US20140260995A1 - Air Dryer Cartridge with Integrated Check Valve - Google Patents
Air Dryer Cartridge with Integrated Check Valve Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140260995A1 US20140260995A1 US13/830,050 US201313830050A US2014260995A1 US 20140260995 A1 US20140260995 A1 US 20140260995A1 US 201313830050 A US201313830050 A US 201313830050A US 2014260995 A1 US2014260995 A1 US 2014260995A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- air dryer
- check valve
- outer shell
- inner shell
- seal portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
- B01D46/0039—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with flow guiding by feed or discharge devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
- B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
- B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
- B01D53/0407—Constructional details of adsorbing systems
- B01D53/0423—Beds in columns
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
- B01D53/26—Drying gases or vapours
- B01D53/261—Drying gases or vapours by adsorption
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S55/00—Gas separation
- Y10S55/17—Compressed air water removal
Definitions
- the present invention is directed to an air dryer cartridge, and more specifically to an air dryer cartridge having an integrated check valve.
- the pneumatic braking system of a commercial vehicle typically has an air compressor, a governor for controlling the operating cycle of the air compressor, an air dryer and a reservoir for holding pressurized air for delivery to the pneumatic components, such as the brakes.
- the air compressor operates successively in a loading (compressing) mode and an unloading (non-compressing) mode.
- the governor When the pressure in the air reservoir falls below a predetermined minimum pressure, typically about 100 psig, the governor causes the air compressor to operate in the loading mode to compress air for storage in the air reservoir. Before storing the air in the air reservoir, the compressed air from the air compressor passes through an air dryer which removes moisture and contaminants therefrom. When the air reservoir reaches the desired pressure, typically about 120 psig, the governor causes the air compressor to operate in the unloading mode and causes the purge valve in the air dryer to open to atmosphere.
- a predetermined minimum pressure typically about 100 psig
- One type of air dryer includes a removable cartridge that dries the compressed air as it flows through the cartridge during the loading mode.
- the governor causes the purge valve in the air dryer to open the inlet of the cartridge to exhaust to atmosphere, the air flow direction is reversed and previously dried compressed air is sent through the cartridge to remove moisture and contaminants from the cartridge.
- a check valve is commonly used to reduce the rate of flow of air through the cartridge during the unloading mode in order to more efficiently remove moisture and contaminants from the desiccant.
- the check valve is frequently positioned within a housing of the air dryer, but it may also be a part of the air dryer cartridge.
- One type of air dryer cartridge has outer and inner shells with a seal positioned between the two to direct air flow through a preferable passage within the cartridge. The seal is not integrated with a check valve.
- air dryer cartridges also have two separate gaskets or seals for sealing between a base of the cartridge and an air dryer. These seals are also not integrated with a check valve.
- the present invention is directed toward an air dryer cartridge having an outer shell, an inner shell positioned within the outer shell, and a check valve positioned at least partially between the inner and outer shells.
- the inner and outer shells each have an inlet and an outlet.
- the outer shell is preferably operable to removably engage an air dryer.
- the check valve is operable to regulate the rate of flow of fluid through the outlet of the inner shell. Incorporating the check valve into the air dryer cartridge permits an operator to replace the check valve by replacing the entire cartridge without accessing the interior of an air dryer on which the cartridge is installed.
- the check valve also seals between portions of the inner and outer shells and/or is operable to sealingly engage an air dryer.
- the check valve is preferably positioned to seal between the inner and outer shells and/or sealingly engage an air dryer on which the cartridge is installed to reduce complexity of the cartridge and the number of seals and serviceable items within the cartridge.
- the outlet of the inner shell preferably includes a plurality of holes and the check valve preferably has a flap that is moveable between a low flow rate position, in which it blocks a majority of the holes, and a high flow rate position, in which fluid can flow through each of the holes.
- the check valve has a first seal portion coupled with and extending from the flap that seals between portions of the inner and outer shells.
- the check valve also preferably has a second seal portion coupled with and extending from the first seal portion that is operable to sealingly engage an air dryer removably engaged by the outer shell.
- the inlets of the outer and inner shells may be spaced either radially inward or radially outward from the outlets of the outer and inner shells.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an air dryer cartridge with an outside to inside air flow path during a loading mode
- FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 mounted to a dryer with arrows showing the air flow path during the loading mode;
- FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 mounted to a dryer with arrows showing the air flow path during an unloading mode;
- FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cartridge of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of air dryer cartridge mounted to a dryer with arrows showing an inside to outside air flow path during a loading mode;
- FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG. 5 mounted to a dryer with arrows showing an air flow path during an unloading mode
- FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an air dryer system for which the cartridge of FIG. 1 or FIG. 5 may be used.
- FIG. 1 An air dryer cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is generally shown as 10 in FIG. 1 .
- the cartridge 10 dries and cleans compressed air in an air supply system, such as the system shown in FIG. 7 , before the air is routed to a supply reservoir 12 , system reservoirs 13 a and 13 b and/or pneumatic components of the system, such as brake system 14 .
- the cartridge 10 removably connects to an air dryer 16 that receives compressed air from air compressor 18 and routes the compressed air through the cartridge 10 .
- the cartridge 10 is used in the air system of a large motor vehicle such as a bus, truck, semi-tractor, or trailer, but it is within the scope of the invention for the cartridge 10 to be used in any type of air system.
- the cartridge 10 is operable to both dry and clean air in a loading mode and be regenerated in an unloading mode during which air flows from a purge reservoir 20 through the cartridge in the opposite direction as the flow of air during the loading mode to remove moisture and contaminants from the cartridge 10 .
- the cartridge 10 includes an outer shell 22 , an inner shell 24 positioned within outer shell 22 , and a check valve 26 positioned partially between the outer shell 22 and inner shell 24 .
- the check valve 26 seals between a portion of outer shell 22 and a portion of inner shell 24 and also sealingly engages air dryer 16 when the cartridge 10 is removably installed on the air dryer 16 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- the check valve 26 also regulates the rate of flow of fluid entering the cartridge 10 during the unloading mode shown in FIG. 3 .
- the outer shell 22 includes a cylindrical housing 28 having an open end 30 that is partially enclosed by a gasket retainer 32 and base plate 34 .
- the housing 28 includes a side wall 36 integrally joined with a top wall 38 .
- a lower end of the side wall 36 adjacent open end 30 is rolled with a peripheral edge of gasket retainer 32 to join the housing 28 and gasket retainer 32 .
- a seal (not shown) may be positioned between the side wall 36 and gasket retainer 32 to prevent air flow between them.
- the gasket retainer 32 includes a groove 40 in its lower surface that receives a gasket 42 , which seals between the gasket retainer 32 and air dryer 16 , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- the gasket retainer 32 includes eight holes 44 a - h (shown in FIG. 4 ) spaced equidistant from each other and a center of the cartridge 10 and surrounding a larger central hole 46 (shown in FIG. 1 ).
- Base plate 34 is positioned on top of gasket retainer 32 .
- the base plate 34 is disk shaped and is sized so that its peripheral edge closely fits within the inner surface of side wall 36 .
- the base plate includes eight concentric holes, two of which are shown as 48 a and 48 b in FIG. 1 , each aligned with the holes 44 a - h of gasket retainer 32 and surrounding a larger central hole 50 that is smaller than and aligned with the central hole 46 of gasket retainer 32 .
- the aligned holes 44 a - h and 48 a - b of gasket retainer 32 and base plate 34 respectively, in combination form an inlet of the outer shell 22 .
