Bypass and demand pump and valve system for bypass and demand pump

Abstract

A diaphragm pump such as a three-chamber diaphragm pump includes a head having an inlet port and an outlet port and defining an inlet side including inlet chambers; and an outlet side having a center outlet chamber. Each of the inlet chambers includes an associated inlet valve. A single shutoff valve controlling fluid flow to the center outlet chamber and a single bypass valve in fluid communication between the center outlet chamber and the inlet side. The single shutoff valve has a plunger with an oval cross-section extending into the center outlet chamber. The single shutoff valve and the single bypass valve have adjustable pressure set points that are adjustable independently of one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A diaphragm pump comprising:
 a head comprising an inlet port and an outlet port and defining an inlet side including a plurality of inlet chambers; a diaphragm; and an outlet side having a center outlet chamber intermediate the plurality of inlet chambers;   a plurality of inlet valves, wherein each of the plurality of inlet chambers includes an associated inlet valve of the plurality of inlet valves, and the diaphragm is sequentially engaged by each of the inlet valves of the plurality of inlet valves;   a single shutoff check valve controlling fluid flow from the center outlet chamber, the single shutoff check valve comprising a plunger in the center outlet chamber movable between a fully closed position and an open position;   a single bypass valve within the center outlet chamber and in fluid communication with the center outlet chamber and each of the plurality of inlet chambers, the center outlet chamber intersecting each of the plurality of inlet chambers;   a single shutoff switch, the single shutoff check valve being actuated by the single shutoff switch.   
     
     
         2 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the plunger comprises a stem, the stem including a recess receiving a spring. 
     
     
         3 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the plunger comprises a head with an oval cross section and a stem connected to the head, the stem including a recess receiving a spring. 
     
     
         4 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the single shutoff check valve comprises a low pressure spring for changing an adjustable shut off pressure set point of the single shutoff check valve, the shut off pressure set point being adjusted by a low pressure adjustment screw, rotation of the low pressure adjustment screw in a first direction raising the shut off pressure point and rotation in a second direction lowering the shut off pressure set point; and
 wherein the single bypass valve comprises a bypass spring for changing an adjustable shut off pressure set point of the single bypass valve, the shut off pressure set point being adjusted by a bypass adjustment screw, rotation of the bypass adjustment screw in a first direction raising the pressure at which fluid bypasses the outlet chamber and rotation in a second direction lowering the bypass pressure set point.   
     
     
         5 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 4 , wherein the pressure set points are independently adjustable. 
     
     
         6 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 4 , wherein the low pressure adjustment screw and the bypass adjustment screw are independently adjustable by accessing the bypass adjustment screw and the low pressure adjustment screw from an exterior of the pump. 
     
     
         7 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inlet chambers comprises three inlet chambers. 
     
     
         8 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inlet chambers comprises three inlet chambers arranged in a triangular configuration in the head with the central outlet chamber intermediate and partially axially overlapping the three inlet chambers. 
     
     
         9 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising a wobbler device actuating the inlet valves. 
     
     
         10 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the head comprises a modular upper housing assembly, the modular housing assembly comprising:
 a first interchangeable upper housing assembly configured for operation of the pump system solely as a demand pump;   a second interchangeable upper housing assembly configured for operation of the pump system solely as a bypass pump;   a third interchangeable upper housing assembly configured for operation of the pump system as a demand pump or as a bypass pump.   
     
     
         11 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the interchangeable upper housing assemblies includes three chambers in a triangular configuration and a central outlet chamber intermediate the three chambers. 
     
     
         12 . The diaphragm pump according to  claim 1 , the single shutoff switch attaching to a switch adapter. 
     
     
         13 . A head for a diaphragm pump; the head comprising:
 an inlet port and an outlet port and defining an inlet side including a plurality of inlet chambers; a diaphragm; and an outlet side having a center outlet chamber intermediate the plurality of inlet chambers;   a plurality of inlet valves, wherein each of the plurality of inlet chambers includes an associated inlet valve of the plurality of inlet valves, and the diaphragm is sequentially engaged by each of the inlet valves of the plurality of inlet valves;   a single shutoff check valve controlling fluid flow from the center outlet chamber, the single shutoff check valve comprising a plunger in the center outlet chamber movable between a fully closed position and an open position;   a single bypass valve within the center outlet chamber and in fluid communication with the center outlet chamber and each of the plurality of inlet chambers, the center outlet chamber intersecting each of the plurality of inlet chambers;   a single shutoff switch, the single shutoff check valve being actuated by the single shutoff switch.