Valve diaphragm with a fluoropolymer layer

Abstract

A flexible diaphragm has a flexible central portion, a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion formed from a flexible elastomeric or plastic material, and a substantially rigid ring extending continuously through or on the peripheral portion of the flexible diaphragm. A fluoropolymer layer molded to, bonded with, or otherwise covering the central portion of the flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm is adapted to be positioned between a bonnet and a body of a valve such that the peripheral portion is clamped between the bonnet and the body.

1 . A valve, comprising: 
 a body having an input port, a central portion, and an output port;    a bonnet;    a flexible diaphragm having a central portion and a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion, wherein the peripheral portion is adapted to be positioned between the bonnet and the body, and wherein the flexible diaphragm is formed from a flexible elastomeric or plastic material;    a substantially rigid ring extending continuously through or on the peripheral portion of the flexible diaphragm;    a fluoropolymer layer molded to, bonded with, or otherwise covering the central portion of the flexible diaphragm;    an actuator mechanism operatively coupled to the diaphragm for moving the diaphragm between an open configuration wherein the input port and output port are in fluid communication with each other, and a closed configuration wherein the diaphragm blocks the central portion and prevents fluid flow between the input port and the output port; and    wherein the bonnet is adapted to house the actuator mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a flange positioned about the central portion, and wherein the bonnet comprises a flange, and wherein the flange of the body is adapted to receive one side of the peripheral portion of the diaphragm, and wherein the flange of the bonnet is adapted to receive an opposite side of the peripheral portion of the diaphragm.  
   
   
       3 . The valve of  claim 2 , wherein the flange of the body has a groove adapted to receive one of the two sides of the substantially rigid ring, and wherein the flange of the bonnet has a groove adapted to receive the other of the two sides of the ring.  
   
   
       4 . The valve of  claim 1 , wherein the fluoropolymer layer has a thickness that is small enough such that the thin fluoropolymer layer flexes in conjunction with the flexible diaphragm.  
   
   
       5 . A flexible diaphragm for use in a valve, the valve having a body and a bonnet, the flexible diaphragm comprising: 
 a flexible central portion;    a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion, wherein the flexible diaphragm is formed from a flexible elastomeric or plastic material;    a substantially rigid ring extending continuously through or on the peripheral portion of the flexible diaphragm;    a fluoropolymer layer molded to, bonded with, or otherwise covering the central portion of the flexible diaphragm; and    wherein the flexible diaphragm is adapted to be positioned between the bonnet and the body such that the peripheral portion is clamped between the bonnet and the body.    
   
   
       6 . The flexible diaphragm of  claim 6 , wherein the fluoropolymer layer has a thickness that is small enough such that the fluoropolymer layer flexes in conjunction with the flexible diaphragm.