Diaphragm-type center flow check valve

Claim 2

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream side of the valve to a downstream side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; the valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking the fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein extending from the chamber in the downstream direction; and substantially axisymmetric diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, said axisymmetric means being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the axisymmetric means supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the axisymmetric means may flex in a downstream direction about the axisymmetric means during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid, the axisymmetric means defining a reverse flow passage for guiding fluid to the center of the downstream face of the diaphragm during reverse flow, the axisymmetric means comprising at least one sharp edge effective to press into the diaphragm and inhibit lateral motion of the diaphragm, the at least one sharp edge being formed on a member disposed in the chamber, the member having a radially inner surface extending in a substantially longitudinal direction along said reverse flow passage to a place where it terminates in said sharp edge, the member further having a radially outer surface tapering inwardly in the upstream direction to a place where it meets said radially inner surface in said sharp edge.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1, comprising a plurality of members disposed in the chamber, the axisymmetric diaphragm contacting means comprising a plurality of said diaphragm contacting surfaces formed on a plurality of said members.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 1, comprising a plurality of ribs extending into the chamber from the boundary thereof, the ribs tapering in the upstream direction to a respective plurality of edges, the edges comprising the axisymmetric diaphragm contacting means.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 1, comprising a substantially axisymmetric flow deflector disposed in the inlet passage concentrically with respect to the diaphragm, the flow deflector being effective to divert forwardly flowing fluid toward the periphery of an upstream face of the diaphragm and substantially away from that portion of the diaphragm that is opposite the reverse flow passage.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 1, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber.

Claim 7

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking said fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein and extending from the chamber in the downstream direction; and a plurality of members disposed in the chamber and tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the members having radially inner surfaces extending in a substantially longitudinal direction and terminating in said edges, the members further having radially outer surfaces tapering inwardly in the upstream direction and meeting said radially inner surfaces in said edges, the edges contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the edges being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the edges supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the edges may flex in a downstream direction about the edges during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid, the edges being so disposed and sufficiently sharp in relation to the diaphragm that they comprise may inhibiting lateral motion of the diaphragm.

Claim 8

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking said fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein and extending from the chamber in the downstream direction; and a plurality of members disposed in the chamber and tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the members having radially inner surfaces extending in a substantially longitudinal direction and terminating in said edges, the members further having radially outer surfaces tapering inwardly in the upstream direction and meeting said radially inner surfaces in said edges, the edges contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the edges being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the edges supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the edges may flex in a downstream direction about the edges during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid, the edges being so disposed and sufficiently sharp in relation to the diaphragm that they comprise may inhibiting lateral motion of the diaphragm.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 6, comprising a plurality of ribs extending into the chamber from the boundary thereof, the ribs tapering in the upstream direction to form the edges.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 6, the edges defining a passage for guiding fluid to the center of the downstream face of the diaphragm during reverse flow.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 6, comprising a substantially axisymmetric flow deflector disposed in the inlet passage concentrically with respect to the diaphragm, the flow deflector being effective to divert forwardly flowing fluid toward the periphery of an upstream face of the diaphragm.

Claim 12

The invention of claim 6, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber.

Claim 13

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking the fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein and extending from the chamber in the downstream direction; diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream side of the diaphragm during forward flow, the diaphragm contacting means supporting the diaphragm such that the diaphragm may flex in a downstream direction during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid, the diaphragm contacting means defining an end of a reverse flow passage for guiding fluid to the center of a downstream face of the diaphragm during reverse flow; and a substantially axisymmetric flow deflector disposed in the inlet passage concentrically with respect to the diaphragm, the flow deflector being effective to divert forwardly flowing fluid toward the periphery of an upstream face of the diaphragm and substantially away from that portion of the diaphragm that is opposite the reverse flow passage.

Claim 14

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking the fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein and extending from the chamber in the downstream direction; diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream side of the diaphragm during forward flow, the diaphragm contacting means supporting the diaphragm such that the diaphragm may flex in a downstream direction during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid, the diaphragm contacting means defining an end of a reverse flow passage for guiding fluid to the center of a downstream face of the diaphragm during reverse flow; and a substantially axisymmetric flow deflector disposed in the inlet passage concentrically with respect to the diaphragm, the flow deflector being effective to divert forwardly flowing fluid toward the periphery of an upstream face of the diaphragm and substantially away from that portion of the diaphragm that is opposite the reverse flow passage.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 11, comprising a plurality of members tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the edges comprising the diaphragm contacting means.

