Abstract: A valve stem for use with an air compressor includes an upper portion, a connecting portion, an extended intermediate portion positioned between the upper portion and the connecting portion, and a lower tapered portion positioned on a bottom surface of the connecting portion. The valve stem may define a through hole extending from a top surface of the valve stem to a bottom surface of the valve stem. An upper portion of the through hole may be threaded. The upper portion may include a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. The lower tapered portion may include an inclined surface that transitions from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter. The valve stem allows for fluid connection from a pressurized volume to atmosphere.

Abstract: A piston assembly for reducing clearance volume in a reciprocating compressor for compensating for piston tilt and improving the volumetric efficiency of the compressor includes a piston located within a piston cylinder, the piston having a first end and a second end, a wrist pin associated with the first end of the piston, and a cylinder head/valve assembly associated with the second end of the piston, wherein at least a portion of the second end of the piston includes an angled portion. The piston having the angled portion can be used with oil free cylinders and trunk type pistons. The piston can also be used in a multiple stage, multiple cylinder compressor including a series of piston assemblies. A method of increasing the volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor can also be achieved using the piston having an angled portion.

Abstract: An air compressor for a railway vehicle includes a compressor housing, at least one piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, the at least one piston cylinder including a cylinder head and a piston, a crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing and linked to the piston of the at least one piston cylinder, and an unloader valve positioned on the cylinder head of the at least one piston cylinder. The unloader valve may be configured to exhaust pressurized air from the at least one piston cylinder.

Abstract: A piston assembly for reducing clearance volume in a reciprocating compressor for compensating for piston tilt and improving the volumetric efficiency of the compressor includes a piston located within a piston cylinder, the piston having a first end and a second end, a wrist pin associated with the first end of the piston, and a cylinder head/valve assembly associated with the second end of the piston, wherein at least a portion of the second end of the piston includes an angled portion. The piston having the angled portion can be used with oil free cylinders and trunk type pistons. The piston can also be used in a multiple stage, multiple cylinder compressor including a series of piston assemblies. A method of increasing the volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor can also be achieved using the piston having an angled portion.

Abstract: A valve stem for use with an air compressor includes an upper portion, a connecting portion, an extended intermediate portion positioned between the upper portion and the connecting portion, and a lower tapered portion positioned on a bottom surface of the connecting portion. The valve stem may define a through hole extending from a top surface of the valve stem to a bottom surface of the valve stem. An upper portion of the through hole may be threaded. The upper portion may include a hexagonal cross-sectional shape. The lower tapered portion may include an inclined surface that transitions from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter. The valve stem allows for fluid connection from a pressurized volume to atmosphere.

Abstract: An air compressor for a railway vehicle includes a compressor housing, at least one piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, the at least one piston cylinder including a cylinder head and a piston, a crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing and linked to the piston of the at least one piston cylinder, and an unloader valve positioned on the cylinder head of the at least one piston cylinder. The unloader valve may be configured to exhaust pressurized air from the at least one piston cylinder.

Abstract: A pressurized oil delivery system for a reciprocating air compressor includes an oil pump having an inlet port connected to an oil pickup tube and an outlet port connected to a filter inlet tube and a user interface panel mounted to a crankcase of the air compressor. The filter inlet tube may be connected to an oil filter assembly supported on an exterior face of the user interface panel. A pressure regulating valve may be provided in line in the filter inlet tube upstream of the oil filter assembly. An oil fill port may be located on the user interface panel. An oil level indicator may be connected to an oil level indicator tube passing through and supported by the user interface panel. An oil pressure measurement port may be provided on the user interface panel.

Abstract: A pressurized oil delivery system for a reciprocating air compressor includes an oil pump having an inlet port connected to an oil pickup tube and an outlet port connected to a filter inlet tube and a user interface panel mounted to a crankcase of the air compressor. The filter inlet tube may be connected to an oil filter assembly supported on an exterior face of the user interface panel. A pressure regulating valve may be provided in line in the filter inlet tube upstream of the oil filter assembly. An oil fill port may be located on the user interface panel. An oil level indicator may be connected to an oil level indicator tube passing through and supported by the user interface panel. An oil pressure measurement port may be provided on the user interface panel.

Abstract: The pneumatic cylinder includes a cylinder body, a non-pressure head, a hollow piston rod, a piston head, and a push rod. The cylinder body has a mounting flange and an inlet port. The non-pressure head has a mounting flange. The hollow piston rod has an open end and a closed end. The piston head is secured to the hollow piston rod and defines the closed end of the hollow piston rod. The push rod has a socket end inserted within the hollow piston rod and a coupler end. The non-pressure head has a hollow rod guide bearing and a hollow rod seal and the piston head has a piston guide bearing and a piston seal. The hollow rod guide bearing and the hollow rod seal each slidably engage the hollow piston rod. The piston guide bearing and the piston seal each slidably engage the cylinder body.