- Base plate 34 has a cylindrical, threaded surface 52 that surrounds opening 50 and engages a threaded surface 53 ( FIG. 2 ) on air dryer 16 when the cartridge 10 is installed on the air dryer 16 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- Inner shell 24 includes a cylindrical side wall 54 that is joined with an integral bottom wall 56 at one end and has an open end 58 opposite bottom wall 56 .
- a cylindrical inner wall 60 is integral with and extends upward from bottom wall 56 .
- Inner wall 60 is concentric with and has a smaller diameter than side wall 54 .
- Bottom wall 56 includes a plurality of holes 62 positioned between the side wall 54 and inner wall 60 that in combination form an inlet of the inner shell 24 .
- Bottom wall 56 also includes a plurality of holes 64 surrounded by the inner wall 60 that in combination form an outlet of the inner shell 24 .
- the holes 64 include a central hole 64 a and a plurality of holes 64 b spaced radially outward from the central hole 64 a .
- the inlets of outer shell 22 and inner shell 24 are spaced radially outward from the outlets of outer shell 22 and inner shell 24 .
- Bottom wall 56 is spaced a distance from base plate 34 to create a ring-shaped chamber 65 between them.
- a ring-shaped pre-filter 66 is supported by bottom wall 56 and is positioned between side wall 54 and inner wall 60 . Although pre-filter 66 occupies the entire space between bottom wall 56 and the coalescing filter 68 described below, only a portion of pre-filter 66 is shown in FIG. 1 so that holes 62 are visible. Pre-filter 66 filters relatively large particles of contaminants from the air passing through it.
- a second ring-shaped coalescing filter(s) 68 is supported by filter 66 and is positioned between side wall 54 and inner wall 60 . Coalescing filter 68 is designed to collect and remove oil aerosols from the compressed air.
- a third ring-shaped filter pad 70 is supported by filter 68 and is positioned between side wall 54 and inner wall 60 .
- Filter pad 70 also removes contaminants from the air passing through it.
- Desiccant beads 72 fill the inner shell 24 between side wall 54 and inner wall 60 and within inner wall 60 . Only a small number of desiccant beads 72 are shown in the drawings for clarity. The desiccant beads 72 absorb moisture from air that enters the inner shell 24 through holes 62 as is well known in the art. Filters 66 , 68 , and 70 prevent desiccant beads 72 from exiting inner shell 24 through holes 62 .
- Another disk-shaped fine filter 74 is supported by bottom wall 56 and surrounded by inner wall 60 . Although fine filter 74 covers all of holes 64 , only a portion of fine filter 74 is shown in FIG. 1 so that holes 64 are visible. Fine filter 74 removes contaminants from air passing through it and prevents fine particles (dust) from exiting inner shell 24 through holes 64 .
- a load plate 76 and spring 78 are positioned between the desiccant beads 72 and top wall 38 of housing 28 to reduce gaps between the desiccant beads 72 and improve the performance of the beads 72 .
- the load plate 76 includes a cylindrical side wall 80 that is slidably received by the side wall 54 of inner shell 24 and a top wall 82 integral with side wall 80 and spaced a distance from top wall 38 of housing 28 .
- a spring retainer 84 is integral with and extends upward from top wall 82 toward the top wall 38 of housing 28 .
- the spring retainer 84 includes concentric circular walls spaced a distance to define a groove for receiving a portion of spring 78 therebetween.
- Spring 78 is a coil spring positioned between the top wall 38 of housing 28 and top wall 82 of load plate 76 that forces load plate 76 downward to exert pressure on desiccant beads 72 .
- Check valve 26 includes a generally circular base 86 with a periphery forming a first seal portion 88 that seals between the base plate 34 of outer shell 22 and bottom wall 56 of inner shell 24 .
- the base 86 includes a middle portion 90 integral with and extending radially inward from first seal portion 88 .
- the middle portion 90 is slightly thinner than the first seal portion 88 to create a groove between the first seal portion 88 and a second seal portion 92 that is integral with and extends downward from middle portion 90 .
- Five flaps 94 a - e are integral with and extend radially inward from the middle portion 90 . While five flaps are shown in FIG.
- the second seal portion 92 includes a cylindrical section 92 a extending generally perpendicular downward from the flaps 94 a - e and a tapered end 92 b with a triangular cross-section extending downward from the cylindrical section 92 a .
- the tapered end 92 b extends outward from the cylindrical section 92 a and is operable to fit tightly against an inner cylindrical surface 96 of dryer 16 , as shown in FIG. 2 , for sealingly engaging dryer 16 and preventing air from flowing between the dryer 16 and second seal portion 92 .
- the second seal portion 92 is generally concentric with and spaced apart from the cylindrical, threaded surface 52 of base plate 34 .
- a cylindrical protrusion 98 of dryer 16 that defines inner surface 96 and contains threads 53 on its outer surface is positioned between the cylindrical, threaded surface 52 of base plate 34 and second seal portion 92 when cartridge 10 is installed on dryer 16 .
- the protrusion 98 also abuts the first seal portion 88 and middle portion 90 and fits within the groove between the first seal portion 88 and second seal portion 92 .
- the flaps 94 a - e of check valve 26 are operable to regulate the rate of flow of fluid through the holes 64 comprising the outlet of the inner shell 24 .
- the air when air enters the cartridge 10 in a loading mode through holes 44 a - e of outer shell 22 and exits through holes 64 of inner shell 24 , the air causes the flaps 94 a - e to flex away from the bottom wall 56 of inner shell 24 .
- the flaps 94 a - e When the flaps 94 a - e are in this flexed, high flow rate position, the flaps 94 a - e do not cover holes 64 so that air is operable to flow through the holes 64 and out of the cartridge 10 at a relatively high flow rate.
- a relatively high flow rate is desirable in the loading mode so that the air compressor 18 ( FIG. 7 ) can quickly pressurize the air system.
- the flaps 94 a - e are pressed against the bottom wall 56 of inner shell 24 .
- the flaps 94 a - e cover holes 64 b leaving hole 64 a as the only hole 64 through which air can flow into the inner shell 24 .
- air can only flow through hole 64 a when the flaps 94 a - e are in this position, air flows through the cartridge 10 at a lower flow rate in the unloading mode than when in the loading mode.
- a lower flow rate is desirable in the unloading mode to maximize the removal of moisture and contaminants from the desiccant beads 72 .
- Cartridge 100 may be substituted for the cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 7 to dry and clean compressed air in the air supply system.
- cartridge 100 is operable to both dry and clean air in a loading mode and be recharged in an unloading mode during which air flows from a purge reservoir 20 through the cartridge in the opposite direction as the flow of air during the loading mode to remove moisture and contaminants from the cartridge 100 .
- the cartridge 100 includes an outer shell 102 , an inner shell 104 positioned within outer shell 102 , and a check valve 106 positioned partially between the outer shell 102 and inner shell 104 .
- the check valve 106 seals between a portion of outer shell 102 and a portion of inner shell 104 and also sealingly engages air dryer 16 when the cartridge 100 is removably installed on the air dryer 16 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- the check valve 106 also regulates the rate of flow of fluid entering the cartridge 100 during the unloading mode shown in FIG. 6 .
- the outer shell 102 includes a cylindrical housing 108 having an open end 110 that is partially enclosed by a gasket retainer 112 and base plate 114 .
- the housing 108 includes a side wall 116 integrally joined with a top wall (not shown) in a similar manner as the housing 28 shown in FIG. 1 .
- a lower end of the side wall 116 adjacent open end 110 is rolled with a peripheral edge of gasket retainer 112 to join the housing 108 and gasket retainer 112 .
- a seal (not shown) may be positioned between the side wall 116 and gasket retainer 112 to prevent air flow between them.
