Aftercooler bypass means for a locomotive compressed air system
AssigneeWestinghouse Air Brake Company
InventorsWalter E. Goettel, Brian L. Cunkelman, Daniel G. Wagner, Roger Drummond
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for heating gases cooled by an aftercooler that receives hot gases from a compressor. The method includes the steps of directing at least a portion of said hot gases to means for bypassing the aftercooler, and using the bypass means to direct hot gases to a location that receives cooled gases from the aftercooler. The hot gases are used at the location to heat the cooled gases when ambient temperature is at or below freezing, and are used downstream from the aftercooler when moisture freezes in the aftercooler.
Claims10
An apparatus for heating gases cooled in an aftercooler connected to receive hot gases from a compressor, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) means connected to receive a portion of such hot gases from such compressor for directing said portion of said hot gases around such aftercooler and to a predetermined location receiving cooled gases from such aftercooler, while a remainder of such hot gases is sent to such aftercooler from such compressor for cooling, such hot gases being effective to heat such cooled gases at such receiving location;
- (b) a temperature sensitive means for controlling an amount of hot gases by-passed around such aftercooler and to such location for receiving cooled gases from such aftercooler, wherein said temperature sensitive means is a thermostat located in a three-way valve connected to receive both hot and cooled gases.
A method of by passing an aftercooler connected to receive high temperature compressed air from a source of such air, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) connecting (1) a first port of a three-way valve to such source of high temperature air, (2) a second port of such valve to such aftercooler, and (3) a third port of such valve to an output pipe;
- (b) opening said valve between said first and second ports to conduct high temperature air through said valve to said third port when ambient temperature is near, at or below freezing, and to close said valve when ambient temperature is above freezing;
- (c) using a magnet valve provide control said three-way valve for operating said three way valve in response to changes in ambient temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.