Claim 16

The invention of claim 11, comprising a plurality of ribs disposed in the chamber and tapering in the upstream direction to a respective plurality of edges, the edges comprising the diaphragm contacting means.

Claim 17

The invention of claim 11, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxially with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber.

Claim 18

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the diaphragm chamber; a diaphragm comprising an imperforate flexible disc disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having inlet and outlet passages formed therein respectively extending upstream from and downstream from the chamber; and diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm, spaced from an upstream surface of the diaphragm, and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber, and a plurality of members tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the edges comprising the diaphragm contacting means.

Claim 19

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the diaphragm chamber; a diaphragm comprising an imperforate flexible disc disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having inlet and outlet passages formed therein respectively extending upstream from and downstream from the chamber; and diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm, spaced from an upstream surface of the diaphragm, and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber, and a plurality of members tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the edges comprising the diaphragm contacting means.

Claim 20

The invention of claim 15, there being an annular convex curved surface disposed concentrically of and radially beyond the concave surface, an upstream face of the diaphragm making line contact with the convex surface under slight reverse pressure.

Claim 21

The invention of claim 16, there being a smooth transition between the convex surface and the concave surface, the diaphragm rolling along the convex surface under increasing reverse pressure until it lies flush against the concave surface.

Claim 22

The invention of claim 15, comprising a substantially axisymmetric flow deflector disposed in the inlet passage concentrically with respect to the diaphragm, said flow deflector being effective to divert forwardly flowing fluid toward the periphery of an upstream face of the diaphragm, a downstream face of the flow deflector defining at least a portion of the concave surface.

Claim 23

The invention of claim 15, the plurality of members comprising a plurality of ribs disposed in the chamber and tapering in the upstream direction to a respective plurality of edges, the edges comprising the diaphragm contacting means.

Claim 24

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream side of the valve to a downstream side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining s substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; the valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking the fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein extending from the chamber in the downstream direction; substantially axisymmetric diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, said axisymmetric means being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the axisymmetric means supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the axisymmetric means may flex in a downstream direction about the axisymmetric means during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid, the axisymmetric means defining a reverse flow passage for guiding fluid to the center of the downstream face of the diaphragm during reverse flow; and a substantially axisymmetric flow deflector disposed in the inlet passage concentrically with respect to the diaphragm, the flow deflector being effective to divert forwardly flowing fluid toward the periphery of an upstream face of the diaphragm and substantially away from that portion of the diaphragm that is opposite the reverse flow passage.

Claim 25

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream side of the valve to a downstream side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining s substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; the valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking the fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein extending from the chamber in the downstream direction; substantially axisymmetric diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, said axisymmetric means being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the axisymmetric means supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the axisymmetric means may flex in a downstream direction about the axisymmetric means during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid, the axisymmetric means defining a reverse flow passage for guiding fluid to the center of the downstream face of the diaphragm during reverse flow; and a substantially axisymmetric flow deflector disposed in the inlet passage concentrically with respect to the diaphragm, the flow deflector being effective to divert forwardly flowing fluid toward the periphery of an upstream face of the diaphragm and substantially away from that portion of the diaphragm that is opposite the reverse flow passage.

Claim 26

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream side of the valve to the downstream side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; the valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking the fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein extending from the chamber in the downstream direction, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free to the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber; and substantially axisymmetric diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, said axisymmetric means being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the axisymmetric means supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the axisymmetric means may flex in a downstream direction about the axisymmetric means during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid, the axisymmetric means defining a reverse flow passage for guiding fluid to the center of the downstream face of the diaphragm during reverse flow.

Claim 27

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream side of the valve to the downstream side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; the valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking the fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein extending from the chamber in the downstream direction, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free to the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber; and substantially axisymmetric diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, said axisymmetric means being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the axisymmetric means supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the axisymmetric means may flex in a downstream direction about the axisymmetric means during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid, the axisymmetric means defining a reverse flow passage for guiding fluid to the center of the downstream face of the diaphragm during reverse flow.

