US 3,945,465 A · Multi-function air treatment unit

Abstract

This invention relates to a unitized air line filter and lubricator that includes provision for a pressure regulator therebetween that can either be by-passed or rendered operative by simply opening certain preformed passages in the manifold that connect same in series with the previously-mentioned components. The manifold houses nearly all of the working parts of both the filter and lubricator and their arrangement is such that the manifold can be reversed end-for-end to accommodate opposite directions of air flow. The subassembly that includes the bowls for the filter and lubricator along with the regulator spring therebetween in the three-component version will accommodate the manifold in either of its two positions and is, therefore, reversible relative thereto. Special sets of mounting brackets permit use of a single combination unit with air line piping of various sizes. These brackets also include a quick-disconnect feature wherein the entire combination unit can be detached therefrom and either serviced or replaced with another like unit in a very short time using only an allen wrench. The subassembly that carries the bowls includes a pair of quick-disconnect latches that are manually operated without any tools being required and which provide instant access to the bowls which are also removable.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A multiple-function unit for treating air comprising a body having an air passage therethrough with an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other and defining a manifold;

first air-treatment means connected into said manifold air passage adjacent the inlet thereof and being operative to intercept the airstream in the manifold air passage and to modify said airstream before returning said stream thus modified to said manifold air passage;
second air-treatment means connected into said manifold air passage adjacent the outlet thereof and being operative to intercept the airstream issuing from said first air treatment means and to further modify said airstream before returning said airstream to said manifold air passage outlet;
a bowl-carrying subassembly symmetrical about its transverse centerline and detachably connected to said manifold in cooperation therewith to define separate, but identical chambers housing elements of said first and second airtreatment means;
a bowl forming each of said chambers attached to said bowl-carrying subassembly;
and symmetrically-arranged mating elements symmetrical about their transverse centerlines carried by the opposed surfaces of said manifold and said bowl-carrying subassembly and cooperating with one another in assembled relation whereby said manifold and said bowlcarrying subassembly can be reversed end-for-end relative to each other.

2 more elements

A multiple-function unit for treating air, said unit having a body with an air passage therethrough, said body having an inlet and an outlet for said air passage, first means in said body connected to said inlet for modifying the air at said inlet and for delivering the air to said passage, second means in said body connected to said outlet for modifying the air in said air passage and for delivering the air to said outlet, and a reversible housing for defining separate chambers in said air passage around said first and second modifying means, said reversible housing comprising:

an open-topped shell for detachably connecting to said body over said first and second modifying means,
a pair of bowls disposed and attached within said shell for defining said separate air chambers,
groove means on the surface of said body having a symmetrical configuration about the transverse centerline of said body for mating with said open top of said shell,
tongue means on the surface of the open top of said shell having a symmetrical configuration about the transverse centerline for mating with said groove means, said tongue means being able to mate with said groove means even though said body and said shell are reversed end-for-end relative to each other, and
pin means for releasably connecting said tongue means to said groove means so that said bowls are held firmly in sealed relationship with said air passage.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-function air treatment unit

Life of this patent

Multi-function air treatment unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23