Abstract: A ring valve assembly for use in a reciprocating type fluid pump with a piston cylinder and a cylinder head includes a ring valve having a fluid seal surface for selectively closing a fluid passage of a cylinder head and an annular ring retainer having a fulcrum edge and tapered top surface. The retainer is positioned beneath the ring valve and a slight clearance is designed in such that the ring valve experiences as a first stage of movement/deflection slight vertical travel. Continued operation of the fluid pump results in a second stage of deflection where the ring valve deflects into a frustoconical shape and lays against the tapered surface of the retainer, pivoting about the fulcrum edge.

Abstract: A unique air dryer for use in an air compressor system which includes an air governor, an air compressor and a storage tank is disclosed. The air dryer incorporates therein an isolation valve adjacent the inlet from the compressor which serves to isolate the compressor during the unloading cycle. Also incorporated into the housing of the air dryer is a purge valve which is simultenously opened when the isolation valve is closed, and vice versa. A check valve is also incorporated into the air dryer housing adjacent the outlet to the storage tank. Finally, a small conduit connecting the inlet port from the compressor to the outlet of the air dryer is included. A small check valve is disposed within the conduit so that air flow is only permitted to flow from the outlet to the inlet when the system is in its unloaded mode in order to maintain pressure in the pipe which connects the compressor to the air dryer.

Abstract: A ring valve assembly for use in a reciprocating type fluid pump with a piston cylinder and a cylinder head is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a ring valve having a fluid seal surface for a selectively closing a fluid passage of a cylinder head and bias means for the ring valve for urging the ring valve in a first direction. The bias means includes the outer peripheral edge region of the ring valve being secured between opposing upper and lower annular surfaces with a predetermined smaller clearance. The upper annular surface includes an outer edge and the lower annular surface includes an inner edge which defines a fulcrum radially inward of the outer edge.

Abstract: A compressor unloaded system for use in compressed air supply systems having reciprocating type air compressor means supplied with atmospheric or turbocharged air is shown. Means are provided to block off the air intake of such compressors, and to maintain back pressure against the exhaust valve of said air compressor during an unloading cycle, thereby preventing operation of the intake and exhaust valves of such compressor, and creating an "air spring" in the cylinder of such air compressor during an unloading cycle.