Compressed Air Water Removal Patents (Class 55/DIG17)
  • Patent number: 6159259
    Abstract: A filter device including a first filter having a first packing accommodated in a first sleeve thereof, and a second filter having a second packing accommodated in a second sleeve thereof, each one of the first and second packings cooperating with two retainer plates and a core bar to constitute a corresponding one of first and second filter elements, the two retainer plates being disposed on axially opposite ends of the corresponding one of the first and second packings, the core bar axially extending to pass through a center of the corresponding one of the first and second packings such that the two retainer plates engage the core bar at respective opposite ends of the core bar, the core bar being provided with a pull tab at one of the opposite ends of the core bar, so that the first and second packings are introduced and removed into and from the first and second sleeves, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignees: Maeda Limited, Maeda Shell Services Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadao Maeda
  • Patent number: 6093227
    Abstract: An air filter apparatus includes a filter body mountable in a support surface. A filter insert is mounted in a bore extending from one end of the body. A labyrinth air flow path is formed between a portion of the exterior surface of the filter body and an end cap mounted over an end portion of the body and through the filter insert in the bore in the body to prevent the ingestion of fluid through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis D. Benasutti
  • Patent number: 6077330
    Abstract: Device and method for the regeneration of a drying agent in compressed air system. The wetting degree of the drying agent is estimated and recorded by a control unit. The control unit ensures that the drying agent is dehumidified as soon as the wetting degree has reached a certain wetting degree. This certain wetting degree may be set to different levels for different operational condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Mats Sabelstrom
  • Patent number: 6074462
    Abstract: An air dryer and reservoir assembly for providing compressed air from an air compressor (20) on a heavy motor vehicle which includes an air dryer (14) connected to receive compressed air from the air compressor (20) and a secondary reservoir (12), including an integral purge volume (34), for storing compressed air which passes through the air dryer (14), with the air dryer (14) and the secondary reservoir (12) being securely attached to a housing (16) to form an air dryer reservoir module (10). A primary reservoir (18) for storing compressed air from the air dryer (14) is located remote from the air dryer reservoir module (10). A pressure equalizing mechanism (57) is disposed between the primary reservoir (18) and the secondary reservoir (12) for keeping pressure in the two reservoirs (12,18) equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Truck Brake Systems Co.
    Inventors: Leonard A. Quinn, Fred W. Hoffman, David J. Goodell
  • Patent number: 6074177
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air compressor which includes an air drier filled with a drying agent and having a first passage for supplying compressed air to one air supplied part while absorbing moisture from the compressed air by passing the compressed air through the drying agent (27) and a second passage (28a) for supplying the compressed air to another air supplied part without passing the compressed air through the drying agent. The air supplied through the first passage returns through the same passage to dry the drying agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Tokico Ltd.
    Inventors: Kan Kobayashi, Takashi Onuma
  • Patent number: 6071321
    Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for separating a liquid from a compressed gas, a baffle is provided to separate the centrifugal chamber into an upper sub-chamber and a lower sub-chamber but does not contact the walls of the chamber thereby being insufficient to prevent downward flow of separated liquid along the interior wall of the two sub-chambers, and insufficient to prevent flow of compressed gas from one sub-chamber to the other sub-chamber, the baffle nevertheless being sufficient to prevent turbulent gas flow in the lower sub-chamber when collected liquid is drained therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Trapp, Michael V. Kazakis, T. Kevin Castle
  • Patent number: 6050651
    Abstract: Air braking system of vehicles usually have a piston compressor (C) and a desiccant (D) for drying the compressor output air. The desiccant is periodically regenerated by downstream air from e.g. a reservoir (R). When a compressor is brought on load, the initial charge of air may be oil laden. The invention provides a delay mechanism to permit such initial charge of air to pass directly to exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Wabco Automotive UK Limited
    Inventor: Barry David Thomas
  • Patent number: 6033462
    Abstract: An air/oil separator used with a closed loop oil seal system for a liquid ring vacuum pump, which incorporates a multi-chambered design for facilitating multiple stages of oil particulate separation is disclosed. The separator includes a cylindrical multi-chambered accumulator and a cylindrical filter housing, which supports a conventional filter element. The accumulator has an outer housing and an inner housing, which defines an outer reservoir chamber and an inner reservoir chamber. The accumulator also includes an inner oil conduit extending through the inner reservoir chamber, which deposits the oil discharge into the inner reservoir chamber. A perforated inner baffle is mounted within the inner housing to partially divide the inner reservoir chamber. A second outer baffle is mounted inside the outer reservoir chamber between the outer and inner housings to partially divide the outer reservoir chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Dekker Vacuum Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan D. Dekker, Rick-Jan Dekker, Gerald G. Geenen
  • Patent number: 6019822
