Vertical engine driven air compressor

Abstract

The invention recites an apparatus comprising an internal combustion engine including an engine housing and a vertical shaft extending out of the engine housing. The engine is operable to rotate the shaft. The apparatus further includes an air compressor having a compressor housing, a drive member, an air intake, and an air outlet. The drive member is connected to the engine shaft and is rotatable in response to rotation of the engine shaft. The air compressor draws in low-pressure air through the air intake and discharges a flow of high-pressure air through the air outlet in response to rotation of the drive member. The apparatus also includes an accumulator tank that receives the flow of high-pressure air from the air outlet.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 an internal combustion engine including an engine housing and a shaft extending vertically out of the engine housing, the engine operable to rotate the shaft;    an air compressor having a compressor housing, a drive member, an air intake, and an air outlet, the drive member connected to the engine shaft along a vertical axis and rotatable in response to rotation of the engine shaft, the air compressor drawing in low-pressure air through the air intake and discharging a flow of high-pressure air through the air outlet in response to rotation of the drive shaft; and    an accumulator tank receiving the flow of high-pressure air from the air outlet.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of the engine shaft and the drive member further comprises a collar portion, the collar portion sized to engage the other of the engine shaft and the drive member.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame having a handle, and a plurality of wheels supporting the frame, the frame supporting the engine, the air compressor, and the accumulator tank.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the frame defines a first side and a second side, and wherein the engine and the air compressor are disposed on the first side of the frame and the accumulator tank is disposed on the second side.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the engine further comprises a mounting flange including a first standard bolt pattern, and the compressor housing further includes a second standard bolt pattern, the first and second bolt patterns being substantially similar to facilitate attachment of the engine to the compressor housing.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the internal combustion engine is a lawnmower engine.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a valve adjustable to a relief pressure, wherein the valve opens to discharge air from the accumulator tank in response to pressure within the tank above the relief pressure.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor drive member is a crankshaft and the air compressor is a piston-type compressor having a piston coupled to the crankshaft, the piston reciprocating in response to rotation of the engine shaft.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the drive member includes an eccentric coupling including a collar portion, a plate portion, and a connecting point, the collar portion attached to the plate portion and sized to engage the engine shaft, the connecting point spaced a distance from the collar such that rotation of the engine rotates the coupling and the connecting point rotates along a circular path around the collar.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the air compressor includes a piston disposed within a cylinder, the piston connected to the connecting point such that rotation of the engine produces a reciprocating motion at the piston.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a frame;    a plurality of wheels supporting the frame;    an internal combustion engine supported by the frame, the engine including an engine housing and a vertical shaft extending out of the engine housing, the engine operable to rotate the shaft;    an air compressor supported by the frame, the air compressor having a compressor housing, a drive member, an air intake, and an air outlet, the drive member connected to the engine shaft and rotatable in response to rotation of the engine shaft, the air compressor drawing in low-pressure air through the air intake and discharging a flow of high-pressure air through the air outlet in response to rotation of the drive member; and    an accumulator tank receiving the flow of high-pressure air from the air outlet.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein one of the engine shaft and the drive member further comprises a collar portion, the collar portion sized to engage the opposite of the engine shaft and the drive member.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the accumulator tank is a first accumulator tank and the apparatus further comprises a second accumulator tank.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the frame defines a first side and a second side, and wherein the engine and the air compressor are disposed on the first side of the frame and the first and second accumulator tanks are disposed on the second side.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the engine further comprises a mounting flange including a first standard bolt pattern, and the compressor housing further includes a second standard bolt pattern, the first and second bolt patterns being substantially similar to facilitate attachment of the engine to the compressor housing.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the internal combustion engine is a lawnmower engine.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the drive member is a crankshaft and the air compressor is a piston-type compressor having a piston connected to the crankshaft, the piston reciprocating in response to rotation of the engine shaft.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the drive member includes an eccentric coupling including a collar portion, a plate portion, and a connecting point, the collar portion attached to the plate portion and sized to engage the engine shaft, the connecting point spaced a distance from the collar such that rotation of the engine rotates the coupling and the connecting point rotates along a circular path around the collar.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the air compressor includes a piston disposed within a cylinder, the piston connected to the connecting point such that rotation of the engine produces a reciprocating motion at the piston.  
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling a mobile high-pressure air supply apparatus including a frame having a handle and an axle, a plurality of wheels, an internal combustion engine having a vertical drive shaft, an air compressor, and an accumulator tank, the method comprising the steps of: 
 attaching the plurality of wheels to the axle;    attaching the air compressor to the frame;    providing a drive member connected to the air compressor and engagable with the engine drive shaft;    aligning the engine drive shaft vertically with the drive member;    engaging the drive member and the engine shaft;    attaching the engine to the frame; and    attaching the accumulator tank to the frame.