Westinghouse Air Brake Company

Eldon S Eady

Howard D Huss

James Varney

Larry J Stephenson

An improved diaphragm substantially resistant to abrasive wear for use in certain applications in which at least a portion of such diaphragm is in contact with another surface which would tend to abrade such diaphragm, such diaphragm comprising at least one layer of a flexible material selected from a group including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, fabric reinforced rubber, plastic and mixtures thereof and an abrasion resistant polymeric material having a predetermined thickness. This abrasion resistant polymeric material is adhered to such diaphragm at least in the portion that such diaphragm is in contact with another surface and is subject to abrasion. This type of abrasion generally occurs in the flange area of the diaphragm.

Abrasion resistant plastic bonded to a diaphragm

The present invention provides a lightweight sleeve and spool arrangement for use in certain pumps. Such lightweight sleeve and spool arrangement comprises a sleeve having a predetermined number of apertures and having a predetermined interior diameter. The sleeve is formed from a first predetermined plastic material selected from a group consisting of nylons, acetals, polysulfones, polyesters, polyetherimides and polyamide-imines. There is also a spool that has a predetermined configuration and a predetermined exterior diameter. Such predetermined exterior diameter being about 0.0005 inches smaller than the predetermined interior diameter of such sleeve. The spool is formed from a second predetermined plastic material selected from a group consisting of nylons, acetals, polysulfones, polyesters, polyetherimides and polyamide-imines.

Lightweight sleeve and spool arrangement for use in diaphragm pumps

A combination pump diaphragm and outer piston arrangement used in certain pump applications in which at least a portion of such diaphragm is in contact with an outer piston which would tend to abrade the diaphragm. The combination comprises a diaphragm member which includes a generally flat portion, a generally flexure annular portion and an enlarged bead like wear ring portion disposed intermediate such generally flat portion and such generally flexure annular portion. Such bead like wear ring portion has a first predetermined diameter and a predetermined configuration. The outer periphery of such diaphragm member is secured to a pump housing. An outer piston member is disposed for securing such diaphragm member to a piston rod of a pump. Such outer piston member includes a generally flat portion contacting such generally flat portion of such diaphragm member and an arcuate portion contacting such enlarged bead like wear ring portion. The outer piston member does not extend beyond the predetermined configuration of the enlarged bead like wear ring portion of such diaphragm member.

Wear ring for diaphragm and outer piston

An insert member for use in a flexible diaphragm portion of a pump which enables such flexible diaphragm portion of such pump to be provided with a substantially uniform non-obtrusive surface area that will be positioned in such pump for intimate contact with a material to be pumped. Such insert member includes a first disc-like portion having both a first predetermined size and a first predetermined configuration. There is also a second disc-like portion having both a second predetermined size and a second predetermined configuration. The second disc-like portion is secured adjacent one surface thereof to a first surface of the first disc-like portion and such second disc-like portion extends from the first surface of such first disc-like portion for a predetermined distance. This second disc-like portion is disposed substantially in a center portion of the first surface of such first disc-like portion. A plurality of apertures are formed through the first disc-like portion which have a third predetermined size and a third predetermined configuration. This plurality of apertures provides an overall predetermined open area through the first disc-like portion for receiving a rubber compound therein and thereby significantly improve bonding of the improved insert type member to such flexible diaphragm portion of such pump. A securing means is engageable at least with the second disc-like portion for securing the insert member to an elongated piston rod-like member disposed for reciprocal movement within such pump.

Insert type member for use in a flexible type pump diaphragm

Inert plastic coated flexible diaphragm for sanitary pump applications includes a first body portion, disposed in center of diaphragm, which is relatively thick and exhibits a first degree of flexibility. A second body portion is formed contiguously with the first body portion and extends around periphery thereof. The second body portion is relatively thin, compared to the first body portion, and exhibits a second degree of flexibility greater than the first degree of flexibility. A sealing bead-like member is formed contiguously with such second body portion and extends around periphery thereof for sealing the flexible diaphragm in an operating position within a housing portion of such pump. A flexible plastic layer is adhered to each surface of the first body portion, the second body portion and such sealing bead-like member which will come into intimate contact with a material to be pumped. Such plastic layer having a substantially uniform thickness. An insert member is embedded within the first body portion to enable the inert plastic coated flexible type diaphragm to be connected to a rod-like piston member disposed for reciprocal movement within such pump.

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Greensburg, PA, United States of America

Eldon S Eady