Vehicle mounted compressed air distribution system

• US 7,249,617 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Issued: 07/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: American Compressed Air Systems & Consulting, Inc.
• Original Assignee: American Compressed Air Systems & Consulting, Inc.
• Inventors: Musselman, Brett A., Kuder, Curtis G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O.
• Application Number:
  US10/968,174
• Publication Number:
  US 20060081289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 141/231, 141/94, 141/95, 141/192, 141/198, 141100-104, 222/129, 222/608, 73/290.1, 73/310.4, 128/200.24, 169/30, 169/11, 169/14, 280/4
• US Class Current: 141/231
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2227/043 by pressure cascade
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/2046 the plurality of throttling means being arranged for the control of a single pressure from a plurality of converging pressures G05D16/204 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2668 Alternately or successively substituted outflow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/267 Control by filling auxiliary gravitating or float operating tank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2673 Control by filling outlet tank or receiver

Abstract

A pressurized gas system controls a gas flow from one or more gas pressure storage vessels by means of an electronically controlled electro-mechanical shut-off valve located in close proximity to each of the vessels. The shut-off valves are electrically wired to actuation switches on the control panel. Pressure transducers mounted on each vessel provide a signal output which is electrically connected to a digital numeric display located on the control panel so that the pressure of each vessel can be monitored. Gas flow from the vessels is controlled by means of the electric shut-off valves operated from the control panel. A pressure regulator at the air access station controls the final output pressure delivered to the tool or personnel air bottle.

Claims

1. A mobile compressed air system, comprising:

a vehicle carrying a plurality of vessels containing compressed air, said vehicle further including a compressed air access station;

a control panel located at said compressed air access station and including electrical pressure display and electrical switch means;

a plurality of first air conduits connecting each of said vessels to one of a plurality of electromechanical shut-off valves;

a plurality of second air conduits leading from an output side of each of said electromechanical valves to a single main air output line, said output line leading to pressure regulator means located at said air access station;

a plurality of pressure transducers located on each of said first air conduits, said transducers including electrical signal output means responsive to the pressure in each vessel, each of said electrical output signals from each of said pressure transducers connected to said display means at said control panel; and

said electrical switch means on said control panel electrically connected to each of said electromechanical shut-off valves such that compressed air fed to said main air output line may be switched from one vessel to another.

2. The mobile compressed air system of claim 1 wherein said vessels are located in a storage compartment remote from said compressed air access station.

3. The mobile compressed air system of claim 2 wherein said display includes a digital numeric read-out.

4. The mobile compressed air system of claim 3 wherein said display means include individual read-outs corresponding to each vessel.

5. The mobile compressed air system of claim 4 wherein said vehicle is a fire truck.