Solenoid-actuated drain valve
First Claim
1. A solenoid-actuated drain valve for draining matter accumulated by separation from compressed gas, comprising a valve body having inlet and drain ports connecting respectively to an outlet of a compressed gas reservoir and to atmosphere, valve means in said body for normally closing and alternately opening communication between said inlet and drain ports, solenoid means, said valve means opening and closing in response respectively to energizing and deengerizing of said solenoid means, means for sensing said accumulated matter, and control circuit means for energizing and deenergizing said solenoid means respectively on sensing of accumulated matter by said sensing means and on absence of said sensing, said control circuit means so long as said sensing means senses accumulated matter being adapted to cyclically control energizing and deenergizing of said solenoid means and responsive opening and closing of said valve means in cycles of predetermined duration.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A solenoid-actuated drain valve for a compressed gas reservoir of a diesel locomotive in which the valve element is a differential piston exposed on opposite faces to reservoir pressure for normally holding the valve closed and minimizing the opening force required to be exerted by the solenoid, a temperature-responsive heating element protects the valve against freezing, a sensing element senses accumulations of water from the compressed gas in the reservoir, and actuation of the heater and energizing of the solenoid for opening the valve are both controlled by a solid state circuit which prevents opening of the valve except when the sensing element senses accumulated water.
29 Citations
10 Claims
- 1. A solenoid-actuated drain valve for draining matter accumulated by separation from compressed gas, comprising a valve body having inlet and drain ports connecting respectively to an outlet of a compressed gas reservoir and to atmosphere, valve means in said body for normally closing and alternately opening communication between said inlet and drain ports, solenoid means, said valve means opening and closing in response respectively to energizing and deengerizing of said solenoid means, means for sensing said accumulated matter, and control circuit means for energizing and deenergizing said solenoid means respectively on sensing of accumulated matter by said sensing means and on absence of said sensing, said control circuit means so long as said sensing means senses accumulated matter being adapted to cyclically control energizing and deenergizing of said solenoid means and responsive opening and closing of said valve means in cycles of predetermined duration.
Specification