Mechanism to Raise the Efficiency of a Reciprocating Air Compressor

Abstract

An improvement to raise the efficiency of a reciprocating air compressor, the improvement comprising a channel in the piston that transfers pressure from the clearance volume of the cylinder to the low pressure side of the piston when an opening of the channel aligns with a groove in the cylinder wall. Alternately, the channel comprises a ball extending from and held to the clearance volume opening of the channel by a spring. When the spring is compressed, the ball is moved from the opening, and pressure in the clearance volume is transferred to the low pressure side of the piston. The improvement dramatically raises the efficiency of a reciprocating air compressor.

1 . A method of improving the efficiency of a reciprocating air compressor, the compressor comprising a cylinder body and a piston, the method comprising creating at least one channel in the piston, such that, when a compression stroke is completed, the channel transfers a pressure in a clearance volume to a low pressure side of the piston. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising creating at least one groove in a wall of the cylinder body, and wherein each channel comprises a first end comprising an opening on a exterior diameter of the piston between a pressure ring and an oil ring and a second opening on the low pressure side of the piston such that, when a compression stroke is completed, the channel opening on each exterior diameter of the piston aligns with each groove to transfer a pressure in the clearance volume to the low pressure side of the piston. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein
 the channel comprises a first end comprising a first opening on the clearance volume side of the piston and a second opening on the low pressure side of the piston, the first end opening having a diameter smaller than a second diameter of the remainder of the channel, each first end comprising a ball, a spring, and a set screw, said ball extending into the opening and having a diameter greater that the first end diameter and less than the second diameter, the ball held against the opening by the spring such that a portion of the ball extends from the top of the piston into the clearance volume to seal the first end opening, and wherein, 
 when the piston completes a compression stroke, the portion of the ball extending from the opening contacts the valve plate, compressing the spring to move the ball from the opening to allow high pressure in the clearance volume to flow through the channel to the low pressure side of the piston. 
 
     
     
         4 . An improved reciprocating air compressor comprising a cylinder body and a piston, the improvement comprising at least one channel in the piston, each channel connecting a clearance volume at a first side of the piston to a low pressure side of the piston. 
     
     
         5 . The improved compressor of  claim 4  further comprising at least one groove in a wall of the cylinder body and wherein each channel comprises a first end comprising an opening on a exterior diameter of the piston between a pressure ring and an oil ring and a second opening on the low pressure side of the piston such that, when a compression stroke is completed, each channel aligns with each groove to transfer a pressure in the clearance volume to the low pressure side of the piston. 
     
     
         6 . The improved compressor of  claim 4  wherein the channel comprises a first end comprising a first opening on the clearance volume side of the piston and a second opening on the low pressure side of the piston, the first end opening having a diameter smaller than a second diameter of the remainder of the channel, each first end comprising a ball, a spring, and a set screw, said ball extending into the first end opening and having a diameter greater that the first end diameter and less than the second diameter, such that the ball seals the channel when the spring is extended and the channel is open when the spring is compressed.