Patent ID: 6284026
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: B01D,Y10S

Abstract:
A filtering, water eliminating, and lubricating compressed air valve structure comprised of a compressed air valve installed between a conventional air compressor and a pneumatic tool; a filter element is positioned inside the air inlet fitting of the said compressed air valve such that after an O-ring and a transparent condensate chamber are installed over the said air inlet fitting, a T-shaped washer mount and a filter ring are inserted over the bottom of a cross-shaped annular connector, of which the said filter ring is fabricated with numerous minute holes and a hollow neck at the bottom of the said cross-shaped annular connector is in continuity with air holes extending horizontally through its tubular circumferential wall, with a plurality of passages in the lower circumferential end of the said hollow neck of the said cross-shaped annular connector disposed in continuity with a throat at the top and a threaded hole through the side such that an oil volume adjustment screw can be fastened into the said threaded hole after being inserted through an access hole of an oil reservoir, the said oil reservoir is transparent and also installed onto the upper half of the said cross-shaped annular connector, with the said oil reservoir containing a lubricant and, furthermore, a leakproof washer is placed in between the said condensate chamber installed around the two ends of the said cross-shaped annular connector and the said oil reservoir, and an annular lip is formed on the said leakproof washer that fits tightly into two aligned annular grooves along the respective bottom ends of the said condensate chamber and the said oil reservoir to achieve a sealed closure; a threaded connector fitting is situated above the said throat at the top of the said cross-shaped annular connector and an oil feed hole is drilled into a section of the lower threads of the said threaded connector fitting that is in continuity with its center bore and, furthermore, an O-ring is installed in between the said threaded connector fitting and the said oil reservoir, and a relief needle valve and an oil injection screw are installed in the lowermost end of the said condensate chamber and uppermost extent of the said oil reservoir, respectively, to provide for the discharging of condensate and the replenishing of lubricant volume; as such, following the assembly of the said structure, when the air supplied by the said air compressor is conveyed into the said air inlet fitting of the said compressed air valve and into the said hollow neck of the said cross-shaped annular connector is expelled into the said condensate chamber, such that after the air is dried by passing through the numerous water eliminating minute holes in the surface of the said filter ring, the air then enters the said passages in the side of the said hollow neck and travels into the said throat at the top, at which time the said lubricant in the said oil reservoir over the said cross-shaped annular connector is drawn by the flowing air and mixed with the said flowing air, thereby lubricating the components of the said pneumatic tool and enhancing its operation, while thereby enabling the said compressed air valve to be of compact dimensions and light in weight to facilitate installation as well as a single structure effectively capable of the three functions of filtration, water elimination, and lubrication.