Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus comprises a housing having an inlet port and a chamber. A coalescing element is located in the chamber and arranged coaxially with the inlet port. The coalescing element has pleats in a predefined pattern of paths arranged to separate oil and water from an effluent mixture containing air, oil, and water. The effluent mixture flows into the inlet port along an axis of the coalescing element. The effluent mixture is deflected by a portion of the housing to flow perpendicular to the axis along major surfaces of the pleats to separate oil and water from the effluent mixture.

Abstract: An effluent processing device includes an input port to receive an effluent mixture containing air, oil, and water. One or more baffles are positioned between the input port and at least one air outlet to deflect the effluent mixture to assist in separating the oil and the water from the air. A member positioned below the one or more baffles selectively allows only oil of the separated oil and water to pass from a first side of the member through openings in the member to a second side of the member. A sump is arranged to receive and retain the oil on the second side of the member as the oil passes from the first side to the second side. The effluent processing devices includes at least one air outlet through which air is exhausted to atmosphere.

Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus comprises a housing having an inlet port and a chamber. A coalescing element is located in the chamber and arranged coaxially with the inlet port. The coalescing element has pleats in a predefined pattern of paths arranged to separate oil and water from an effluent mixture containing air, oil, and water. The effluent mixture flows into the inlet port along an axis of the coalescing element. The effluent mixture is deflected by a portion of the housing to flow perpendicular to the axis along major surfaces of the pleats to separate oil and water from the effluent mixture.

Abstract: An effluent processing device includes an input port to receive an effluent mixture containing air, oil, and water. One or more baffles are positioned between the input port and at least one air outlet to deflect the effluent mixture to assist in separating the oil and the water from the air. A member positioned below the one or more baffles selectively allows only oil of the separated oil and water to pass from a first side of the member through openings in the member to a second side of the member. A sump is arranged to receive and retain the oil on the second side of the member as the oil passes from the first side to the second side. The effluent processing devices includes at least one air outlet through which air is exhausted to atmosphere.

Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus comprises a separator device arranged to receive an effluent mixture to separate oil and water from the effluent mixture and thereby to provide clean air. A member selectively allows either only oil or only water of the separated oil and water to pass from a first side of the member through openings in the member to a second side of the member. A sump is arranged to (i) receive and retain the oil on the first side if only water passes from the first side to the second side, and (ii) receive and retain the oil on the second side if only oil passes from the first side to the second side. Clean air from the separator device is exhausted through an air outlet to atmosphere, and water is drained through a water outlet to atmosphere.

Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus comprises a coalescing element arranged to separate oil and water from an effluent mixture containing air, oil, and water from a purge valve of an air dryer. The coalescing element includes a plurality of members which define a predefined pattern of paths along which the effluent mixture flows to separate oil and water therefrom.

Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus is provided for a vehicle air brake charging system. The effluent processing apparatus comprises an inlet port through which effluent from a purge valve of an air dryer can be received and an outlet port. The effluent processing apparatus also comprises a spiral-shaped effluent channel having a portion of decreasing channel width disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port. The spiral-shaped effluent channel is provided for increasing velocity of an effluent stream as the effluent stream flows through the decreasing channel width portion of the spiral-shaped effluent channel.

Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus is provided for a vehicle air brake charging system. The effluent processing apparatus has an inlet port through which effluent from a purge valve of an air dryer can be received and an outlet port. The effluent processing apparatus further has a quadric surface defining an effluent flow chamber that is connected in fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. The quadric surface is provided for extracting contaminants from an effluent stream as the effluent stream flows from the inlet port along the quadric surface to the outlet port.

Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus comprises a separator device arranged to receive an effluent mixture to separate oil and water from the effluent mixture and thereby to provide clean air. A member selectively allows either only oil or only water of the separated oil and water to pass from a first side of the member through openings in the member to a second side of the member. A sump is arranged to (i) receive and retain the oil on the first side if only water passes from the first side to the second side, and (ii) receive and retain the oil on the second side if only oil passes from the first side to the second side. Clean air from the separator device is exhausted through an air outlet to atmosphere, and water is drained through a water outlet to atmosphere.

Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus is provided for a vehicle air brake charging system. The effluent processing apparatus comprises an inlet port through which effluent from a purge valve of an air dryer can be received and an outlet port. The effluent processing apparatus further comprises a quadric surface defining an effluent flow chamber that is connected in fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. The quadric surface is provided for extracting contaminants from an effluent stream as the effluent stream flows from the inlet port along the quadric surface to the outlet port.

