Abstract: An air dryer assembly for removing moisture and oil from a compressed air system includes a desiccant material received in a shell for adsorbing moisture as compressed air passes therethrough. A coalescing element is disposed between an inlet and outlet for removing oil aerosols from the compressed air. A check valve is disposed in parallel with the coalescing element and forces the compressed air to pass through the coalescing element as air flows from the inlet to the outlet. During a purge or reverse flow, compressed air bypasses the coalescing element and removes oil collected in the cartridge through the inlet.

Abstract: An air dryer assembly for removing moisture and oil from a compressed air system includes a desiccant material received in a shell for adsorbing moisture as compressed air passes therethrough. A coalescing element is disposed between an inlet and outlet for removing oil aerosols from the compressed air. A check valve is disposed in parallel with the coalescing element and forces the compressed air to pass through the coalescing element as air flows from the inlet to the outlet. During a purge or reverse flow, compressed air bypasses the coalescing element and removes oil collected in the cartridge through the inlet.

Abstract: An air dryer assembly for removing moisture and oil from a compressed air system includes a desiccant material received in a shell for adsorbing moisture as compressed air passes therethrough. A coalescing element is disposed between an inlet and outlet for removing oil aerosols from the compressed air. A check valve is disposed in parallel with the coalescing element and forces the compressed air to pass through the coalescing element as air flows from the inlet to the outlet. During a purge or reverse flow, compressed air bypasses the coalescing element and removes oil collected in the cartridge through the inlet.

Abstract: An air dryer assembly for removing moisture and oil from a compressed air system includes a desiccant material received in a shell for adsorbing moisture as compressed air passes therethrough. A coalescing element is disposed between an inlet and outlet for removing oil aerosols from the compressed air. A check valve is disposed in parallel with the coalescing element and forces the compressed air to pass through the coalescing element as air flows from the inlet to the outlet. During a purge or reverse flow, compressed air bypasses the coalescing element and removes oil collected in the cartridge through the inlet.

Abstract: A serviceable filtering oil removal cartridge for use in a compressed air assembly of a vehicle air brake system includes a housing having a first end and a second end. A filtering element is disposed within the housing for agglomerating and removing oil from compressed air entering the oil removal cartridge. A load plate is disposed within the housing for supporting the filtering element. The load plate includes a connecting portion dimensioned to allow the oil removal cartridge to be removed and installed as a single unit. The connecting portion is preferably a threaded annulus.

Abstract: A compressed air system for an air brake system includes a heat generating element operating at an elevated temperature to maintain water in vapor state. The heat generating element is preferably an air brake compressor. A discharge oil filter is disposed downstream from the compressor for filtering oil from a stream of compressed air. The discharge oil filter is positioned close enough to the compressor to maintain water in the compressed air stream in a vapor form. The oil filter preferably includes an oil filtering media formulated to agglomerate oil as the stream of compressed air is filtered. The agglomerated oil and compressed air are passed downstream where the agglomerated oil and water from the air stream are removed. Alternatively, the agglomerated oil is filtered to a sump in a housing of the discharge oil filter.

Abstract: A serviceable filtering oil removal cartridge for use in a compressed air assembly of a vehicle air brake system includes a housing having a first end and a second end. A filtering element is disposed within the housing for agglomerating and removing oil from compressed air entering the oil removal cartridge. A load plate is disposed within the housing for supporting the filtering element. The load plate includes a connecting portion dimensioned to allow the oil removal cartridge to be removed and installed as a single unit. The connecting portion is preferably a threaded annulus.

Abstract: A purge reservoir for an air dryer in an air brake system of a vehicle is disclosed. The purge reservoir or volume (24) is separate from the associated primary and secondary reservoirs of the air brake system. The purge volume (24) is secured directly to the air dryer housing (12) by fasteners (22). Purge volume (24) is operatively connected to air dryer housing (12) by opening (30) through which compressed air flows into purge reservoir (24) during the air dryer charge cycle, and through which purge air is supplied to the air dryer during the air dryer purge cycle. No air hoses are required for connecting the purge reservoir with the air dryer. Additionally, a desiccant cartridge (14) is fully accessible and may be replaced without otherwise disturbing the air dryer-purge reservoir module. Purge reservoir (24) also includes fastening capability (40) for securing the air dryer to the vehicle, thereby eliminating the need for a separate air dryer mounting bracket.

