US-12618481-B2 - Diaphragm bead configuration

Abstract

A valve diaphragm for a relief valve may include: a body having a first beaded end and a second beaded end, the first beaded end having a bottom surface and a bulge extending from the bottom surface. The bottom surface may be configured to contact a first portion of a corner of a lower valve body, and the bulge is configured to contact a step of an upper valve body, and the engagements of the bottom surface, the first portion of the corner, the bulge, and the step may be configured to create a fluid tight seal between the upper valve body and the lower valve body.

Inventors

• Edward Barry Knoles
• Adrian Alexander Filip
• Kevin Thomas Hamlett

Assignees

• ACORN ENGINEERING COMPANY, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20230918

Claims (17)

1. 1 . A valve diaphragm for a relief valve, the valve diaphragm comprising: a body comprising a first beaded end and a second beaded end, the first beaded end comprising: a bottom surface; a side surface; and a bulge extending from the bottom surface and the side surface, wherein the bottom surface is configured to contact a first portion of a corner of a lower valve body, wherein the side surface is configured to contact a second portion of the corner of the lower valve body, the second portion extending perpendicular to the first portion, wherein the bulge is configured to contact a step of an upper valve body, wherein the contact between the bottom surface and the first portion of the corner, the contact between the side surface and the second portion of the corner, and the contact between the bulge and the step are configured to create a fluid tight seal between the upper valve body and the lower valve body, wherein the fluid tight seal is created such that a single empty space is defined between the first beaded end and the step on a side of the first beaded end opposite the second portion of the corner, wherein the body is compressible, such that the step is configured to compress the bulge toward the bottom surface, wherein the body further comprises a tail extending from the first beaded end proximate the bulge, and wherein the tail is configured to contact at least the second portion of the corner to create the fluid tight seal.
2. 2 . The relief valve of claim 1 , wherein, in an uncompressed state, the tail extends radially in a direction away from the bulge.
3. 3 . The valve diaphragm of claim 1 , wherein the tail is configured to contact the step to create the fluid tight seal.
4. 4 . The valve diaphragm of claim 3 , wherein the second portion of the corner is configured to compress the tail into the first beaded end.
5. 5 . The valve diaphragm of claim 1 , wherein the second beaded end is configured to contact a portion of a valve stem.
6. 6 . The valve diaphragm of claim 5 , wherein the second beaded end comprises a rounded end extending in a direction opposite that of the bulge.
7. 7 . The valve diaphragm of claim 1 , wherein the body defines a U-shaped bend between the first beaded end and the second beaded end.
8. 8 . The valve diaphragm of claim 7 , wherein the U-shaped bend defines a first level and a second level, the first level being arranged higher than the second level, and wherein the first beaded end is located at the first level, and the second beaded end is located at the second level.
9. 9 . The valve diaphragm of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of a first side of the U-shaped bend contacts the lower valve body.
10. 10 . The valve diaphragm of claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of a second side of the U-shaped bend contacts a valve stem.
11. 11 . The valve diaphragm of claim 10 , wherein the second side opposes the first side.
12. 12 . A relief valve comprising: an upper valve body; a lower valve body at least partially defining a fluid flow path; a stem configured to move between the upper valve body and the lower valve body, the stem at least partially extending into the fluid flow path; and a diaphragm disposed between the upper valve body and the lower valve body, the diaphragm comprising a body having a first beaded end and a second beaded end, the body defining an aperture to receive at least a portion of the stem therethrough, wherein the first beaded end comprises: a bottom surface; a side surface; and a bulge extending from the side surface and the bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is configured to contact a first portion of a corner defined in the lower valve body, wherein the side surface is configured to contact a second portion of the corner, the second portion extending perpendicular to the first portion, wherein the bulge is configured to contact a step defined in the upper valve body, wherein the upper valve body and the lower valve body are arranged such that the contact between the first portion of the corner and the bottom surface, the contact between the second portion of the corner and the side surface, and the contact between the bulge and the step are configured to create a fluid tight seal between the upper valve body and the lower valve body, and wherein the fluid tight seal is created such that a single empty space is defined between the first beaded end and the step on a side of the first beaded end opposite the second portion of the corner.
13. 13 . The relief valve of claim 12 , wherein the second beaded end is configured to be received within a portion of the valve stem.
