Compressor and gas cylinder containment and cooling apparatus

Abstract

A fragmentation containment charging unit for gas cylinders that includes a steel housing having an interior compartment at least a portion of which defines a cooling chamber in which a compressor for use in charging the gas cylinders is mounted so as to be directly immersed so as to be in heat exchange with a cooing liquid within the cooling chamber and wherein the gas cylinders may also cooled during charging.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 611,740, filed Sep. 22, 2004, in the name of the same inventor.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention is directed to protective housings or containment shields or enclosures for compressors of the type used to fill SCBA and scuba gas tanks or containers with high pressure gases wherein the tanks or containers being filled are also safely supported within the containment enclosures during filling. The enclosures house not only the compressors but all motors, drive assemblies, tubing, valves and the like that are used in the refilling of gas cylinders and also provide for the efficient cooling of the compressors in liquid baths created there in. The cooled compressor contained or housed with the containment enclosures may also be used to fill exotic high pressure tanks that cannot be placed w...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012] The compressor and cooling coils associated therewith are mounted within a compartment that is preferably water tight and separated from an area where the power motor and drive assembly are positioned and also spaced from the gas cylinder support or supports. During use of the compressor to charge gas cylinders, a liquid, that may be water or another heat exchange liquid, is circulated through the compressor compartment to thereby provide maximum cooling to the compressor and associated coils and filters. The compressor includes or is provided with cooling or heat exchange coils that extend between the outlets of the first and second stages of the compressor to the inlets of the second and third stages and between the outlet of the third stage to the inlet of an purification cylinder from which air is supplied to the gas cylinders being charged. Such heat exchange coils are used to cool the high pressure gasses as the gasses are compressed such that the overall operating temperature of the compressed gasses are maintained as close to 100° F. as is possible. The cooling of the gasses also reduces heat build up within the compressor.

[0016] It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a fragmentation containment enclosure and gas cylinder charging or filling apparatus that safely houses a high pressure compressor used to charge gas filled cylinders as well as the cylinders being charged such that, should an explosion occur, all debris or fragments will be contained, thus making the charging of gas cylinders more safe, and wherein the compressor and related high pressure lines are bathed in a cooling or heat exchange liquid during use.

Problems solved by technology

Because of the high charging pressures associated with breathing air cylinders, there is always a risk of explosion caused by a rupture or failure of cylinder walls and valves associated there with.

Such risks are often greater when cylinders are being charged thus placing individuals at filling or charging locations in positions where they may subject to severe bodily harm or injury.

Although the charging apparatus disclosed in this patent provides for containment of the compressor and air cylinders during charging, there is no provision made or suggested of cooling the compressor or air cylinders within the containment apparatus or housing.

As the temperatures increase not only is there an increased risk of possible explosion but the damage to compressor components is also increased.

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