Apparatus and Method for Compressing a Cryogenic Media

Abstract

An apparatus and method for compressing a cryogenic media is disclosed. A compressor includes a compressor chamber surrounded by a cylinder wall in which a compressor piston is moved in a linear manner, a suction valve and a pressure valve, which are arranged in the region of the lower end position of the compressor piston, and a liquid chamber which at least partially surrounds the compressor chamber. The cylinder wall defines at least one opening, which corresponds to the liquid chamber, and at least one opening, via which the gaseous medium can be extracted from the compressor chamber, where the openings are located at points on the cylinder wall that are passed by the compressor piston.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . A compressor for cryogenic media, comprising a compressor chamber surrounded by a cylinder wall in which a compressor piston is moved in a linear manner, a suction valve and a pressure valve, which are arranged in a region of a lower end position of the compressor piston, and a liquid chamber which at least partially surrounds the compressor chamber, wherein the cylinder wall defines a first opening, which corresponds to the liquid chamber, and a second opening, via which a gaseous medium is extractable from the compressor chamber, and wherein the first and second openings are located at points on the cylinder wall that are passed by the compressor piston, and wherein the second opening via which the gaseous medium is extractable from the compressor chamber is effectively connected with a gas extraction line. 
   
   
       6 . The compressor according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second openings are embodied in a form of a slot. 
   
   
       7 . The compressor according to  claim 5 , wherein the first and second openings are located at points on the cylinder wall, which are not released by the compressor piston until the compressor piston is directly in front of an upper end position or has arrived at the upper end position. 
   
   
       8 . The compressor according to  claim 5 , wherein the suction valve has an indentation on a surface facing the compressor piston, wherein the indentation is embodied in such a manner that a vacuum forms between the suction valve and the compressor piston. 
   
   
       9 . A compressor for compressing a cryogenic media, comprising:
 a compressor chamber defined by a cylinder wall, wherein the cylinder wall defines a first opening and a second opening at an upper end of the compressor chamber;   a compressor piston moveable linearly within the compressor chamber;   a suction valve and a pressure valve disposed within the cylinder wall at a lower end of the compressor chamber; and   a liquid chamber which at least partially surrounds the compressor chamber and contains the cryogenic media in a liquid form;   wherein when the compressor piston is at the upper end of the compressor chamber, the cryogenic media in the liquid form enters the compressor chamber through the first opening and the cryogenic media in a gaseous form is extracted from the compressor chamber through the second opening and a gas extraction line coupled to the second opening.   
   
   
       10 . The compressor according to  claim 9 , wherein the suction valve has an indentation on a surface facing the compressor piston. 
   
   
       11 . The compressor according to  claim 9 , wherein a second gas extraction line is coupled to the pressure valve. 
   
   
       12 . The compressor according to  claim 11 , wherein the cryogenic media in the gaseous form is extracted from the compressor chamber through the pressure valve and the second gas extraction line coupled to the pressure valve when the compressor piston is at the lower end of the compressor chamber. 
   
   
       13 . A method for compressing a cryogenic media in a compressor, wherein the compressor includes:
 a compressor chamber defined by a cylinder wall, wherein the cylinder wall defines a first opening and a second opening at an upper end of the compressor chamber;   a compressor piston moveable linearly within the compressor chamber;   a suction valve and a pressure valve disposed within the cylinder wall at a lower end of the compressor chamber; and   a liquid chamber which at least partially surrounds the compressor chamber and contains the cryogenic media in a liquid form;   and comprising the steps of:   adding the cryogenic media in the liquid form to the compressor chamber through the first opening from the liquid chamber when the compressor piston is at the upper end of the compressor chamber; and   extracting the cryogenic media in a gaseous form from the compressor chamber through the second opening and a gas extraction line coupled to the second opening when the compressor piston is at the upper end of the compressor chamber.   
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of extracting the cryogenic media in the gaseous form from the compressor chamber through the pressure valve and a second gas extraction line coupled to the pressure valve when the compressor piston is at the lower end of the compressor chamber. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of creating a vacuum between an indentation on a surface of the suction valve facing the compressor piston and the compressor piston. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein an entire quantity of the cryogenic media in the gaseous form is extracted from the compressor chamber through the second opening and the gas extraction line coupled to the second opening before the compressor piston begins a compression stroke. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the compressor chamber is completely filled with the cryogenic media in the liquid form below the compressor piston before the compressor piston begins the compression stroke.