Air management apparatus and method having manifold and pass-through components

Abstract

An air management apparatus and method is provided which includes both a pass-through air passage and a manifold air passage in a single, compact structure useful for controlling air transfer necessary for pneumatically controlled systems and instruments. The air management apparatus has a base plate with a device for removably attaching the air management apparatus to a firewall or other structure, and also has at least one pass-through air passage and at least one manifold air passage formed in the base plate. At least one exhaust air passage, which is a type of pass-through air passage, can also be formed in the base plate. The pass-through air passage receives air into a single inlet port and expels air out of a single outlet port, while the manifold air passage receives air into a single inlet port and expels air out at least two outlet ports. The device for removably attaching the air management apparatus to a firewall or other structure is preferably a pair of removably attachable retaining clips wherein each retaining clip has a first end fixed to the base plate and a second end movable relative to the base plate such that the second end can be moved between a released position and an attached position. A gasket can also be attached to a perimeter of the base plate to create a seal when the retaining clips are in the attached position and the base plate is attached to a firewall or other structure. To simplify connection of air hoses to the air passages, a connector can be secured to each inlet and outlet port of each air passage.