Abstrict A potted timer and circuit board assembly for use in a regenerative
desiccant air dryer. The potted timer and circuit board assembly
comprise a support member of a predetermined size and shape having
a first surface and a second surface. A conductive pattern of a
predetermined material and thickness is disposed on at least one
of the first surface and the second surface of the support member.
A predetermined quantity and arrangement of electronic components
of a predetermined voltage is disposed on at least one of the first
surface and the second surface of the support member for providing
a timed electronic signal to a solenoid valve that pneumatically
operates an air dryer. A non-conductive material of a predetermined
composition encases the electronic components on the support member
for insulating the electronic components from environmental elements.
The support member has at least one exposed member on a side of
the support member for engagement with at least one receptacle on
such air dryer for creating an electrical current in the potted
timer and circuit board assembly. An alignment means is disposed
on at least one of opposing sides of the support member for engagement
with at least one slot in such air dryer for aligning and holding
the potted timer and circuit board assembly in a predetermined position
in such air dryer.
Claims We claim:
1. A potted timer and circuit board assembly for use in a regenerative
desiccant air dryer, said potted timer and circuit board assembly
comprising: (a) a support member of a predetermined size and shape
having a first surface and a second surface; (b) a conductive pattern
of a predetermined material and thickness disposed on at least one
of said first surface and said second surface of said support member;
(c) a predetermined quantity and arrangement of electronic components
of a predetermined voltage disposed on at least one of said first
surface and said second surface of said support member for providing
a timed electronic signal to a solenoid valve that pneumatically
operates such air dryer; (d) a non-conductive material of a predetermined
composition encasing said electronic components on said support
member for insulating said electronic components from environmental
elements; (e) at least one exposed member on a side of said support
member for engagement with at least one receptacle on such air dryer
for creating an electrical current in said potted timer and circuit
board assembly; and (f) an alignment means disposed on at least
one of opposing sides of said support member for engagement with
at least one slot in such air dryer for aligning and holding said
potted timer and circuit board assembly in a predetermined position
in such air dryer.
2. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
1 wherein said support member includes a laminated substrate layer
composed of at least one of paper, glass, and glass fiber combined
with a bonding material.
3. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
2 wherein said bonding material is at least one of phenolic resin,
a polyester resin, and an epoxy resin.
4. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
1 wherein said material of said conductive pattern is copper foil.
5. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
1 wherein said predetermined quantity and arrangement of electronic
components for a predetermined voltage are disposed on said first
side of said support member.
6. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
1 wherein said predetermined voltage is generally about 74 DC.
7. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
1 wherein said non-conductive material is a synthetic resin.
8. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
7 wherein said synthetic resin is an epoxy.
9. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
1 wherein said exposed member is a projection of a predetermined
size and shape.
10. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
9 wherein said support member includes a plurality of projections.
11. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
10 wherein said plurality is four.
12. The potted timer and circuit board assembly according to claim
1 wherein said alignment means includes two exposed portions of
the support member disposed opposite each other and perpendicular
to the side of said exposed member.
13. In combination with a regenerative desiccant air dryer having
a dehydrating dryer, a regenerating dryer, outlet check valves,
inlet check valves, solenoid valves, a pre-coalescer, purge valves,
and a drain valve, the improvement comprising a potted timer and
circuit board assembly including: (a) a support member of a predetermined
size and shape having a first surface and a second surface; (b)
a conductive pattern of a predetermined material and thickness disposed
on at least one of said first surface and said second surface of
said support member; (c) a predetermined quantity and arrangement
of electronic components of a predetermined voltage disposed on
at least one of said first surface and said second surface of said
support member for providing a timed electronic signal to a solenoid
valve that pneumatically operates such air dryer; (d) a non-conductive
material of a predetermined composition encasing said electronic
components on said support member for insulating said electronic
components from environmental elements; e) at least one exposed
member on a side of said support member for engagement with at least
one receptacle on such air dryer for creating an electrical current
in said potted timer and circuit board assembly; and (f) an alignment
means disposed on at least one of opposing sides of said support
member for engagement with at least one slot in such air dryer for
aligning and holding said potted timer and circuit board assembly
in a predetermined position in such air dryer.