14. 14 . The relief valve of claim 12 , wherein the body defines a U-shaped bend between the first beaded end and the second beaded end, the U-shaped bend defining a first level and a second level, the first level arranged higher than the second level, and wherein the first beaded end is located at the first level, and the second beaded end is located at the second level.
15. 15 . The relief valve of claim 12 , wherein the diaphragm is compressible, such that the step compresses the bulge toward the lower valve body.
16. 16 . The relief valve of claim 15 , wherein the body further comprises a tail extending from the first beaded end proximate the bulge, and wherein the tail is configured to contact at least the second portion of the corner to create the fluid tight seal.
17. 17 . The relief valve of claim 16 , wherein the tail is configured to be compressed between the second portion of the corner and the step.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/407,448, titled “Diaphragm Bead Configuration” and filed on Sep. 16, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This disclosure pertains to a valve diaphragm having a beaded end designed to make the diaphragm easier to install and more difficult to damage in operation. Description of Related Art Valve diaphragms are used to maintain a seal between different valve elements. They typically require a very precise fit with the features of the valves with which they engage. Such a fit requires precise machining of the different valve parts so that they can take a shape that is at least partially complimentary to that of the diaphragm, particularly at the ends of the diaphragm where sealing characteristics may be most important. This machining can often be difficult and expensive. It may also result in a fit between the valve and diaphragm that increases the potential for the fluid tight seal to be broken. Thus, there is a need to have a valve diaphragm that includes an end shape that allows for simpler machining of valve body parts, allows for an easier fit between the end of the diaphragm and the valve body parts, and to better protect the diaphragm from damage during use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment or aspect, a valve diaphragm for a relief valve may include: a body having a first beaded end and a second beaded end, the first beaded end having a bottom surface and a bulge extending from the bottom surface. The bottom surface may be configured to contact a first portion of a corner of a lower valve body, and the bulge is configured to contact a step of an upper valve body, and the engagements of the bottom surface, the first portion of the corner, the bulge, and the step are configured to create a fluid tight seal between the upper valve body and the lower valve body. The body may be compressible, such that the step is configured to compress the bulge in the direction of the bottom surface. The corner and the step may be arranged to define a bead cavity, the bead cavity being configured to hold the first beaded end, and wherein the bead cavity may be shaped such that when the bulge is compressed and the fluid tight seal is formed, the bead cavity defines an empty space with the first beaded end. The body may further include a tail extending from the first beaded end proximate the bulge. The tail may be configured to contact a second portion of the corner. The second portion of the corner may be configured to compress the tail into the first beaded end. The second portion of the corner may be arranged perpendicularly to the first portion of the corner. The second beaded end may be configured to contact a portion of the valve stem. The second beaded end may include a rounded end extending in a direction opposite that of the bulge. The body may define a U-shaped bend between the first beaded end and the second beaded end. The U-shaped bend may define a first level and a second level, the first level being arranged higher than the second level, and the first beaded end may be located at the first level, and the second beaded end is located at the second level. At least a portion of a first side of the U-shaped bend may contact the lower valve body. At least a portion of a second side of the U-shaped bend may contact a valve stem. The second side may oppose the first side. In another embodiment or aspect, a relief valve may include: an upper valve body; a lower valve body at least partially defining a fluid flow path; a stem configured to move between the upper valve body and the lower valve body, the stem at least partially extending into the fluid flow path; and a diaphragm disposed between the upper valve body and the lower valve body, the diaphragm including a body having a first beaded end and a second beaded end, the body defining an aperture to receive at least a portion of the stem therethrough. The first beaded end may include a bottom surface and a bulge extending from the bottom surface. The bottom surface may be configured to contact a first portion of a corner defined in the lower valve body. The bulge may be configured to contact a step defined in the upper valve body. The upper valve body and the lower valve body may be arranged such that the contact between the first portion of the corner and the bottom surface and the contact between the bulge and the step are configured to create a fluid tight seal between the upper valve body and the lower valve body. The diaphragm may be compressible, such that the step compresses the bulge in the direction of the lower valve body. The body may further include a tail extending from the first beaded end proximate the bulge, and the tail may be configured to contact a second portion of the corner, the second portion arranged perpendicularly to the firs