
520-359-000 7/03 Page 5
PRINCIPLE OF PUMP OPERATION
This ball type check valve pump is
poweredbycompressedair andisa1:1
ratio design. The inner side of one
diaphragm chamber is alternately
pressurized while simultaneously
exhaustingtheotherinnerchamber.This
causes the diaphragms, which are
connected by a common rod secured
by plates to the centers of the
diaphragms,tomovein a reciprocating
action.(As onediaphragm performsthe
discharge stroke the other diaphragm
is pulled to perform the suction stroke
in the opposite chamber.) Air pressure
is applied over the entire inner surface
of the diaphragm while liquid is
dischargedfromtheoppositeside ofthe
diaphragm.The diaphragm operates in
a balanced condition during the
dischargestrokewhichallowsthepump
tobe operated at discharge headsover
200feet(61meters)ofwater.
For maximum diaphragm life, keep
the pump as close to the liquid being
pumped as possible. Positive suction
headinexcessof10feetofliquid(3.048
meters) may require a back pressure
regulating device to maximize
diaphragmlife.
Alternate pressurizing and
exhausting of the diaphragm chamber
isperformed by an externally mounted,
pilot operated, four way spool type air
distributionvalve. Whenthespool shifts
to one end of the valve body, inlet
pressure is applied to one diaphragm
chamber and the other diaphragm
chamber exhausts. When the spool
shifts to the opposite end of the valve
body, the pressure to the chambers is
reversed.Theairdistributionvalvespool
is moved by a internal pilot valve which
alternately pressurizes one end of the
air distribution valve spool while
exhaustingtheotherend.Thepilotvalve
is shifted at each end of the diaphragm
stroke when a actuator plunger is
contacted by the diaphragm plate. This
actuatorplunger then pushestheendof
the pilot valve spool into position to
activatethe air distribution valve.
The chambers are connected with
manifolds with a suction and discharge
check valve for each chamber,
maintainingflowinonedirectionthrough
thepump.
INSTALLATION AND START-UP
Locate the pump as close to the
productbeingpumpedaspossible.Keep
the suction line length and number of
fittingsto a minimum. Do notreducethe
suctionlinediameter.
Forinstallationsof rigid piping, short
sections of flexible hose should be
installed between the pump and the
piping. The flexible hose reduces
vibration and strain to the pumping
system. A surge suppressor is
recommendedtofurtherreducepulsation
inflow.
Insystemswhereacloseddischarge
mayoccur,thermalexpansionofthefluid
can cause a hazardous, high-pressure
condition. To prevent damage to
equipment and or personnel, place a
pressurerelief valve in the system. The
pressure relief valve should be set to
relievepressure inthesystem at150psi
and the pressure relief valve should be
locatedneartheoutletofthepumpwith
provision for return to tank. (See
recommended installation drawing on
page6).
AIR SUPPLY
Air supply pressure cannot exceed
125psi (8.6 bar). Connect the pumpair
inlettoanairsupply ofsufficient capacity
and pressure required for desired
performance. When the air supply line
is solid piping, use a short length of
flexible hose not less than ½" (13mm)
in diameter between the pump and the
pipingto reducestrainto the piping.The
weight of the air supply line, regulators
and filters must be supported by some
meansotherthantheairinletcap.Failure
to provide support for the piping may
resultindamagetothepump.Apressure
regulating valve should be installed to
insure air supply pressure does not
exceedrecommendedlimits.
AIR VALVE LUBRICATION
Theairdistributionvalveandthepilot
valvearedesignedtooperateWITHOUT
lubrication.Thisisthe preferredmodeof
operation. There may be instances of
personal preference or poor quality air
supplies when lubrication of the
compressed air supply is required. The
pump air system will operate with
properly lubricated compressed air
supply. Proper lubrication requires the
useofan air line lubricator set to deliver
onedropofSAE 10non-detergentoilfor
every20SCFM(9.4 liters/sec.)ofair the
pumpconsumesatthepointofoperation.
Consult the pump’s published
PerformanceCurve to determinethis.
AIR LINE MOISTURE
Water in the compressed air supply
can create problems such as icing or
freezing of the exhaust air, causing the
pump to cycle erratically or stop
operating. Water in the air supply can
be reduced by using a point-of-use air
dryerto supplementtheuser’s airdrying
equipment. This device removes water
from the compressed air supply and
alleviatestheicingor freezingproblems.
AIR INLET AND PRIMING
To startthepump,opentheair valve
approximately ½ to ¾ turn. After the
pumpprimes,theairvalvecanbeopened
toincreaseair flowasdesired.Ifopening
thevalveincreasescyclingrate,butdoes
not increase the rate of flow, cavitation
hasoccurred.Thevalveshouldbeclosed
slightly to obtain the most efficient air
flowtopumpflowratio.
BETWEEN USES
Whenthe pumpisused formaterials
that tend to settle out or solidify when
notinmotion,thepumpshouldbeflushed
after each use to prevent damage.
(Productremaininginthepumpbetween
uses could dry out or settle out. This
could cause problems with the
diaphragmsandcheckvalvesatrestart.)
Infreezing temperaturesthepump must
becompletelydrained between uses in
all cases.