Valve means
AssigneeDunlop Limited
InventorWilfred W. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Valve system for a vehicle gas suspension system having a central chamber (41) to which pressurized gas is admitted via valve 50 or from which pressurized gas is exhausted via valve 51. Interposed in gas communication paths between the central chamber and each gas suspension unit (46-49) is a respective on-off valve unit (42-45). The valve system includes a regenerative drier (56) and a cushion valve (70) for protecting a compressor from overload during start-up.
Claims12
Valve means for a vehicle gas suspension system, said valve means comprising a central chamber to which pressurized gas may be admitted and from which pressurized gas may be exhausted,
- gas communication paths for extending from said central chamber each to communicate with a respective gas suspension unit, and interposed in each gas communication path a valve unit operable to lie either in a closed condition in which an associated gas spring is isolated from the central chamber or to lie in an open position in which the gas spring communicates with said central chamber, the central chamber and the valve units being formed integrally as part of a valve manifold assembly,
- a first common flow passage from an exhaust valve to a drier which serves in part also as a supply passage for flow of gas from the drier to a reservoir,
- a second common flow passage which extends from the drier to a compressor means for supplying pressurized gas,
- an exhaust passage extending from said second common flow passage and incorporating a second exhaust valve arranged to allow exhausting of air which has passed through the drier from the central chamber,
- said second exhaust valve being a solenoid operated pilot type valve arranged to close a pilot exhaust line upon increase of pressure in the first common flow passage and to close a said exhaust passage which extends from the second common flow passage.
Valve means for a vehicle gas suspension system, said valve means comprising a central chamber to which pressurized gas may be admitted and from which pressurized gas may be exhausted,
- gas communication paths for extending from said central chamber each to communicate with a respective gas suspension unit, and interposed in each gas communication path a valve unit operable to lie either in a closed condition in which an associated gas spring is isolated from the central chamber or to lie in an open position in which the gas spring communicates with said central chamber, the central chamber and the valve units being formed integrally as part of a valve manifold assembly,
- a first common flow passage from an exhaust valve to a drier which serves in part also as a supply passage for flow of gas from the drier to a reservoir,
- a second common flow passage which extends from the drier to a compressor means for supplying pressurized gas,
- an exhaust passage extending from said second common flow passage and incorporating a second exhaust valve arranged to allow exhausting of air which has passed through the drier from the central chamber,
- said second exhaust valve being a diaphragm type valve having a first side with an area which is exposed to pressure in the second common flow passage and a second side for which a greater area is exposed to pressure in the first common flow path in at least some operating conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.