Driver controlled air system moisture removal and pre-trip inspection system

• US 6,272,904 B1
• Filed: 04/22/1999
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck and Engine Corporation
• Inventors: Kuhn, Lawrence H., Neely, Robert H. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fuller, Benjamin R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEVENS, MAURICE E
• Application Number:
  US09/320,391
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 73/39, 73/40, 73/47, 73/46, 73/497, 731/21, 731/28, 731/29
• US Class Current: 73/49.7
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/004 Draining and drying devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/02 Arrangements of pumps or compressors, or control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 17/221 Procedure or apparatus for checking or keeping in a correct functioning condition of brake systems hydraulic pressure systems in general F15B19/00, F15B21/04; testing structures or apparatus G01M

Abstract

An apparatus for operator controlled purging of the tanks of a pressurized air reservoir of a vehicle air system comprises an air actuated normally closed drain valve mounted to an underside of each tank, a source of pressurized air engaged to each drain valve, and a controller for each valve engaged downstream of the source, and within a driver area of the vehicle, the controller when activated, allowing for communication between the source and the drain valve for opening of the valve. The method for using the apparatus in testing air system integrity includes the steps of draining and refilling each tank individually in a pre-defined sequence while monitoring driver area mounted indicators of air pressure levels and testing functionality of an air system operated service brake system of the vehicle by carrying out the pre-defined sequence.

Claims

1. An apparatus for selectively purging tanks of a pressurized air reservoir of an air system, comprising:

(a) a vehicle with an air reservoir comprised of at least one internal tank;

(b) a separate and individual normally closed air-operated drain valve engaged to each said internal tank of said air reservoir;

(c) each said drain valve for continuous draining of each said internal tank;

(d) a source of pressurized air functionally engaged to each said drain valve for opening each said drain valve by provision of pressurized air to each said drain valve; and

(e) a control means for allowing and maintaining passage of pressurized air therethrough for individual opening of each drain valve, said control means being manually operated from within a driver area of said vehicle and interposed between each said drain valve and said source of pressurized air.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said source of pressurized air is at least one tank of said air reservoir.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a splitter is engaged downstream of said source of pressurized air and upstream of said control means to provide a plurality of separate outlets.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

(a) said reservoir is more specifically comprised of three tanks;

a wet tank, a primary tank, and a secondary tank;

(b) a first outlet of said separate outlets of said splitter is engaged to provide an operational air pathway to a first drain valve for said wet tank with said controls means interposed between said splitter and said first drain valve;

(c) a second outlet of said separate outlets of said splitter is engaged to provide an operational air pathway to a second drain valve for said primary tank with said controls means interposed between said splitter and said second drain valve; and

(d) a third outlet of said separate outlets of said splitter is engaged to provide an operational air pathway to a third drain valve for said secondary tank with said controls means interposed between said splitter and said third drain valve.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said splitter includes at least a fourth outlet engaged to a set of auxiliary air devices of said vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a pressure activated normally open shutoff valve is engaged between said source of pressurized air and said splitter with a drop in upstream air pressure closing said shut off valve.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said control means is comprised of:

(a) a first momentary control valve interposed between said first outlet of said splitter and said first drain valve;

(b) a second momentary control valve interposed between said second outlet of said splitter and said second drain valve; and

(d) a third momentary control valve interposed between said third outlet of said splitter and said third drain valve.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

(a) said first momentary control valve, said second momentary control valve and said third momentary control valve each has an individual toggle switch located within said driver area;

(b) each said toggle switch having two positions;

(i) an open position for which each said toggle switch must be held into open and maintain a pathway from said splitter to said first drain valve, said second drain valve, or said third drain valve, respectively; and

(ii) a normal closed position to which each said toggle switch is spring biased;

to close said pathway from said splitter to said first drain valve, said second drain valve, or said third drain valve, respectively.

9. A method for purging tanks of a pressurized air reservoir of an air system of a vehicle comprising the steps of:

(a) entering a driver area of a vehicle, said vehicle having in air system comprising;

(i) an air reservoir comprised of at least one internal tank;

(ii) a separate and individual normally closed air-operated drain valve engaged to each said internal tank of said air reservoir, each drain valve for continuous draining of each internal tank;

(iii) a source of pressurized air functionally engaged to each said drain valve for opening each said drain valve by provision of pressurized air to each said drain valve; and

(iv) a control means manually operated from within a driver area of said vehicle and interposed between each said drain valve and said source of pressurized air, said control means for allowing and maintaining passage of pressurized air there through for individual opening of each said drain valve; and

(b) operating said control means to open said normally closed drain valves.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said control means is operated to open all of said drain valves simultaneously.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said control means is operated to open said drain valves individually.