- the gasket retainer 112 includes a groove 118 in its lower surface that receives a gasket 120 , which seals between the gasket retainer 112 and air dryer 16 , as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- the gasket retainer 112 includes eight holes, one of which is shown as 122 , spaced equidistant from each other and a center of the cartridge 100 and surrounding a larger central hole 124 .
- the holes 122 are similar to the holes 44 a - h of cartridge 10 shown in FIG. 4 .
- Base plate 114 is positioned on top of gasket retainer 112 .
- the base plate 114 is disk shaped and is sized so that its peripheral edge closely fits within the inner surface of side wall 116 .
- the base plate 114 includes eight concentric holes, one of which is shown as 126 , each aligned with the holes 122 of gasket retainer 112 and surrounding a larger central hole 128 that is smaller than and aligned with the central hole 124 of gasket retainer 112 .
- the aligned holes 122 and 126 of gasket retainer 112 and base plate 114 respectively, in combination form an outlet of the outer shell 102 .
- Base plate 114 has a cylindrical, threaded surface 130 that surrounds opening 128 and engages a threaded surface 53 on air dryer 16 when the cartridge 100 is installed on the air dryer 16 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- Inner shell 104 includes a cylindrical side wall 132 that is joined with an integral bottom wall 134 at one end and has an open end (not shown) opposite bottom wall 134 similar to inner shell 24 shown in FIG. 1 .
- Bottom wall 134 includes a peripheral angled section 134 a integral with and extending downward from side wall 132 and a central horizontal section 134 b integral with angled section 134 a .
- a step 136 including substantially vertical and horizontal surfaces extends upward from bottom wall section 134 b .
- a cylindrical inner wall 138 is integral with and extends upward from step 136 .
- Inner wall 138 is concentric with and has a smaller diameter than side wall 132 .
- Central section 134 b of bottom wall 134 includes a plurality of holes 140 and 142 positioned between the side wall 132 and inner wall 138 that in combination form an outlet of the inner shell 104 .
- Holes 140 have a larger diameter than holes 142 .
- Central section 134 b also includes a plurality of holes 144 surrounded by the inner wall 138 that in combination form an inlet of the inner shell 104 .
- the outlets of outer shell 102 and inner shell 104 are spaced radially outward from the inlets of outer shell 102 and inner shell 104 .
- Bottom wall 134 is spaced a distance from base plate 114 to create a chamber 146 between them.
- a circular pre-filter 148 is supported by bottom wall 134 and is surrounded by inner wall 138 .
- Pre-filter 148 preferably performs the same functions as the pre-filter 66 shown in FIG. 1 .
- a second circular coalescing filter 150 is supported by filter 148 and is surrounded by inner wall 138 .
- Coalescing filter 150 preferably performs the same functions as the coalescing filter 68 shown in FIG. 1 .
- a third circular filter pad 152 is supported by filter 150 and is surrounded by inner wall 138 .
- Filter pad 152 preferably performs the same functions as the filter pad 70 shown in FIG. 1 .
- Desiccant beads 154 fill the inner shell 104 between side wall 132 and inner wall 138 and within inner wall 138 .
- desiccant beads 154 remove moisture and contaminants from air that enters the inner shell 104 through holes 144 as is well known in the art. Filters 148 , 150 , and 152 prevent desiccant beads 154 from exiting inner shell 104 through holes 144 .
- Another ring-shaped fine filter 156 is supported by bottom wall 134 above holes 140 and 142 . Fine filter 156 preferably performs the same functions as the fine filter 74 shown in FIG. 1 and prevents desiccant beads 154 from exiting inner shell 104 through holes 140 .
- the cartridge 100 preferably has a load plate (not shown) and spring (not shown) that are similar to the load plate 76 and spring 78 of cartridge 10 described above and shown in FIG. 1 to reduce gaps between the desiccant beads 154 and improve the performance of the beads 154 .
- Check valve 106 includes a generally circular base 158 that forms a first seal portion sealing between the base plate 114 of outer shell 102 and bottom wall 134 of inner shell 104 .
- the peripheral edge of the base 158 forms a flap 160 extending radially outward from the first seal portion.
- a groove 162 in the base 158 receives a corresponding protrusion of bottom wall 134 for aligning the check valve 106 .
- a second seal portion 164 is integral with and extends downward from base 158 .
- the second seal portion 164 includes a cylindrical section extending generally perpendicular downward from the base 158 and a tapered end 166 with a triangular cross-section extending downward from the cylindrical section.
- the tapered end 166 extends outward from the cylindrical section and is operable to fit tightly against an inner cylindrical surface 96 of dryer 16 , as shown in FIG. 5 , for sealingly engaging dryer 16 and preventing air from flowing between the dryer 16 and second seal portion 164 .
- the second seal portion 164 is generally concentric with and spaced apart from the cylindrical, threaded surface 130 of base plate 114 .
- Cylindrical protrusion 98 of dryer 16 that defines inner surface 96 and contains threads 53 on its outer surface is positioned between the cylindrical, threaded surface 130 of base plate 114 and second seal portion 164 when cartridge 100 is installed on dryer 16 .
- the protrusion 98 also abuts the base 158 .
- the flap 160 of check valve 106 is operable to regulate the rate of flow of fluid through the holes 140 comprising a portion of the outlet of the inner shell 104 .
- the air causes the flap 160 to flex away from the bottom wall 134 of inner shell 104 .
- the flap 160 is positioned away from the holes 140 so that air is operable to flow through the holes 140 and out of the cartridge 100 at a relatively high flow rate.
- air compressor 18 compresses air that flows into air dryer 16 .
- the air passes from air dryer 16 into either air dryer cartridge 10 or air dryer cartridge 100 (shown in FIG. 5 ) to dry and clean the air as described above.
- the air flows out of air dryer cartridge 10 back into air dryer 16 .
- the air dryer 16 has two outlets, one for supplying air to purge reservoir 20 and another for supplying air to supply reservoir 12 .
- the air dryer 16 also has an outlet one-way check valve 170 that the air passes through before entering supply reservoir 12 .
- Supply reservoir 12 supplies air to system reservoirs 13 a and 13 b , which store the pressurized air until it is needed to operate components of brake system 14 .
- Each of the system reservoirs 13 a and 13 b has an inlet one-way check valve 171 a and 171 b , respectively, that prevents air in the system reservoirs 13 a and 13 b from flowing back into the supply reservoir 12 .
- the air pressure in purge reservoir 20 and supply reservoir 12 is approximately equal.
- Governor 172 is fluidly coupled with supply reservoir 12 to sense when the air pressure reaches a cut off level. When the air pressure within supply reservoir 12 reaches a cut off level, governor 172 operates an unloader(s) (not shown) within the air compressor 18 which shuts off air compressor 18 . The governor 172 also opens a purge valve (not shown) of air dryer 16 which causes air within the air dryer 16 to exhaust from the air dryer 16 to the atmosphere.
- the air system When air compressor 18 shuts off, the air system is in an unloading mode for removing moisture and contaminants from air dryer cartridge 10 .
- the unloading mode air flows from the purge reservoir 20 through air dryer 16 and air dryer cartridge 10 in the reverse direction as the air flow during the loading mode. The air removes moisture and contaminants from the air dryer cartridge 10 and exhausts from the air dryer 16 to the atmosphere.
- check valve 170 prevents air from flowing out of supply reservoir 12 back into air dryer 16 .
- the air flows in reverse through air dryer cartridge 10 at a lower flow rate than in the loading mode, as described above. It is within the scope of the invention for cartridges 10 and 100 to be used in different types of systems then the one shown in FIG. 7 and described herein.
