Abstract: An improved air compressor is provided. The air compressor includes a cylinder block having a head deck that defines a piston bore for reciprocal movement of a piston therein. The head deck further includes first and second ramped surfaces that slope downward toward the peripheral edge of the piston bore. A valve plate is in direct contact with the upper surface of the head deck, the valve plate having a leaf valve. During an intake stroke of the piston, the leaf valve deflects downward into direct engagement with the first and second ramped surfaces. Because the air compressor lacks a lower gasket between the valve plate and the head deck, the cost and assembly time associated with the lower gasket are eliminated.

Abstract: An improved air compressor is provided. The air compressor includes a cylinder block having a head deck that defines a piston bore for reciprocal movement of a piston therein. The head deck further includes first and second ramped surfaces that slope downward toward the peripheral edge of the piston bore. A valve plate is in direct contact with the upper surface of the head deck, the valve plate having a leaf valve. During an intake stroke of the piston, the leaf valve deflects downward into direct engagement with the first and second ramped surfaces. Because the air compressor lacks a lower gasket between the valve plate and the head deck, the cost and assembly time associated with the lower gasket are eliminated.

Abstract: A discharge cut-off valve for an air compressor is provided. The discharge cut-off valve includes a hinged leaf valve within the recessed portion of a cylinder head manifold. The hinged leaf valve is rotatably anchored at a first end to a joint pin and is guided at a second end by a guide pin. In the on-load phase, the hinged leaf valve is seated over an unloader vent opening while a discharge vent opening is uncovered. In the off-load phase, the hinged leaf valve is seated over the discharge vent opening while the unloader vent opening is uncovered. As a result, compressed air is prevented from escaping the discharge port of the air compressor during the off-load phase, obviating the need for a down-stream turbo cut-off valve in an air dryer, for example.

Abstract: A discharge cut-off valve for an air compressor is provided. The discharge cut-off valve includes a hinged leaf valve within the recessed portion of a cylinder head manifold. The hinged leaf valve is rotatably anchored at a first end to a joint pin and is guided at a second end by a guide pin. In the on-load phase, the hinged leaf valve is seated over an unloader vent opening while a discharge vent opening is uncovered. In the off-load phase, the hinged leaf valve is seated over the discharge vent opening while the unloader vent opening is uncovered. As a result, compressed air is prevented from escaping the discharge port of the air compressor during the off-load phase, obviating the need for a down-stream turbo cut-off valve in an air dryer, for example.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database configured to store at least one rule, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system. The system also includes a rule editor configured to create the at least one rule, update the at least one rule, delete the at least one rule, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A compressor for a vehicle air supply system includes a manifold, a cover, a gasket, an inlet, and an outlet. The manifold and cover are fixedly stacked together, and define a fluid channel system between them. The gasket extends laterally from between the manifold and cover. The fluid channel system includes an inlet air passage extending from the inlet to a cylinder inlet, a discharge air passage extending from a cylinder outlet to the outlet for discharging compressed air to the outlet, and one or more coolant channels that can be fed with a coolant to cool at least the discharge air passage. The inlet air passage, the discharge air passage, and the coolant channel(s) extend laterally, defined by wall faces of the discharge air passage. The wall faces comprise turbulator fins protruding into the discharge air passage. The turbulator fins create turbulence in the discharged compressed air flow.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring device for use in an air system of a vehicle and for controlling a compressor comprises an input air connector for connection to an air tank and for receiving an input pressure from the air tank. A first signal air connector can output a pneumatic ON-load signal for adjusting the compressor to an operation mode. A second signal air connector can output a pneumatic OFF-load signal for adjusting the compressor to a non-operation mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system.

Abstract: A compressor for a vehicle air supply system includes a manifold, a cover, a gasket, an inlet, and an outlet. The manifold and cover are fixedly stacked together, and define a fluid channel system between them. The gasket extends laterally from between the manifold and cover. The fluid channel system includes an inlet air passage extending from the inlet to a cylinder inlet, a discharge air passage extending from a cylinder outlet to the outlet for discharging compressed air to the outlet, and one or more coolant channels that can be fed with a coolant to cool least the discharge air passage. The inlet air passage, the discharge air passage, and the coolant channel(s) extend laterally, defined by wall faces of the discharge air passage. The wall faces comprise turbulator fins protruding into the discharge air passage. The turbulator fins create turbulence in the discharged compressed air flow.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system by using an offline mode of operations. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system.

Abstract: A cylinder head for a compressor includes a closure device that can be adjusted between an unactuated position (off-load) in which the compressor delivers air and an actuated position (off-load) in which the compressor is running in an idle mode, a pneumatic control device having a control cylinder and a control piston that can be moved in the control cylinder, a spring device that prestresses the closure device into the unactuated position (on-load), and a driver configured to couple the control piston to the closure device. The closure device closes a compressed air passage in the unactuated position (on-load) and clears the compressed air passage in the actuated position (off-load), and the driver is permanently connected to the closure device and can be driven by the control piston.

Abstract: A method to avoid a single point of failure in a system that includes at least two monitoring devices, at least two power supplies and a switching device coupled between the monitoring devices and the power supplies. The method includes performing a test that can determine if two monitoring devices are receiving power from the power supply, generating an error code and varying a position of one or more switches in a switching device based on the error code.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring device for use in an air system of a vehicle and for controlling a compressor comprises an input air connector for connection to an air tank and for receiving an input pressurer from the air tank. A first signal air connector can output a pneumatic ON-load signal for adjusting the compressor to an operation mode. A second signal air connector can output a pneumatic OFF-load signal for adjusting the compressor to a non-operation mode.

Abstract: A method to avoid a single point of failure in a system that includes at least two monitoring devices, at least two power supplies and a switching device coupled between the monitoring devices and the power supplies. The method includes performing a test that can determine if two monitoring devices are receiving power from the power supply, generating an error code and varying a position of one or more switches in a switching device based on the error code.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system by using an offline mode of operations. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database configured to store at least one rule, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system. The system also includes a rule editor configured to create the at least one rule, update the at least one rule, delete the at least one rule, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database configured to store at least one rule, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system. The system also includes a rule editor configured to create the at least one rule, update the at least one rule, delete the at least one rule, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring health of a process control system. The system includes a device configured to receive diagnostic alarm data that relates to the health of the process control system, group the diagnostic alarm data into a plurality of groups, and identify a problem associated with each group of diagnostic alarm data in the plurality of groups.

Abstract: A cylinder head for a compressor includes a closure device that can be adjusted between an unactuated position (off-load) in which the compressor delivers air and an actuated position (off-load) in which the compressor is running in an idle mode, a pneumatic control device having a control cylinder and a control piston that can be moved in the control cylinder, a spring device that prestresses the closure device into the unactuated position (on-load), and a driver configured to couple the control piston to the closure device. The closure device closes a compressed air passage in the unactuated position (on-load) and clears the compressed air passage in the actuated position (off-load), and the driver is permanently connected to the closure device and can be driven by the control piston.