Valve for liquid pumps

Abstract

The invention relates to a valve ( 32 ) for a fluid, in particular for a liquid, with a housing ( 3, 4 ), which has a flexible valve membrane ( 33 ) mounted in the housing and a valve body ( 34 ) held therein, and with an access point ( 26, 37, 38, 39 ) for the fluid, which opens into a chamber ( 42, 43, 44 ), and an outlet ( 45 ) leading out of the chamber, it being possible to bring the valve body into contact with a flexible element ( 33 ) in order to close the fluid passage of the valve. According to the invention, in a valve of that kind the flexible element is the flexible valve membrane ( 33 ) and a stop ( 36, 55 ) is used to limit the extent to which the valve membrane curves outwards during an increase in pressure in the fluid, the stop moving the flexible element ( 33 ) against the valve body ( 34 ) and closing the fluid passage of the valve.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A valve assembly for liquid pumps, comprising:
 a housing member having a chamber shaped to retain a liquid therein;   a valve member having an elastic valve membrane mounted in said housing, and a valve body retained in said elastic valve membrane to define a fluid passage between mating portions of said elastic valve membrane and said valve body which is closed when said mating portions of said elastic valve membrane and said valve body are brought into abutting contact;   an inlet member communicating with said fluid passage to selectively flow the liquid through said fluid passage and into said chamber;   an outlet member communicating with said chamber to selectively flow the liquid out of said chamber; and   a stop member supported in said housing and positioned adjacent to said mating portions of said elastic valve membrane and said valve body, whereby an increase in pressure of the liquid at said inlet member elastically deforms said elastic valve member outwardly into abutting contact with said stop, which contact brings said mating portions of said elastic valve membrane and said valve body into abutting contact to close said fluid passage.   
   
   
       15 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said inlet member includes at least a portion thereof extending through said elastic valve membrane and said valve body.   
   
   
       16 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein:
 said elastic valve membrane and said valve body comprise separate structural parts, wherein said valve body is rigid.   
   
   
       17 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein:
 said housing member includes first and second mating housing portions; and   said elastic valve membrane includes a circumferential edge portion thereof clamped between said first and second housing portions.   
   
   
       18 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein:
 said elastic valve membrane includes a central portion thereof with a recess in which said valve body is closely received and retained.   
   
   
       19 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein:
 said elastic valve membrane includes a centrally disposed closure portion positioned for selective engagement with said stop member, such that said stop member elastically deforms said elastic valve membrane to move said closure portion against said valve body and close said fluid passage.   
   
   
       20 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein:
 said outlet member includes at least a portion thereof extending through said elastic valve membrane.   
   
   
       21 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein:
 said elastic valve membrane includes a radially extending inlet channel; and   said valve body includes a radially extending inlet channel which adjoins said inlet channel of said elastic valve membrane, and merges into an axial inlet channel of said valve body that is selectively closed by said elastic valve membrane.   
   
   
       22 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein:
 at least a portion of said chamber includes a channel disposed between said valve body and said elastic valve membrane.   
   
   
       23 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein:
 said stop member comprises an adjusting screw threadedly mounted in said housing for adjusting the position of said stop member relative to said valve member.   
   
   
       24 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 23 , including:
 a spring member resiliently urging said elastic valve membrane to the open position of said fluid passage.   
   
   
       25 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein:
 said spring comprises a compression spring disposed between said housing member and said elastic valve member such that said elastic valve membrane is resiliently urged against a stop portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       26 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein:
 said outlet member includes a flow restrictor.   
   
   
       27 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said elastic valve membrane and said valve body comprise separate structural parts, wherein said valve body is rigid.   
   
   
       28 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said housing member includes first and second mating housing portions; and   said elastic valve membrane includes a circumferential edge portion thereof clamped between said first and second housing portions.   
   
   
       29 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said elastic valve membrane includes a central portion thereof with a recess in which said valve body is closely received and retained.   
   
   
       30 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said elastic valve membrane includes a centrally disposed closure portion positioned for selective engagement with said stop member, such that said stop member elastically deforms said elastic valve membrane to move said closure portion thereof against said valve body and close said fluid passage.   
   
   
       31 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said outlet member includes at least a portion thereof extending through said elastic valve membrane.   
   
   
       32 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said elastic valve membrane includes a radially extending inlet channel; and   said valve body includes a radially extending inlet channel which adjoins said inlet channel of said elastic valve membrane, and merges into an axial inlet channel of said valve body that is selectively closed by said elastic valve membrane.   
   
   
       33 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 at least a portion of said chamber includes a channel disposed between said valve body and said elastic valve membrane.   
   
   
       34 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said stop member comprises an adjusting screw threadedly mounted in said housing for adjusting the position of said stop member relative to said valve member.   
   
   
       35 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , including:
 a spring member resiliently urging said elastic valve membrane to the open position of said fluid passage.   
   
   
       36 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , including:
 a compression spring disposed between said housing member and said elastic valve member such that said elastic valve membrane is resiliently urged against a stop portion of said housing member.   
   
   
       37 . A valve assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein:
 said outlet member includes a flow restrictor.