Diaphragm pump and related methods

A process fluid pump comprising:

• a first pump chamber configured to be actuated by a fluid pressure;
• a first inlet valve configured to actively control the ingress of process fluid to the first pump chamber and a first outlet valve configured to actively control the egress of process fluid from the first pump chamber;
• a substantially rigid first housing portion;
• a substantially rigid second housing portion;
• a substantially rigid third housing portion;
• a first diaphragm portion disposed between the first and second housing portions and cooperating therewith to at least partially define the first pump chamber;
• and
• a second diaphragm portion disposed between the first and third housing portions, the second diaphragm portion comprising a first and a second preformed actuation region, the first preformed actuation region cooperating with the first and third housing portions to at least partially define the first inlet valve, the second preformed actuation region cooperating with the first and third housing portions to at least partially define the first outlet valve,
• wherein the first preformed actuation region defines a convex shape when in a natural unstressed state, and wherein the first preformed actuation region is configured to transition from the convex shape to an oppositely directed concave shape while positioned between the first and third housing portions, and
• wherein the second preformed actuation region defines a convex shape when in a natural unstressed state, and wherein the second preformed actuation region is configured to transition from the convex shape to an oppositely directed concave shape while positioned between the first and third housing portions.