Carbon dioxide power system and method

Abstract

A system and method for driving a power tool or other implement using pressurized gas delivered from a portable canister, a business method for distributing canisters for use with such a system and method, and a compact distribution block for regulating pressure and delivering fluid from the canister to the tool.

1 . A portable tool drive system comprising at least one canister for containing a pressurized drive fluid, a distribution block attached to said canister, and a regulator for regulating a fluid delivery pressure; wherein said distribution block comprises a refill port, and a discharge port for delivery of the drive fluid.  
   
   
       2 . The portable tool drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the discharge port comprises a quick-release coupling.  
   
   
       3 . The portable tool drive system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one gauge for indicating a fluid pressure.  
   
   
       4 . The portable tool drive system of  claim 3 , comprising only a single gauge for indicating a regulated fluid delivery pressure.  
   
   
       5 . The portable tool drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution block further comprises a pressure-relief safety valve for venting excess fluid pressure.  
   
   
       6 . The portable tool drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution block comprises a first coupling for attachment to the canister, and a second coupling for attachment of a fluid delivery conduit to the discharge port, and wherein the first and second couplings are oriented at an oblique angle relative to one another.  
   
   
       7 . The portable tool drive system of  claim 6 , wherein the distribution block further comprises a third coupling for attachment of a gauge for indicating a fluid pressure, and wherein the first and third couplings are oriented at an oblique angle relative to one another.  
   
   
       8 . The portable tool drive system of  claim 1 , wherein the regulator and the distribution block are combined as an integral component.  
   
   
       9 . The portable tool drive system of  claim 1 , comprising two canisters for containing a pressurized drive fluid, and a jumper providing fluid communication between the two canisters.  
   
   
       10 . The portable tool drive system of  claim 1 , further comprising an emergency release allowing high-volume discharge of the pressurized drive fluid for fire-suppression purposes.  
   
   
       11 . An integral distribution block and pressure regulator for a portable tool drive system, said integral distribution block and pressure regulator comprising a first coupling for attachment to a portable container of pressurized fluid, and a second coupling for attachment to a fluid discharge conduit, wherein said first and second couplings are oriented at an oblique angle relative to one another.  
   
   
       12 . The integral distribution block and pressure regulator of  claim 11 , further comprising a third coupling for attachment of a gauge for indicating a fluid pressure, wherein the first and third couplings are oriented at an oblique angle relative to one another.  
   
   
       13 . The integral distribution block and pressure regulator of  claim 11 , further comprising a refill port.  
   
   
       14 . The integral distribution block and pressure regulator of  claim 11 , further comprising a pressure-relief safety valve for venting excess fluid pressure.  
   
   
       15 . The integral distribution block and pressure regulator of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second couplings comprise threaded bores in a lower housing portion of the integral distribution block and pressure regulator, and wherein the integral distribution block and pressure regulator further comprises an upper bell cover mountable onto the lower housing portion to enclose a variable pressure regulation mechanism.  
   
   
       16 . A method of driving a power tool, said method comprising: 
 installing a distribution block and pressure regulator onto a canister;    substantially filling the canister with a pressurized drive fluid via a fill port in the distribution block; and    coupling a power tool to a discharge port in the distribution block to deliver the pressurized drive fluid to drive the power tool.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of substantially filling the canister comprises delivering compressed CO 2  into the canister through the fill port.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising refilling the canister after discharging at least a portion of the pressurized drive fluid.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 uncoupling the power tool from the discharge port after discharging at least a portion of the pressurized drive fluid;    exchanging a first canister, distribution block and pressure regulator for a second canister, distribution block and pressure regulator; and    re-coupling the power tool to a discharge port in the second distribution block.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the second canister is of a different size than the first canister.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising mounting the canister, distribution block and pressure regulator to a user-wearable carrier.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising activating an emergency release to trigger a high-volume discharge of the pressurized drive fluid from the canister for fire-suppression purposes.