Abstract: A compressed air system for an air brake system includes a heat generating element operating at an elevated temperature to maintain water in vapor state. The heat generating element is preferably an air brake compressor. A discharge oil filter is disposed downstream from the compressor for filtering oil from a stream of compressed air. The discharge oil filter is positioned close enough to the compressor to maintain water in the compressed air stream in a vapor form. The oil filter preferably includes an oil filtering media formulated to agglomerate oil as the stream of compressed air is filtered. The agglomerated oil and compressed air are passed downstream where the agglomerated oil and water from the air stream are removed. Alternatively, the agglomerated oil is filtered to a sump in a housing of the discharge oil filter.

Abstract: A trailer air dryer is provided to minimize contamination, leakage or freeze-up of the valves used in a pneumatic braking and suspension system caused by moisture or foreign particles in the system. A bypass assembly is provided to ensure normal brake operation should the filters or drying material/desiccant become plugged. In one embodiment, an audible signal or warning is provided to the operator indicating need for servicing the trailer air dryer.

Abstract: An air dryer for compressed air braking systems includes a desiccant canister which is provided with a double helix insert which cooperates with the walls of the canister to define a pair of intertwined, serpentine, pneumatically isolated flow paths. The flow paths extend through the canister between the end walls and are filled with a desiccant material. A single center line valve mechanism is provided to switch between the flow paths so that one of the flow paths is purged at the same time that the other flow path is pressurized.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes an input member, an output member, and clutch plates connected to the input and output members which are driven into drive engagement with one another when the clutch is engaged to connect the output member for rotation with the input member. The clutch plates carried on the input member are mounted on a separate clutch plate carrying member, which is machined before installation on the input member to thereby facilitate manufacture and assembly of the device. A fluid pressure responsive piston operates the clutch plates, and has an outer diameter slidingly and sealingly engaged with the wall to bore of the housing of the input or driving member, and its inner diameter slidingly engaged with an annular retainer which is mounted for rotation with the input member.

Abstract: A clutch drive (10) includes a spindle (16) mounting a driving member (94) and a driven member (118) for rotation about the spindle (16). The driving member (94) includes a pressure plate (96) which moves axially along the spindle to engage and disengage from the driven member (118). The pressure plate (96) is mounted on circumferentially spaced pins (102) which are slidably received in apertures (106) in the pressure plate (96). Circumferentially spaced springs (112) yieldably urge the pressure plate (96) into driving engagement with the driven member (118). A fluid pressure responsive piston (52) is connected to the pressure plate (96) by a bearing (68) and urges the pressure plate (96) away from the driven member (118).

Abstract: A fluid pressure braking system for an articlated vehicle having a towed unit and a towing unit includes a source of fluid pressure carried on the towing unit and a supply line (68) and a service line (70) which communicates the braking system on the towing unit with the braking system on the towed unit. A proportioning valve (36) controls communication to the relay valve (42) which communicates braking pressure to the rear wheel service brakes of the towing unit. The proportioning valve (36) is connected through a control port (82) to an inversion valve (76). The inversion valve (76) is responsive to fluid pressure in the supply line (68) to communicate a pressure signal to the control port (82) when the pressure level in the supply line (68) drops below a predetermined level. The proportioning valve (36) is responsive to the pressure signal on the control port (82) to proportion communication to the control port of the relay valve (42).

Abstract: A fluid pressure braking system for an articulated vehicle includes a pair of manually operated, push-pull control valves and a pressure differential responsive dual supply valve. The inlet of one of the manually operated valves is connected to the fluid pressure source, and the outlet is connected to the parking brakes on the power portion of the articulated vehicle and also to one inlet of the dual supply valve. Another inlet of the dual supply valve is connected directly to the fluid pressure source. The outlet of the dual supply valve is connected to the inlet of the second manually operated control valve, the outlet of which is connected to the parking brakes on the towed or nonpowered portion of the articulated vehicle. Application of the spring brakes on both portions of the vehicle is effected by actuation of one of the valves, but release of the spring brakes on both portions of the vehicle requires actuation of both of the manually operated valves.

Abstract: A parking brake control valve for a vehicle fluid pressure braking system is actuable by the vehicle operator to control communication from a fluid pressure source to supply hold-off pressure to the vehicle parking brakes. The parking brakes are of the spring applied, fluid pressure released type, in which the spring actuator automatically effects a mechanical brake operation when hold-off pressure drops below a predetermined level. The parking brake control valve is responsive to a supply pressure below a predetermined level to automatically vent the hold-off pressure from the parking brakes, but this predetermined low pressure is less than the value of the spring brake hold-off pressure below which the brakes are gradually applied or "drag".