PUMP CHAMBER INCLUDING INTERNAL SURFACE MODIFICATIONS

摘要

A combination of a chamber wall and the flexible membrane defines a pump chamber in a diaphragm pump. The pump chamber includes one or more internal surfaces that are modified to include a pattern of a pattern of channel surface regions. The channel surface regions provide unobstructed pathways to a respective opening disposed on an internal surface of the chamber wall. For example, as discussed herein, presence of the channel surface regions ensures that the facing of the flexible membrane does not needlessly stick (as a result of residual suction) to an inside surface of the chamber wall during a portion of the pump stroke in which negative pressure is applied to a backing of the flexible membrane. In other words, the channel surface regions distribute relief pressure along the inside surface of the pump chamber wall.