Patent ID: 11905944
Assignee: WARREN RUPP, INC.
Field: Engines, pumps, turbines (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F | IPC F

Claim 13:
14. A flap valve for a diaphragm pump comprising:
a body being configured to switch between an open position and a closed position, the body comprising:
a front portion configured to sealingly engage with a valve seat, wherein the front portion faces a valve inlet portion; and
a rear portion oppositely disposed from the front portion, wherein the rear portion is downstream a valve outlet portion, the valve seat disposed between the valve inlet portion and the valve outlet portion and comprising an opening between the valve inlet portion and the valve outlet portion;

a self-centering hinge portion operably connected to the body, wherein the self-centering hinge portion translates about an x-axis and rotates about a dynamically changing longitudinal axis, wherein the dynamically changing longitudinal axis moves about a y-and/or z-axis;
a stem portion operably connected to and extending from the rear portion;
a retainer structure operably connected to the valve seat, wherein the retainer structure comprises a cavity configured to receive the self-centering hinge portion to rotatably fix the body to the valve seat at the self-centering hinge portion, and wherein the cavity has dimensions that are larger than dimensions of the self-centering hinge portion such that the self-centering hinge portion can float in multiple directions within the cavity of the retainer structure to sealingly engage the body to the valve seat; and
a bias pad coupled to the retainer structure and on the rear portion of the body, wherein the retainer structure is disposed between the valve seat and the bias pad.