Patent ID: 6616735
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: B01D,F04B

Abstract:
A compressed gas system comprising:a) a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, b) an aftercooler having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of said aftercooler connected to said outlet of said compressor, c) a filter having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of said filter connected to said outlet of said aftercooler, d) a coalescer having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of said coalescer connected to said outlet of said filter, e) a membrane air dryer having an inlet, an outlet, a sweep inlet, and a sweep outlet, said inlet of said membrane air dryer connected to the outlet of said coalescer, f) a solenoid valve having a solenoid valve inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, said solenoid valve inlet being connected to said membrane air dryer outlet, and said first outlet being connected to said membrane air dryer sweep inlet, g) an unload solenoid connected to said solenoid valve to selectively direct flow to either said first outlet or said second outlet, h) an accumulator having at least an inlet, said accumulator inlet being connected to said second outlet of said solenoid valve, and i) a controller electrically connected to both said accumulator and said unload solenoid to move said solenoid valve between a closed position wherein the inlet of said solenoid valve is in fluid communication with said second outlet of said solenoid valve, thereby causing gas flowing into said inlet of said unload solenoid valve to flow into said accumulator, and an open position wherein the inlet of said solenoid valve is in communication with said first outlet, whereby flowing into said inlet of said unload solenoid valve to flow through said first outlet and into said sweep inlet of said membrane air dryer.