Smart heater control for an air dryer
US9864382B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 9, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF15B2211/66
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An air dryer having a heater element associated with its valves to prevent freezing at cold temperatures. The air dryer includes a temperature sensor and an electronic controller that reads the temperature sensor during normal operations and selectively opens and closes certain of the valves when the temperature falls below a predetermined threshold to enter a safe mode that avoids freezing of the valves during operation. If an exhaust valve is open when safe mode is entered, the corresponding inlet valve is closed, both of the exhaust valves are closed, and the other inlet valve if opened. If an exhaust valve is not open, both inlet valves are opened and both exhaust valves are closed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.