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Diaphragm pump for the transport of liquidsRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Motor Driven, Fluid Motor, Common Pumping And Motor Working Member, Collapsible Common Member, DiaphragmDiaphragm pump for the transport of liquids description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070065305, Diaphragm pump for the transport of liquids. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the priority of International PCT Application No. PCT/EP2005/010018, filed Sep. 16, 2005, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d). This application also claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. provisional Application Ser. No. 60/725,943, filed Oct. 12, 2005, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a diaphragm pump for the transport of liquids. [0003] Nothing in the following discussion of the state of the art is to be construed as an admission of prior art. [0004] German utility model DE 33 10 131 A1 describes a diaphragm pump in the form of a double-diaphragm pump, having a pump housing which includes two product chambers and two pressure chambers which are respectively separated from one another by a diaphragm. The diaphragms are connected together by a common coupling rod which is guided through the two pressure chambers. When the pump is operated, compressed air is conducted alternatingly into one of the two pressure chambers, whereby the diaphragm of the pressure chamber being acted upon executes a discharge stroke into the adjacent product chamber, and the second diaphragm executes a suction stroke as a consequence of the linkage via the coupling rod. The pressure chambers are alternatingly acted upon and exhausted through provision of a control valve device which is disposed in parallel relationship to the coupling rod and cyclically clears individual control orifices. [0005] When using diaphragm pumps in a sterile environment, for example in the pharmaceutical field or in biochemistry, stringent standards must be met. A precondition is that the pump can be completely emptied of any liquid before shutdown to prevent any residues of liquid, and the pump can be thoroughly purged with a flushing liquid. [0006] It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved diaphragm pump to obviate prior art shortcomings and to allow a complete drainage and purging of the pump. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a diaphragm pump includes passageways for conduction of a liquid, and check valves for controlling a flow of liquid through the passageways, wherein the passageways have liquid-conducting surfaces which are all of slanted configuration. [0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a diaphragm pump includes passageways for conduction of a liquid, and check valves for controlling a flow of liquid through the passageways, wherein the passageways have liquid-conducting surfaces, with all neighboring liquid-conducting surfaces being at least partially connected to one another in a gradual manner. [0009] According to still another aspect of the present invention, a diaphragm pump includes a check valve having a shutoff element for controlling a flow of liquid through a valve seat, and a device for random lifting of the shutoff element off the valve seat independently of a pressure state of the pump, with the device being constructed to generate a magnetic field for interaction with the shutoff element. [0010] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a diaphragm pump includes at least one pumping chamber intended for a liquid to be conveyed and fluidly communicating with an inlet and an outlet for intake and discharge of liquid, a pressure chamber, and a diaphragm which separates the pumping chamber from the pressure chamber, wherein the inlet and/or the outlet is/are shaped in such a manner as to produce a direct contact flow upon at least one portion of the diaphragm and/or a marginal zone of the pumping chamber. [0011] To ensure clarity, it is necessary to establish the definition of several important terms and expressions that will be used throughout this disclosure. [0012] The term "all" in connection with the surfaces is to be understood as relating to at least those surfaces which come into contact with the liquid. [0013] The term "slanted" relates, when the pump is operative, to a surface disposition which is not perpendicular to the direction of the gravitational force or a force resulting from the gravitational force and a further force. [0014] The term "liquid-conducting surface" relates to a surface which comes into contact with the liquid as a result of the gravitational force or a force resulting from the gravitational force and a further force, and thus represents the lower boundary surface or the lower surface segment (when a circular cross section is involved for example) of a chamber or line conducting the liquid. [0015] The term "gradual" relates in particular to even transitions without any recognizable abutting edges; still, this term may also cover any bump that does not require a movement by the liquid in opposition to the gravitational force as the liquid flows through the pump. As a result of the provision of a gradual transition, residual liquid is prevented from settling upon any steps or elevations during drainage of the pump and from remaining in the pump. Valve seats of check valves in conventional pumps typically exhibit such steps where liquid is able to settle. [0016] According to another feature of the present invention, not only the liquid-conducting surfaces of the diaphragm pump may be constructed slanted but any surface that comes into contact with the liquid. [0017] Furthermore, the liquid being conveyed can flow against the product chamber(s) from the inlet and/or outlet of the respective product chamber in such a manner that a direct contact flow is generated upon at least one portion of the diaphragm and/or a marginal zone of the product chamber. In this way, the effectiveness of the purging process with flushing liquid can be improved during operation of the pump. [0018] The term "direct contact flow" as used in the following description relates to a liquid flow which is targeted within the product chamber in particular upon certain areas which undergo little liquid exchange during purging. These areas are oftentimes encountered in the marginal zones of the product chamber(s) and in particular at the connection areas where the diaphragm is clamped to the housing of the product chamber(s). [0019] The direct contact flow is thus different from a tangential flow in which the liquid is conducted at an acute angle in relation to a diaphragm surface from the inlet and/or outlet into the pumping chamber. A tangential flow is unsuitable to reach all areas. In contrast thereto, a direct contact flow in accordance with the present invention allows a routing of any cleansing medium (flushing agent) in a targeted manner to reach all areas. [0020] According to another feature of the present invention, all areas within a product chamber can be contacted by inflowing liquid at an angle of 90.degree..+-.20.degree., preferably of 90.degree./10.degree., and currently preferred of 90.degree..+-.5.degree., (relating to the entire area). This provides for an especially effective purging of these areas by generating turbulences within the liquid flow to positively affect the liquid exchange. [0021] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a check valve for application in a pump includes a valve housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion, with the first housing portion being defined by an inside dimension which is smaller than an inside dimension of the second housing portion, with the valve housing forming a valve seat at a contact area of the housing portions, wherein the housing portions are disposed in offset relationship such that a transition between the housing portions is gradual in a region of the valve seat, and a shutoff element movably supported in the valve housing for cooperation with the valve seat. Continue reading about Diaphragm pump for the transport of liquids... Full patent description for Diaphragm pump for the transport of liquids Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Diaphragm pump for the transport of liquids patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Diaphragm pump for the transport of liquids or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Reciprocating piston compressor having improved noise attenuation Next Patent Application: Pump assembly, suppression apparatus for use with a pump, and method of controlling a pump assembly Industry Class: Pumps ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Diaphragm pump for the transport of liquids patent info. 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