Abstract: The pneumatic cylinder includes a cylinder body, a non-pressure head, a hollow piston rod, a piston head, and a push rod. The cylinder body has a mounting flange and an inlet port. The non-pressure head has a mounting flange. The hollow piston rod has an open end and a closed end. The piston head is secured to the hollow piston rod and defines the closed end of the hollow piston rod. The push rod has a socket end inserted within the hollow piston rod and a coupler end. The non-pressure head has a hollow rod guide bearing and a hollow rod seal and the piston head has a piston guide bearing and a piston seal. The hollow rod guide bearing and the hollow rod seal each slidably engage the hollow piston rod. The piston guide bearing and the piston seal each slidably engage the cylinder body.

Abstract: A water over air intercooler for use in a reciprocating air compressor includes a central core unit having an interior which contains a plurality of air passage tubes, a cooling water inlet and at least one cooling water outlet. A first manifold has at least one air inlet and is in communication with the plurality of air passage tubes so as to receive air from the at least one air inlet and direct the air to the plurality of air passage tubes. A second manifold has an air outlet and is in communication with the plurality of air passage tubes so as to receive air from the plurality of finned air passage tubes and direct the air to the at least one air outlet. The central core unit, the first manifold and the second manifold are integrally connected by welding to form a single piece.

Abstract: A crankcase for a locomotive air compressor including a body defining an interior space, a port in fluid communication with the interior space of the body, a valve receiving portion adjacent to and surrounding the port, and an oil drain valve engaged with the valve receiving portion and having a flow passageway in fluid communication with the port. The oil drain valve has an open position and a closed position, such that the oil drain valve in the open position allows oil to flow from the interior space of the body through the flow passageway, and the oil drain valve in the closed position prevents the flow of oil from the interior space of the body through the flow passageway. A method for installing a locomotive air compressor having the crankcase and oil drain valve is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an air stream. Such expandable desiccant element includes at least one first expandable containment section capable of expanding a first predetermined amount, at least one second expandable containment section capable of expanding a second predetermined amount which is greater than the first predetermined amount connected to the first expandable containment section. Such at least one first expandable containment section and at least one second expandable containment section forming a predetermined shape.

Abstract: In combination with a railway locomotive brake valve which has an exhaust valve assembly, a spring housing and a range spring, there is a device for providing enhanced damping capabilities. The device minimizes spring oscillation during operation of the locomotive brake valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that is used to measure relative humidity, such apparatus comprises a housing having a first end and a second end. There is a humidity sensor disposed at the first end of the housing for measuring the humidity in the air and a temperature sensor also disposed at the first end of the housing for measuring ambient temperature. The apparatus has an electronics portion in direct electrical communication with the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor for computing a relative humidity and a dewpoint temperature. The electronics portion is disposed within a center portion of the housing. There is, further, a battery that is in electrical communication with the electronics portion, the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor for providing power to the apparatus. Such battery is disposed in the center portion of the housing of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that is used to measure relative humidity, such apparatus comprises a housing having a first end and a second end. There is a humidity sensor disposed at the first end of the housing for measuring the humidity in the air and a temperature sensor also disposed at the first end of the housing for measuring ambient temperature. The apparatus has an electronics portion in direct electrical communication with the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor for computing a relative humidity and a dewpoint temperature. The electronics portion is disposed within a center portion of the housing. There is, further, a battery that is in electrical communication with the electronics portion, the humidity sensor and the temperature sensor for providing power to the apparatus. Such battery is disposed in the center portion of the housing of the apparatus.

Abstract: In combination with a railway locomotive brake valve having at least one exhaust valve assembly, at least one spring housing and at least one range spring, the improvement comprising a device for providing enhanced damping capabilities, whereby the device will minimize spring oscillation during operation of the locomotive brake valve.

Abstract: A potted timer and circuit board assembly for use in a regenerative desiccant air dryer. The potted timer and circuit board assembly comprise a support member of a predetermined size and shape having a first surface and a second surface. A conductive pattern of a predetermined material and thickness is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the support member. A predetermined quantity and arrangement of electronic components of a predetermined voltage is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the support member for providing a timed electronic signal to a solenoid valve that pneumatically operates an air dryer. A non-conductive material of a predetermined composition encases the electronic components on the support member for insulating the electronic components from environmental elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brake valve handle assembly for use in a brake valve of a railway braking system. The handle assembly comprises a handle for manually adjusting such brake valve to various positions and having a cavity with a predetermined shape and a predetermined width formed in the handle at least adjacent a top surface thereof that is disposed adjacent a slot formed in a housing of such brake valve. The handle assembly further includes a wear pad mounted in the cavity of the handle and a means for securing the wear pad to the handle.

Abstract: A valve seal system for passageway through a valve body emerging through a first generally flat and rigid surface, having a valve member including a resilient seal with generally flat exposed surface adapted to be brought into contact with the generally flat rigid surface, and having a generally circular, raised resilient ring portion extending from the generally flat exposed surface, the raised resilient ring portion adapted to be compressed against the generally flat rigid surface to seal the resilient seals against the generally flat rigid surface when said valve member is moved to a closed position by virtue of the raised resilient ring portion being compressed against the generally flat rigid surface.