Valve

A gas dryer, comprising a valve, the valve, comprising:

• at least one inlet chamber and at least one outlet chamber, a positioning device one of (i) connecting the at least one inlet chamber and the at least one outlet chamber and (ii) shutting off the at least one inlet chamber from the at least one outlet chamber;
• a spring configured to preload the positioning device;
• and a control chamber for controlling the positioning device, the control chamber being divided into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber being connected to one another, the first chamber being configured to couple to a pressure medium source, and both the spring and the positioning device being disposed external to the first chamber, wherein the volume of the first chamber is independent of the position of the positioning device, and wherein the positioning device is controllable to displace within the at least one inlet chamber and the at least one outlet chamber such that, when the positioning device travels in a direction from the at least one inlet chamber to the at least one outlet chamber, the volume of the second chamber increases as the volume of the at least one inlet chamber decreases.

A pressure regulator, comprising a valve, the valve, comprising:

• at least one inlet chamber and at least one outlet chamber, a positioning device one of (i) connecting the at least one inlet chamber and the at least one outlet chamber and (ii) shutting off the at least one inlet chamber from the at least one outlet chamber;
• a spring configured to preload the positioning device;
• and a control chamber for controlling the positioning device, the control chamber being divided into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber being connected to one another, the first chamber being configured to couple to a pressure medium source, and both the spring and the positioning device being disposed external to the first chamber, wherein the volume of the first chamber is independent of the position of the positioning device, and wherein the positioning device is controllable to displace within the at least one inlet chamber and the at least one outlet chamber such that, when the positioning device travels in a direction from the at least one inlet chamber to the at least one outlet chamber, the volume of the second chamber increases as the volume of the at least one inlet chamber decreases.

A compressed air supply device, comprising a valve, the valve, comprising:

• at least one inlet chamber and at least one outlet chamber, a positioning device one of (i) connecting the at least one inlet chamber and the at least one outlet chamber and (ii) shutting off the at least one inlet chamber from the at least one outlet chamber;
• a spring configured to preload the positioning device;
• and a control chamber for controlling the positioning device, the control chamber being divided into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber being connected to one another, the first chamber being configured to couple to a pressure medium source, and both the spring and the positioning device being disposed external to the first chamber, wherein the volume of the first chamber is independent of the position of the positioning device, and wherein the positioning device is controllable to displace within the at least one inlet chamber and the at least one outlet chamber such that, when the positioning device travels in a direction from the at least one inlet chamber to the at least one outlet chamber, the volume of the second chamber increases as the volume of the at least one inlet chamber decreases.

A compressed-air operated vehicle brake system, comprising a valve, the valve, comprising:

• at least one inlet chamber and at least one outlet chamber, a positioning device one of (i) connecting the at least one inlet chamber and the at least one outlet chamber and (ii) shutting off the at least one inlet chamber from the at least one outlet chamber;
• a spring configured to preload the positioning device;
• and a control chamber for controlling the positioning device, the control chamber being divided into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber being connected to one another, the first chamber being configured to couple to a pressure medium source, and both the spring and the positioning device being disposed external to the first chamber, wherein the volume of the first chamber is independent of the position of the positioning device, and wherein the positioning device is controllable to displace within the at least one inlet chamber and the at least one outlet chamber such that, when the positioning device travels in a direction from the at least one inlet chamber to the at least one outlet chamber, the volume of the second chamber increases as the volume of the at least one inlet chamber decreases.

A pneumatic vehicle suspension system, comprising a valve, the valve, comprising:

• at least one inlet chamber and at least one outlet chamber, a positioning device one of (i) connecting the at least one inlet chamber and the at least one outlet chamber and (ii) shutting off the at least one inlet chamber from the at least one outlet chamber;
• a spring configured to preload the positioning device;
• and a control chamber for controlling the positioning device, the control chamber being divided into a first chamber and a second chamber, the first chamber and the second chamber being connected to one another, the first chamber being configured to couple to a pressure medium source, and both the spring and the positioning device being disposed external to the first chamber, wherein the volume of the first chamber is independent of the position of the positioning device, and wherein the positioning device is controllable to displace within the at least one inlet chamber and the at least one outlet chamber such that, when the positioning device travels in a direction from the at least one inlet chamber to the at least one outlet chamber, the volume of the second chamber increases as the volume of the at least one inlet chamber decreases.

The pneumatic vehicle suspension system as claimed in 23, wherein the control chamber pressurizes to effect movement of the positioning device in the direction from the at least one inlet chamber to the at least one outlet chamber, and wherein compression of the spring increases when the positioning device travels in the direction.