RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR OR PUMP AND A PORTABLE TOOL POWERING SYSTEM INCLUDING A RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR

• US 20080003119A1
• Filed: 06/08/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Larry Alvin Schuetzle
• Original Assignee: Larry Alvin Schuetzle
• Inventors: Penner, Lloyd, Schuetzle, Larry
• Granted Patent: US 7,980,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/411
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 1/0404 Details or component parts
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 1/0421 Cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 1/0439 Supporting or guiding means for the pistons
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 1/0452 Distribution members, e.g. valves machines or pumps with cam-actuated distribution members at the outer ends of the cylinders F04B1/0472; machines or pumps with cam-actuated distribution members at the inner ends of the cylinders F04B1/0531; the piston-driving cams being provided with inlets and outlets F04B1/0535
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 1/053 with actuating or actuated elements at the inner ends of the cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 27/053 with an actuating element at the inner ends of the cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 35/00 Piston pumps specially adapted for elastic fluids and characterised by the driving means to their working members, or by combination with, or adaptation to, specific driving engines or motors, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 35/04 the means being electric
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 35/06 Mobile combinations
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/0005 adaptations of pistons
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/0022 piston rods
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/0094 crankshaft
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/066 Cooling by ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/10 Adaptations or arrangements of distribution members
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/121 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/122 Cylinder block
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/123 Fluid connections
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 39/127 Mounting of a cylinder block in a casing
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 41/06 Combinations of two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/14 Pistons, piston-rods or piston-rod connections
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 53/16 : Casings; Cylinders; Cylinder liners or heads; Fluid connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 : by means of balls
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/0072 : Electrical cables comprising fluid supply conductors

Abstract

A reciprocating compressor or pump features a manifold arranged not only to define a hollow interior for receiving fluid discharged from a plurality of cylinders but also to define a base or frame on which the cylinders are carried. Unique valves formed in part by flexible material reduces the likelihood of fatigue and increases efficiency by retaining less heat relative to conventional reed valves. A compressor or pump mounted at an end of a handle extending parallel to a motor housing likewise extending from the compressor or pump provides an easy to carry portable assembly. A fan mounted between a motor and a compressor pulls air through the compressor inlet to both cool the motor and feed the compressor. A portable tool system powers both pneumatic and electric tools. Connecting rod structures for radial compressors or pumps provide improved strength and easier assembly.

Claims

1. A reciprocating compressor or pump comprising:

a housing defining a crank chamber;

a crankshaft comprising a shaft arranged for driven rotation about an axis and a crank pin carried on the shaft eccentric to the axis within the crank chamber;

a plurality of cylinders arranged to extend radially about the axis outward from the crank chamber; and

a piston and rod structure comprising;

a central body pivotally secured to the crank pin for relative rotation between the central body and the crank pin about an eccentric axis defined by the crank pin eccentric to the axis about which the shaft is rotatable;

a plurality of connecting rods each having a first connection at one end thereof to the central body and extending outward therefrom to a second connection, the first connection of each connecting rod allowing generally pivotal motion thereof relative to the central body; and

a plurality of pistons each connected to a the second connection of a respective connecting rod and being sealed against an interior wall of a respective cylinder, the second connection of each connecting rod allowing generally pivotal motion thereof relative to the piston;

and intake and exhaust valves associated with each cylinder and arranged to allow passage of fluid into the cylinder, and subsequent discharge of the fluid therefrom under exertion of pressure on the fluid by the piston during movement thereof along the cylinder away from the shaft under driven rotation thereof;

wherein each connecting rod is integral with at least one of the central body and the respective piston and forms a flexible connection therewith.

2. The reciprocating compressor or pump according to claim 1 wherein the central body and the connecting rods are integral.

3. The reciprocating compressor or pump according to claim 2 wherein the central body and the connecting rods comprise integral plastic.

4. The reciprocating compressor or pump according to claim 1 wherein each connecting rod is integral with the respective piston.

5. The reciprocating compressor or pump according to claim 4 wherein each connecting rod and the respective piston comprise integral plastic.