14. The combination according to claim 13 wherein said support
member includes a laminated substrate layer composed of at least
one of paper, glass, and glass fiber combined with a bonding material.
15. The combination according to claim 13 wherein said material
of said conductive pattern is copper foil.
16. The combination according to claim 13 wherein said predetermined
quantity and arrangement of electronic components for a predetermined
voltage are disposed on said first side of said support member.
17. The combination according to claim 13 wherein said non-conductive
material is a synthetic resin.
18. The combination according to claim 13 wherein said exposed
member is a projection of a predetermined size and shape.
19. The combination according to claim 18 wherein said support
member includes a plurality of projections.
20. The combination according to claim 13 wherein said alignment
means include two exposed portions of the support member disposed
opposite each other and perpendicular to the side of said exposed
member.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to a timer and circuit
board assembly, and more particularly, to an improved timer and
circuit board assembly for use in a regenerative desiccant air dryer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior to the present invention, the electronic components of a
timer and circuit board assembly for use in a regenerative desiccant
air dryer are mounted on the circuit board, which is inserted into
a housing in the air dryer. To minimize exposure to undesirable
environmental elements such as water or dirt, which can potentially
cause failure, a tight fitting gasket is required between the housing
and the housing cover. The seal of this gasket is critical to the
proper function and consistent operation of the timer and circuit
board assembly. If the seal fails in service, water and dirt can
infiltrate the circuit board. This exposure makes the electronic
components on the board extremely vulnerable to failure by creating
a bridge between the exposed electrical circuits.
An example of this type of timer and circuit board assembly is
taught in the Graham-White 975 Series Twin Tower Air Filter Dryer.
The teachings of this reference are incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a first aspect, the present invention provides a potted timer
and circuit board assembly for use in a regenerative desiccant air
dryer. The potted timer and circuit board assembly comprises a support
member of a predetermined size and shape having a first surface
and a second surface. A conductive pattern of a predetermined material
and thickness is disposed on at least one of the first surface and
the second surface of the support member. A predetermined quantity
and arrangement of electronic components of a predetermined voltage
is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second
surface of the support member for providing a timed electronic signal
to a solenoid valve that pneumatically operates an air dryer. A
non-conductive material of a predetermined composition encases the
electronic components on the support member for insulating the electronic
components from environmental elements. At least one exposed member
on a side of the support member engages with at least one receptacle
on an air dryer for creating an electrical current in the potted
timer and circuit board assembly. An alignment means is disposed
on at least one of the opposing sides of the support member for
engagement with at least one slot in an air dryer for aligning and
holding the potted timer and circuit board assembly in a predetermined
position in an air dryer.
In still a further aspect, the present invention provides a potted
timer and circuit board assembly in combination with a regenerative
desiccant air dryer having a dehydrating dryer, a regenerating dryer,
outlet check valves, inlet check valves, solenoid valves, a pre-coalescer,
purge valves, and a drain valve. The improvement comprises a support
member of a predetermined size and shape having a first surface
and a second surface. A conductive pattern of a predetermined material
and thickness is disposed on at least one of the first surface and
the second surface of the support member. A predetermined quantity
and arrangement of electronic components of a predetermined voltage
is disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second
surface of the support member for providing a timed electronic signal
to a solenoid valve that pneumatically operates an air dryer. A
non-conductive material of a predetermined composition encases the
electronic components on the support member for insulating the electronic
components from environmental elements. At least one exposed member
on a side of the support member engages with at least one receptacle
on an air dryer for creating an electrical current in the potted
timer and circuit board assembly. An alignment means is disposed
on at least one of the opposing sides of the support member for
engagement with at least one slot in an air dryer for aligning and
holding the potted timer and circuit board assembly in a predetermined
position in an air dryer.
In addition to the various objects of the invention that have been
described above, various other objects and advantages of the invention
will become more readily apparent to those persons skilled in the
relevant art from the following more detailed description of the
invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction
with the attached drawing figures and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of the potted timer and circuit board;
FIG. 2 is a vertical view of the potted timer and circuit board
with a partial sectional view; and
FIG. 3 is a bottom sectional view of the potted timer and circuit
board taken along the lines III--III of FIG. 2.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND
VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Prior to proceeding to a more detailed description of the invention,
it should be noted that identical components having identical functions
have been designated with identical reference numerals for the sake
of clarity.
Now refer more particularly to FIGS. 1 2 and 3 of the drawings.
Illustrated therein is a device, generally designated 1 of a potted
timer and circuit board assembly. The potted timer and circuit board
assembly 1 comprise a support member 10 having a first surface 11
and a second surface. Preferably, the support member 10 includes
a laminated substrate layer composed of at least one of paper, glass,
and glass fiber combined with a bonding material. The preferred
bonding material is at least one of phenolic resin, a polyester
resin, and an epoxy resin. A conductive pattern 30 of a predetermined
material and thickness is disposed on at least one of the first
surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the support member 10. Preferably,
the material of the conductive pattern 30 is copper foil. A predetermined
quantity and arrangement of electronic components 20 of a predetermined
voltage is disposed on at least one of the first surface 11 and
the second surface 12 of the support member 10. This arrangement
provides a timed electronic signal to a solenoid valve (not shown)
that pneumatically operates an air dryer (not shown). Preferably,
the quantity and arrangement of electronic components 20 is disposed
on the first side 11 of the support member 10 and the predetermined
voltage is generally about 74 DC. A non-conductive material 40 of
a predetermined composition encases the electronic components 20
on the support member 10 for insulating the electronic components
20 from environmental elements. The non-conductive material 40 is
a synthetic resin, preferably epoxy. The potted timer and circuit
board assembly 1 has at least one exposed member 50 on a side of
the support member 10 for engagement with at least one receptacle
(not shown) on an air dryer (not shown) for creating an electrical
circuit in the potted timer and circuit board assembly 1. It is
preferred that the exposed member 50 is a plurality of four projections
of a predetermined size and shape. An alignment means 60 is disposed
on at least one of the opposing sides of the support member 10 for
engagement with at least one slot (not shown) in an air dryer (not
shown) for aligning and holding the potted timer and circuit board
assembly 1 in a predetermined position in an air dryer. Preferably,
the alignment means 60 includes two exposed portions of the support
member 10 disposed opposite each other and perpendicular to the
side of the exposed member 50.
Now refer more particularly to FIGS. 1 2 and 3 of the drawings.
Illustrated therein is a potted timer and circuit board assembly
in combination with a regenerative desiccant air dryer (not shown)
having a dehydrating dryer, a regenerating dryer, outlet check valves,
inlet check valves, solenoid valves, a pre-coalescer, purge valves,
and a drain valve. The improvement comprises a support member 10
of a predetermined size and shape having a first surface 11 and
a second surface 12. Preferably, the support member 10 includes
a laminated substrate layer composed of at least one of paper, glass,
and glass fiber combined with a bonding material such as at least
one of phenolic resin, a polyester resin, and an epoxy resin. A
conductive pattern 30 of a predetermined material and thickness
is disposed on at least one of the first surface 11 and the second
surface 12. The preferred material of the conductive pattern 30
is copper foil. A predetermined quantity and arrangement of electronic
components 20 of a predetermined voltage is disposed on at least
one of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the support
member 10 for providing a timed electronic signal to a solenoid
valve that pneumatically operates an air dryer. Preferably, the
electronic components 20 are disposed on the first side 11 of the
support member 10 and the predetermined voltage is generally about
74 DC. A non-conductive material 40 of a predetermined composition
encases the electronic components 20 on the support member 10 for
insulating the electronic components 20 from environmental elements.
The preferred non-conductive material 40 is a synthetic resin, wherein
the synthetic resin is epoxy. At least one exposed member 50 on
a side of the support member 10 is engageable with at least one
receptacle on an air dryer for creating an electrical current in
the potted timer and circuit board assembly 1. Preferably, the exposed
member 50 is a projection of a predetermined size and shape. It
is also preferred that the projection is a plurality of four. An
alignment means 60 is disposed on at least one of opposing sides
of the support member 10 for engagement with at least one slot in
an air dryer for aligning and holding the potted timer and circuit
board assembly 1 in a predetermined position in an air dryer. Preferably,
the alignment means 60 includes two exposed portions of the support
member 10 disposed opposite each other and perpendicular to the
side of said exposed member 50.
Although the invention has been shown in connection with a certain
specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled
in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts
and method may be made to suit requirements without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. |