초록 ▼

A gas compressor with at least three hydraulic cylinders is connected to a source of natural gas by a gas line. The gas line can also be removably attached to a storage tank. A hydraulic system is also connected to the cylinders. The compressor additionally includes pressure controls which allow the

A gas compressor with at least three hydraulic cylinders is connected to a source of natural gas by a gas line. The gas line can also be removably attached to a storage tank. A hydraulic system is also connected to the cylinders. The compressor additionally includes pressure controls which allow the pistons in the hydraulic cylinders to complete the compression stroke in a staged manner. The cylinders are thereby sequentially emptied of gas. Gas at a sufficient initial pressure, entering the cylinders at the completion of the compression cycle, drives the return stroke of the pistons. A pressure switch controls the pressure level of the compressed gas, and aborts the compression cycle when a predetermined pressure in the storage tank has been reached. If the initial pressure of the natural gas from the gas source is insufficient, a low compression one stage compressor is connected to the gas line upstream of the gas compressor to pressurize the natural gas to sufficient initial pressure prior to introducing the gas into the gas compressor. A pressure distribution assembly having a pressure relief cylinder can also be attached to one or more of the hydraulic cylinders.

대표청구항 ▼

A gas compressor, comprising: a compression assembly for compressing gas to a predetermined pressure, the compression assembly comprising a first hydraulic cylinder having an interior cavity, at least one second hydraulic cylinder having an interior cavity and a third hydraulic cylinder having an in

A gas compressor, comprising: a compression assembly for compressing gas to a predetermined pressure, the compression assembly comprising a first hydraulic cylinder having an interior cavity, at least one second hydraulic cylinder having an interior cavity and a third hydraulic cylinder having an interior cavity; a gas transfer assembly for interconnecting the first, second and third hydraulic cylinders for the passage of gas, the gas transfer assembly comprising gas connection means for connecting the interior cavity of the first hydraulic cylinder, the interior cavity of the second hydraulic cylinder and the interior cavity of the third hydraulic cylinder, the gas transfer assembly having an upstream end and a downstream end and further comprising check means for controlling the flow of gas from the upstream end of the gas transfer assembly to the interior cavities of the first, second and third hydraulic cylinders and from the interior cavities of the first, second and third hydraulic cylinders to the downstream end of the gas transfer assembly; and a hydraulic assembly for supplying hydraulic fluid to the compression assembly, the hydraulic assembly comprising pressure connecting means for connecting the interior cavities of the first, second and third hydraulic cylinders and for introducing hydraulic fluid into the interior cavities of the first, second and third hydraulic cylinders, the hydraulic assembly further comprising pressure control means for sequentially introducing hydraulic fluid into the interior cavities of the first, second and third hydraulic cylinders.