Patent ID: 6178985
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: F16K,F16T,Y10T

Abstract:
An automatic drain system for removal of condensate and particulate contaminants from compressed air systems which comprises, in combination:a reservoir having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet;an air discharge tube for discharging air from said reservoir;a first lever arm, having a float attached thereto, said float being responsive to a liquid level in the reservoir and said first lever arm being pivotally connected to a pivot rod;a second lever arm having a weight attached at one end thereof, an opposite end thereof being aligned over said float, said second lever arm being pivotally attached to a pivot rod so that as said liquid level rises and said float is buoyed upwardly, said opposite end is raised and said weight is lowered;a seal attached to said second lever arm in alignment with an entrance of said air discharge tube so that when said weight is lowered, said seal is raised from said entrance permitting air flow therethrough;a tether connecting said first lever arm and said second lever arm so that as said liquid level lowers and said float lowers, said tether is stretched and said opposite end of said second lever arm is pivotally lowered and said seal is lowered onto said entrance, preventing air flow therethrough;an air cylinder in fluid communication with said air discharge tube;a valve for opening and closing said liquid outlet, responsively connected to said air cylinder, said valve being controllably opened and closed in response to pressure from air exiting through said air discharge tube to said air cylinder in response to changes in the liquid level in the reservoir.