subject: Understanding Marine Pump Animations [print this page] Looking to marine pump animations is a good way to get an excellent feel for the mechanisms at work with these types of systems. A diaphragm pump, although there are many different variations of it, is a positive displacement mechanism that uses the reciprocating properties of rubber, non return check valves and thermoplastic or Teflon diaphragms to pump fluids of different kinds for different applications. Although reading a description of how these systems work can seem confusing, taking a look at good diaphragm pump animations can sum everything up and answer a lot of your questions in just a matter of minutes.
Sometimes, these types of devices are also known as membrane pumps, and there are for the most part three main types. The first type is one that uses volumetric positive displacement, where the main mover of the diaphragm works through a geared motor drive or a crank and is electro mechanical. Many people like this method because it flexes the membrane through simple, easy to maintain actions. Also, one side of the membrane is open to air.
Another type of system is one where the membrane is sealed with one side in air or hydraulic fluid and the other is in the fluid that is to be pumped. The membrane flexes, causing the volume of the inner chamber to increase and decrease. These models should always have a system pair of non return check valves so that the reverse flow of fluids is prevented. You can find marine pump animations for both of these types of devices.
Finally, another model that is shown by some diaphragm pump animations is one that uses one or more unsealed membranes. The fluid that is to be pumped with these machines is situated on both sides, and the membrane simply flexes, causing the volume inside to change. You will see in proper diaphragm pump animations that when the volume of fluid in the chambers of these types of pumps increases, the diaphragm moves up. The pressure decreases and fluid is drawn into the chamber. The fluid that was previously drawn in is then forced out. The membrane then moves up again to draw that fluid into the chamber, which completes the cycle. If you are at all familiar with the mechanisms of an internal combustion engine, youll find that this action is similar to that.
Be sure that any good diagram you are looking at has parts properly labeled, or is clearly decipherable for you. As you are looking at diaphragm pump animations, be sure that parts are distinctly colored and they provide you with a good look into how exactly the whole system works.
