Manually, pneumatically, or electrically operable drain valve device

• US 4,043,353 A
• Filed: 08/02/1976
• Issued: 08/23/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Shirey, Frank W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohan, Alan
• Application Number:
  US05/710,555
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 137/204, 137/203, 251/258, 251/229, 251/263, 251/262
• US Class Current: 137/204
• CPC Class Codes: F16T 1/00 Steam traps or like apparatus for draining-off liquids from enclosures predominantly containing gases or vapours, e.g. gas lines, steam lines, containers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3105 Self-emptying

Abstract

An automatic drain valve device alternatively adaptable for use in compressor systems using either electrical or pneumatic controls for cutting out and cutting in the compressor, and being operable to provide a drain operation twice during each cycle of compressor operation, that is, once when the compressor is cut out and again when the compressor is cut in. A manually operable lever on the valve devices provides for manual operation of the drain valve device at will and independently of the pneumatic and electrical controls.

Claims

1. A drain valve device for collecting and expelling moisture condensate from a compressed air system, said drain valve device comprising:

a. a casing having formed therein a valve chamber connectable to the compressed air system for collecting moisture condensate therefrom;

b. valve means in said chamber normally occupying a seated disposition in which the chamber is closed to atmosphere, and being operable to an unseated disposition for opening the chamber and expelling the moisture condensate therein to atmosphere;

c. cam means connected to said valve means and alternately movable in opposite directions for operating said valve means to its said unseated disposition each time said cam means moves in each of said opposite directions; and

d. operating means normally biased toward a first position for moving said cam means in one of said opposite directions, and effective, when actuated, for moving said cam means in the other of said opposite directions.

2. A drain valve device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein movement of said cam means is limited in both said opposite directions.

3. A drain valve device, as set forth in claim 1, further characterized by electrical means and pneumatic means for alternatively effecting actuation of said operating means either electrically or pneumatically.

4. A drain valve device, as set forth in claim 3, further characterized by manual means for manually moving said cam means in said opposite directions.

5. A drain valve device, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said electrical means and said pneumatic means are cyclically operable.

6. A drain valve device, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said operating means comprises a piston and a piston rod operably connecting said piston to said cam means.

7. A drain valve device, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said electrical means comprises a solenoid and an electrical circuit.

8. A drain valve device, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said pneumatic means comprises:

a. a pressure area at one end of said piston subjectable to pneumatic pressure cyclically supplied to and released from a pressure chamber formed in said casing adjacent said pressure area; and

b. a governor device operable responsively to high and low levels of pressure in the system for supplying pressure to and releasing pressure from said pressure chamber, respectively.

9. A drain valve device, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said cam means comprises:

a. a cam lever pivotally fulcrumed at one end;

b. an inverted V-shaped cam groove formed at the other end of said cam lever;

c. a valve stem having one end secured to said valve means in normal disposition relative to said cam groove and carrying a cam follower at the opposite end riding in the cam groove,

d. said cam lever being connected to said piston rod at a point between the fulcrum and the cam groove.

10. A drain valve device, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said manual means comprises an extended portion of said cam lever extending out of said casing and accessible for manual operation.