US 12,454,947 B2
Fluid pumping systems, devices and methods
Brian D. Tracey, Litchfield, NH (US); Larry B. Gray, Merrimack, NH (US); Jason A. Demers, Manchester, NH (US); James D. Dale, Milton, FL (US); N. Christopher Perry, Manchester, NH (US); Michael J. Wilt, Windham, NH (US); and Scott A. Leonard, Bedford, NH (US)
Assigned to DEKA Products Limited Partnership, Manchester, NH (US)
Filed by DEKA Products Limited Partnership, Manchester, NH (US)
Filed on Jul. 3, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/763,761.
Application 18/763,761 is a continuation of application No. 18/357,076, filed on Jul. 21, 2023, granted, now 12,044,229.
Application 18/357,076 is a continuation of application No. 17/128,667, filed on Dec. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,754,064.
Application 17/128,667 is a continuation of application No. 16/422,886, filed on May 24, 2019, granted, now 10,871,157.
Application 16/422,886 is a continuation of application No. 14/525,071, filed on Oct. 27, 2014, granted, now 10,302,075.
Application 14/525,071 is a continuation of application No. 13/657,628, filed on Oct. 22, 2012, granted, now 8,870,549.
Application 13/657,628 is a continuation of application No. 11/787,212, filed on Apr. 13, 2007, granted, now 8,292,594.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/921,314, filed on Apr. 2, 2007.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/904,024, filed on Feb. 27, 2007.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/835,490, filed on Aug. 4, 2006.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/792,073, filed on Apr. 14, 2006.
Prior Publication US 2024/0376882 A1, Nov. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. F04B 43/073 (2006.01)
CPC F04B 43/073 (2013.01) [F04B 43/0736 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A diaphragm configured for use in a reciprocating positive-displacement pump, the diaphragm configured to be interposed between a hemispheroid pumping chamber wall and a hemispheroid actuation chamber wall, which together define a spheroid chamber, thereby separating the spheroid chamber into a pumping chamber defined by the diaphragm and the hemispheroid pumping chamber wall and an actuation chamber defined by the membrane and the hemispheroid actuation chamber wall, the actuation chamber being configured to receive a control gas for pneumatically actuating the diaphragm to operate the pump,
wherein the diaphragm comprises:
a pre-formed hemispheroid membrane having a circular rim integral to the membrane and a dome-shaped portion of the membrane, wherein the dome-shape portion of the membrane has a variable thickness;
a smooth surface on a first side of the dome-shape portion of the membrane configured for facing the actuation chamber wall when assembled for use; and
an arrangement of bumps, dots, ribs or bars that comprise thickened regions of the dome-shaped portion of the membrane that stand above the surrounding surface on a second side of the dome-shaped portion of the membrane configured for facing the pumping chamber of the pump when assembled for use;
wherein the bumps, dots, ribs or bars are arranged to create spaces that prevent pockets of fluid from being caught and provide open passages for fluid flow from a periphery of the pumping chamber to an outlet of the pumping chamber even when a volume of the pumping chamber is at a minimum; and
wherein the diaphragm is made from flexible materials and configured to reciprocate from a position contacting the pump chamber wall to a position contacting the actuation chamber wall during a draw stroke of the pump and from the position contacting the actuation chamber wall to the position contacting the pump chamber wall during a delivery stroke of the pump.