Importance

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Abstract

An exhalation valve is disclosed having an inlet, an outlet and a diaphragm movable between closed position covering the inlet and an open position away from the inlet. The valve includes a bias means comprising a sealed chamber containing a gas acting upon the diaphragm and urging the diaphragm to its closed position. An opening means in said sealed chamber conducts a control pressure to chamber to create the bias acting against one side of the diaphragm. The diaphragm comprises a flexible peripheral portion and a semi-rigid plunger. The plunger has a projection adapted to move within a confined space to align the diaphragm and provide damping to its movement. The flexible peripheral portion of the diaphragm has a specially shaped cross-section comprising two attached cantilever sections that reduce the effective resistance to motion between open and closed positions. In the preferred embodiment, the plunger is an insert that fits into and is retained by the flexible peripheral portion.

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First Claim