PULSATION DAMPENER FOR SINGLE USE APPLICATIONS

1 . A pulsation dampener, comprising:

a centerbody defining a chamber including a first opening bounded by a wall defining a first surface;

an outlet port communicating with the chamber;

an inlet port communicating with the chamber;

a flexible first diaphragm, wherein a perimeter of the first diaphragm is sealed to the first surface so as to define a seal that blocks the passage of fluid;

a first cap disposed adjacent the first diaphragm, such that a first cavity is defined between the first cap and the first diaphragm;

an inlet orifice formed in the first cap communicating with the first cavity;

an exhaust orifice formed in the first cap communicating with the first cavity; and

a valve seat disposed in the first cavity in fluid communication with the exhaust orifice, wherein the first diaphragm is moveable between an open position in which it is spaced away from the valve seat, and a closed position in which it seals against the valve seat.

2 . The dampener of claim 1 , wherein the valve seat is held in a resilient mount.

3 . The dampener of claim 1 , wherein the centerbody is polymer and the first cap is metal.

4 . The dampener of claim 3 , wherein the first diaphragm is polymer.

5 . The dampener of claim 1 , wherein the centerbody is metal and the first cap is metal.

6 . The dampener of claim 1 , further comprising:

the chamber including a second opening bounded by a wall defining a second surface;

a flexible second diaphragm, wherein a perimeter of the second diaphragm is sealed to the second surface so as to define a seal that blocks the passage of fluid; and

a second cap disposed adjacent the second diaphragm, such that a second cavity is defined between the second cap and the second diaphragm.

7 . The dampener of claim 6 , wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are connected in fluid communication.

8 . The dampener of claim 6 , wherein the centerbody is polymer and the second cap is metal.

9 . The dampener of claim 8 , wherein the second diaphragm is polymer.

10 . The dampener of claim 6 , wherein the centerbody is metal and the second cap is metal.

11 . A combination, comprising:

the dampener of claim 1 ;

a positive displacement pump connected to the inlet port; and

an air supply coupled to the inlet orifice.

12 . The combination of claim 11 , wherein the centerbody is polymer and the first cap is metal.

13 . The combination of claim 11 , wherein the centerbody is metal and the first cap is metal.

14 . The combination of claim 11 , further comprising a variable-flow device connected between the inlet orifice and the air supply.

15 . The combination of claim 14 , wherein the variable-flow device is a needle valve.

16 . The combination of claim 11 , further comprising:

the chamber includes a second opening bounded by a wall defining a second surface;

a flexible second diaphragm, wherein a perimeter of the second diaphragm is sealed to the second surface so as to define a seal that blocks the passage of fluid;

a second cap disposed adjacent the second diaphragm, such that a second cavity is defined between the second cap and the second diaphragm; and

wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are connected in fluid communication with the air supply.

17 . The combination of claim 16 , wherein the centerbody is polymer and the second cap is metal.

18 . The combination of claim 17 , wherein the second diaphragm is polymer.

19 . The combination of claim 16 , wherein the centerbody is metal and the second cap is metal.