Inline Chemical Induction System for Air Brake Moisture Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air braking systems for trucks face issues with moisture accumulation, leading to ice and sludge buildup, which can damage components and reduce system efficiency, especially in winter conditions, due to the limitations of desiccant air dryers that require periodic regeneration and can become saturated if not properly maintained.
Innovation Solution
An inline chemical induction system featuring a canister with a ball valve, T-connector, and glad hand connectors, utilizing alcohol to flow through the air brake system and clear moisture, with brass pipes and fittings for attachment to trucks and trailers, and a pipe sealant for airtight connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If desiccant air dryers are used to remove moisture from compressed air, then moisture removal capability is improved, but the system requires periodic regeneration and can become saturated if not properly maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the desiccant material from the traditional enclosed air dryer system and replaces it with a portable chemical drying agent that can be manually introduced into the air line. This eliminates the need for periodic regeneration of a fixed desiccant system while maintaining moisture removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces chemical drying agents as intermediaries between the compressed air source and the brake system. These chemicals absorb moisture through chemical reaction rather than physical adsorption, providing continuous moisture removal without saturation issues that plague traditional desiccant systems.
2Reliability
If traditional desiccant air dryers are installed in the air brake system, then moisture and contaminants are removed, but the system becomes complex and requires maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable chemical drying agents that are introduced into the system, perform their moisture-absorbing function, and are then discarded. This eliminates the need for maintaining, regenerating, or replacing expensive desiccant materials in traditional air dryers.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical drying agents are self-contained and automatically absorb moisture from the compressed air as it passes through the air line. The system requires no active control, regeneration cycles, or maintenance interventions - the chemicals perform their function autonomously until depleted.
3Productivity
If compressed air is used in braking systems, then efficient braking is achieved, but moisture accumulation leads to ice and sludge buildup that damages components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of compressed air containing moisture into a beneficial process by introducing chemical drying agents that actively seek out and bind with the moisture. The moisture that would otherwise cause damage is transformed into a absorbed substance that can be safely removed from the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the compressed air by introducing substances that alter the moisture content through chemical reaction. This transforms the air from a moisture-carrier that causes damage to a dry, clean gas that maintains braking efficiency without harmful byproducts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively removes moisture and contaminants from the air brake system, preventing damage and ensuring efficient operation by using alcohol to clear ice and water, enhancing system reliability, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing alcohol to flow through the air brake system and clear moisture
Implementation Method 2
The air dryer typically consists of a container of desiccant, and is periodically regenerated by passing a small volume of dry air through the desiccant in reverse, and allowing this volume to exhaust to atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
An air dryer system to keep brakes free from ice and water. The air dryer system includes a canister having a side wall and a bottom defining an upwardly opening chamber. A lid may be removably secured to the canister for an air tight closure of the chamber. A ball valve is coupled to the bottom of the canister. A t-connector is coupled to the canister via the ball valve. The ball valve places the t-connector in fluid communication with the chamber. A quick release coupling may be attached to the ball valve. A plurality of glad hand connectors are disposed at distal ends of the t-connector allowing the air dryer system to be easily assembled to a truck and truck trailer.