Patent US3832831A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3832831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cooler-filter unit for compressed air systems
Assignee: Midland Brake Inc
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Filing: 1972-08-10
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Granted: 1974-09-03
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Expires: 1992-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A cooler-filter unit connected between a governor-controlled compressor and an air tank. The unit directs compressor air along the inside surface of a metal housing for cooling, moisture being trapped in a sump. The air reverses flow to separate particles and passes through an annular filter and desiccant bed to the outlet. A water dump valve responsive to governor signals is located within the housing so that the warm circulating air will prevent its freezing. The filter and desiccant are carried by a separate housing and should the filter become clogged, air pressure will shift this housing to bypass the air directly to the outlet. In the event of governor failure to stop the compressor, high pressure will open the water dump valve which will act as a pop-off valve.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ritchie
- 👤 J Welker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:30
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D46/00; B01D46/30; B01D46/0027; B01D46/003; B01D46/0031; B01D46/24; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/002; B60T17/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
In a filter unit for compressed air systems, a shell, a compressed air inlet port on an intermediate portion of said shell, an annular filter including an outer housing within said shell and spaced radially inwardly of said inlet port, a sump chamber in said shell below said filter, means guiding air from said inlet port downwardly along an annular path between said shell and filter and then upwardly through said filter, whereby moisture and entrained particles carried downwardly by said air will be collected in said chamber, an outlet port in said shell above said filter for the compressed air leaving said filter, dump valve means centrally located within said sump chamber and comprising an annular member extending upwardly from the bottom of said shell, said member being centrally located within said sump chamber and having a dump port with an annular shoulder thereabove at the level of said suMp chamber, the shoulder constituting a valve seat, a dump valve slidable in said annular member and having a lower surface engageable with said seat, the annular member conducting heat from the relatively warm compressed air flowing through said sump chamber to said valve and seat, radial passageway means in said annular member leading from said sump chamber above said seat, a spring positioned between a wall and said dump valve urging said dump valve downwardly, and means positioned adjacent a surface on the dump valve responsive to and communicating with signal pressure to lift said dump valve off said seat against the urging of said spring and drain said sump chamber through said dump port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
In a filter unit for compressed air systems, a shell, a compressed air inlet port on an intermediate portion of said shell, an annular filter including an outer housing within said shell and spaced radially inwardly of said inlet port, a sump chamber in said shell below said filter, means guiding air from said inlet port downwardly along an annular path between said shell and filter and then upwardly through said filter, whereby moisture and entrained particles carried downwardly by said air will be collected in said chamber, an outlet port in said shell above said filter for the compressed air leaving said filter, dump valve means centrally located within said sump chamber and comprising an annular member extending upwardly from the bottom of said shell, said member being centrally located within said sump chamber and having a dump port with an annular shoulder thereabove at the level of said suMp chamber, the shoulder constituting a valve seat, a dump valve slidable in said annular member and having a lower surface engageable with said seat, the annular member conducting heat from the relatively warm compressed air flowing through said sump chamber to said valve and seat, radial passageway means in said annular member leading from said sump chamber above said seat, a spring positioned between a wall and said dump valve urging said dump valve downwardly, and means positioned adjacent a surface on the dump valve responsive to and communicating with signal pressure to lift said dump valve off said seat against the urging of said spring and drain said sump chamber through said dump port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination according to claim 1, said signal-pressure responsive means comprising a piston of predetermined area on said valve, and a seal on said valve above said radial passageway means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
The combination according to claim 1, said air guiding means leading from said inlet port comprising an annular housing disposed within said shell and carrying said filter and a desiccant, said compressed air entering said inlet port passing between said shell and housing, a seal and annular recess on said shell and housing, resilient means urging said housing downwardly to a normal position, the housing being responsive to pressure formed thereunder by a clogged filter to lift against said last-mentioned resilient means until said seal and recess are opposite each other, whereby air entering said inlet port will be bypassed around said filter and desiccant to said outlet port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination according to claim 3, said signal-pressure responsive means comprising a piston of predetermined area on said valve, and a seal on said valve above said radial passageway means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination according to claim 3, said seal being carried by said housing between said inlet and outlet ports, said annular recess being formed in said shell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
215 words
In a cooler-filter unit for compressed air systems, an outer metal shell, an annular housing defined by inner and outer surfaces within said shell carrying a filter at its lower end and a desiccant thereabove, a compressed air inlet port in said shell and a compressed air outlet port thereabove, said ports being outwardly of said housing, the housing and shell forming an annular space whereby compressed air will flow downwardly therethrough and be cooled by said metal shell, a sump chamber at the bottom of said shell, means causing said air to reverse its flow at said sump chamber and flow upwardly through said filter and desiccant to an upper chamber thereabove, said outlet port being connected to the upper chamber, an upper spring positioned between the top of the shell and filter and a lower shoulder supporting a lower portion of the housing holding said housing in a lower normal position, and an annular recess and a seal on said housing and shell, the housing being responsive to upward pressure caused by a clogged filter to counteract said spring and be lifted until said recess and seal are opposite each other, whereby air from said inlet port will be bypassed around the filter and desiccant through said upper chamber to said outlet port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
215 words
In a cooler-filter unit for compressed air systems, an outer metal shell, an annular housing defined by inner and outer surfaces within said shell carrying a filter at its lower end and a desiccant thereabove, a compressed air inlet port in said shell and a compressed air outlet port thereabove, said ports being outwardly of said housing, the housing and shell forming an annular space whereby compressed air will flow downwardly therethrough and be cooled by said metal shell, a sump chamber at the bottom of said shell, means causing said air to reverse its flow at said sump chamber and flow upwardly through said filter and desiccant to an upper chamber thereabove, said outlet port being connected to the upper chamber, an upper spring positioned between the top of the shell and filter and a lower shoulder supporting a lower portion of the housing holding said housing in a lower normal position, and an annular recess and a seal on said housing and shell, the housing being responsive to upward pressure caused by a clogged filter to counteract said spring and be lifted until said recess and seal are opposite each other, whereby air from said inlet port will be bypassed around the filter and desiccant through said upper chamber to said outlet port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination according to claim 6, further provided with a rod supported at its upper end by a cap on said shell and supporting said shoulder at its lower end, said cap being removable whereby said housing may be withdrawn to replace the filter and desiccant.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-02 | 1978-03-04 | 1978-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-02 | 1982-03-04 | 1982-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-02 | 1986-03-04 | 1986-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |