Common-Rod Hydraulic Compressor With Fluid Isolation and Intercooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic gas compressors face issues with contamination of hydraulic fluid, inefficient operation, and increased costs in oil and gas field environments, particularly due to varying ratios of liquid and gas byproducts in oil wells and potential heat generation during compression.

Innovation Solution

A multi-cylinder fluid compressor design with axially aligned compression chambers, a common piston rod, and hydraulic cylinders actuated by a hydraulic fluid system, featuring seal devices and buffer chambers to isolate working fluid from hydraulic fluid, and a cooler to manage heat and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hydraulic gas compressors are used in oil and gas field environments, then compression function is provided, but contamination of hydraulic fluid from natural gas components occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydraulic fluid contamination resistanceVSAvoidfluid contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compressor is divided into separate hydraulic system and gas compression system with isolated fluid paths. The hydraulic cylinders contain hydraulic fluid while the compression chambers handle natural gas, preventing cross-contamination through physical separation of the two fluid systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A common piston rod acts as an intermediary mechanical connection between the hydraulic system and gas compression system. This rod transmits force from hydraulic pistons to gas compression pistons without requiring direct fluid contact between the two systems, eliminating contamination pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple stages of compression are used, then compression efficiency is improved, but significant heat is generated during each stage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression efficiencyVSAvoidcompression heat

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Intercoolers are positioned between compression stages to cool the gas before it enters the next stage. This preliminary cooling action prevents excessive temperature accumulation and maintains optimal compression efficiency throughout the multi-stage process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The heat generated during compression is managed by intercoolers that dissipate this thermal energy to the surrounding environment. By converting the harmful heat into a manageable byproduct through controlled heat exchange, the system maintains efficiency while eliminating temperature-related problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Volume of moving object

If hydraulic cylinders are positioned at opposite ends of the compressor, then compact design is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressor footprintVSAvoidhydraulic system configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The common piston rod merges the function of multiple pistons into a single mechanical component that connects both hydraulic systems. This consolidation reduces the number of separate mechanisms needed while maintaining the compact opposite-end configuration of the hydraulic cylinders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design effectively isolates fluids, reduces contamination risks, enhances operational efficiency, and lowers maintenance requirements, while providing energy savings and improved handling of varying fluid ratios.

Implementation Method 1

first and second hydraulic cylinders positioned at opposite ends of the multi-cylinder fluid compressor, with the first and second compression cylinders therebetween to axially drive the common piston rod; wherein the first and second hydraulic cylinders are adapted to be actuated by a hydraulic fluid supply system to reciprocally drive the common piston rod

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

a cooler to manage heat and efficiency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS20260028974A1Common-rod series hydraulic compressors

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 I JACK TECH

AI summary

A multi-cylinder fluid compressor for compressing a working fluid. The compressor includes a first gas compression cylinder, divided into axially aligned compression chambers by a first reciprocating gas piston, and a second gas compression cylinder, divided into axially aligned compression chambers by a second reciprocating gas piston. The gas compression cylinders are axially aligned and the reciprocating gas pistons are driven by a common piston rod extending through the compression cylinders and operably connected with the reciprocating gas pistons. The common piston rod is reciprocally driven by a hydraulic fluid supply system to reciprocally drive the reciprocating gas pistons. The compressor system may be operated as a multi-stage compressor system by conveying working fluid outlet from one compression chamber to the inlet of another compression chamber. Cooling may be provided between stages. One application for the compressor is in a vapor recovery system for drawing low pressure vapors that can accumulate above hydrocarbon liquids in a tank.