major segments by minor segments having a lesser radial dimension, and
• 2. the second of said members, engaging the flanged portion of said first member, comprises a flexible cover of uniform thickness throughout at least that portion thereof in contact with said continuous annular portion, an inturned rim which engages said peripheral edge, and a plurality of inwardly projecting webs joining said cover and said inturned annular rim,
• a. said webs being positioned within said second member such that during engagement of said first and second members each said web is radially aligned with one of said minor segments and lies between adjacent major segments, and that said diffuser assembly includes means cooperating between said first and second members to permit the release of the second fluid medium from said fluid chamber when the pressure thereof is greater than the pressure exerted by said first fluid medium against said second member.

A diffuser assembly composed of two members and adapted to aerate a first fluid medium within which said diffuser assembly is contained while exerting pressure on said diffuser assembly, where:

• 1. the first of said members comprise a fluid chamber having means at one end thereof for connecting to a source of a second fluid medium under pressure, and at the opposite end a cover support having a flanged portion adapted to engage a cover,
• a. said flanged portion having a continuous annular portion and a peripheral edge which is uniformly scalloped such that the said flanged portion is characterized by different radial dimensions varying between a full and a lesser radial dimension, and
• 2. the second of said members, engaging the flanged portion of said first member, comprises a flexible cover of uniform thickness throughout at least that portion thereof in contact with said continuous annular portion, an inturned rim which engages said peripheral edge, and that
• said diffuser assembly includes means cooperating between said first and second members to permit the release of the second fluid medium from said fluid chamber when the pressure thereof is greater than the pressure exerted by said first fluid medium against said second member.