Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC

Caterpillar Inc.

Alliedsignal Truck Brake Systems Company

Honeywell Commercial Vehicle Systems Co.

William P Fornof

Leonard A Quinn

Fred W Hoffman

James P Koenig

Paul Reisinger

Randall W Nichols

Gregory R Ashley

Richard J Conklin

D Craig Young

Anthony Cazzato

Patricia Moncelle, Legal Representative

Gregory C Smith

A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber, a sump chamber, a selectively charged surface in the inlet chamber, and an orifice. The inlet chamber receives purge exhaust including at least one of air, water vapor, oil aerosol, and water aerosol. The selectively charged surface agglomerates at least one of the oil aerosol and water aerosol into a liquid. The orifice is sized for passing the agglomerated liquid from the inlet chamber to the sump chamber.

Purge exhaust processor

An air dryer cartridge assembly, used in a compressed air system, includes a rigid porous layer, a fibrous material layer, a diffusing layer and a desiccant for filtering and drying compressed air passing in a first direction during a charging cycle. The compressed air passes through diffusing layer, the fibrous material layer and the rigid porous layer in a second direction during a purging cycle. The desiccant, which is downstream of the rigid porous layer, the fibrous material layer and the diffusing layer during the charging cycle, reduces moisture in the compressed air during the charging cycle. The use of diffusing layer downstream of the fibrous material layer during a charging cycle disperses the compressed air so that moisture removal is improved in the desiccant.

Air dryer assembly

An air dryer, used in a compressed air system, includes an oil coalescing element for agglomerating oil in compressed air passing through the oil coalescing element in a first direction during a charging cycle and passing through the oil coalescing element in a second direction during a purging cycle. A drying material, which is downstream of the oil coalescing element during the charging cycle and upstream of the oil coalescing element during the purging cycle, reduces moisture in the compressed air during the charging cycle.

Air dryer with oil removal filter

A purge exhaust processor includes an inlet chamber receiving a purge exhaust. A portion of the purge exhaust including at least one of moisture, air, and oil is passed from the inlet chamber to a sump volume. A heat source changes a phase of the moisture from liquid to gas. A wick transfers the oil from the sump volume to an oil collector.

A method and apparatus provide multiple consecutive purges of an air dryer in a vehicle compressed air system. A dryer throughput sensor has an output indicative of the amount of compressed air that is passed through the dryer. In response, a CPU determines the number of purges needed to purge the dryer; and a valve is operated by the CPU to initiate multiple purges of the dryer when the compressor is unloaded.

Vehicle air system and method with forced purging

Various compressed air systems for commercial vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a compressed air system is provided that includes a compressor, an air dryer apparatus, a purge reservoir, and an indicator device. The indicator device comprises a moisture-indicating material that is in contact with the purge air within the purge reservoir.

Vehicle air system having an indicator device and method

A method includes the steps of connecting the input of a compressor of a vehicle air braking system with a gas output of a crankcase of a vehicle engine, directing into the input of the compressor a blend of from 0% crankcase gases and 100% ambient pressure air to 100% crankcase gases and 0% ambient pressure air. The blend of gases may be filtered upstream of the compressor.

Apparatus and method for removing crankcase gases

A closed crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The system comprises a flow path configured to enable crankcase emissions to flow from a crankcase of an internal combustion engine. A compressor is configured to enhance the flow of crankcase emissions from the crankcase by drawing the crankcase emissions into the compressor, to draw air from a source, and to compress the air and crankcase emissions. A treatment element is provided downstream of the compressor and configured to treat the compressed air and crankcase emissions exiting the compressor to remove entrained oil. A first conduit downstream of the treatment element is configured to introduce a first portion of the compressed air and crankcase emissions into one of an exhaust system for the engine and an air intake system for the engine. A second conduit downstream of the treatment element is configured to introduce a second portion of the air and crankcase emissions into a system having at least one component utilizing compressed air for its operation.

Closed crankcase ventilation system

A closed crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A compressor is configured to compress air and enhance the venting of crankcase emissions from a crankcase of the engine. A flow path is provided between the crankcase and an intake of the compressor. A prioritizing device is situated in the flow path and configured to regulate the flow of crankcase emissions and control pressure within the crankcase. A treatment element is provided downstream of the compressor and configured to treat the compressed air and crankcase emissions to remove entrained oil. A first conduit downstream of the treatment element is configured to introduce a first portion of the compressed air and crankcase emissions into one of an exhaust system for the engine and an air intake system for the engine. A second conduit downstream of the treatment element is configured to introduce a second portion of the air and crankcase emissions into a system having at least one component utilizing compressed air for its operation.

Cooling air provided to a compressor air inlet such that water vapor in the inlet air condenses to lower a moisture content of the air provided to the compressor.

Cooling compressor intake air

An oil separator for use in a vehicle air system includes a recycling valve for removing coalesced oil. The recycling valve may include a piston movable in a cylinder in response to a control air pressure to open the recycling valve and thus drain coalesced oil from a sump under the influence of residual air pressure in the sump. The separator may include a fixture for mounting the separator to a vehicle, including a plurality of ports extending from an inlet port for directing air into the cartridge with a combined flow area at least equal to the flow area of the inlet port. The plurality of ports preferably extend at a right angle to the direction of flow of air through the inlet port. A safety relief valve on the separator releases air when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure.

Oil separator for vehicle air system

A serviceable filtering oil removal cartridge for use in a compressed air assembly of a vehicle air brake system includes a housing having a first end and a second end. A filtering element is disposed within the housing for agglomerating and removing oil from compressed air entering the oil removal cartridge. A load plate is disposed within the housing for supporting the filtering element. The load plate includes a connecting portion dimensioned to allow the oil removal cartridge to be removed and installed as a single unit. The connecting portion is preferably a threaded annulus. A thermal vent can be included, wherein pressure is released from the oil removal cartridge upon reaching a threshold temperature.

Spin-on filtering oil removal cartridge

An air dryer assembly for removing moisture and oil from a compressed air system includes a desiccant material received in a shell for adsorbing moisture as compressed air passes therethrough. A coalescing element is disposed between an inlet and outlet for removing oil aerosols from the compressed air. A check valve is disposed in parallel with the coalescing element and forces the compressed air to pass through the coalescing element as air flows from the inlet to the outlet. During a purge or reverse flow, compressed air bypasses the coalescing element and removes oil collected in the cartridge through the inlet.

Spin-on desiccant cartridge with integral oil removal filter

An in-line filter assembly for filtering engine exhaust gases utilized by turbocharged internal combustion engine systems. The filter assembly includes an external housing having a lower housing section and an upper housing section. The upper housing section further includes an air inlet port and an air outlet port. A filter unit for decontaminating the exhaust stream is positioned below the air inlet port. An interior chamber is in communication with the outlet port and surrounds the filter unit. A spring positioned directly beneath the filter unit stabilizes the filter unit within the chamber and urges the filter unit upward into sealing engagement with the inlet port. The lower housing section also includes a sump for collecting contaminants captured by the filter unit.

Growing community of inventors

Girard, PA, United States of America

William P Fornof