Abstrict An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from an
air stream. Such expandable desiccant element includes at least
one first expandable containment section capable of expanding a
first predetermined amount, at least one second expandable containment
section capable of expanding a second predetermined amount which
is greater than the first predetermined amount connected to the
first expandable containment section. Such at least one first expandable
containment section and at least one second expandable containment
section forming a predetermined shape.
Claims We claim:
1. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, said expandable desiccant element comprising: (a)
at least one first expandable containment section capable of expanding
a first predetermined amount; (b) at least one second expandable
containment section capable of expanding a second predetermined
amount which is greater than said first predetermined, amount connected
to said first expandable containment section and forming a predetermined
shape; (c) a means for removing moisture from such air stream disposed
within said containment sections.
2. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 1 wherein said at least one second
expandable containment section is made from a material with at least
about a 30 percent expansion capability.
3. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 2 wherein said at least one second
expandable containment section is made from at least one of an elastomeric
material and an equivalent.
4. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 1 wherein said at least one first
expandable containment section is made from at least one of a breathable
felt material and an equivalent.
5. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 1 wherein said means for removing
moisture is a drying agent.
6. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 5 wherein said drying agent is
at least one of a molecular sieve and activated alumina.
7. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined
shape formed by said at least one first expandable containment section
and said at least one second expandable containment section is substantially
cylindrical.
8. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 7 wherein said substantially
cylindrical shape has a length of between about 11 inches and about
11.3 inches in an unexpanded state.
9. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 7 wherein said substantially
cylindrical shape has a diameter of between about 4.1 and about
4.25 inches in an unexpanded state.
10. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 9 wherein a centrally located
portion of said substantially cylindrical shape has a diameter of
at least about 4.31 inches in an expanded state.
11. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 1 wherein said at least one first
expandable section and said at least one second expandable section
are sewn together.
12. 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 an expandable desiccant
element including: (a) at least one first expandable containment
section capable of expanding a first predetermined amount; (b) at
least one second expandable containment section capable of expanding
a second predetermined amount which is greater than said first predetermined
amount connected to said first expandable containment section and
forming a predetermined shape; (c) a means for removing moisture
from such air stream disposed within said containment sections.
13. The combination according to claim 12 wherein said at least
one second expandable containment section is made from a material
with at least about a 30 percent expansion capability.
14. The combination according to claim 12 wherein said at least
one second expandable containment section is made from at least
one of an elastomeric material and an equivalent.
15. The combination according to claim 12 wherein said at least
one first expandable containment section is made from at least one
of a breathable felt material and an equivalent.
16. The combination according to claim 12 wherein said means for
removing moisture is a drying agent.
17. The combination according to claim 16 wherein said drying
agent is at least one of a molecular sieve and activated alumina.
18. The combination according to claim 17 wherein said predetermined
shape formed by said at least one first expandable section and said
at least one second expandable outer section is substantially cylindrical.
19. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 18 wherein said substantially
cylindrical shape has a length of between about 11 inches and about
11.3 inches in an unexpanded state.
20. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 18 wherein said substantially
cylindrical shape has a diameter of between about 4.1 and about
4.25 inches in an unexpanded state.
21. An expandable desiccant element for removal of moisture from
an air stream, according to claim 18 wherein a centrally located
portion of said substantially cylindrical shape has a diameter of
at least about 4.31 inches in an expanded state.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to drying agents. More
particularly, the invention relates to a drying agent for use in
a regenerative desiccant air dryer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Air dryers are commonly used to remove moisture from a compressed
air stream so that a minimum of moisture is introduced into the
devices powered by the compressed air. Moisture can have a detrimental
impact on such downstream devices, such as ice blockage, rust, and
lack of proper lubrication. It is highly important in a compressed
air system to provide the driest air possible to the downstream
devices, and is critical for the safe and proper operation of locomotives
and rail cars.
There are several designs of air dryers used on locomotives today,
and a regenerative desiccant air dryer is the most common. The periodic
replacement of the drying agent is a required maintenance procedure,
and can be a difficult, messy, and wasteful process with prior art
dryers, since in some types the drying agent is poured loosely into
the dryer tanks. Other prior art dryers offer cartridges that have
the drying agent contained within them, but these cartridges must
be made to exacting tolerances so that the wet air does not pass
around the cartridge. This makes the cartridge more difficult and
expensive to manufacture, but eases the maintenance process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the invention generally provides an expandable desiccant
element for removal of moisture from an air stream. Such expandable
desiccant element includes at least one first expandable containment
section capable of expanding a first predetermined amount, at least
one second expandable containment section capable of expanding a
second predetermined amount which is greater than such first predetermined
amount connected to the first expandable containment section. Such
at least one first expandable containment section and at least one
second expandable containment section forming a predetermined shape.
There is a means for removing moisture from such air stream disposed
within such containment sections.
