Air dryer assembly for vehicle leveling system

Claim 2

An air dryer system comprising: an air spring having an exhaust port, a compressor having an inlet, a housing having an inlet and an outlet therefrom, said housing inlet connected to the exhaust port of the air spring, said housing outlet connected to the inlet of the compressor operated to inflate the air spring, a dessicant cartridge located within said housing including open ends, means communicating one open end of the dessicant cartridge with atmosphere including an inlet check valve, a space between said cartridge and said housing communicating the other open end of said dessicant cartridge with the outlet from said housing to define a flow path from atmosphere through the dessicant cartridge to the air compressor for removing moisture from intake air through said check valve prior to passage into the compressor, said space between said cartridge and said housing defining a shunt between said housing inlet and outlet for the passage of dry air directly from air spring to the air compressor when the vehicle is level, and means defining an exhaust path for air flow from the air spring to atmosphere including the inlet to said housing, the space between the cartridge and said housing, and a relief valve located in communication with said one open end of said cartridge whereby when the vehicle is unloaded dry air from the air spring is reverse flowed through said dessicant cartridge for partially regenerating said cartridge by sweeping moisture therefrom for exhaust to atmosphere.

Claim 3

An air dryer assembly comprising: an outer cylindrical housing having an inlet and an outlet, an inner cylindrical housing spaced with respect to the outer cylindrical housing to define an annular space therebetween, said inner cylindrical housing having the opposite ends thereof open, an atmospheric connector communicating with one open end of said inner cylindrical housing, an intake check valve controlling flow of fluid from atmosphere to the one open end of the cartridge, moisture dessicant within said inner housing for removing moisture from outside air from the inlet check valve and the one open end of said inner cylindrical housing and out the other open end of said inner cylindrical housing, said other open end communicating with the space between the inner and outer cylindrical housings for passage of the dried air through the outlet, said space between the inner and outer cylindrical housings serving as a direct shunt passageway around the dessicant between said inlet and outlet from said outer cylindrical member, a relief valve means located between atmosphere and the one open end of said inner cylindrical housing for controlling the pressure within the outer cylindrical housing and for defining a backflow path from the space between said inner and outer cylindrical housings through the dessicant to atmosphere whereby moisture collected during intake of air through the inlet check valve can be purged from the dessicant during a regenerative phase of operation.

Claim 4

An air dryer assembly comprising: an outer cylindrical housing having an inlet and an outlet, an inner cylindrical housing spaced with respect to the outer cylindrical housing to define an annular space therebetween, said inner cylindrical housing having the opposite ends thereof open, an atmospheric connector communicating with one open end of said inner cylindrical housing, an intake check valve controlling flow of fluid from atmosphere to the one open end of the cartridge, moisture dessicant within said inner housing for removing moisture from outside air from the inlet check valve and the one open end of said inner cylindrical housing and out the other open end of said inner cylindrical housing, said other open end communicating with the space between the inner and outer cylindrical housings for passage of the dried air through the outlet, said space between the inner and outer cylindrical housings serving as a direct shunt passageway around the dessicant between said inlet and outlet from said outer cylindrical member, a relief valve means located between atmosphere and the one open end of said inner cylindrical housing for controlling the pressure within the outer cylindrical housing and for defining a backflow path from the space between said inner and outer cylindrical housings through the dessicant to atmosphere whereby moisture collected during intake of air through the inlet check valve can be purged from the dessicant during a regenerative phase of operation.

Claim 5

An air dryer assembly comprising: an outer cylindrical housing having a closed end and an open end, a closure member for said open end including an inlet and an outlet, an inner cylindrical housing spaced with respect to the outer cylindrical housing to define an annular space therebetween, said inner cylindrical housing having the opposite ends thereof open, said outer cylindrical housing having end indentations supporting one open end of said inner housing, said closure member for said cylindrical housing having seal means thereon engaging one open end of said inner housing, an atmospheric connector on said closure member communicating with said one open end of said inner cylindrical housing, an intake check valve on one said closure member controlling flow of fluid fRom atmosphere to the one open end of the inner housing, a moisture dessicant within said inner housing for removing moisture from air passing from the inlet check valve and the inlet of said inner cylindrical housing and out the other open end of said inner cylindrical housing, said other open end communicating with the space between the inner and outer cylindrical housings for passage of the dried air through the outlet, said space between the inner and outer cylindrical housings serving as a direct shunt passageway around the dessicant between said inlet and outlet, a relief valve means on said closure member located between atmosphere and the one open end of said inner cylindrical housing for controlling the pressure within the outer cylindrical housing and for defining a backflow path from the space between said inner and outer cylindrical housings through the dessicant to atmosphere whereby moisture collected during intake of air through the inlet check valve can be purged from the dessicant during a regenerative phase of operation.

Claim 6

An air dryer assembly comprising: an outer cylindrical housing having a closed end and an open end, a closure member for said open end including an inlet and an outlet, an inner cylindrical housing spaced with respect to the outer cylindrical housing to define an annular space therebetween, said inner cylindrical housing having the opposite ends thereof open, said outer cylindrical housing having end indentations supporting one open end of said inner housing, said closure member for said cylindrical housing having seal means thereon engaging one open end of said inner housing, an atmospheric connector on said closure member communicating with said one open end of said inner cylindrical housing, an intake check valve on one said closure member controlling flow of fluid fRom atmosphere to the one open end of the inner housing, a moisture dessicant within said inner housing for removing moisture from air passing from the inlet check valve and the inlet of said inner cylindrical housing and out the other open end of said inner cylindrical housing, said other open end communicating with the space between the inner and outer cylindrical housings for passage of the dried air through the outlet, said space between the inner and outer cylindrical housings serving as a direct shunt passageway around the dessicant between said inlet and outlet, a relief valve means on said closure member located between atmosphere and the one open end of said inner cylindrical housing for controlling the pressure within the outer cylindrical housing and for defining a backflow path from the space between said inner and outer cylindrical housings through the dessicant to atmosphere whereby moisture collected during intake of air through the inlet check valve can be purged from the dessicant during a regenerative phase of operation.