Method for compressing gases using same gas as working fluid

Abstract

A method of compressing gas using the same gas as the working fluid, using a compressor comprising a reciprocating piston type compressor, a driving cylinder and a driven cylinder. The piston type compressor receives low pressure gas and fills the driven cylinder to a medium pressure target. A valve then directs the output from the piston type compressor to fill the driving cylinder, creating sufficient force to drive the connecting rod between the cylinders fully toward the driven cylinder. The connecting rod force compresses the gas in the driven cylinder and forces it out through a one way valve to a storage cylinder. A valve then directs the piston type compressor to fill the opposite side of the driving cylinder and the driven cylinder, forcing the connecting rod to retract. This cycle is repeated until the final output target high pressure is achieved in the storage vessel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61 / 588,237, filed Jan. 19, 2012 by the present inventors.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field[0003]This application relates to the compressing of gases such that a low pressure gas is compressed to a high pressure gas. The compressor methods and apparatus described herein may be used for natural gas storage for natural gas powered motor vehicles.[0004]2. Prior Art[0005]Traditionally, multistage reciprocating piston type compressors have been used to compress gases. These piston type compressors are efficient at compressing low-to-medium level pressures. These compressors typically rotate at high speeds and employ oiless designs to eliminate oil in the compressed gas stream. Oil in the gas stream has known detrimental effects to injectors and valves. These piston type compressors suffer from high heat buildup and reduced longevity due to their oiless design.[0006]More recently, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a better way to compress gases by using the same gas being compressed as the working medium that also does the compressing. This method has the benefits of hydraulic-based gas compression with higher efficiency, less equipment, no hydraulic leaks, and lower manufacturing costs.

Problems solved by technology

Oil in the gas stream has known detrimental effects to injectors and valves.

These piston type compressors suffer from high heat buildup and reduced longevity due to their oiless design.

The disadvantage of hydraulic based compressors is the decreased inefficiency inherent in not compressing the gas directly as in a reciprocating piston type compressor; first the hydraulic fluid must be compressed, then the high pressure fluid is used to impart high pressure on the gas itself.

This extra process step creates inefficiencies of energy transfer to the final desired product, a compressed gas.

Hydraulics are also prone to small oil leaks that form on many fittings, seals and valves that collect dust, which it turns captures heat.

Hydraulic based compressors are often more expensive to manufacture because of the extra pump, hoses, valves, controls and fluid storage and cooling equipment associated with hydraulic equipment.

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