Gas metering diaphragm
AssigneeM&FC Holding, LLC
InventorLeland E. Gelnett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diaphragm for use in a gas meter that includes an expansion section having a series of convolutions. During repeated use of the diaphragm, the expansion section flexes to allow the center section of the diaphragm and the attached diaphragm disk to move between a retracted position and extended position. The convolutions formed in the expansion section include a series of curved peaks and curved troughs joined by web sections. The multiple convolutions in the expansion section allows for more consistent and repeatable movement and volume displacement of the diaphragm between the extended and retracted positions. The action of the convolutions also contributes to extended life by eliminating wrinkling of the diaphragm material.
Claims8
A diaphragm for use in a gas meter, comprising:
- a generally planar center section;
- a pair of diaphragm disks attached to the center section and positioned on opposite sides of the center section;
- an expansion section joined to the center section;
- and
- an attachment section joined to the expansion section, wherein the center section, the expansion section and the attachment section are integrally formed from a structural material,
- wherein the expansion section includes a plurality of convolutions formed in concentric rings, each of the convolutions including a plurality of curved peaks separated by a plurality of curved troughs wherein the plurality of curved peaks and the plurality of curved troughs are each joined by a connecting web, wherein the structural material is thicker in both the curved peaks and the curved troughs relative to the connecting web
- wherein the expansion section allows the center section to reciprocally move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the attachment section.
A diaphragm assembly for use in a gas meter, comprising:
- a support pan having an outer rim;
- a diaphragm attached to the outer rim, the diaphragm comprising:
- a generally planar center section;
- a pair of diaphragm disks attached to the center section and positioned on opposite sides of the center section;
- an annular expansion section joined to the center section;
- and
- an annular attachment section joined to the expansion section, wherein the center section, the expansion section and the attachment section are integrally formed from a structural material,
- wherein the expansion section includes a plurality of convolutions formed in concentric rings, each of the convolutions including a plurality of curved peaks separated by a plurality of curved troughs, wherein the plurality of curved peaks and the plurality of curved troughs are each joined by a connecting web, wherein the structural material is thicker in both the curved peaks and the curved troughs relative to the connecting web
- wherein the expansion section allows the center section to reciprocally move between an extended position and a retracted position relative to the attachment section;
- and
- a clamping ring extending around the outer rim of the support pan to secure the diaphragm to the support pan.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.