    Abstract: An air dehumidifying apparatus having a cyclone separator, a primary filter, a secondary filter, and a separation membrane element made of a special high polymer for passing steam smoothly and hardly passing air. The elements of the apparatus are disposed in a flow direction of air, so that the air may pass sequentially. Also, a casing is provided for forming an outer wall of the cyclone separator and accommodating the primary and secondary filter and separation membrane element. Large particles of oil, moisture, dust and other foreign matter are removed by the cyclone separator. As a result, the life of the primary filter is extended. By putting the filters and separation membrane element into one casing, the apparatus is reduced in size, and is installed easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Misuzu Machineries & Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Terukazu Kanzawa, Hideaki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5997616
    Abstract: A molecular sieve moisture absorption device for electrical apparatus containing a dielectric gas includes a box in which the molecular sieve is placed. The box is closed by a plate provided with a valve through which the inside of the box is evacuated. The plate is held in place on a shoulder of the box by the action of pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the box after the inside of the box has been evacuated. A gasket is placed between the plate and the shoulder to ensure that the inside volume of the box is leakproof. The device can be stored independently of the apparatus. When the device is mounted on the apparatus, evacuating the case of the apparatus causes the plate to separate from the box, thereby putting the molecular sieve into contact with the inside volume to be treated of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: GEC Alsthom T & D SA
    Inventors: Roger Ledru, Antoine Tolossi
  • Patent number: 5993522
    Abstract: A compressed air strainer and drying treatment is provided in which a filter core of the strainer can be used successively without replacement. The strainer includes a strainer main trunk, an admitting pipe stretching into the inside of the main trunk, a water intake apparatus on one side of the top end of the main trunk, and an escape pipe set on the other side of the top end connecting a heat exchanger. An automatic drainer and a manual drainer are coupled to one side of the main trunk. On another side of the main trunk, a check valve is provided and a U-shaped pipeline connects the strainer to the evaporator. The drying treatment is accomplished by splitting the inlet compressed air into many fine streams by filter baffle plates to generate innumerable small bubbles and thereby increase the contacting area between the air and the water. Oil, dirt and contaminants are carried into the air bubble and then are filtered therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Chin-Fu Huang
  • Patent number: 5961698
    Abstract: A twin tower gas drying system for cleaning and drying a stream of unpurified pressurized gas received from a source thereof for use of a pneumatic system. The drying system includes a manifold block provided with the plurality of ports. A separator and sump is connected to such block and to one of the ports for initially separating moisture and particulates from such stream of unpurified gas, and for directing the remainder of the stream to the one port in the block. A pair of desiccant containing canisters are threadably mounted on a surface of the block opposite that of the separator and sump by two respective threaded shuttle valves. The canisters and shuttle valves are, in addition, connected in fluid communication with certain of the ports provided in the block for supplying and removing pressurized air from the canisters. A port is provided for discharging dry clean air from the block. Other ports provided in the block exhaust purged air to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Murtaza R. Dossaji, Larry L. Foster, Conley L. McGee, Charlie E. Jones, Glenn A. Thomas, Michael V. Kazakis
  • Patent number: 5961678
    Abstract: A filter system utilizing a coalescing-type filter element with at least one end cap and a transport layer such that contaminants are filtered from a gas stream, coalesced and drained from the filter element completely exterior to any other component of the filter element. The filter element includes a drainage sleeve which may extend over and exterior to at least one end cap. The filter element may include a transport layer disposed exterior to a drainage layer extending between end caps. The present invention further includes a method for decontaminating a gas stream utilizing the filter system and filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Flair Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Mac Pruette, Allan Bradford Thomas
  • Patent number: 5925169
    Abstract: Method for drying a gas which has been compressed by a compressor (1) wherein compressed gas (2) from the compressor is driven through an amount of drying agent (3) until a dried, compressed gas (4) is obtained. An amount of used drying agent (7) is regenerated by driving a part (5) of dried compressed gas (4), which is heated first by the compression heat of compressor (1), through used drying agent (7). Moisture is absorbed from used drying agent (7) by a part (5) of the dried compressed gas (4), which is then condensed and separated by cooling. Part (5) of dried compressed gas (4) is then mixed with compressed gas (2) from the compressor to be dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Altas Copco Airpower, naamloze vennootschap
    Inventor: Danny Etienne Andree Vertriest
  • Patent number: 5888259
    Abstract: A filter device for compressed air in which the filter packings can be easily and quickly replaced. A first packing is accommodated in a first sleeve, a second packing is accommodated in a second sleeve, and an inlet passage portion defines an inlet passage for introducing compressed air from the exterior to the first sleeve. A guide passage portion defines a guide passage for guiding compressed air from the first sleeve to the second sleeve, and an outlet passage portion defines an outlet passage for discharging the compressed air out of the second sleeve to the exterior. The first and second sleeves, the inlet passage portion, the guide passage portion and the outlet passage portion are integrally formed of a synthetic resin, thus forming a unitary body for the filter device. The body contains access openings through which the first and second packings are independently removable, and a closure member is removably attached to each access opening to close the access opening and provide fluid-tightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Maeda Limited
