Plate-type diaphragm pump and method of use

A method of controlling fluid flow by means of a plate-type diaphragm pump comprising:

• an inlet valve-member containing:
• a first inlet plate structure containing an integral first section of an inlet channel and a first valve-seat;
• and a second inlet plate structure containing an integral second section of the inlet channel and a flexible inlet element disposed between said sections of said inlet channel, said inlet element having a free end disposed to move off of and onto the first valve-seat to respectively allow and prevent fluid flow through said inlet channel;
• an outlet valve-member containing:
• a first outlet plate structure containing an integral first section of an outlet channel and a second valve-seat;
• and a second outlet plate structure containing an integral second section of the outlet channel and a flexible outlet element disposed between said sections of said outlet channel, said outlet element having a free end disposed to move off of and onto the second valve-seat to respectively allow and prevent fluid flow through said outlet channel;
• and
• a diaphragm member having a deflectable portion disposed for movement toward and away from a diaphragm-seat situated in a fluid chamber disposed between the diaphragm member and the inlet and outlet channels;
• wherein said first inlet plate structure, said second inlet plate structure, said first outlet plate structure and said second outlet plate structure are each in the form of a plate or a plate section;
• wherein said method comprises the steps of:
• introducing a first fluid into the first section of the inlet channel;
• and
• inducing a first actuating force sufficient to cause:
• the deflectable portion of the diaphragm member to move away from the diaphragm-seat, the free end of the flexible inlet element to move off of the first valve-seat, and the free end of the flexible outlet element to move onto the second valve-seat, so as to cause the first fluid to flow through the inlet channel and into the fluid chamber;
• and
• inducing a second actuating force sufficient to cause:
• the deflectable portion of the diaphragm member to move toward the diaphragm-seat, the free end of the flexible inlet element to move onto the first valve-seat, and the free end of the flexible outlet element to move off of the second valve-seat, so as to cause the first fluid to flow from the fluid chamber through the outlet channel.