In another aspect, the invention generally provides an expandable
desiccant element in combination with a regenerative desiccant air
dryer. The regenerative desiccant air dryer has 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 an expandable desiccant element including at least one
first expandable containment section capable of expanding a first
predetermined amount and at least one second expandable containment
section capable of expanding a second predetermined amount which
is greater than such first predetermined amount connected to the
first expandable containment section and forming a predetermined
shape. The combination further includes a means for removing moisture
from such air stream disposed within such containment sections.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to
provide an expandable desiccant element that offers a reduction
in the amount of wet air passing around it.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an expandable
desiccant element that offers the ability to expand and contract.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an expandable
desiccant element that offers less complicated manufacturing methods.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide
an expandable desiccant element that offers ease of insertion and
removal.
In addition to the above-described objects and advantages of the
expandable desiccant element, various other objects and advantages
of the present invention will become more readily apparent to the
persons who are skilled in the same and related arts 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.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a side view of an expandable desiccant element in an
unexpanded state.
FIG. 2 is side view of an expandable desiccant element in an expanded
state.
FIG. 3 is a top sectional view of an expandable desiccant element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Prior to proceeding to a much more detailed description of the
present invention, it should be noted that identical components
which have identical functions have been identified with identical
reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the
drawing figures for the sake of clarity and understanding of the
invention.
Referring initially to FIG. 1 an expandable desiccant element constructed
according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention is
generally designated 10. The expandable desiccant element 10 includes
at least one first expandable containment section 14 capable of
expanding a first predetermined amount and at least one second expandable
containment section 16 capable of expanding a second predetermined
amount which is greater than such first predetermined amount connected
to the first expandable containment section 14. The first expandable
section 14 and second expandable section 16 are sewn together in
a presently preferred embodiment.
The second expandable containment section 16 is made from a material
with at least about a 30 percent expansion capability.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the second expandable containment
section 16 is made from at least one of a Lycra material and an
equivalent. The first expandable containment section 14 is made
from at least one of a breathable felt material and an equivalent
in a presently preferred embodiment.
The first expandable containment section 14 and second expandable
containment section 16 form a predetermined shape. In a presently
preferred embodiment, the predetermined shape formed by the first
expandable containment section 14 and the second expandable containment
section 16 is substantially cylindrical. The substantially cylindrical
shape has a length of between about 11 inches and about 11.3 inches
in an unexpanded state, and has a diameter of between about 4.1
and about 4.25 inches in an unexpanded state. A centrally located
portion of such substantially cylindrical shape has a diameter of
at least about 4.31 inches in an expanded state.
Further included in the expandable desiccant element 10 is a means
26 disposed within the containment sections for removing moisture
from such air stream. Such means 26 for removing moisture is a drying
agent. In a presently preferred embodiment, the drying agent is
at least one of a molecular sieve and activated alumina.
Referring to FIGS. 1 2 and 3 there is an expandable desiccant
element 10 in combination with a regenerative desiccant air dryer
(not shown). The regenerative desiccant air dryer includes 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 includes an expandable desiccant element 10 having
at least first expandable containment section 14 capable of expanding
a first predetermined amount, and at least one second expandable
containment section 16 capable of expanding a second predetermined
amount which is greater than such first predetermined amount connected
to such first expandable containment section 14 and forming a predetermined
shape.
There is a means 26 disposed within the containment sections of
the expandable desiccant element for removing moisture from such
air stream. Such means 26 for removing moisture is a drying agent,
and in a presently preferred embodiment, the drying agent is at
least one of a molecular sieve and activated alumina.
In this combination, the second expandable containment section
16 of the expandable desiccant element 10 is made from a material
with at least about a 30 percent expansion capability, and in a
presently preferred embodiment, the second expandable containment
section 16 is made from at least one of a Lycra brand elastomeric
material and an equivalent. The first expandable containment section
14 of the expandable desiccant element 10 in this combination is
made from at least one of a breathable felt material and an equivalent
in a presently preferred embodiment.
The predetermined shape formed by the first expandable section
14 and second expandable outer section 16 is substantially cylindrical,
and the substantially cylindrical shape has a length of between
about 11 inches and about 11.3 inches in an unexpanded state. The
substantially cylindrical shape further has a diameter of between
about 4.1 and about 4.25 inches in an unexpanded state, and has
a diameter of at least about 4.31 inches in an expanded state. In
the expanded state, a centrally located portion of the expandable
desiccant element 10 will be pressed adjacent the inner wall (not
shown) of a holding tank (not shown) for the expandable desiccant
element 10. When the expandable desiccant element 10 is pressed
adjacent the holding tank inner wall, such stream of moist air will
be forced through the expandable desiccant element 10 such that
the drying agent 26 can remove moisture from the air stream.
While the present invention has been described by way of a detailed
description of a particularly preferred embodiment, it will be readily
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions
of equivalents may be affected without departing from the spirit
or scope of the invention set forth in the appended claims. |