    Inventor: Sadao Maeda
  • Patent number: 5853443
    Abstract: A moisture separator including a separator tank that defines a separation chamber, the separator tank having an inlet; and a separation element located at the separator tank inlet, the separation element including an outer ring having a first side and a second side, the outer ring defining a flow opening; a hub located in the flow opening; and a plurality of flow directing elements, each flow directing element including a rib joining the outer ring and the hub, and a first guide vane made integral with the rib and located along the first side of the outer ring, and a second guide vane made integral with the rib and located along the second side of the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert C. Rodgers, Lance S. Hathcock
  • Patent number: 5846271
    Abstract: A filter for removing contaminants from compressed gas is disclosed. The filter features an inverse flow regime wherein gas entering the filter first flows downwardly and then reverses direction before encountering any filter media. The filter has a connection head with a gas inlet, a gas outlet and oppositely disposed openings separated by a central partition. The openings are sealingly enclosed by elongated tubular housings which releasably attach to the head. The gas inlet communicates with one side of the partition and the outlet communicates with the opposite side. A plurality of individual filter elements are arranged on either side of the partition and filter out aerosol, vapor and particulate contaminants from the compressed gas. The filter elements are releasably mounted to the central partition and can be removed and replaced independently of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Reading Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Flynn, Peter D. Wersant, Howard M. Sherer
  • Patent number: 5820642
    Abstract: A pressurized air supply apparatus includes an air intake section for sucking air from outside, a compressor which pressurizes and discharges the air sucked by the air intake section, a removing section for removing unnecessary components contained in the pressurized air discharged from the compressor, and a pressure adjusting section with a relief valve for discharging a part of the pressurized air free of unnecessary components for the removing section when the pressure of the pressurized air reaches a value higher than a predetermined value. An output section supplies the pressurized air pressure-adjusted by the pressure adjusting section to a load. An air recycling flow path mixes the pressurized air free of unnecessary components with air from outside. Thus, the apparatus receives the air free of the unnecessary components by air recycling to supply pressurized air of a high degree of cleanliness to the load and, at the same time, to eliminate the air discharge sound from the relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: TOA Medical Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaaki Nagai, Masanori Imazu
  • Patent number: 5814133
    Abstract: A closed hollow filter canister having gas-impermeable end walls (94, 96) and a gas-permeable side wall (100). Gas contaminated with liquid is sprayed under pressure through line (90) and flow-restricting orifice (80) into the interior space of the canister where the contaminants become atomized and are retained by the side wall (100). Gas free of liquid contaminants passes into the atmosphere. In a preferred embodiment the gas is air contaminated with water, and the wall (100) is of cellulosic material which becomes wetted with water which gradually volatilizes. The filter canister may be used to treat streams (90a, 90b) from a gas compressor (50) and an associated reservoir tank (125).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Process Scientific Innovations Limited
    Inventors: Alex G. Hunter, John L. Oakton
  • Patent number: 5797980
    Abstract: An air compressor (1) is cooled by a water circuit (5) which comprises a buffer tank (6) and an air cooled cooler (7) provided with a fan (8) of adjustable speed. The buffer tank is supplied by makeup water and includes a purge (16) which serves, when the ambient temperature is relatively high, to cool the preliminarily separated compressed air from cooling water. Application in processes for separation of air by adsorption or permeation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Frederic Fillet
  • Patent number: 5792245
    Abstract: A drying cartridge for air drying systems, especially for compressed-air brake systems of vehicles, has an inner pot and an outer pot. The components used for the air drying, including a pressure spring used for compressing the drying agent, are arranged inside the inner pot constructed as a preassembled unit, in which case the inner pot can be inserted flush into the outer pot. By usage of an interior-cylindrical wall, the inner pot surrounds a duct which penetrates the drying cartridge in the axial center, through which duct a screw is guided for fastening the drying cartridge on the dryer casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Knorr Bremse Systeme Fur Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Unger, Wolfgang Hatz, Herbert Tschewik
  • Patent number: 5785742
