Backup washers for diaphragms and diaphragm pump incorporating same

Abstract

A backup washer for clamping a diaphragm having a flexible washer disposed next to a rigid washer, the flexible washer including a material less stiff than a material of the rigid washer. The flexible washer may include an elastomer material such as rubber. A flexible washer having a varied stiffness profile may also be provided to the face by incorporating materials having different stiffnesses, contouring, or both. The rigid washer may include a metal, plastic, composite materials, or combinations of these and may also be bowed or ribbed. The flexible washer and rigid washer of the backup washer may mechanically fastened, bonded, or molded together. A diaphragm pump having a diaphragm which is clamped by at least one backup washer having a flexible washer which includes a material less stiff than the material of the diaphragm and a rigid washer next to the flexible washer which includes a material more stiff than the diaphragm material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.