Abstract: A twin tower air drying system for cleaning and drying a stream of unpurified pressurized air including a centrifugal separator having a baffle horizontally disposed therein to generally separate the centrifugal chamber into an upper sub-chamber and a lower sub-chamber; a pair of cavities each containing desiccant media and a purge tube with a flapper valve thereover to close and restrict flow of air through the purge tube when air is flowing upwardly through the cavity, and to open and promote air flow through the purge tube when air is flowing downwardly through the cavity; a pair of two-way control valves to either deliver a stream of air from the centrifugal separator to a cavity or to open a cavity to atmosphere; a timer control for alternately and periodically altering the condition of the two-way control valves such that when one is delivering air to a cavity, the other is open to atmosphere; a shuttle valve for admitting an output percentage of air emerging from either of the cavities to a storage cha

Abstract: A shuttle valve mechanism for a twin tower, desiccant containing compressed air cleaning and drying system housed within a rectangular cover member attachable over desiccant containing chambers to form a closure thereover with a slide valve chamber therein containing a reciprocal valve member with passageways interconnecting the two ends of the slide valve chamber with the two desiccant containing chambers. The reciprocal valve member is provided with an aperture to permit a purge percentage of the air dried in one chamber to be admitted into the other chamber to effect a purge cycle whereby the purge percentage will remove moisture from the desiccant.

Abstract: A check valve mechanism is disclosed for a twin tower gas drying system. The drying system filters unpurified gas to supply purified gas to a pneumatic system. The purified gas is supplied alternately from each tower to the mechanism for distribution in an output percentage to the pneumatic system and in a purge percentage to the drying system for purging moisture previously collected. The mechanism includes a valve body and a shuttle choke. The body defines first and second channels connected to the first and second towers, respectively; a shuttle tube having first and second ends connected to the first and second channels, respectively; and an output passage having an initial end communicating with the pneumatic system and a terminal end communicable with the tube. The choke defines an orifice and slides between the ends. When purified gas flows from the first tower, the choke slides to the second end.

Abstract: An air drying cartridge for use in an air drying system is disclosed. The air drying cartridge comprises a telescoping casing resiliently self adjustable in height which has an inner cylindrical apertured wall and an outer cylindrical apertured wall. The inner apertured wall has a facing surface, an upper end and a lower end. The outer apertured wall has a facing surface, an upper end and a lower end. The facing surface of the inner apertured wall is disposed to face the facing surface of the outer apertured wall thereby defining an opening therebetween. The air drying cartridge also includes a porous filter liner, a pair of sealing caps and a moisture absorbing material for extracting moisture from air flowing through the air drying cartridge. The porous filter liner is situated adjacent to each of the facing surfaces within the opening. One of the pair of sealing caps affixes to the upper ends of the apertured walls and another affixes to the lower ends of the apertured walls.

Abstract: A twin tower gas drying system is disclosed for filtering unpurified gas to supply purified gas to a pneumatic system. The drying system includes a separator, two coalescers, two desiccant towers and a mechanism for controlling flow of unpurified and purified gases therethrough. The separator separates moisture and other particulates from the unpurified gas. Each coalescer removes moisture remaining within the unpurified gas. A first tower removes moisture remaining within unpurified gas received from a first coalescer to provide a first stream of purified gas. A second tower removes moisture remaining within unpurified gas received from a second coalescer to provide a second stream of purified gas.

Abstract: A switching and purging mechanism is disclosed for controlling flow of gas within a twin tower gas drying system. The drying system filters unpurified gas to supply purified gas to a pneumatic system with a purge percentage for purging moisture previously retained. The mechanism includes a valve body, first and second pistons, and a control means. The body defines first and second bores, first and second supply passages, first and second output ports, and first and second purge ports. Through the control means, the first piston occupies a supply position while the second piston occupies a purge position and vice versa. When the first piston occupies the supply position, unpurified gas flows from the first passage through the first bore through the first output port and communication between the first output port and the first purge port ceases.

Abstract: An application and release magnet valve including an electropneumatic pilot valve portion for controlling a main air valve portion for supplying, maintaining, and releasing air pressure in the brake cylinders on a railway vehicle. The electropneumatic pilot valve portion includes an application solenoid which opens a first diaphragm actuated ball check valve in the main air valve portion to supply air from a supply port to a delivery port and includes a release solenoid which opens a second diaphragm actuated ball check valve to vent air from the delivery port to an exhaust port.

Abstract: A desiccant cartridge for use in a compressed air system comprising, a perforated stainless steel casing, a polyester felt support liner disposed against the inner surfaces of the perforated stainless steel casing, a pelletized moisture-absorbing material situated within the polyester felt support liner, and a pair of rubber cup-shaped end caps molded to the ends of perforated stainless steel case so that moisture vapor is extracted from compressed air passing radially the desiccant cartridge.