Portable pump

Abstract

A reciprocating air compressor arrangement includes a crank that drives a connecting rod and a piston within a cylinder. The connecting rod has a first end and a second end. The first end of the connecting rod is connected to the crank and the second end of the connecting rod is connected to the piston, with the crank provided to actuate the piston in a reciprocating motion within and relative to the cylinder so as to compress air within the cylinder. The reciprocating air compressor arrangement has a one-way flapper inlet valve allowing air to enter the cylinder, and a one-way outlet valve allowing compressed air to exit the cylinder. The inlet valve is biased to a partially open position.

1 . A portable pump comprising:
 a reciprocating air compressor arrangement, the air compressor arrangement comprising: a crank that drives a connecting rod and a piston within a cylinder, the connecting rod having a first end and a second end, the first end of the connecting rod connected to the crank and the second end of the connecting rod connected to the piston, with the crank provided to actuate the piston in a reciprocating motion within and relative to the cylinder so as to compress air within the cylinder, the reciprocating air compressor arrangement having a one-way flapper inlet valve allowing air to enter the cylinder, and a one-way outlet valve allowing compressed air to exit the cylinder, wherein the inlet valve is biased to a partially open position;   an electric motor having a drive shaft mounted to the crank, with the drive shaft rotatable about a drive shaft axis, and with the drive shaft axis at least substantially coaxially aligned with an axis of rotation of the crank;   a control unit in electrical communication with the electric motor to control operation of the pump;   a power supply in electrical communication with the control unit to supply power to the control unit and electric motor;   the electric motor, the reciprocating air compressor arrangement, the control unit and the power supply each contained within a common housing; and   an outlet fluidly connected to the outlet valve of the reciprocating air compressor arrangement for fluidly engaging with an object to be pumped.   
     
     
         2 . A portable pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the cylinder comprises a cylinder head, and the outlet valve comprises an outlet port, with the outlet port extending through the cylinder head to allow for a flow of compressed air to exit the cylinder. 
     
     
         3 . A portable pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the inlet valve comprises an inlet port, with the inlet port extending through the cylinder head to allow for a flow of air to enter the cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . A portable pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the piston comprises a piston head, and the inlet valve comprises an inlet port, with the inlet port extending through the piston head to allow for a flow of air to enter the cylinder. 
     
     
         5 . A portable pump according to  claim 1 , wherein during operation of the portable pump, the inlet valve is movable between the partially open position, a fully open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         6 . A portable pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the portable pump is switchable between ON and OFF modes, and the inlet valve remains in the partially open position when the portable pump is in the OFF mode. 
     
     
         7 . A portable pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the power supply is a rechargeable battery having a C rating of at least approximately 20, and capable of providing a maximum current of at least 4 Amps. 
     
     
         8 . A portable pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the electric motor is a brushless DC motor having a motor diameter of between approximately 20 and 30 mm, and preferably approximately 23 mm. 
     
     
         9 . A portable pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump has a total weight of less than 100 grams, and can pump up at least one bicycle road or commuter bike tyre to approximately 80 psi on a single charge. 
     
     
         10 . A portable pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a length of between approximately 45 and 65 mm, a height of less than approximately 50 mm, and a width (or thickness) of approximately 25 mm. 
     
     
         11 . A portable pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is provided on or mounted to the housing. 
     
     
         12 . A portable pump according to  claim 11 , wherein the outlet comprises a collar extending outwardly from the housing, the collar comprising a valve receiving bore for receiving a valve of the object to be pumped. 
     
     
         13 . A portable pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the outlet valve is a flapper valve or a check valve. 
     
     
         14 . A reciprocating air compressor arrangement comprising:
 a crank that drives a connecting rod and a piston within a cylinder, the connecting rod having a first end and a second end, the first end of the connecting rod connected to the crank and the second end of the connecting rod connected to the piston, with the crank provided to actuate the piston in a reciprocating motion within and relative to the cylinder so as to compress air within the cylinder, the reciprocating air compressor arrangement having a one-way flapper inlet valve allowing air to enter the cylinder, and a one-way outlet valve allowing compressed air to exit the cylinder; wherein the inlet valve is biased to a partially open position.   
     
     
         15 . A reciprocating air compressor arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the cylinder comprises a cylinder head, and the outlet valve comprises an outlet port, with the outlet port extending through the cylinder head to allow for a flow of compressed air to exit the cylinder. 
     
     
         16 . A reciprocating air compressor arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the inlet valve comprises an inlet port, with the inlet port extending through the cylinder head to allow for a flow of air to enter the cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . A reciprocating air compressor arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the piston comprises a piston head, and the inlet valve comprises an inlet port, with the inlet port extending through the piston head to allow for a flow of air to enter the cylinder. 
     
     
         18 . A reciprocating air compressor arrangement according to  claim 14  wherein, during operation of the air compressor arrangement, the inlet valve is movable between the partially open position, a fully open position and a closed position. 
     
     
         19 . A reciprocating air compressor arrangement according to  claim 18 , wherein the air compressor arrangement is switchable between ON and OFF modes, and the inlet valve remains in the partially open position when the air compressor arrangement is in the OFF mode. 
     
     
         20 . A reciprocating air compressor arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the outlet valve is a flapper valve or a check valve.