Air dryer mounting assembly

Abstract

An improved system and method for mounting an air dryer is provided. The improved system and method employs a single centralized special fitting that secures the air dryer manifold to a reservoir. The bore in which the fitting is disposed is used to communicate air from the reservoir to the air dryer in order to purge the desiccant in the air dryer. The mounting assembly includes anti-rotational mechanisms which prevent the air dryer from rotating about its axis. The mounting assembly may also include a reservoir and a mounting bracket for the reservoir which uses less than 75 percent of a truck mounting rail height.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . An air dryer assembly comprising: 
 an air dryer including a manifold having a first passageway running through the manifold and a desiccant cartridge connected to a threaded portion of the manifold; and    a fastener disposed within the first passageway, the fastener attaching the manifold to an external air reservoir, wherein air flowing between the air dryer and the reservoir flows within the passageway and external to the fastener.    
   
   
       24 . The air dryer assembly of  claim 23  wherein the reservoir houses a volume of previously dried air for regenerating desiccant in the desiccant cartridge.  
   
   
       25 . The air dryer assembly of  claim 23  further comprising a means for stabilizing the air dryer and preventing relative rotation between the air dryer and the reservoir.  
   
   
       26 . The air dryer mounting assembly of  claim 25  wherein said means for stabilizing the air dryer includes a set of two or more arms protruding from said manifold and a projection extending from a surface of the reservoir, wherein said protrusion rests between said arms and prevents rotation of said air dryer when said air dryer is attached to said reservoir.  
   
   
       27 . The air dryer mounting assembly of  claim 25  wherein said means for stabilizing the air dryer includes a bolt received by a threaded member.  
   
   
       28 . The air dryer mounting assembly of  claim 23  wherein said assembly is used in connection with a commercial vehicle air brake system.  
   
   
       29 . The air dryer mounting assembly of  claim 23  wherein said desiccant cartridge contains a set of threads which are used to thread the cartridge onto a set of corresponding threads located on said threaded portion.  
   
   
       30 . The air dryer mounting assembly of  claim 29  wherein said set of threads and said set of corresponding threads are 41 mm.  
   
   
       31 . The air dryer mounting assembly of  claim 23  wherein first dried compressed air flows between the air dryer and the reservoir through the first passageway; and wherein second dried compressed air flows between the air dryer and a downstream component through a second passageway, the second dried compressed air being transmitted between the air dryer and the downstream component without passing through the reservoir.  
   
   
       32 . An air dryer for a commercial vehicle, comprising: 
 a manifold having a bore;    a desiccant cartridge connected to the manifold by a first fastener; and    a purge air reservoir connected to the manifold by a second fastener inserted through the bore;    wherein purge air flows from the purge air reservoir to the desiccant cartridge through the bore to regenerate the desiccant.    
   
   
       33 . The air dryer of  claim 32  wherein the second fastener secures the manifold to an outer surface of the purge air reservoir.  
   
   
       34 . The air dryer of  claim 32  wherein the bore is in communication with an air flow path in said air dryer and a purge volume disposed within said reservoir.  
   
   
       35 . The air dryer of  claim 32  further comprising a means for prohibiting rotation of the air dryer about the second fastener.  
   
   
       36 . The air dryer of  claim 35  wherein said means for prohibiting rotation of the air dryer includes a bolt received by a threaded member.  
   
   
       37 . A method of mounting an air dryer, comprising: 
 aligning the air dryer with a reservoir such that one or more stabilizing mechanisms interlock to prevent rotation of the air dryer relative to the reservoir; wherein the air dryer includes a manifold coupled to a desiccant cartridge by a first fastener;    inserting a second fastener through the manifold and into a threaded member in the reservoir; and    tightening said fastener to said reservoir.    
   
   
       38 . An air dryer mounting assembly comprising: 
 an air dryer including a manifold and desiccant cartridge; and    an enclosed reservoir, wherein said air dryer is coupled to the outside of said reservoir, wherein said reservoir includes a mounting bracket that is coupled to a rail of a commercial vehicle, said rail of a vehicle having a height;    wherein said mounting bracket includes a height that is less than 75 percent of said rail height.