    Abstract: A casing assembly of a desiccant housing houses desiccant in an air dryer system. The casing assembly includes a casing portion, a retainer, two porous plates, and a mechanism for compacting the desiccant. The casing portion defines a channel between two sleeves that channels moisture-bearing air from an inlet of a head end out a tail end of the casing portion. An inner sleeve defines a flow chamber between the ends. The head end features an inner seat face that seals against an inner sealing flange of a main portion of the housing. The head end features an outer seat face that connects to an outer sealing flange of the main portion. The inlet communicates with a supply port of the main portion from which the moisture-bearing air is received during a drying mode of operation of the system. An outlet of the head end communicates with a delivery port of the main portion out of which dried air is directed during the drying mode. The retainer affixes to the inner sleeve within the flow chamber at the head end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Matthew D. Mitsch
  • Patent number: 5779772
    Abstract: In a drying cartridge for air drying installations, especially for vehicle air-brake systems, an air drying agent is contained inside an outer pot, the base region of which can be closed off by a face cover. A central screw with a thread at its end passing through the face cover and securable to the dryer casing extends axially and centrally through the drying cartridge. The face cover, which may be made of thin plastic, can move to a limited extent in relation to the outer pot of the drying cartridge and is secured by clamping or friction to an O-ring which in turn is introduced into an annular groove in the central screw such that, after the drying cartridge has been released from the dryer casing, the cartridge can still be handled as a structural unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Knorr Bremse Systeme fur Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Unger, Wolfgang Hatz, Herbert Tschewik
  • Patent number: 5746791
    Abstract: A moisture and contaminant separator for compressed air includes: an outer cylinder having an upper mist accumulator and a lower water collector; and an inner cylinder secured in a central portion of the outer cylinder having an impinging condenser formed in the inner cylinder provided with a plurality of leftward and rightward oriented air passages in the impinging condenser to allow the crossing impact, impinging, mixing, settling and condensation of water mist or contaminant particles laden in the compressed air stream into the separator to be dropped and collected in the lower water collector of the outer cylinder; upon the primary removal of water and contaminants from the compressed air stream, the mist still carried on the air stream will be accumulated on the inside wall of the upper mist accumulator and then drained into the lower collector for further removal of the mist and contaminants laden in the air; and the demisted dry air will be delivered outwardly through an upper port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Chun-Wen Wang
  • Patent number: 5685896
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: T. Kevin Castle, Michael V. Kazakis
  • Patent number: 5664426
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a dehydrator for removing moisture from a gas. The dehydrator has a narrow elongate conduit having an equivalent hydraulic diameter which facilitates the diffusion of water molecules through the gas to a cooled gas contact surface of the conduit. Despite the use of narrow elongate gas flow path, the dehydration efficiency of the apparatus of the invention is outstanding and pluggage of the gas flow path is substantially eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: PAI
    Inventor: Yingzhong Lu
  • Patent number: 5662727
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: T. Kevin Castle, Michael V. Kazakis
  • Patent number: 5630865
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for dehydrating natural gas while filling a compressed natural gas storage vessel are provided. The natural gas is dehydrated through a process of compression, followed by expansion for cooling, and freezing or condensation of water from the cooled gas onto the surface of a moisture collecting material. The invention provides dehydrated compressed natural gas which can be used to supply natural gas vehicle filling stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Price Compressor Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Billy F. Price
  • Patent number: 5622544
    Abstract: A desiccant cartridge for an air dryer of the type used for compressed air supply systems. The desiccant cartridge incorporates an internally disposed particulate filter element which functions to provide particulate filtration for air coming into the desiccant cartridge. The filter element further acts to apply a compressive loading against internal components within the desiccant cartridge insuring that these parts are firmly coupled and providing sealing engagement between components despite manufacturing tolerance variations in the component parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Truck Brake Systems Company
    Inventors: Dennis R. Shamine, Larry E. Dienes
  • Patent number: 5607500
    Abstract: A desiccant type air dryer assembly having an integral purge volume with a body assembly and a removable desiccant cartridge. A retention bolt is provided in the body assembly which serves the two-fold function of retaining the cartridge and body assembly in an assembled condition as well as providing a flow passageway for air moving through the air dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Truck Brake Systems Co.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Shamine, Paul G. Reisinger
  • Patent number: 5595588
    Abstract: A desiccant type air dryer for an air supply system for a motor vehicle brake system. The air dryer incorporates features for convenient mounting and dismounting of a desiccant cartridge to the air dryer body assembly. This connection is achieved through the use of an externally accessible through bolt which passes through the body assembly and engages a central threaded boss on the load plate of the desiccant cartridge. Interlocking engagement between the desiccant cartridge and body assembly prevent these parts from rotating relative to one another during mounting and dismounting of the cartridge. The desiccant cartridge is readily removed through engaging the through bolt driving head using conventional tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Truck Brake Systems Co.
