Gas separation – With separating media bypass or system gas pressure relief – Valved bypass means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-13
2001-11-20
Spitzer, Robert H. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation
With separating media bypass or system gas pressure relief
Valved bypass means
C055S314000, C096S400000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319296
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a compressed air system, such as an air charging system used in trucks or heavy vehicles.
2. Discussion of the Art
Trucks and heavy vehicles use pressurized air systems for braking, suspension, and auxiliary uses. For example, a compressor is driven by the vehicle engine and a governor associated with the compressor selectively loads and unloads the compressor as required for system operation.
Preferably, before the air is conveyed downstream for use or storage in a reservoir, the air is cleaned since a residual amount of oil, oil vapor, water, and water vapor flows through the compressor discharge line. An oil separator and an air dryer are commonly used to clean the air flow. The oil separator preferably removes water in liquid form, as well as oil in vapor and aerosol form, and solid contaminants. The air then exits the oil separator and passes through a desiccant or drying material. The desiccant adsorbs the water vapor to the desiccant material where the moisture is periodically purged from the air dryer. This arrangement removes approximately 95% of the water vapor in the pressurized air.
It is also contemplated that an oil separator can be positioned at other locations downstream of the compressor. Accordingly, this improvement is not limited to those systems where the oil separator is disposed adjacent the compressor or air dryer, but is more generally applicable for use in a compressed air system where needed.
If an undue restriction occurs in the oil filter element, it is still necessary to convey the compressed air downstream. That is, air is still required for downstream uses such as braking, suspension, so that a need exists for automatically bypassing the oil separator under certain conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates a new and improved bypass assembly for an oil separator in an air charging system that overcomes the noted problems and provides a simple, economical assembly and process for achieving these goals.
According to the present invention, a housing has an inlet for receiving supply air and an outlet for delivering air. An oil removal member or filter is interposed between the inlet and outlet to remove oil from the air. A passage selectively bypasses the oil removal member and communicates between the housing inlet and outlet in response to a predetermined pressure differential.
According to another aspect of the invention, a seal member is interposed between the oil removal member and the housing for sealing these components together below the predetermined pressure differential.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a biasing member urges the oil removal member against the housing below the predetermined pressure differential and is spaced from the housing seal member when the predetermined pressure differential is attained.
A principal advantage of the invention is realized in the ability to provide effective pressurized air for downstream uses such as braking even if a restriction exists in the oil removal member.
Another advantage of the invention is found in the simple, economical structure that achieves this objective.
Still another advantage of the invention is found in the automated operation of the bypass.
Still other advantages and benefits of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed description.
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AlliedSignal Truck Brake Systems Company
Spitzer Robert H.
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