Portable hybrid gas compressor

Abstract

A portable, hybrid gas compressor. The hybrid characteristics of the present invention stem from the compressor's ability to offer a user: in one embodiment, multiple sources of power; in another embodiment, multiple varieties of compressed gas for distribution; and in yet another embodiment, the option to recharge the gas supply of the compressor internally.

1 . A portable hybrid gas compressor comprising:
 a rigid body defining an air inlet;   a pump, in fluid communication with said air inlet, for receiving air from said air inlet;   a power source in electrical communication with said pump;   a gas reservoir, at least partially housed within said body, having an internal gas inlet in selective fluid communication with said pump, for storing a pressurized gas and said gas reservoir having an external gas channel;   a hybrid valve having at least two positions including: a first position sealing said gas reservoir from said pump, and a second position allowing fluid communication from said pump to said gas reservoir;   a compressed gas outlet in fluid communication with said gas reservoir; and   transport means affixed to said body.   
   
   
       2 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said body further defines a lower gas exhaust positioned to direct gas in a downward direction relative to said body. 
   
   
       3 . The compressor of  claim 2  wherein said body further defines a pair of flanked tank recesses having upper recess apertures; and said gas reservoir includes a pair of flanked gas reservoir tanks dimensioned to be removably housed within said recesses. 
   
   
       4 . The compressor of  claim 3  wherein said compressor further comprises a bridge, within said housing, in fluid communication with said flanked gas reservoir tanks. 
   
   
       5 . The compressor of  claim 4  wherein said bridge further comprises a safety bleed valve positioned proximate to said gas exhaust. 
   
   
       6 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said power source includes a battery and said compressor further comprises a charge port in electrical communication with said battery. 
   
   
       7 . A portable hybrid gas compressor comprising:
 a rigid body defining an air inlet;   a plenum, within said body, defining an air chamber and a gas chamber;   a hybrid valve positioned to selectively seal said air chamber from said gas chamber;   a pump, within said body, in fluid communication with both said air inlet and said air chamber;   a power source in electrical communication with said pump;   a gas reservoir, at least partially housed within said body, in fluid communication with said gas chamber, for storing a pressurized gas and said gas reservoir having an external gas channel;   a compressed gas outlet in fluid communication with said plenum; and   transport means affixed to said body.   
   
   
       8 . The compressor of  claim 7  wherein said gas reservoir tank includes a pair of flanked gas reservoir tanks fluidly connected via a bridge. 
   
   
       9 . The compressor of  claim 7  wherein said plenum further comprises a release chamber; and wherein said hybrid valve is adapted to expose said gas reservoir to said release chamber. 
   
   
       10 . The compressor of  claim 9  wherein said gas reservoir tank includes a pair of flanked gas reservoir tanks; and a bridge fluidly connecting said flanked gas reservoir tanks. 
   
   
       11 . The compressor of  claim 10  wherein said body further defines a pair of flanked tank recesses, dimensioned to house said flanked gas reservoir tanks, having upper recess apertures; and said flanked reservoir tanks releasably connect to said bridge. 
   
   
       12 . The compressor of  claim 7  wherein said gas chamber comprises a port chamber and a starboard chamber, and said hybrid valve is adapted to form positions to: expose said port chamber to said compressed gas outlet; expose said starboard chamber to said compressed gas outlet; and expose both said port chamber and said starboard chamber to said compressed gas outlet. 
   
   
       13 . The compressor of  claim 12  wherein said plenum further comprises a release chamber; and wherein said hybrid valve is further adapted to expose said gas reservoir to said release chamber. 
   
   
       14 . The compressor of  claim 15  wherein said engine further comprises vibration dampening material affixed thereto. 
   
   
       15 . The compressor of  claim 10  wherein said body further comprises temperature insulation material affixed thereto. 
   
   
       16 . A portable hybrid gas compressor comprising:
 a rigid body defining an air inlet and a pair of flanked tank recesses having upper recess apertures;   a pump, in fluid communication with said air inlet, for receiving air from said air inlet;   a power source in electrical communication with said pump;   a pair of flanked, removable gas reservoir tanks, at least partially housed within said pair of flanked tank recesses, each of said gas reservoir tanks having a gas channel in selective fluid communication with said pump;   a selection valve having at least two positions including: a first position sealing said gas reservoir tanks from said pump, and a second position allowing fluid communication from said pump to at least one of said gas reservoir tanks;   a compressed gas outlet in fluid communication with said gas reservoir; and   transport means affixed to said body.   
   
   
       17 . The compressor of  claim 16  wherein said compressor further comprises a bridge, within said housing, in fluid communication with said flanked gas reservoir tanks. 
   
   
       18 . The compressor of  claim 17  wherein said body further defines a lower gas exhaust positioned to direct gas in a downward direction relative to said body. 
   
   
       19 . The compressor of  claim 17  wherein said bridge further comprises a safety bleed valve positioned proximate to said gas exhaust. 
   
   
       20 . The compressor of  claim 19  wherein said body further comprises noise dampening material affixed thereto. 
   
   
       21 . The compressor of  claim 17  wherein said body further comprises temperature insulation material affixed thereto.