    Inventor: Jerry R. Blevins
  • Patent number: 5591243
    Abstract: A device for separating liquid particles from compressed air transported therthrough, to protect machine parts connected thereto. The device is simple to manufacture, easy to maintain and can be made of low-cost materials such as injection molded plastics. A cylindrical housing has an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends thereof for coupling into the installation. A plurality of cones are formed into a vertical pile and closely spaced from one another. Each cone has a concave deflector surface opening out towards the inlet and an orifice cut out at one point on the edge of the cone. The cones are mounted inside the housing and their edges fit closely against the inner wall surface of the housing so that the orifices of consecutive cones are offset 180.degree. apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Col-Ven S.A.
    Inventors: Rafael A. Colussi, Nestor J. Venica
  • Patent number: 5575832
    Abstract: A regenerative hygroscopic filter having a housing containing an inlet port and an outlet port, and, a hydrophilic filter element positioned within the housing and disposed between the inlet and outlet ports, and operatively arranged to filter solid particulate matter and water when gas passes into the inlet port and through the filter element, and to release water via the inlet port when gas passes from the outlet port through the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Humidtech Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Boyd
  • Patent number: 5522910
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable and easy to use end-line filter designed to be utilized between a source of compressed air such as a pneumatic hose with an air chuck on its terminal end, and the inlet valve of an inflatable such as a pneumatic tire, to remove moisture from the compressed air before the compressed air enters the inflatable. The invention may also be utilized between the end of a pneumatic hose and a compressed air powered tool. A porous filter media is utilized which has pores that allow the passage of air but do not allow the passage of water or moisture. As the filter becomes saturated, the pores progressively close and eventually block the passage of air. In this manner, the filter automatically indicates the need for a replacement filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Robert D. Fogal, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5492461
    Abstract: A flooded compressor system has a compressor unit (10) with intermeshing rotors and a separator (12) for retaining a volume of liquid. The separator (12) is arranged to receive compressed gas and liquid discharged from the compressor unit (10) through an outlet (17) and is formed solely by a single length of pipe of substantially uniform cross section which has a first substantially horizontal portion (19) to retain a liquid pool (18) and a second elevated portion (23) connected to the first portion by a bend in the pipe. A compressed gas outlet (25) leads from the second elevated portion to a separate filter element (14), and a liquid filter element (30) is mounted from, and communicates directly with the first horizontal portion of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Cash Engineering Research Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Kitchener, Michael Hinze
  • Patent number: 5487769
    Abstract: An integral separator and cooling apparatus is provided for removing a lubricant from a heated, compressed lubricant and gas mixture, and for cooling the separated lubricant. The apparatus includes a lubricant reservoir for containing a liquid lubricant. A receiving plenum is made integral with the lubricant reservoir. The receiving plenum has an inlet for receiving the heated, compressed lubricant and gas mixture, a first outlet through which a heated, compressed gas exits, and a second outlet through which the separated lubricant flows from the receiving plenum. An apparatus is provided within the receiving plenum which causes a liquid lubricant to precipitate from the lubricant and gas mixture. A cooling core is made integral with the lubricant reservoir and the receiving plenum. The cooling core fluidly communicates with the lubricant reservoir and with the receiving plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: William R. Hutchinson, Daniel T. Martin
  • Patent number: 5409514
    Abstract: An air filter includes an inlet for compressed air, a prefiltration chamber into which air from the inlet passes, a porous filter through which air from the prefiltration chamber passes to strain particular matter from the air, a plurality of venturis through which air from the porous filter passes, an expansion chamber in which air from the venturis expands and cools so that droplets of oil and water precipitate and accumulate at the bottom of the expansion chamber, and an outlet for air from the expansion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Inventors: Guiseppe Ragusa, Jimmy P. Bajada
  • Patent number: 5385592
