Why Choose Pro-Flo® SHIFT Air-Operated Double Diaphragm (AODD) Pumps

Why is eliminating air so important?

It's extremely important for facility operators to recognize inefficient energy usage in their operations and the steps they can take to remove these inefficiencies. This includes addressing an air-operated double-diaphragm (AODD) pump's rate of air consumption in relation to the product flow rate and how much air is wasted during the pumping cycle.

Commonly known as "overfilling," this wasting of compressed air occurs at the end of every stroke when the diaphragm has traveled as far as it can go but air is still filling the chamber before shifting over to the other side. This overfilling causes stress to the diaphragm, reducing diaphragm life and wastes air, all while not producing any more flow/product. Eliminating this small amount of wasted air on every stroke adds up to BIG savings (longer diaphragm life, reduced air usage, reduced energy costs, more efficient product transfer, etc.).

View Wilden® Pro-Flo® SHIFT Series Pumps

Pro-Flo SHIFT - How it Works Animation

Watch this How It Works Animation to see exactly how Wilden's Pro-Flo SHIFT works, compared to other AODD pumps. In this video you will see how the Pro-Flo SHIFT is more simple, reliable, and efficient compared to traditional AODD competitors. It is truly as easy as plug, pump and save!

Pro-Flo® SHIFT Design

A new generation of air distribution systems (ADS) have been designed to eliminate overfilling in AODD pump operation. One such ADS is the Wilden Pro-Flo® SHIFT, which restricts the air flow into the air chamber near the end of each pump stroke so that only enough air is introduced to keep the pumping process going. This is accomplished through the incorporation of an air control spool that automatically optimizes air consumption and eliminates overfilling of the air chamber with no reduction in flow rate.

Features and benefits of the Pro-Flo SHIFT ADS include:

  • Up to 60% in air savings all while retaining existing flow rates
  • Reduced total cost of ownership
  • Ease of maintenance
  • Ability to be used in harsh operating environments
  • No electricity required
  • Designed off the same basic design principles as the tried and true Pro-Flo Series:
    • Unbalanced spool preventing stalling
    • Simple pilot spool to trigger which air chamber is filled
    • Minimum moving parts (less wear)
    • Tight tolerances to eliminate lost air

Thanks to the incorporation of the Pro-Flo SHIFT ADS, Wilden PS Series pumps have some of the highest flow rates in the industry while costing less to operate.

Compressed air is always in short supply, so use yours to the fullest with the Wilden Pro-Flo SHIFT ADS.

How it Works

The heart of the patented Pro-Flo SHIFT ADS is the air valve assembly. The air valve design incorporates an unbalanced spool with the small end of the spool being pressurized continuously while the large end of the spool is alternately pressurized, then exhausted to move the spool. The air valve spool directs pressurized air to one chamber while exhausting the other. The air forces the main shaft/diaphragm assembly to move to one side – discharging liquid on that side and pulling liquid in on the other side. When the shaft reaches the end of the stroke, the inner piston actuates the pilot spool, which controls the air to the large end of the air valve spool. The repositioning of the air valve spool routes the air to the other air chamber. The air control spool allows air to flow freely into the air chamber for the majority of each pump stroke, but it significantly restricts the flow of air into the air chamber when activated by the inner piston near the end of the each stroke.

Exploded view of the Pro-Flo SHIFT Air Distribution System

Wilden ADS Pump