Integrated air supply unit

A method for designing a more efficient reciprocating piston compressor comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an air compressor having a first compression stage adapted for compressing gas from a low pressure to an intermediate pressure and including a first piston connected to reciprocate in a first cylinder, a second compression stage adapted for compressing gas from the intermediate pressure to a higher pressure and including a second piston connected to reciprocate in a second cylinder, and an electric motor connected to reciprocate said first piston in said first cylinder over a stroke and said second piston in said second cylinder over a stroke;
• and
• b) pumping gas from a pressured container to the first compression stage in order to increase output air pressure from the second compression stage.

The method of claim further comprising transferring the dried pressured gas to air spring of a suspension system of a vehicle.

A method for designing a more efficient reciprocating piston compressor comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an air compressor having a first compression stage adapted for compressing gas from a low pressure to an intermediate pressure and including a first piston connected to reciprocate in a first cylinder, a second compression stage adapted for compressing gas from the intermediate pressure to a higher pressure and including a second piston connected to reciprocate in a second cylinder, and an electric motor connected to reciprocate said first piston in said first cylinder over a stroke and said second piston in said second cylinder over a stroke;
• and
• b) pumping gas from a pressured container to the second compression stage in order to increase output air pressure from the second compression stage.