6. The reciprocating compressor or pump according to claim 1 wherein the central body, the connecting rods and the pistons are integral.

7. The reciprocating compressor or pump according to claim 6 wherein the central body, the connecting rods and the pistons comprise integral plastic.

8. The reciprocating compressor or pump according to claim 1 further comprising a motor coupled to the driveshaft and operable for driven rotation thereof.

9. A reciprocating compressor or pump comprising:

a housing defining a crank chamber;

a crankshaft comprising a shaft arranged for driven rotation about an axis and a crank pin carried on the shaft eccentric to the axis within the crank chamber;

a plurality of cylinders arranged to extend radially about the axis outward from the crank chamber; and

a connecting rod structure comprising;

a central body pivotally secured to the crank pin for relative rotation between the central body and the crank pin about an eccentric axis defined by the crank pin eccentric to the axis about which the shaft is rotatable; and

a plurality of connecting rods connected to the central body, each connecting rod extending outward from the central body into a respective cylinder to pivotally support a piston at the end of the connecting rod opposite the flexible connection sealed against an interior wall of the cylinder;

the body having a plurality of peripheral keyways parallel to and spaced about the eccentric axis, the keyways receiving ends of all but one of the connecting rods, the keyways and each of the all but one connecting rods being arranged to prevent separation thereof, while allowing limited relative pivoting therebetween, within a plane normal to the eccentric axis;

and intake and exhaust valves associated with each cylinder and arranged to allow passage of fluid into the cylinder and subsequent discharge of the fluid therefrom under exertion of pressure on the fluid by the piston during movement thereof along the cylinder away from the shaft under driver rotation thereof.

10. The reciprocating compressor or pump according to claim 9 wherein a wall of each peripheral keyway comprises an arcuate portion spanning over 180 degrees to form a mouth having a width less than the diameter of the arcuate portion.

11. The reciprocating compressor or pump according to claim 10 wherein each of the all but one of the connecting rods comprises:

a rounded end having a diameter greater than the width of the mouth of a respective one of the peripheral keyways; and

a stem having a width less than the diameter of the rounded end and extending from the rounded end through the mouth of the respective one of the peripheral keyways away from the central body of the connecting rod structure.

12. The reciprocating compressor or pump according to claim 10 wherein the arcuate portion of the wall of each peripheral keyway defines said wall entirely.

13. A portable tool powering system comprising:

a portable air compressor unit comprising an air compressor and an electric motor connected thereto for driven operation thereof;

a battery pack comprising at least one battery and being connectable to the motor to selectively supply power thereto; and

a power delivery assembly comprising;

an air hose connected the air compressor and having a pneumatic tool connector at an end of the air hose opposite the air compressor; and

electrical conductors connected to the battery pack and extending along the air hose toward the end thereof opposite the air compressor, the electrical conductors having an electric tool connector at an end thereof opposite the battery pack;

an end of the power delivery assembly opposite the battery pack and the portable air compressor thereby being connectable to pneumatic or electric tools.

14. The portable tool powering system according to claim 13 wherein the electrical conductors are disposed within a common cover.

15. The portable tool powering system according to claim 13 wherein the battery pack, motor and electrical conductors are wired to selectively deliver electricity to only one of the motor and the electric tool connection at any one time.

16. The portable tool powering system according to claim 13 wherein the battery pack comprises a rechargeable battery.

17. The portable tool powering system according to claim 13 wherein the pneumatic tool connector and electric tool connector are defined by a single quick connect unit connectable one-at-a-time to pneumatic and electric tools.

18. The portable tool powering system according to claim 17 further comprising a pneumatic tool and an electric tool each tool having mounted thereon a quick connect component having an air passageway and a pair of electrical contacts, the quick connect component of the pneumatic tool having the air passageway thereof in fluid communication with an inlet of an air powered drive system of the pneumatic tool and the quick connect component of the electric tool having the electrical contacts thereof electrically connected to an electric powered drive system of the electric tool.