Reciprocating compressor or pump and a portable tool powering system including a reciprocating compressor

• US 8,721,300 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2012
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Larry Alvin Schuetzle
• Original Assignee: Larry Alvin Schuetzle
• Inventors: Schuetzle, Larry Alvin, Penner, Lloyd Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): LETTMAN, BRYAN MATTHEW
• Application Number:
  US13/544,718
• Publication Number:
  US 20130177454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 417/273, 921/47, 921/48
• US Class Current: 417/273
• 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 comprising:

an electric motor having a driveshaft arranged for driven rotation about an axis;

a plurality of cylinder liners each having a cylindrical bore therein and each extending radially away from the axis, the plurality of cylinder liners including at least three cylinder liners spaced around the axis;

a drive system comprising a central body carried eccentrically on the driveshaft and a plurality of connecting rods each connected at one end thereof to the central body;

a plurality of pistons each being connected to a respective connecting rod at a second end thereof opposite the central body and each being sealed against an interior wall of a respective cylinder liner, the drive system being configured to effect movement of the central body under rotation of the driveshaft to move the piston outward along the cylinder away from the axis of the driveshaft to a fully extended position furthest therefrom and then pull said piston back radially inward toward the axis to a fully retracted position nearest thereto;

an intake valve associated with each cylinder liner arranged to open as the piston retracts toward the fully retracted position and to close as the piston extends away therefrom;

an exhaust valve associated with each cylinder liner and comprising at least one exhaust port extending through the cylinder liner and a resilient band disposed circumferentially about the cylinder liner in a position covering the at least one exhaust port, the band being resiliently stretchable about the respective cylinder liner by fluid pressure exerted on the band through the exhaust port during movement of the piston toward the fully extended position; and

an annular manifold having a hollow interior channel that extends around the axis and into which the cylinder liners partially extend to position the exhaust valves inside the hollow interior channel to communicate the hollow interior channel of the manifold with the cylindrical bore of each cylinder liner when the exhaust valve associated therewith is open;

wherein the manifold defines a rigid support on which the electric motor, the plurality of cylinder liners and the drive system are carried.