Multi-Stage Compressor

Abstract

A multi-stage compressor for compressing a fluid, the compressor comprising two or more cylinders each having a compression chamber and a piston, so that a fluid in each of the compression chambers can be com-pressed by the associated piston; the cylinders being connected in series such that a fluid entering an inlet of the compressor can be compressed to a first pressure in the compression chamber of a first cylinder and, then, enter into the compression chamber of a second cylinder where the compressed fluid is compressed to a second higher pressure and, before the fluid exits from an outlet of the com-pressor; wherein each piston is driven by one and the same crankpin of the compressor. Furthermore, a method for compressing a fluid, and a system for comprising the multi-stage stage compressor are disclosed.

1 - 55 . (canceled) 
     
     
         56 . A multi-stage compressor for compressing a fluid, the compressor comprising:
 two or more cylinders, each cylinder having a compression chamber and a piston, so that a fluid in each of the compression chambers can be compressed by the associated piston;   the cylinders being connected in series such that a fluid entering an inlet of the compressor can be compressed to a first pressure in the compression chamber of a first cylinder, and, then enter into the compression chamber of a second cylinder where the compressed fluid is compressed to a second higher pressure before the fluid exits from an outlet of the compressor;   wherein each piston is driven by one and the same crankpin of the compressor.   
     
     
         57 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , further comprising at least one supply compressor for supplying compressed fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure to the compression chamber of the first cylinder, wherein the supply compressor and the pistons is driven by one and the same crankshaft as the pistons of the multi-stage compressor. 
     
     
         58 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 57 , wherein the at least one supply compressor is driven by the one and same crankpin as the pistons of the multi-stage compressor. 
     
     
         59 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , wherein a separate and individual sliding shoe for engaging with the crankpin is attached to a bottom end of each piston. 
     
     
         60 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , wherein a housing of the multi-stage compressor comprises at least one guide groove, the at least one guide groove being configured for guiding the movement of at least one guide element attached to a piston. 
     
     
         61 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , wherein the multi-stage compressor comprises at least one linear bearing configured for guiding the movement of an associated piston of the pistons of the multi-stage compressor and/or at least one guide element attached to the associated piston. 
     
     
         62 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , wherein the compression chamber of at least a first cylinder of the two or more cylinders is connected to the compression chamber of a second cylinder through at least one non-return valve for preventing flow of fluid from the compression chamber of the second cylinder to the compression chamber of the first cylinder. 
     
     
         63 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 62 , wherein the at least one non-return valve is located externally of the two or more cylinders inside a valve pipe such that a fluid flowing from the compression chamber of at least a first cylinder to the compression chamber of a second cylinder flows through the valve pipe and the at least one non-return valve. 
     
     
         64 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 63 , wherein the valve pipe is removably attached between two cylinders. 
     
     
         65 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 63 , wherein the valve pipe extends between a given cylinder and a directly following cylinder. 
     
     
         66 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , wherein for at least one cylinder, a cylinder housing comprising the associated compression chamber of the given cylinder is detachable from and attachable to the compressor. 
     
     
         67 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 59 , wherein each sliding shoe is secured to the crankpin by an associated separate annular holding ring which encloses a circumference of the crankpin. 
     
     
         68 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 59 , wherein at least one sliding shoe comprises a recess or opening for receiving a holding ring. 
     
     
         69 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , wherein the compressor is configured such that, in at least one of operation and at standstill, at least one or each piston do(es) substantially not touch an inner wall of the associated compression chamber. 
     
     
         70 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , wherein the compressor is configured such that, in operation, at least one piston only or substantially only moves in the radial direction of the compressor. 
     
     
         71 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , wherein the first cylinder comprises at least one associated rod seals for sealing against an associated piston of the first cylinder. 
     
     
         72 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , wherein at least one of the crankpin and a crankpin bearing provided on the crankpin has an outer diameter that is at least 1.1 times a smallest and/or largest stroke length of each of the pistons. 
     
     
         73 . A multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56 , wherein a length of a lever arm acting on a rotation axis about which the crankpin rotates is equal to or less than 200% of a smallest and/or largest stroke length of each of the pistons. 
     
     
         74 . A method for compressing a fluid in a multi-stage compressor, the compressor comprising two or more cylinders, each cylinder having a compression chamber and a piston so that a fluid in each of the compression chambers is compressed by the associated piston,
 wherein the cylinders are connected in series such that a fluid entering an inlet of the compressor is compressed to a first pressure in the compression chamber of a first cylinder and, then, enters into the compression chamber of a second cylinder where the compressed fluid is compressed to a second higher pressure, and   wherein each piston is driven by one and the same crankpin of the compressor.   
     
     
         75 . A system for compressing a fluid, the system comprising:
 a multi-stage compressor according to  claim 56  and   a second compressor configured to provide fluid at a pressure above atmospheric pressure to the inlet of at least one of the multi-stage compressor and the compression chamber of the first cylinder.