- the purge reservoir 20 may be incorporated within the air dryer 16 , and the purge reservoir 20 may be connected in series to the supply reservoir 12 instead of being connected in parallel to the supply reservoir 12 as shown in FIG. 7 .
- purge reservoir 20 , check valve 170 , and check valve 171 b may be omitted so that air from system reservoir 13 b flows in reverse through the air dryer cartridge 10 during the unloading mode.
- the system reservoir 13 b has a pressure controlled check valve (not shown) and the air dryer 16 includes a valve (not shown) at its outlet that regulates the amount of air from system reservoir 13 b that flows in reverse through the air dryer cartridge 10 .
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Valves And Accessory Devices For Braking Systems (AREA)
- Drying Of Gases (AREA)
- Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- Not applicable.
- Not applicable.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention is directed to an air dryer cartridge, and more specifically to an air dryer cartridge having an integrated check valve.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- The pneumatic braking system of a commercial vehicle typically has an air compressor, a governor for controlling the operating cycle of the air compressor, an air dryer and a reservoir for holding pressurized air for delivery to the pneumatic components, such as the brakes. The air compressor operates successively in a loading (compressing) mode and an unloading (non-compressing) mode.
- When the pressure in the air reservoir falls below a predetermined minimum pressure, typically about 100 psig, the governor causes the air compressor to operate in the loading mode to compress air for storage in the air reservoir. Before storing the air in the air reservoir, the compressed air from the air compressor passes through an air dryer which removes moisture and contaminants therefrom. When the air reservoir reaches the desired pressure, typically about 120 psig, the governor causes the air compressor to operate in the unloading mode and causes the purge valve in the air dryer to open to atmosphere.
- One type of air dryer includes a removable cartridge that dries the compressed air as it flows through the cartridge during the loading mode. During the unloading mode, when the governor causes the purge valve in the air dryer to open the inlet of the cartridge to exhaust to atmosphere, the air flow direction is reversed and previously dried compressed air is sent through the cartridge to remove moisture and contaminants from the cartridge.
- A check valve is commonly used to reduce the rate of flow of air through the cartridge during the unloading mode in order to more efficiently remove moisture and contaminants from the desiccant. The check valve is frequently positioned within a housing of the air dryer, but it may also be a part of the air dryer cartridge. One type of air dryer cartridge has outer and inner shells with a seal positioned between the two to direct air flow through a preferable passage within the cartridge. The seal is not integrated with a check valve. Typically, air dryer cartridges also have two separate gaskets or seals for sealing between a base of the cartridge and an air dryer. These seals are also not integrated with a check valve.
- The present invention is directed toward an air dryer cartridge having an outer shell, an inner shell positioned within the outer shell, and a check valve positioned at least partially between the inner and outer shells. The inner and outer shells each have an inlet and an outlet. The outer shell is preferably operable to removably engage an air dryer. The check valve is operable to regulate the rate of flow of fluid through the outlet of the inner shell. Incorporating the check valve into the air dryer cartridge permits an operator to replace the check valve by replacing the entire cartridge without accessing the interior of an air dryer on which the cartridge is installed.
- Preferably, the check valve also seals between portions of the inner and outer shells and/or is operable to sealingly engage an air dryer. The check valve is preferably positioned to seal between the inner and outer shells and/or sealingly engage an air dryer on which the cartridge is installed to reduce complexity of the cartridge and the number of seals and serviceable items within the cartridge.
- The outlet of the inner shell preferably includes a plurality of holes and the check valve preferably has a flap that is moveable between a low flow rate position, in which it blocks a majority of the holes, and a high flow rate position, in which fluid can flow through each of the holes. Preferably, the check valve has a first seal portion coupled with and extending from the flap that seals between portions of the inner and outer shells. The check valve also preferably has a second seal portion coupled with and extending from the first seal portion that is operable to sealingly engage an air dryer removably engaged by the outer shell. The inlets of the outer and inner shells may be spaced either radially inward or radially outward from the outlets of the outer and inner shells.
- Additional aspects of the invention, together with the advantages and novel features appurtenant thereto, will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned from the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
-
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an air dryer cartridge with an outside to inside air flow path during a loading mode; -
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge ofFIG. 1 mounted to a dryer with arrows showing the air flow path during the loading mode; -
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge ofFIG. 1 mounted to a dryer with arrows showing the air flow path during an unloading mode; -
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the cartridge ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of air dryer cartridge mounted to a dryer with arrows showing an inside to outside air flow path during a loading mode; -
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge ofFIG. 5 mounted to a dryer with arrows showing an air flow path during an unloading mode; and -
FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an air dryer system for which the cartridge ofFIG. 1 orFIG. 5 may be used. - An air dryer cartridge in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is generally shown as 10 in
FIG. 1 . Thecartridge 10 dries and cleans compressed air in an air supply system, such as the system shown inFIG. 7 , before the air is routed to asupply reservoir 12,system reservoirs brake system 14. Thecartridge 10 removably connects to anair dryer 16 that receives compressed air fromair compressor 18 and routes the compressed air through thecartridge 10. Preferably, thecartridge 10 is used in the air system of a large motor vehicle such as a bus, truck, semi-tractor, or trailer, but it is within the scope of the invention for thecartridge 10 to be used in any type of air system. As discussed in more detail below, thecartridge 10 is operable to both dry and clean air in a loading mode and be regenerated in an unloading mode during which air flows from apurge reservoir 20 through the cartridge in the opposite direction as the flow of air during the loading mode to remove moisture and contaminants from thecartridge 10. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , thecartridge 10 includes anouter shell 22, aninner shell 24 positioned withinouter shell 22, and acheck valve 26 positioned partially between theouter shell 22 andinner shell 24. As described in more detail below, thecheck valve 26 seals between a portion ofouter shell 22 and a portion ofinner shell 24 and also sealingly engagesair dryer 16 when thecartridge 10 is removably installed on theair dryer 16 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 . Thecheck valve 26 also regulates the rate of flow of fluid entering thecartridge 10 during the unloading mode shown inFIG. 3 . - The