Abstract: An effluent processing apparatus is provided for a vehicle air brake charging system. The effluent processing apparatus comprises an inlet port through which effluent from a purge valve of an air dryer can be received and an outlet port. The effluent processing apparatus also comprises a spiral-shaped effluent channel having a portion of decreasing channel width disposed between the inlet port and the outlet port. The spiral-shaped effluent channel is provided for increasing velocity of an effluent stream as the effluent stream flows through the decreasing channel width portion of the spiral-shaped effluent channel.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a heat-exchange dryer apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a heat-exchange dryer apparatus includes a desiccant cartridge comprising desiccant material, a purge-air reservoir secured to the desiccant cartridge, and a compressed-air conduit disposed inside the purge-air reservoir. In another embodiment, a vehicle air-brake system includes an air compressor, a desiccant cartridge comprising desiccant material, and a heat exchange dryer apparatus disposed between the compressor and the desiccant. The temperature of the compressed air is decreased while the temperature of the purge air is increased and the desiccant adsorbs a greater amount of contaminants form the compressed air for improved drying.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting an intact portion of a service brake system from a failed wheel end of a vehicle is provided. A failure in a wheel end is detected by determining an operation state of each of the wheel ends by monitoring parameters including the pressure in a parking brake air supply line. When it is determined that a failed wheel end is present in the service brake system, a service brake isolation valve is switched to a state in which the failed wheel end is isolated from the rest of the brake system. The service brake of the failed wheel end is disabled, while the service brakes of the other wheel ends are enabled for normal operation. The parking brake of the failed wheel end is enabled, while the parking brakes of the other wheel ends are disabled to prevent immobilization of the vehicle.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a heat-exchange dryer apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a heat-exchange dryer apparatus includes a desiccant cartridge comprising desiccant material, a purge-air reservoir secured to the desiccant cartridge, and a compressed-air conduit disposed inside the purge-air reservoir. In another embodiment, a vehicle air-brake system includes an air compressor, a desiccant cartridge comprising desiccant material, and a heat exchange dryer apparatus disposed between the compressor and the desiccant. The temperature of the compressed air is decreased while the temperature of the purge air is increased and the desiccant adsorbs a greater amount of contaminants form the compressed air for improved drying.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a heat-exchange dryer apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a heat-exchange dryer apparatus includes a desiccant cartridge comprising desiccant material, a purge-air reservoir secured to the desiccant cartridge, and a compressed-air conduit disposed inside the purge-air reservoir. In another embodiment, a vehicle air-brake system includes an air compressor, a desiccant cartridge comprising desiccant material, and a heat exchange dryer apparatus disposed between the compressor and the desiccant. The temperature of the compressed air is decreased while the temperature of the purge air is increased and the desiccant adsorbs a greater amount of contaminants form the compressed air for improved drying.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting an intact portion of a service brake system from a failed wheel end of a vehicle is provided. A failure in a wheel end is detected by determining an operation state of each of the wheel ends by monitoring parameters including the pressure in a parking brake air supply line. When it is determined that a failed wheel end is present in the service brake system, a service brake isolation valve is switched to a state in which the failed wheel end is isolated from the rest of the brake system. The service brake of the failed wheel end is disabled, while the service brakes of the other wheel ends are enabled for normal operation. The parking brake of the failed wheel end is enabled, while the parking brakes of the other wheel ends are disabled to prevent immobilization of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting an intact portion of a service brake system from a failed wheel end of a vehicle is provided. A failure in a wheel end is detected by determining an operation state of each of the wheel ends by monitoring parameters including the pressure in a parking brake air supply line. When it is determined that a failed wheel end is present in the service brake system, an antilock braking modulator or a service brake isolation valve is switched to a state in which the failed wheel end is isolated from the rest of the brake system. The service brake of the failed wheel end is disabled, while the service brakes of the other wheel ends are enabled for normal operation including antilock braking. And the parking brake of the failed wheel end is enabled, while the parking brakes of the other wheel ends are disabled to prevent immobilization of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an air dryer system having first and second air dryers configured to receive compressed air from a compressor, such as a compressor of a vehicle, including operating the first and second air dryers in a first mode corresponding to a high flow mode wherein the first and second air dryers are connected in parallel with the air compressor, monitoring a condition related to a low compressor output state, and operating the first and second air dryers in a second mode corresponding to a continuous flow mode when the low compressor output state is detected.

Abstract: A braking system is provided that enables application and release of a parking brake with fluid control and that also maintains application of the brake during a loss of fluid pressure—all without using springs and using only a single fluid control conduit. The brake actuator for the system includes a housing defining service and parking chambers. A pushrod in the parking chamber is configured for movement with a diaphragm in the chamber. The parking brake is applied by introducing fluid on one side of the diaphragm. A clutch surrounds the pushrod and includes a tooth configured to engage corresponding teeth on the pushrod to hold the position of the pushrod even during a loss of fluid pressure. The clutch is rotated under fluid control to move the clutch tooth into and out of alignment with the teeth on the pushrod to hold and release the parking brake.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling an air dryer system having first and second air dryers configured to receive compressed air from a compressor, such as a compressor of a vehicle, including operating the first and second air dryers in a first mode corresponding to a high flow mode wherein the first and second air dryers are connected in parallel with the air compressor, monitoring a condition related to a low compressor output state, and operating the first and second air dryers in a second mode corresponding to a continuous flow mode when the low compressor output state is detected.