Importance

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Abstract

A gear pump includes a diaphragm-operated valve having a valve member adapted to close a control port. The valve member comprises a generally cupshaped housing, an elastomeric disc telescoped into the housing, and a sheet metal retainer plate which is pressed into the housing to hold the elastomeric disc therein. The retainer plate is formed with angularly spaced and radially projecting tabs which engage the housing to establish a tight fit between the plate and the housing. The retainer plate is formed by fine blanking a sheet of metal and, as a result of the fine blanking operation, axially projecting burrs are formed on the tabs. To prevent the burrs from piercing the diaphragm, a circumferentially extending relief groove is formed in the periphery of the retainer adjacent the tabs and results in the burrs being kept in spaced relation with the diaphragm.

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First Claim