outer shell 22 includes acylindrical housing 28 having anopen end 30 that is partially enclosed by agasket retainer 32 andbase plate 34. Thehousing 28 includes aside wall 36 integrally joined with atop wall 38. A lower end of theside wall 36 adjacentopen end 30 is rolled with a peripheral edge ofgasket retainer 32 to join thehousing 28 andgasket retainer 32. A seal (not shown) may be positioned between theside wall 36 andgasket retainer 32 to prevent air flow between them. Thegasket retainer 32 includes agroove 40 in its lower surface that receives agasket 42, which seals between thegasket retainer 32 andair dryer 16, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 . Thegasket retainer 32 includes eight holes 44 a-h (shown inFIG. 4 ) spaced equidistant from each other and a center of thecartridge 10 and surrounding a larger central hole 46 (shown inFIG. 1 ). -
Base plate 34 is positioned on top ofgasket retainer 32. Thebase plate 34 is disk shaped and is sized so that its peripheral edge closely fits within the inner surface ofside wall 36. The base plate includes eight concentric holes, two of which are shown as 48 a and 48 b inFIG. 1 , each aligned with the holes 44 a-h ofgasket retainer 32 and surrounding a largercentral hole 50 that is smaller than and aligned with thecentral hole 46 ofgasket retainer 32. The aligned holes 44 a-h and 48 a-b ofgasket retainer 32 andbase plate 34, respectively, in combination form an inlet of theouter shell 22. The alignedholes gasket retainer 32 andbase plate 34, respectively, form an outlet of theouter shell 22.Base plate 34 has a cylindrical, threadedsurface 52 that surroundsopening 50 and engages a threaded surface 53 (FIG. 2 ) onair dryer 16 when thecartridge 10 is installed on theair dryer 16 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 . -
Inner shell 24 includes acylindrical side wall 54 that is joined with anintegral bottom wall 56 at one end and has anopen end 58opposite bottom wall 56. A cylindricalinner wall 60 is integral with and extends upward frombottom wall 56.Inner wall 60 is concentric with and has a smaller diameter thanside wall 54.Bottom wall 56 includes a plurality ofholes 62 positioned between theside wall 54 andinner wall 60 that in combination form an inlet of theinner shell 24.Bottom wall 56 also includes a plurality ofholes 64 surrounded by theinner wall 60 that in combination form an outlet of theinner shell 24. Theholes 64 include acentral hole 64 a and a plurality ofholes 64 b spaced radially outward from thecentral hole 64 a. The inlets ofouter shell 22 andinner shell 24 are spaced radially outward from the outlets ofouter shell 22 andinner shell 24.Bottom wall 56 is spaced a distance frombase plate 34 to create a ring-shapedchamber 65 between them. - A ring-shaped
pre-filter 66 is supported bybottom wall 56 and is positioned betweenside wall 54 andinner wall 60. Althoughpre-filter 66 occupies the entire space betweenbottom wall 56 and the coalescingfilter 68 described below, only a portion ofpre-filter 66 is shown inFIG. 1 so thatholes 62 are visible. Pre-filter 66 filters relatively large particles of contaminants from the air passing through it. A second ring-shaped coalescing filter(s) 68 is supported byfilter 66 and is positioned betweenside wall 54 andinner wall 60. Coalescingfilter 68 is designed to collect and remove oil aerosols from the compressed air. A third ring-shapedfilter pad 70 is supported byfilter 68 and is positioned betweenside wall 54 andinner wall 60.Filter pad 70 also removes contaminants from the air passing through it.Desiccant beads 72 fill theinner shell 24 betweenside wall 54 andinner wall 60 and withininner wall 60. Only a small number ofdesiccant beads 72 are shown in the drawings for clarity. Thedesiccant beads 72 absorb moisture from air that enters theinner shell 24 throughholes 62 as is well known in the art.Filters desiccant beads 72 from exitinginner shell 24 throughholes 62. Another disk-shapedfine filter 74 is supported bybottom wall 56 and surrounded byinner wall 60. Althoughfine filter 74 covers all ofholes 64, only a portion offine filter 74 is shown inFIG. 1 so thatholes 64 are visible.Fine filter 74 removes contaminants from air passing through it and prevents fine particles (dust) from exitinginner shell 24 throughholes 64. - A
load plate 76 andspring 78 are positioned between thedesiccant beads 72 andtop wall 38 ofhousing 28 to reduce gaps between thedesiccant beads 72 and improve the performance of thebeads 72. Theload plate 76 includes acylindrical side wall 80 that is slidably received by theside wall 54 ofinner shell 24 and atop wall 82 integral withside wall 80 and spaced a distance fromtop wall 38 ofhousing 28. Aspring retainer 84 is integral with and extends upward fromtop wall 82 toward thetop wall 38 ofhousing 28. Thespring retainer 84 includes concentric circular walls spaced a distance to define a groove for receiving a portion ofspring 78 therebetween.Spring 78 is a coil spring positioned between thetop wall 38 ofhousing 28 andtop wall 82 ofload plate 76 that forces loadplate 76 downward to exert pressure ondesiccant beads 72. - Check
valve 26 includes a generallycircular base 86 with a periphery forming afirst seal portion 88 that seals between thebase plate 34 ofouter shell 22 andbottom wall 56 ofinner shell 24. Thebase 86 includes amiddle portion 90 integral with and extending radially inward fromfirst seal portion 88. Themiddle portion 90 is slightly thinner than thefirst seal portion 88 to create a groove between thefirst seal portion 88 and asecond seal portion 92 that is integral with and extends downward frommiddle portion 90. Five flaps 94 a-e (shown inFIG. 4 ) are integral with and extend radially inward from themiddle portion 90. While five flaps are shown inFIG. 4 , it is within the scope of the invention for thecheck valve 26 to have any number of flaps. Thesecond seal portion 92 includes acylindrical section 92 a extending generally perpendicular downward from the flaps 94 a-e and atapered end 92 b with a triangular cross-section extending downward from thecylindrical section 92 a. Thetapered end 92 b extends outward from thecylindrical section 92 a and is operable to fit tightly against an innercylindrical surface 96 ofdryer 16, as shown inFIG. 2 , for sealingly engagingdryer 16 and preventing air from flowing between thedryer 16 andsecond seal portion 92. Thesecond seal portion 92 is generally concentric with and spaced apart from the cylindrical, threadedsurface 52 ofbase plate 34. Acylindrical protrusion 98 ofdryer 16 that definesinner surface 96 and containsthreads 53 on its outer surface is positioned between the cylindrical, threadedsurface 52 ofbase plate 34 andsecond seal portion 92 whencartridge 10 is installed ondryer 16. Theprotrusion 98 also abuts thefirst seal portion 88 andmiddle portion 90 and fits within the groove between thefirst seal portion 88 andsecond seal portion 92. - The flaps 94 a-e of
check valve 26 are operable to regulate the rate of flow of fluid through theholes 64 comprising the outlet of theinner shell 24. Referring toFIG. 2 , when air enters thecartridge 10 in a loading mode through holes 44 a-e ofouter shell 22 and exits throughholes 64 ofinner shell 24, the air causes the flaps 94 a-e to flex away from thebottom wall 56 ofinner shell 24. When the flaps 94 a-e are in this flexed, high flow rate position, the flaps 94 a-e do not coverholes 64 so that air is operable to flow through theholes 64 and out of thecartridge 10 at a relatively high flow rate. A relatively high flow rate is desirable in the loading mode so that the air compressor 18 (FIG. 7 ) can quickly pressurize the air system. Referring toFIG. 3 , when air enters thecartridge 10 in an unloading mode through the outlet of theouter shell 22 defined byholes bottom wall 56 ofinner shell 24. When the flaps 94 a-e are in this low flow rate position, the flaps 94 a-e cover holes 64b leaving hole 64 a as theonly hole 64 through which air can flow into theinner shell 24. Because air can only flow throughhole 64 a when the flaps 94 a-e are in this position, air flows through thecartridge 10 at a lower flow rate in the unloading mode than when in the loading mode. A lower flow rate is desirable in the unloading mode to maximize the removal of moisture and contaminants from thedesiccant beads 72. - Referring now to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , a second embodiment of air dryer cartridge in accordance with the present invention is shown generally as 100.Cartridge 100 may be substituted for thecartridge 10 shown inFIG. 7 to dry and clean compressed air in the air supply system. Likecartridge 10,cartridge 100 is operable to both dry and clean air in a loading mode and be recharged in an unloading mode during which air flows from apurge reservoir 20 through the cartridge in the opposite direction as the flow of air during the loading mode to remove moisture and contaminants from thecartridge 100. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , thecartridge 100 includes anouter shell 102, aninner shell 104 positioned withinouter shell 102, and acheck valve 106 positioned partially between theouter shell 102 andinner shell 104. As described in more detail below, thecheck valve 106 seals between a portion ofouter shell 102 and a portion ofinner shell 104 and also sealingly engagesair dryer 16 when thecartridge 100 is removably installed on theair dryer 16 as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 . Thecheck valve 106 also regulates the rate of flow of fluid entering thecartridge 100 during the unloading mode shown inFIG. 6 . - The