    Abstract: A filter device for compressed air including first and second filters, wherein the first filter is free from a variation in the filtering efficiency, and does not require periodic replacement of its packing, leading to a reduced maintenance cost of the first filter. The first filter is adapted to separate the liquid and solid particles from the compressed air passing therethrough, while the second filter is adapted to remove or eliminate any residual liquid and solid particles remaining in the compressed air passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Maeda Limited
    Inventor: Sadao Maeda
  • Patent number: 5228890
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air cleaner in the form of a cyclone separator comprising a cyclone chamber (2), a gas-feeding nozzle (11) which is directed tangentially to the wall (12) of the cyclone chamber, and a gas outlet (7). The invention is characterized in that the cyclone separator comprises a liquid trap (9, 13) arranged in the wall (12) of the cyclone chamber. Further the nozzle and the liquid trap extend along substantially the entire height of the cyclone chamber. The liquid trap comprises axial grooves (13) and a chamber (9) having an inlet gap (15) which connects the chamber (9) with the cyclone chamber (2) for diverting liquid droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Sunstrom Safety AB
    Inventors: Patrik Soderlund, Lennart Sjostedt
  • Patent number: 5174798
    Abstract: A filter device includes a first purifier chamber having a first recess. A first filter cartridge is capable of being disposed within the first recess. A second purifier chamber, including a second recess, is included in the filter device. A second filter cartridge is capable of being disposed within the second recess. A contour element is associated with the second filter cartridge, the contour element being configured to resist insertion of the second filter cartridge within the first recess. A mounting portion is formed in each recess and is configured to engage with a mating portion formed on each filter cartridge. The mating portion of each type of filter cartridge is specific as to not be able to be inserted into any recess but those recesses configured for that type of filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventor: Charles J. Luby
  • Patent number: 5171336
    Abstract: A purge air system is disclosed. The system provides a common source of a periodic flow of dry air and a continuous flow of dry air for delivery to a plurality of remote control boxes containing electronic components. The purge air system includes a common cabinet which houses a dryer connected to receive air from an inlet for removal of moisture from the air, a continuous flow outlet connected to receive dry air from the dryer, a periodic flow outlet connected to receive dry air from the dryer to provide a source of periodic flow of dry air, and a periodic flow valve connected to regulate the flow of dry air from the dryer to the periodic flow outlet. Conduits connect the outlets to the remote control boxes. The periodic flow valve may be controlled by an adjustable timer, to provide a cyclical flow of dry air for periods of from one to thirty seconds followed by non-flow periods of from about one to sixty minutes. Pre-filters may be employed to pretreat the air prior to entrance into the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Inventor: Robert J. Shulick
  • Patent number: 5037454
    Abstract: A gas purification apparatus which is operable utilizing an upflow direct impingement coalescer. A central inlet in the lower portion of a column expands the flow of air and liquid droplets (vertical flow to horizontal separation). The droplets lose velocity and are impinged in the packing. Migration is first outward from the main gas flow and then downward. Finally, the liquids are drained at the bottom. A collar around the central inlet insures that liquid will not reenter into the central inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Mann Technology Limited Partnership
    Inventor: David O. Mann
  • Patent number: 5027642
    Abstract: A method to detect, measure or remove trace amounts of condensible vapors in compressed gases. The concentration of droplets detected, measured or removed may be as low as part per trillion. The compressed gas comprising a carrier gas and condensible vapors is discharged through a critical orifice in order to condense the vapors in the form of homogeneous droplets. The droplets are either detected, or their concentration measured or removed from the expanded carrier gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: American Air Liquide
    Inventors: HorngYuan Wen, Gerhard Kasper, Donell Montgomery
  • Patent number: 4925466
    Abstract: A modular filter assembly for filtering compressed air includes a cartridge housing and a self-contained filter cartridge positionable in the housing. A manifold cap is attachable to the housing to conduct a compressed air stream between an air line and the filter cartridge in the housing. The filter cartridge includes a multistage filter and a quiet zone between filter elements therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: La-Man Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Overby
  • Patent number: 4891051
