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US 5,387,089 AGranted
Method and apparatus for compressing gases with a liquid system
AssigneeTren Fuels, Inc.
InventorsJohn Stogner, Steve Westmoreland, Dan Kicker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and apparatus for compressing gas. Two accumulators are alternately filled with gas from a gas-supplying conduit, and the gas is forced out of one end of the accumulators into a gas-receiving conduit by liquid forced into the other end of the accumulators. A reversible pump moves liquid from one accumulator to the other accumulator. The reversible pump is connected so that pump cavitation is prevented. The invention includes a switching system to switch liquid flow from one accumulator to the other accumulator. Liquid that leaks from the system may be resupplied using a liquid supply system that comprises a pressure container with a compressible element.
Claims40
A gas compression system, comprising:
- a first accumulator;
- a second accumulator;
- a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a gas-receiving conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use;
- a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use;
- and
- a liquid supply pump connected to supply compression liquid to the reversible pump during use at a pressure below the pressure of gas in the gas-supplying conduit.
5 more elements
A gas compression system, comprising:
- a first accumulator;
- a second accumulator;
- a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a gas-receiving conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use;
- a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use, and wherein the compression liquid control system comprises a first sensor connected to the first accumulator, a second sensor connected to the second accumulator, the sensors being each adaptable to send a switching signal during use to a directional controller which then switches state and causes the reversible pump to switch the direction of compression liquid flow;
- and
- wherein the reversible pump comprises a stroker connected such that a supply liquid flows during use from the directional controller to the stroker, and wherein a change in direction of supply liquid flow to the stroker during use causes the reversible pump to switch the direction of compression liquid flow.
5 more elements
A gas compression system, comprising:
- a first accumulator;
- a second accumulator;
- a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a gas-receiving conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use;
- a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use, and wherein the compression liquid control system comprises a first sensor connected to the first accumulator, a second sensor connected to the second accumulator, and wherein the sensors are each adapted to send a directional supply liquid signal to the reversible pump to cause the reversible pump to switch the flow of compression liquid;
- and
- an engager connected to provide a run mode and a stop mode for the reversible pump, and wherein the engager is adapted to provide such modes by controlling flow of a supply liquid from the sensors to controls of the reversible pump.
5 more elements
A gas compression system, comprising:
- a first accumulator;
- a second accumulator;
- a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a gas-receiving conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use;
- a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use;
- and
- a liquid supply pump connected to supply compression liquid to the reversible pump when the first accumulator is substantially drained of compression liquid and before the second accumulator is substantially filled with compression liquid, and when the second accumulator is substantially drained of compression liquid and before the first accumulator is substantially filled with compression liquid.
5 more elements
A gas compression system, comprising:
- a first accumulator;
- a second accumulator;
- a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a gas-receiving conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a reversible pump operable to alternatively pump compression liquid from the first accumulator to the second accumulator for forcing gas from the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator for forcing gas from the first accumulator during use;
- a compression liquid control system operable to signal the reversible pump to switch compression liquid flow from the first accumulator to the second accumulator during use, and from the second accumulator to the first accumulator during use;
- and
- a pressure container comprising a compressible element, and wherein the pressure container is connected to supply compression liquid to the reversible pump during use.
5 more elements
A gas compression system, comprising:
- a first accumulator;
- a second accumulator;
- a gas-supplying conduit connected to the accumulators;
- a gas-receiving means connected to the accumulators;
- liquid control means connected to alternatively introduce liquid into the first accumulator for forcing gas from it during use as liquid is drained from the second accumulator so as to cause the second accumulator to be refilled with gas from the gas-supplying conduit, and for introducing liquid into the second accumulator during use for forcing gas from it as liquid is drained from the first accumulator so as to cause the first accumulator to refilled with gas from the gas-supplying conduit;
- and
- liquid supply means adapted to supply liquid to the liquid control means during use at a pressure less than the pressure of gas in the gas-supplying conduit.
4 more elements
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps:
- introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit;
- signaling the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator;
- draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator;
- supplying compression liquid to the reversible pump at a pressure less than the pressure of the gas in the gas-supplying conduit.
1 more element
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps:
- introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit;
- sending a signal from the first accumulator to a stroker when the first accumulator is substantially filled with gas;
- sending a signal from the stroker to the reversible pump to switch and pump liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator;
- and
- draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator.
2 more elements
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps:
- introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit;
- transmitting a supply liquid signal to the reversible pump from a sensor which is connected to the first accumulator, or a sensor which is connected to the second accumulator, thereby causing the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator;
- draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator;
- engaging the reversible pump in a stop or run mode by controlling the supply liquid signal sent to the reversible pump from the sensors.
1 more element
A method of compressing gas, comprising:
- introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit;
- transmitting a supply liquid signal to the reversible pump from a sensor which is connected to the first accumulator, or a sensor which is connected to the second accumulator, thereby causing the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator;
- draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator;
- engaging the reversible pump in a stop or run mode by controlling the supply liquid signal sent to the reversible pump from the sensors;
- engaging the reversible pump in a hold mode by controlling flow of supply liquid to controls of the reversible pump;
- and
- wherein the controls of the reversible pump comprise a stroker with two ports for receiving supply liquid.
4 more elements
A method of compressing gas, comprising:
- introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit;
- transmitting a supply liquid signal to the reversible pump from a sensor which is connected to the first accumulator, or a sensor which is connected to the second accumulator, thereby causing the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator;
- draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator;
- engaging the reversible pump in a stop or run mode by controlling the supply liquid signal sent to the reversible pump from the sensors;
- and
- wherein the hold mode is engaged by switching the direction of the supply liquid signal to the reversible pump.
3 more elements
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps:
- introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit;
- signaling the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator;
- draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator;
- supplying compression liquid to the reversible pump from a supply system after compression liquid is substantially drained from the first accumulator and before the second accumulator is substantially filled, and after compression liquid is substantially drained from the second accumulator and before the first accumulator is substantially filled.
1 more element
A method of compressing gas, comprising the following steps:
- introducing gas from a gas-supplying conduit to a first accumulator, while substantially simultaneously draining compression liquid from the first accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to a second accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the second accumulator forces gas from the second accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit;
- signaling the reversible pump to switch and pump compression liquid from the second accumulator to the first accumulator;
- draining compression liquid from the second accumulator and pumping the compression liquid through a reversible pump to the first accumulator, wherein the compression liquid pumped into the first accumulator forces gas from the first accumulator to a gas-receiving conduit, while substantially simultaneously introducing gas from the gas-supplying conduit to the second accumulator;
- supplying compression liquid to the reversible pump from a pressure container comprising a compressible element.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.