Patent · US Expired

Automatic valve drain

US5762094A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
18References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 11, 1997
Grant dateJun 9, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 11, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T137/86919
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved relay valve (10) having a supply port (16), a delivery port (18), an exhaust port (20), a control port (17), a relay piston (14) controlling communication between the supply port (16), the delivery port (18), and the exhaust port (20) in response to a pneumatic signal applied to the control port (17) and including a passage (40) extending through the piston (14) to the exhaust port (20) for draining to atmosphere moisture and other contaminants which build up on the top of the piston (14). A diaphragm element (30) having a cylindrical protrusion portion (36) is disposed in the piston (14) above the passage (40) to act as a check valve and seal the passage (40) when a pneumatic signal is applied to control port (17). The diaphragm element includes a top resilient portion (32) which serves as a spring to open the drain passage when no signal is applied to control port (17). Two flat areas (34) are provided on the top resilient portion (32) which prevents the diaphragm element (30) from prematurely sealing the drain hole (40). The cylindrical protrusion (36) keeps the diaphragm element (30) properly aligned in the tapered bore (44) leading to drain hole (40). A retaining r…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.