    Abstract: A system for decontaminating compressed gas having twin particulate desiccant-containing towers and a two-stage coalescer-containing precoalescer upstream of and connected to the towers by an inlet manifold, each tower having a pneumatically actuated inlet valve and a solenoid valve in the inlet manifold and an outlet valve in a common outlet manifold, the towers and precoalescer each having a drain valve and containing in a lower part an upwardly acting compactor for respectively compacting the desiccant and preventing oil leakage, the towers above a predetermined pressure of gas from the precoalescer and under control of the solenoid valves and a timer each alternating between decontaminating and regenerating cycles and together alternating in decontaminating cycles for continuously supplying decontaminated gas to the outlet manifold, and the outlet manifold in turn supplying decontaminated gas as actuating gas to each of the valves and compactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Roanoke College
    Inventor: Virgil L. Frantz
  • Patent number: 4848989
    Abstract: An in-line filter device including a double-walled tube filter assembly, and an upper cap and a lower cap which are held in communication with upper and lower open ends of the filter assembly. The filter assembly has an inner tube and an outer tube which are disposed in radially spaced, and coaxial relation with each other, so as to define an annular space therebetween. One of the inner tube and the annular space is filled with a first pad adapted to coalesce vapor in compressed air passing therethrough, into droplets, while the other of the inner tube and the annular space is filled with a second pad adapted to vaporize residual liquid particles remaining in the compressed air which has passed the first pad. The upper cap has an inlet connected to the upstream side of a compressed air conduit and communicating with the first pad incorporated within the double-walled tube filter assembly. The upper cap further has an outlet connected to the downstream side of the conduit and communicating with the second pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignees: Maeda Shell Service Co., Ltd., J&M Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sadao Maeda
  • Patent number: 4812148
    Abstract: A system for removing moisture from compressed air in pneumatic brake equipment including an air compressor having an outlet pneumatically connected to an inlet of a cooler. The cooler having an outlet pneumatically connected to a pair of electromagnetic multi-way valves. Each of the valves includes a supply section and an exhaust section. A pair of drying cylinders have inlets selectively pneumatically connectable to the supply and exhaust sections of the respective pair of electromagnetic multi-way valves. An air reservoir has its inlet pneumatically connected to the outlets of the drying cylinders via a respective check valve. A governor is pneumatically connected to the air reservoir for sensing the pressure level in the air reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Nippon Air Brake Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Hata, Masaaki Kitaue
  • Patent number: 4810272
    Abstract: An inlet valve and filter arrangement for pneumatic equipment in which a disposable filter and liquid evaporator cartridge is removably received within a cylindrical bore at the equipment inlet. A check valve is constructed normally to prevent passage of air therethrough to the pneumatic equipment, and includes a valve element for engaging the cartridge and thereby opening the valve when the cartridge has been properly inserted into the equipment housing. Thus, passage of air to the equipment for operating the same is permitted only when a filter and evaporator cartridge has been properly inserted therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: La-Man Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Overby
  • Patent number: 4806134
    Abstract: The compressed air flow in an air drier is directed to either one of its two drying towers by a switch-over valve whose switch-over function is performed with the air drier unloaded by an unloader valve arranged between the air drier and a compressor. The unloader valve is caused to perform its unloading function not only at a predetermined pressure in an air tank to which the air is fed but also--by an electronic control device--after a predetermined time during periods of prolonged continuous air loading from the compressor through the air drier even if the predetermined pressure is not reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Garphyttan Haldex AB
    Inventor: Jiri E. J. Lhota
  • Patent number: 4801313
    Abstract: A gas purification apparatus which is operable utilizing an upflow direct impingement coalescer. A central inlet in the lower portion of a column expands the flow of air and liquid droplets (vertical flow to horizontal separation). The droplets lose velocity and are impinged in the packing. Migration is first outward from the main gas flow and then downward. Finally, the liquids are drained at the bottom. A collar around the central inlet insures that liquid will not reenter into the central inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Mann Technology Limited Partnership
    Inventor: David O. Mann