A fully-draining check valve with a mushroom assembly having a tapered back edge and a drain line disposed with the lower rim of the drain line below the tapered back edge to ensure no fluid becomes trapped in the check valve when not in use. Additionally, a fully-draining diaphragm pump is disclosed having a drain line configured to drain the lowest point of a product chamber to ensure no fluid becomes trapped in the diaphragm pump when not in use. A method of cleaning a fully-draining diaphragm pump and fully-draining check valve assembly is further disclosed comprising inducing turbulent flow of water, wash solution, and/or sanitizer through the assembly and opening ball valves the drain lines of the fully-draining check valves to vent the assembly.

A pressure regulator includes a pronged piston positioned inside an internal chamber, such that the pronged piston moves longitudinally along the axis of the internal chamber in response to the pressures exerted on the piston by a liquid flowing through the regulator. The piston has a first disk and a second disk connected by a number of prongs. The second disk is configured to seal the inlet port of the pressure regulator when the piston is in a closed position and the number or prongs act as guides for the piston as it slides within the internal chamber.

A method for protecting a pressure transducer from fluid pressure damage using a pressure isolation mechanism is disclosed. The method includes associating the pressure transducer with an isolation port of the pressure isolation mechanism, placing a pressurizing device for delivering fluid under pressure in fluid connection with an inlet port of the pressure isolation mechanism, and actuating the pressurizing device to cause fluid flow in the inlet port such that a free floating, fluid flow responsive valve member positioned in an internal cavity of the pressure isolation mechanism engages a seal seat therein to attain a closed position, preventing fluid flow between the inlet port and the isolation port and thus prevent overpressure in the isolation port. Hemodynamic pressure signals read with the pressure transducer may be transmitted at least in part through a body of the valve member, or a portion thereof, when in the closed position.

A fully-draining check valve with a mushroom assembly having a tapered back edge and a drain line disposed with the lower rim of the drain line below the tapered back edge to ensure no fluid becomes trapped in the check valve when not in use. Additionally, a fully-draining diaphragm pump is disclosed having a drain line configured to drain the lowest point of a product chamber to ensure no fluid becomes trapped in the diaphragm pump when not in use. A method of cleaning a fully-draining diaphragm pump and fully-draining check valve assembly is further disclosed comprising inducing turbulent flow of water, wash solution, and/or sanitizer through the assembly and opening ball valves the drain lines of the fully-draining check valves to vent the assembly.

A fully-draining check valve with a mushroom assembly having a tapered back edge and a drain line disposed with the lower rim of the drain line below the tapered back edge to ensure no fluid becomes trapped in the check valve when not in use. Additionally, a fully-draining diaphragm pump is disclosed having a drain line configured to drain the lowest point of a product chamber to ensure no fluid becomes trapped in the diaphragm pump when not in use. A method of cleaning a fully-draining diaphragm pump and fully-draining check valve assembly is further disclosed comprising inducing turbulent flow of water, wash solution, and/or sanitizer through the assembly and opening ball valves the drain lines of the fully-draining check valves to vent the assembly.

A poppet valve with an integrated dampener is disclosed. In some embodiments, the valve includes a poppet guide with a stem and a hollow poppet is disclosed. The hollow poppet receives the poppet guide stem therein, thereby defining an internal cavity. The poppet is movable relative to the poppet guide to adjust the volume of the internal cavity. The poppet is also moveable relative to a valve seat between a seated position and an unseated position. The poppet may include a body with a seal groove and an elastic seal disposed within the seal groove. The seal is configured to engage the valve seat prior to the poppet body when the poppet moves toward the seated position. The valve may include a poppet guide pivot system that enables pivoting of the poppet guide and the poppet relative to an axial centerline of the valve.

The fluid delivery system includes a pressurizing device for delivering a pressurized injection fluid, a low pressure fluid delivery system, and a pressure isolation mechanism adapted for fluid communication with the pressurizing device and low pressure fluid delivery system. The pressure isolation mechanism includes a housing defining an inlet port, an isolation port, and an internal cavity. The housing defines a seal seat in the internal cavity between the inlet port and isolation port. A valve member is disposed in the internal cavity. The valve member is free floating in the internal cavity and is adapted to engage the seal seat. The valve member has an open position permitting fluid communication between the inlet port and isolation port, and is fluid flow responsive to fluid flow in the inlet port to engage the seal seat and attain a closed position preventing fluid flow between the inlet port and isolation port.

Check valves are disclosed, including check valve included in an aspirator, that includes a housing defining an internal cavity having a first port and a second port both in fluid communication therewith, and a sealing member within the cavity. The sealing member is translatable between a closed position against a first seat within the internal cavity of the housing and an open position against a second seat within the internal cavity of the housing. The sealing member has a sealing material positioned for sealing engagement with the first seat when the sealing member is in the closed position and a reinforcing member positioned for engagement with the second seat when the sealing member is in the open position.

A fluid end made of a plurality of fluid end sections positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each fluid end section is made of a housing having a discharge bore and an intake bore formed therein. A fluid routing plug is installed within each housing and is configured to route fluid throughout the housing and between the discharge and intake bores. The fluid routing plug carries seals that engage sealing surfaces formed within the housing. A number of features, including the location of seals within bore walls and carbide inserts within valve guides, aid in reducing or transferring wear within each housing.

A fluid end made of a plurality of fluid end sections positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each fluid end section is made of a housing having a discharge bore and an intake bore formed therein. A fluid routing plug is installed within each housing and is configured to route fluid throughout the housing and between the discharge and intake bores. The fluid routing plug carries seals that engage sealing surfaces formed within the housing. A number of features, including the location of seals within bore walls and carbide inserts within valve guides, aid in reducing or transferring wear within each housing.