outer shell 102 includes acylindrical housing 108 having anopen end 110 that is partially enclosed by agasket retainer 112 andbase plate 114. Thehousing 108 includes aside wall 116 integrally joined with a top wall (not shown) in a similar manner as thehousing 28 shown inFIG. 1 . A lower end of theside wall 116 adjacentopen end 110 is rolled with a peripheral edge ofgasket retainer 112 to join thehousing 108 andgasket retainer 112. A seal (not shown) may be positioned between theside wall 116 andgasket retainer 112 to prevent air flow between them. Thegasket retainer 112 includes agroove 118 in its lower surface that receives agasket 120, which seals between thegasket retainer 112 andair dryer 16, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 . Thegasket retainer 112 includes eight holes, one of which is shown as 122, spaced equidistant from each other and a center of thecartridge 100 and surrounding a largercentral hole 124. Theholes 122 are similar to the holes 44 a-h ofcartridge 10 shown inFIG. 4 . -
Base plate 114 is positioned on top ofgasket retainer 112. Thebase plate 114 is disk shaped and is sized so that its peripheral edge closely fits within the inner surface ofside wall 116. Thebase plate 114 includes eight concentric holes, one of which is shown as 126, each aligned with theholes 122 ofgasket retainer 112 and surrounding a largercentral hole 128 that is smaller than and aligned with thecentral hole 124 ofgasket retainer 112. The alignedholes gasket retainer 112 andbase plate 114, respectively, in combination form an outlet of theouter shell 102. The alignedholes gasket retainer 112 andbase plate 114, respectively, form an inlet of theouter shell 102.Base plate 114 has a cylindrical, threadedsurface 130 that surroundsopening 128 and engages a threadedsurface 53 onair dryer 16 when thecartridge 100 is installed on theair dryer 16 as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 . -
Inner shell 104 includes acylindrical side wall 132 that is joined with anintegral bottom wall 134 at one end and has an open end (not shown) oppositebottom wall 134 similar toinner shell 24 shown inFIG. 1 .Bottom wall 134 includes a peripheralangled section 134 a integral with and extending downward fromside wall 132 and a centralhorizontal section 134 b integral withangled section 134 a. Astep 136 including substantially vertical and horizontal surfaces extends upward frombottom wall section 134 b. A cylindricalinner wall 138 is integral with and extends upward fromstep 136.Inner wall 138 is concentric with and has a smaller diameter thanside wall 132.Central section 134 b ofbottom wall 134 includes a plurality ofholes side wall 132 andinner wall 138 that in combination form an outlet of theinner shell 104.Holes 140 have a larger diameter than holes 142. Preferably, there are fourholes 142 evenly spaced from each other and having a diameter of approximately 0.035 inches. Preferably, there are a plurality ofholes 140 for allowing air to flow at a relatively high flow rate out of theinner shell 104.Central section 134 b also includes a plurality ofholes 144 surrounded by theinner wall 138 that in combination form an inlet of theinner shell 104. The outlets ofouter shell 102 andinner shell 104 are spaced radially outward from the inlets ofouter shell 102 andinner shell 104.Bottom wall 134 is spaced a distance frombase plate 114 to create achamber 146 between them. - A
circular pre-filter 148 is supported bybottom wall 134 and is surrounded byinner wall 138.Pre-filter 148 preferably performs the same functions as the pre-filter 66 shown inFIG. 1 . A secondcircular coalescing filter 150 is supported byfilter 148 and is surrounded byinner wall 138. Coalescingfilter 150 preferably performs the same functions as the coalescingfilter 68 shown inFIG. 1 . A thirdcircular filter pad 152 is supported byfilter 150 and is surrounded byinner wall 138.Filter pad 152 preferably performs the same functions as thefilter pad 70 shown inFIG. 1 .Desiccant beads 154 fill theinner shell 104 betweenside wall 132 andinner wall 138 and withininner wall 138. Only a small number ofdesiccant beads 154 are shown in the drawings for clarity. Thedesiccant beads 154 remove moisture and contaminants from air that enters theinner shell 104 throughholes 144 as is well known in the art.Filters desiccant beads 154 from exitinginner shell 104 throughholes 144. Another ring-shapedfine filter 156 is supported bybottom wall 134 aboveholes Fine filter 156 preferably performs the same functions as thefine filter 74 shown inFIG. 1 and preventsdesiccant beads 154 from exitinginner shell 104 throughholes 140. - The
cartridge 100 preferably has a load plate (not shown) and spring (not shown) that are similar to theload plate 76 andspring 78 ofcartridge 10 described above and shown inFIG. 1 to reduce gaps between thedesiccant beads 154 and improve the performance of thebeads 154. -
Check valve 106 includes a generallycircular base 158 that forms a first seal portion sealing between thebase plate 114 ofouter shell 102 andbottom wall 134 ofinner shell 104. The peripheral edge of the base 158 forms aflap 160 extending radially outward from the first seal portion. Agroove 162 in thebase 158 receives a corresponding protrusion ofbottom wall 134 for aligning thecheck valve 106. Asecond seal portion 164 is integral with and extends downward frombase 158. Thesecond seal portion 164 includes a cylindrical section extending generally perpendicular downward from thebase 158 and a tapered end 166 with a triangular cross-section extending downward from the cylindrical section. The tapered end 166 extends outward from the cylindrical section and is operable to fit tightly against an innercylindrical surface 96 ofdryer 16, as shown inFIG. 5 , for sealingly engagingdryer 16 and preventing air from flowing between thedryer 16 andsecond seal portion 164. Thesecond seal portion 164 is generally concentric with and spaced apart from the cylindrical, threadedsurface 130 ofbase plate 114.Cylindrical protrusion 98 ofdryer 16 that definesinner surface 96 and containsthreads 53 on its outer surface is positioned between the cylindrical, threadedsurface 130 ofbase plate 114 andsecond seal portion 164 whencartridge 100 is installed ondryer 16. Theprotrusion 98 also abuts thebase 158. - The
flap 160 ofcheck valve 106 is operable to regulate the rate of flow of fluid through theholes 140 comprising a portion of the outlet of theinner shell 104. Referring toFIG. 5 , when air enters thecartridge 100 in a loading mode throughhole 128 ofouter shell 102 andholes 144 ofinner shell 104 and exits throughholes inner shell 104, the air causes theflap 160 to flex away from thebottom wall 134 ofinner shell 104. When theflap 160 is in this flexed, high flow rate position, theflap 160 is positioned away from theholes 140 so that air is operable to flow through theholes 140 and out of thecartridge 100 at a relatively high flow rate. Referring toFIG. 6 , when air enters thecartridge 100 in an unloading mode through the outlet of theouter shell 102 defined byholes flap 160 into a low flow rate position againstbottom wall 134 where it covers holes 140. Thus, in the unloading mode air is blocked from flowing throughholes 140 and can only flow intoinner shell 104 throughholes 142. Because there are only fourholes 142 having a relatively small diameter, the rate of flow of air intoinner shell 104 during the unloading mode is less than the rate of flow of air through thecartridge 100 during the loading mode. - In operation, referring to
