Reciprocating Compressor or Pump and a Portable Tool Powering System Including a Reciprocating Compressor

Abstract

A reciprocating compressor or pump features a manifold arranged not only to define a hollow interior for receiving fluid discharged from a plurality of cylinders but also to define a base or frame on which the cylinders are carried. Unique valves formed in part by flexible material reduces the likelihood of fatigue and increases efficiency by retaining less heat relative to conventional reed valves. A compressor or pump mounted at an end of a handle extending parallel to a motor housing likewise extending from the compressor or pump provides an easy to carry portable assembly. A fan mounted between a motor and a compressor pulls air through the compressor inlet to both cool the motor and feed the compressor. A portable tool system powers both pneumatic and electric tools. Connecting rod structures for radial compressors or pumps provide improved strength and easier assembly

1 . A reciprocating compressor comprising:
 a frame;   a chamber carried on the frame;   at least one cylinder carried on the frame;   a drive system carried on the frame;   a piston disposed within each cylinder and sealed thereto, the piston being connected to the drive system for reciprocating motion of the piston within the cylinder to perform a compression stroke and an intake stroke;   an intake valve associated with each cylinder in fluid communication with the chamber, the intake valve being operable to open during the intake stroke to communicate the chamber with a space within the cylinder to allow fluid to flow into said space from the chamber during the intake stroke;   an exhaust valve associated with each cylinder and operable to open during the compression stroke to facilitate discharge of the fluid out of said space within the cylinder during the compression stroke; and   a fan carried on the frame in fluid communication with the chamber and operable to induce fluid flow into the chamber through an inlet thereof to supply fluid to each cylinder during the intake stroke thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 1  comprising a motor carried on the frame in a common housing with the fan, the housing being open to the chamber and the fan being operable to both cool the motor and induce the fluid flow into the chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 2  wherein the fan is carried on a driveshaft of the motor for driven rotation by the motor. 
     
     
         4 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 2  wherein the housing is cylindrical to form an annular peripheral wall around the motor, the fan drawing fluid past the motor between the motor and the peripheral wall closing thereabout. 
     
     
         5 . The reciprocating compressor according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one cylinder comprises a plurality of cylinders spaced about and radial to a rotational axis of the drive system within a common plane normal to the rotational axis. 
     
     
         6 . A compressor comprising:
 a gas compressor having an intake and being operable to compress a gas received by said gas compressor through said intake; and   a fan in fluid communication with the intake of the gas compressor and operable to induce flow of gas toward said intake for compression of said conveyed gas within the gas compressor.   
     
     
         7 . The compressor of  claim 6  wherein the gas compressor is one of a plurality of gas compressors each having a respective intake in fluid communication with the fan. 
     
     
         8 . The compressor of  claim 7  comprising a chamber from which each respective intake of the plurality of gas compressors is fed, and wherein the fan is in fluid communication with the chamber and operable to induce flow of gas into said chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor of  claim 8  wherein each compressor is a reciprocating gas compressor, and the respective intake of each gas compressor comprises an intake valve arranged to open to the chamber during an intake stroke of said reciprocating gas compressor. 
     
     
         10 . The compressor of  claim 9  wherein each intake valve is disposed within the chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The compressor of  claim 6  comprising a chamber from which the intake of the gas compressor is fed, and wherein the fan is in fluid communication with the chamber of induce flow of gas into said chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The compressor of  claim 11  wherein the gas compressor is a reciprocating gas compressor and comprises an intake valve arranged to open to the chamber during an intake stroke of said reciprocating gas compressor 
     
     
         13 . The compressor of  claim 6  wherein the gas compressor and the fan are carried on a common frame. 
     
     
         14 . The compressor of  claim 6  comprising a motor coupled to each of the gas compressor and the fan for driven operation of both the gas compressor and the fan by said motor. 
     
     
         15 . The compressor of  claim 14  wherein the motor is arranged to both cool the motor and induce the flow of gas toward the intake of the gas compressor. 
     
     
         16 . The compressor of  claim 15  wherein the motor and the fan are carried within a common housing.