Abstract: A solenoid-actuated drain valve for a compressed gas reservoir of a diesel locomotive in which the valve element is a differential piston exposed on opposite faces to reservoir pressure for normally holding the valve closed and minimizing the opening force required to be exerted by the solenoid, a temperature-responsive heating element protects the valve against freezing, a sensing element senses accumulations of water from the compressed gas in the reservoir, and actuation of the heater and energizing of the solenoid for opening the valve are both controlled by a solid state circuit which prevents opening of the valve except when the sensing element senses accumulated water.

Abstract: A canister-compactor assembly insertible as a unit in a housing of a compressed gas filter, the assembly including a canister loadable with a particulate desiccant and a pneumatic compactor mounted in an outlet end of the canister and chargeable with compressed gas for compacting the desiccant, the compactor being chargeable and dischargeable outside the filter housing and in the housing being exposed to filtered compressed gas for maintaining the desiccant compacted.

Abstract: A canister assembly for containing a particulate desiccant in a housing of a compressed gas filter assembly having for the feed end of a canister a resiliently compressible closure formed of normally spring-spaced inner and outer parts connected for limited relative axial movement, the closure in operative position being contained and releasably locked in the canister with its inner part yieldably engaging an adjoining end of a charge of particulate desiccant.

Abstract: A three-way normally closed or open solenoid-actuated valve having the solenoid coil wound on a spool and therewith inserted uncoated through a side into a solenoid housing and in place encapsulated in an epoxy resin for protecting the coil and by wedging the spool against relative movement in the housing, enabling its cylindrical bore to act as a fixed guideway for receiving and guiding a reciprocable solenoid plunger. Upper and lower O-rings, the lower encapsulated with the spool and coil, seal against leakage of fluid from the solenoid housing.

Abstract: In a compressed gas filter unit including a housing and, for selective filtering, a particulate desiccant packed in a canister removably seatable from below in a central bore of the housing, a pneumatic compactor automatically charged in any filtering cycle of the filter unit and acting upwardly on the desiccant and therethrough on the canister for compacting the desiccant and pressing the canister fluid-tight against a seat therefor at the upper end of the bore.

Abstract: A waste treatment composition and process wherein a salt of lignosulfonic acid and a foam-forming surfactant system are applied to nitrogenous waste material.

Abstract: Method for decontaminating compressed gas, including in the apparatus for performing the method a separator - dryer unit responsive to the pressure of a compressed gas injected thereinto for centrifugally separating contaminants from and cooling the gas, and depending on cooling of the gas for holding a desiccant in the unit within a temperature range of substantially optimum adsorption efficiency. On periodic interruption of the injection, accumulated contaminants are discharged through a quick-opening drain port by the residual pressure in the unit, the reduction of which admits from a separate regenerating tank through a restricted orifice a reverse flow to the drain port of expanded, decontaminated gas for regenerating the desiccant.

Abstract: Solenoid-actuated valve adapted for heavy duty use by having the coil of the solenoid divided into high and low power windings connected in and automatically energized in succession by a solid state control circuit for providing in sequence high power of predetermined short duration for opening the valve and low power of usually longer duration for holding the valve in open position.

Abstract: An assembly connectable between a compressor and reservoir, having a filter unit capable of centrifugally cooling and separating condensed moisture and other contaminants from compressed air and discharging clean air in saturated condition at the outlet temperature and pressure, the unit being connected to the compressor through an inlet valve opening when the compressor begins pumping and to the reservoir through a pressure regulator valve adjustable to open only when the air in the unit reaches a predetermined pressure, which, for minimizing the absolute moisture content of the clean air passed to the reservoir, usually will be substantially maximum reservoir pressure.

Abstract: Pneumatic compactor for compacting a particulate desiccant in a compressed gas filter unit, the compactor being automatically chargeable with the compressed gas during the unit's filter cycle and manually dischargeable during the unit's drain cycle.