Claim 28

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking said fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein and extending from the chamber in the downstream direction; a plurality of members disposed in the chamber and tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the edges contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the edges being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the edges supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the edges may flex in a downstream direction about the edges during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid; and a substantially axisymmetric flow deflector disposed in the inlet passage concentrically with respect to the diaphragm, the flow deflector being effective to divert forwardly flowing fluid toward the periphery of an upstream face of the diaphragm.

Claim 29

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking said fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein and extending from the chamber in the downstream direction; a plurality of members disposed in the chamber and tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the edges contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the edges being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the edges supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the edges may flex in a downstream direction about the edges during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid; and a substantially axisymmetric flow deflector disposed in the inlet passage concentrically with respect to the diaphragm, the flow deflector being effective to divert forwardly flowing fluid toward the periphery of an upstream face of the diaphragm.

Claim 30

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking said fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein and extending from the chamber in the downstream direction, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber; and a plurality of members disposed in the chamber and tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the edges contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the edges being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the edges supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the edges may flex in a downstream direction about the edges during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid.

Claim 31

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having an inlet passage formed therein in fluid communication with the chamber and extending in the upstream direction from the chamber, the diaphragm being responsive to reverse flow into the chamber for blocking said fluid communication between the chamber and the inlet passage; the valve body having an outlet passage formed therein and extending from the chamber in the downstream direction, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber; and a plurality of members disposed in the chamber and tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the edges contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the edges being spaced radially from the boundary of the chamber and from the periphery of the diaphragm, the edges supporting the diaphragm such that the portion of the diaphragm that is disposed radially outwardly of the edges may flex in a downstream direction about the edges during forward flow to allow for the passage of fluid.

Claim 32

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the diaphragm chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having inlet and outlet passages formed therein respectively extending upstream from and downstream from the chamber; and diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber, there being an annular convex curved surface disposed concentrically of and radially beyond the concave surface, an upstream face of the diaphragm making line contact with the convex surface under slight reverse pressure.

Claim 33

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the diaphragm chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having inlet and outlet passages formed therein respectively extending upstream from and downstream from the chamber; and diaphragm contacting means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber, there being an annular convex curved surface disposed concentrically of and radially beyond the concave surface, an upstream face of the diaphragm making line contact with the convex surface under slight reverse pressure.

Claim 34

The invention of claim 24, there being a smooth transition between the convex surface and the concave surface, the diaphragm rolling along the convex surface under increasing reverse pressure until it lies flush against the concave surface.

Claim 35

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the diaphragm chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having inlet and outlet passages formed therein respectively extending upstream from and downstream from the chamber; and a plurality of members tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the edges comprising means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber.

Claim 36

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, with internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the diaphragm chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having inlet and outlet passages formed therein respectively extending upstream from and downstream from the chamber; and a plurality of members tapering to a respective plurality of edges, the edges comprising means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber.

Claim 37

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the diaphragm chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having inlet and outlet passages formed therein respectively extending upstream from and downstream from the chamber; and a plurality of ribs disposed in the chamber and tapering in the upstream direction to a respective plurality of edges, the edges comprising means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber.

Claim 38

A check valve for passing fluid flow in a forward direction from an upstream inlet side of the valve to a downstream outlet side, and for preventing fluid flow in a reverse direction, comprising: a valve body defining a substantially axisymmetric chamber, internal surfaces of the valve body defining a boundary of the diaphragm chamber; an imperforate flexible diaphragm disposed concentrically in the chamber; a valve body having inlet and outlet passages formed therein respectively extending upstream from and downstream from the chamber; and a plurality of ribs disposed in the chamber and tapering in the upstream direction to a respective plurality of edges, the edges comprising means for contacting and supporting a downstream face of the diaphragm during forward flow, the boundary of the chamber including a concave surface disposed upstream of the diaphragm and substantially concentric with respect to the diaphragm, the concave surface having a plurality of communicating openings formed therein, a portion of the concave surface that is coaxial with the diaphragm being continuous and free of the communicating openings, the inlet passage being in fluid communication with the chamber through the communicating openings in the concave surface, the diaphragm being disposed for flexing and sealing against the concave surface and blocking the communicating openings in response to reverse flow into the chamber.