FIG. 7 , when the air system is operating in a loading mode,air compressor 18 compresses air that flows intoair dryer 16. The air passes fromair dryer 16 into eitherair dryer cartridge 10 or air dryer cartridge 100 (shown inFIG. 5 ) to dry and clean the air as described above. The air flows out ofair dryer cartridge 10 back intoair dryer 16. Theair dryer 16 has two outlets, one for supplying air to purgereservoir 20 and another for supplying air to supplyreservoir 12. Theair dryer 16 also has an outlet one-way check valve 170 that the air passes through before enteringsupply reservoir 12.Supply reservoir 12 supplies air tosystem reservoirs brake system 14. Each of thesystem reservoirs way check valve system reservoirs supply reservoir 12. During the loading mode, the air pressure inpurge reservoir 20 andsupply reservoir 12 is approximately equal.Governor 172 is fluidly coupled withsupply reservoir 12 to sense when the air pressure reaches a cut off level. When the air pressure withinsupply reservoir 12 reaches a cut off level,governor 172 operates an unloader(s) (not shown) within theair compressor 18 which shuts offair compressor 18. Thegovernor 172 also opens a purge valve (not shown) ofair dryer 16 which causes air within theair dryer 16 to exhaust from theair dryer 16 to the atmosphere. Whenair compressor 18 shuts off, the air system is in an unloading mode for removing moisture and contaminants fromair dryer cartridge 10. In the unloading mode, air flows from thepurge reservoir 20 throughair dryer 16 andair dryer cartridge 10 in the reverse direction as the air flow during the loading mode. The air removes moisture and contaminants from theair dryer cartridge 10 and exhausts from theair dryer 16 to the atmosphere. During the unloading mode,check valve 170 prevents air from flowing out ofsupply reservoir 12 back intoair dryer 16. In the unloading mode, the air flows in reverse throughair dryer cartridge 10 at a lower flow rate than in the loading mode, as described above. It is within the scope of the invention forcartridges FIG. 7 and described herein. For example, thepurge reservoir 20 may be incorporated within theair dryer 16, and thepurge reservoir 20 may be connected in series to thesupply reservoir 12 instead of being connected in parallel to thesupply reservoir 12 as shown inFIG. 7 . Alternatively,purge reservoir 20,check valve 170, andcheck valve 171 b may be omitted so that air fromsystem reservoir 13 b flows in reverse through theair dryer cartridge 10 during the unloading mode. In this embodiment of air system, thesystem reservoir 13 b has a pressure controlled check valve (not shown) and theair dryer 16 includes a valve (not shown) at its outlet that regulates the amount of air fromsystem reservoir 13 b that flows in reverse through theair dryer cartridge 10. - From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all ends and objectives herein-above set forth, together with the other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the invention.
- Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.
- While specific embodiments have been shown and discussed, various modifications may of course be made, and the invention is not limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts and steps described herein, except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims. Further, it will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/830,050 US8852327B1 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2013-03-14 | Air dryer cartridge with integrated check valve |
CA2845555A CA2845555C (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2014-03-12 | Air dryer cartridge with integrated check valve |
MX2014003218A MX355962B (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2014-03-14 | Air dryer cartridge with integrated check valve. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/830,050 US8852327B1 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2013-03-14 | Air dryer cartridge with integrated check valve |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140260995A1 true US20140260995A1 (en) | 2014-09-18 |
US8852327B1 US8852327B1 (en) | 2014-10-07 |
Family
ID=51521501
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/830,050 Active 2033-04-23 US8852327B1 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2013-03-14 | Air dryer cartridge with integrated check valve |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8852327B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2845555C (en) |
MX (1) | MX355962B (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20160236668A1 (en) * | 2015-02-12 | 2016-08-18 | Richard Mortvedt | Air Dryer Bypass Device and System |
CN106373726A (en) * | 2016-10-31 | 2017-02-01 | 陕西金源自动化科技有限公司 | Temperature control switching maintenance-free moisture absorber with dual drying chambers longitudinally arranged |
US20170106335A1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2017-04-20 | Man Truck & Bus Ag | Device for detachable fastening of a drying agent cartridge to a housing section of a compressed-air treatment installation of a vehicle |
WO2017063735A1 (en) * | 2015-10-13 | 2017-04-20 | Daimler Ag | Air dryer cartridge for an air drying device of a vehicle |
US20170106325A1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2017-04-20 | Man Truck & Bus Ag | Device for the detachable fastening of a drying agent cartridge to a housing of a compressed-air treatment installation of a vehicle |
US20170106326A1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2017-04-20 | Man Truck & Bus Ag | Drying agent cartridge |
US20170136407A1 (en) * | 2014-06-26 | 2017-05-18 | Donaldson Filtration Deutschland Gmbh | Device for Arranging in a Container of a Sorption Dehydrator for a Fluid, Container of a Sorption Dehydrator and System |
US11344843B1 (en) * | 2020-12-18 | 2022-05-31 | Semyungtech Co., Ltd. | Air dryer cartridge |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE102016002385A1 (en) | 2016-03-01 | 2017-09-07 | Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH | Air dryer cartridge and coil spring for air dryer cartridge |
JP6626584B2 (en) * | 2016-10-21 | 2019-12-25 | 日立オートモティブシステムズ株式会社 | Dryer device and air suspension system |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6216489B1 (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 2001-04-17 | Fedders Corporation | Liquid desiccant air conditioner |
US20120118157A1 (en) * | 2009-06-29 | 2012-05-17 | Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge Gmbh | Air Dryer Cartridge for a Compressed Air Treatment System of a Vehicle |
US20130036912A1 (en) * | 2011-08-11 | 2013-02-14 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Llc | Air dryer cartridge |
Family Cites Families (34)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3680283A (en) | 1970-09-21 | 1972-08-01 | Gen Motors Corp | Air dryer assembly for vehicle leveling system |
US3923479A (en) | 1973-09-21 | 1975-12-02 | Westinghouse Air Brake Co | Multiple filter apparatus |
US4487617A (en) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-12-11 | The Bendix Corporation | Mechanism for cleaning and drying compressed gases |
SE448419B (en) | 1984-04-19 | 1987-02-23 | Haldex Ab | DEVICE AT A DRYER FOR A PRESSURE DRYER |
JPS6144218U (en) | 1984-08-21 | 1986-03-24 | 株式会社ナブコ | Compressed air storage tank with compressed air dryer |
DE3523403A1 (en) | 1985-06-29 | 1987-01-02 | Wabco Westinghouse Fahrzeug | DEVICE FOR DRYING A GAS FLOW |
US4713094A (en) | 1985-08-28 | 1987-12-15 | Jidosha Kiki Co., Ltd. | Air drier apparatus |
JPS6323948Y2 (en) | 1985-09-05 | 1988-07-01 | ||
US4664141A (en) | 1985-11-01 | 1987-05-12 | Eaton Corporation | Minimum pressure retention valve |
SE463544B (en) | 1988-10-18 | 1990-12-10 | Garphyttan Haldex Ab | AIR DRYING TOWER |
