How Air Diaphragm Pumps Work | ARO Fluid Handling

How do air operated diaphragm pumps work?

AODD pumps utilize dual flexible diaphragms mounted to a shared shaft which moves back and forth repeatedly in strokes to pump fluids into and out of the pump’s fluid chamber. This movement creates a vacuum, which intakes fluid through an inlet port.

When the diaphragms are subsequently pushed in the opposite direction back to their original positions via compressed air, the fluid is expelled from the product chamber via an outlet port. This cycle repeats while the AODD is in operation, which creates the pumping action this device is known for.

In Figure 1, the left diaphragm has been forced towards the fluid chamber, and in doing so has displaced the liquid through the open valve at the top of the discharge port. At the same time liquid is drawn into the right-hand chamber via the right diaphragm. At the end of the stroke, the positions are reversed and the cycle repeats in the opposite direction, as shown in Figure 2.

Reciprocating Pumps

Most hand pumps used to inflate bike tires are reciprocating pumps. They have a piston inside and two one-way valves: one going to the bike tire and one to the outside air. When the pump is pulled up, the pressure inside decreases. This pulls in air from the outside but closes the valve to the bike tire. When the piston is pushed down again, it compresses the air inside. This closes the inlet valve and opens the valve to the tire, pushing air into the bike.

Diaphragm Pumps

Diaphragm pumps are closely related to reciprocating pumps. Instead of pistons, however, they have flexible diaphragms. When an external force is applied, the diaphragms compress, forcing air into whatever it is being pumped into. When the force is removed, the springy diaphragm expands again, drawing more air in from outside. Foot-operated pumps used to inflate rubber rafts are diaphragm pumps.

Double-Acting Pumps

Reciprocating pumps take a lot of motion to operate. To pump one cylinder full of gas, the user has to pull the plunger up and down. Double-acting pumps work more efficiently by using two or more cylinders. When the plunger is pushed down on a double-acting pump, it compresses one cylinder, pushing air out. At the same time, the other cylinder is pulled open, drawing in air from the outside. When the plunger is pulled back up, the open cylinder is compressed and the compressed cylinder is pulled up.