US5286282A (en) | 1993-05-04 | 1994-02-15 | Allied-Signal Inc. | Continuous flow air dryer with double helix split desiccant bed |
US5286283A (en) | 1993-05-17 | 1994-02-15 | Alliedsignal Inc. | Air dryer for compressed air system having a serviceable oil filter |
US5427609A (en) | 1993-09-14 | 1995-06-27 | Horton Industries, Inc. | Device for cleaning and drying compressed gas |
US5685896A (en) | 1996-02-06 | 1997-11-11 | Westinghouse Air Brake Company | Linear choke shuttle/orifice check valve mechanism for a twin tower air dryer |
US5662727A (en) | 1996-02-06 | 1997-09-02 | Westinghouse Air Brake Company | Twin tower air dryer for an air compressor unit |
US5715621A (en) | 1996-09-13 | 1998-02-10 | Westinghouse Air Brake Company | Regenerative desiccant air dryer |
US5899435A (en) | 1996-09-13 | 1999-05-04 | Westinghouse Air Brake Co. | Molded rubber valve seal for use in predetermined type valves, such as, a check valve in a regenerative desiccant air dryer |
GB9619535D0 (en) | 1996-09-19 | 1996-10-30 | Wabco Automotive Uk | An air drier |
DE19710059C1 (en) | 1997-03-12 | 1998-07-09 | Grau Gmbh | Compressed air processor for air generator in motor vehicles |
US5851269A (en) | 1997-05-02 | 1998-12-22 | Baldwin Filters, Inc. | Air desiccant canister for an air brake system |
US5930910A (en) | 1997-11-26 | 1999-08-03 | Westinghouse Air Brake Company | Purge tube with flapper valve for desiccant containing air drier |
US5917139A (en) | 1997-12-18 | 1999-06-29 | Alliedsignal Truck Brake Systems Company | Air dryer reservoir module |
SE9800843L (en) | 1998-03-16 | 1999-09-17 | Haldex Brake Prod Ab | Dryer |
US6089262A (en) | 1999-06-04 | 2000-07-18 | Westinghouse Air Brake Company | Retained seat check valve |
SE9903692L (en) | 1999-10-14 | 2001-04-15 | Haldex Brake Prod Ab | Method and apparatus for cleaning air in a compressed air system |
US6835235B2 (en) | 2002-01-25 | 2004-12-28 | Sporlan Valve Company | Molded core filter drier with filter media molded to core for use in heat pump systems |
US6786953B2 (en) | 2002-07-26 | 2004-09-07 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Llc | Spin-on desiccant cartridge with integral oil removal filter |
US6878194B2 (en) | 2003-02-06 | 2005-04-12 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Llc | Remote purge drying unit for compressed gas |
DE102004059508C5 (en) | 2004-12-10 | 2008-07-03 | Haldex Brake Products Gmbh | Method for cleaning compressed air in compressed air supply systems of motor vehicles and cartridge therefor |
US7520922B2 (en) | 2005-09-30 | 2009-04-21 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Llc | Air dryer system |
CN2859411Y (en) | 2005-12-12 | 2007-01-17 | 瑞立集团有限公司 | Air dryer for vehicle |
US7544234B2 (en) | 2006-01-26 | 2009-06-09 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems Llc | Vehicle air system having an indicator device and method |
DE102007011246B4 (en) | 2007-03-08 | 2009-02-05 | Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH | Compressed air supply device and valve housing |
GB0719917D0 (en) | 2007-10-11 | 2007-11-21 | Walker Filtration Ltd | Regenerative adsorption gas dryer |
-
2013
- 2013-03-14 US US13/830,050 patent/US8852327B1/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-03-12 CA CA2845555A patent/CA2845555C/en active Active
- 2014-03-14 MX MX2014003218A patent/MX355962B/en active IP Right Grant
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6216489B1 (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 2001-04-17 | Fedders Corporation | Liquid desiccant air conditioner |
US20120118157A1 (en) * | 2009-06-29 | 2012-05-17 | Knorr-Bremse Systeme Fuer Nutzfahrzeuge Gmbh | Air Dryer Cartridge for a Compressed Air Treatment System of a Vehicle |
US20130036912A1 (en) * | 2011-08-11 | 2013-02-14 | Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, Llc | Air dryer cartridge |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170136407A1 (en) * | 2014-06-26 | 2017-05-18 | Donaldson Filtration Deutschland Gmbh | Device for Arranging in a Container of a Sorption Dehydrator for a Fluid, Container of a Sorption Dehydrator and System |
US10576416B2 (en) * | 2014-06-26 | 2020-03-03 | Donaldson Filtration Deutschland Gmbh | Device for arranging in a container of a sorption dehydrator for a fluid, container of a sorption dehydrator and system |
US20160236668A1 (en) * | 2015-02-12 | 2016-08-18 | Richard Mortvedt | Air Dryer Bypass Device and System |
WO2017063735A1 (en) * | 2015-10-13 | 2017-04-20 | Daimler Ag | Air dryer cartridge for an air drying device of a vehicle |
US20170106335A1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2017-04-20 | Man Truck & Bus Ag | Device for detachable fastening of a drying agent cartridge to a housing section of a compressed-air treatment installation of a vehicle |
US20170106325A1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2017-04-20 | Man Truck & Bus Ag | Device for the detachable fastening of a drying agent cartridge to a housing of a compressed-air treatment installation of a vehicle |
US20170106326A1 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2017-04-20 | Man Truck & Bus Ag | Drying agent cartridge |
US9987585B2 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2018-06-05 | Man Truck & Bus Ag | Drying agent cartridge |
US9987590B2 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2018-06-05 | Man Truck & Bus Ag | Device for detachable fastening of a drying agent cartridge to a housing section of a compressed-air treatment installation of a vehicle |
US10173164B2 (en) * | 2015-10-16 | 2019-01-08 | Man Truck & Bus Ag | Device for the detachable fastening of a drying agent cartridge to a housing of a compressed-air treatment installation of a vehicle |
CN106373726A (en) * | 2016-10-31 | 2017-02-01 | 陕西金源自动化科技有限公司 | Temperature control switching maintenance-free moisture absorber with dual drying chambers longitudinally arranged |
US11344843B1 (en) * | 2020-12-18 | 2022-05-31 | Semyungtech Co., Ltd. | Air dryer cartridge |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8852327B1 (en) | 2014-10-07 |
CA2845555A1 (en) | 2014-09-14 |
CA2845555C (en) | 2021-10-26 |
MX2014003218A (en) | 2015-03-04 |
MX355962B (en) | 2018-05-07 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8852327B1 (en) | Air dryer cartridge with integrated check valve | |
US7892329B2 (en) | Air dryer cartridge | |
US8142556B2 (en) | Compressed-air supply device with improved regeneration capacity | |
US5286283A (en) | Air dryer for compressed air system having a serviceable oil filter | |
US7819958B2 (en) | Purge valve | |
KR20140092349A (en) | Air filter cartridge for compressed-air preparation for a compressed-air processing installation | |
JPWO2014061582A1 (en) | Compressed air dryer | |
CN108025729B (en) | Air drying cylinder | |
US3680283A (en) | Air dryer assembly for vehicle leveling system | |
US10723341B2 (en) | Air dryer cartridge | |
US8118911B2 (en) | Air drying arrangement | |
US8585809B2 (en) | Air dryer cartridge | |
US20040154187A1 (en) | Remote purge drying unit for compressed gas | |
WO2015105185A1 (en) | Compressed air drying device | |
WO2001052973A1 (en) | Air dryer cartridge with coalescing filter | |
CN114270084B (en) | Check valve device | |
EP1495934A3 (en) | Air dryer | |
JPWO2015182584A1 (en) | Oil separator and vehicle oil separation system | |
US10105634B2 (en) | Compressed air-drying device | |
KR102438981B1 (en) | Pre-filter holder for air dryer cartridge in commercial vehicle and air dryer cartridge including the same | |
JP6144154B2 (en) | Compressed air dryer | |
RU2718930C1 (en) | Air-drier cartridge | |
KR102576195B1 (en) | Replaceable housing for air dryer cartridge | |
KR102490306B1 (en) | Air dryer cartridge for commercial vehicle |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: HALDEX BRAKE PRODUCTS CORPORATION, MISSOURI Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ADAMS, ANDREW W.;PRATER, DAVID A.;JENKINS, MICHAEL R.;REEL/FRAME:030006/0197 Effective date: 20130314 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: MAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.) |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: SURCHARGE FOR LATE PAYMENT, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1554); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 8 |