US 6,932,128 B2 · Apparatus and method for using a lightweight portable air/gas power supply · patentgrep

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Abstract

A lightweight carbon fiber air/gas supply vessel storing high pressure air/gas. The air/gas supply vessel output is controlled by an adjustable pressure reduction valve which varies output pressure from very high to low pressure levels. An alternative multi-valve system uses a first pressure reduction valve to reduce output pressure from the very high levels in the air/gas supply vessel to an intermediate pressure level, and a second pressure reduction valve that reduces the air/gas pressure from the intermediate level to a fine tunable low pressure level. In both embodiments, the output of the last pressure reduction valve used is connected to a high pressure cable which in turn uses a standard universal fitting which can be coupled to most pneumatically powered equipment. Additional high pressure reservoir vessels can be used to replenish the lightweight air/gas supply vessel when its supply of air/gas is depleted.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A tailorable, man-portable, pneumatic tool power supply system comprising:

a man-portable air/gas reservoir containing air/gas compressed to a high initial pressure;
a pressure regulator in air/gas flow communication with said man-portable air/gas reservoir, said pressure regulator including an air/gas pressure adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting pressure of air/gas outflow therefrom, said pressure regulator being so connected to said man-portable air/gas reservoir such that compressed air/gas which exits said man-portable air/gas reservoir is delivered to said pressure regulator;
an interconnect attached to and providing air/gas flow communication between said pressure regulator and an air/gas outlet;
said air/gas outlet including a coupler mechanism for connecting said air/gas outlet to a pneumatically operable tool;
said interconnect comprising a flexible conduit having a quick connect-disconnect coupler attached proximal one end thereof for connecting and disconnecting to a pneumatically operable tool;
wherein said air/gas pressure adjustment mechanism is capable of operating to deliver a plurality of selected air/gas pressures which correspond to pressures useful for operating a plurality of pneumatically operable tools;
wherein said pressure regulator is capable of receiving said compressed air/gas and thereafter delivering said air/gas to said interconnect at a reduced pressure relative to said high initial pressure as contained in said man-portable air/gas reservoir;
and
wherein said pressure regulator is a dual stage regulator and said air/gas flow output pressure is regulated by said pressure regulator in a dual stage regulation comprising:
receiving air/gas flow at said high initial pressure;
reducing said high initial pressure of said air/gas flow to an intermediate pressure at a first stage;
reducing said intermediate pressure of said air/gas flow to a working pressure at a second stage, said working pressure being selected from within a range of pressures suitable for operating a plurality of pneumatically operable tools.

9 more elements

A tailorable, man-portable, pneumatic tool power supply system comprising:

a man-portable air/gas reservoir containing air/gas compressed to a high initial pressure;
a pressure regulator in air/gas flow communication with said man-portable air/gas reservoir, said pressure regulator including an air/gas pressure adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting pressure of air/gas outflow therefrom, said pressure regulator being so connected to said man-portable air/gas reservoir such that compressed air/gas which exits said man-portable air/gas reservoir is delivered to said pressure regulator;
an interconnect attached to and providing air/gas flow communication between said pressure regulator and an air/gas outlet;
said air/gas outlet including a coupler mechanism for connecting said air/gas outlet to a pneumatically operable tool;
said interconnect comprising a flexible conduit having a quick connect-disconnect coupler attached proximal one end thereof for connecting and disconnecting to a pneumatically operable tool;
wherein said air/gas pressure adjustment mechanism is capable of operating to deliver a plurality of selected air/gas pressures which correspond to pressures useful for operating a plurality of pneumatically operable tools;
wherein said pressure regulator is capable of receiving said compressed air/gas and thereafter delivering said air/gas to said interconnect at a reduced pressure relative to said high initial pressure as contained in said man-portable air/gas reservoir;
wherein said pressure regulator is so constructed such that said air/gas flow output pressure is regulated by said pressure regulator in a single stage regulation step comprising:
receiving air/gas flow at said high initial pressure and thereafter delivering said air/gas flow at reduced pressures relative to said initial high pressure, said reduced pressures being selectable from within a range of air/gas pressures suitable for operating a plurality of pneumatic tools;
and
wherein said pressure regulator further includes an air/gas flow input which is so constructed so as to be capable of being communicably connected to a high pressure compressor so that said high pressure compressor can replenish gas pressure to said man-portable gas reservoir.

8 more elements

A tailorable, man-portable, pneumatic tool power supply system comprising:

a man-portable air/gas reservoir containing air/gas compressed to a high initial pressure;
a pressure regulator in air/gas flow communication with said man-portable air/gas reservoir, said pressure regulator including an air/gas pressure adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting pressure of air/gas outflow therefrom, said pressure regulator being so connected to said man-portable air/gas reservoir such that compressed air/gas which exits said man-portable air/gas reservoir is delivered to said pressure regulator;
an interconnect attached to and providing air/gas flow communication between said pressure regulator and an air/gas outlet;
said air/gas outlet including a coupler mechanism for connecting said air/gas outlet to a pneumatically operable tool;
said interconnect comprising a flexible conduit having a quick connect-disconnect coupler attached proximal one end thereof for connecting and disconnecting to a pneumatically operable tool;
wherein said air/gas pressure adjustment mechanism is capable of operating to deliver a plurality of selected air/gas pressures which correspond to pressures useful for operating a plurality of pneumatically operable tools;
wherein said pressure regulator is capable of receiving said compressed air/gas and thereafter delivering said air/gas to said interconnect at a reduced pressure relative to said high initial pressure as contained in said man-portable air/gas reservoir;
wherein said pressure regulator is so constructed such that said air/gas flow output pressure is regulated by said pressure regulator in a single stage regulation step comprising:
receiving air/gas flow at said high initial pressure and thereafter delivering said air/gas flow at reduced pressures relative to said initial high pressure, said reduced pressures being selectable from within a range of air/gas pressures suitable for operating a plurality of pneumatic tools;
and
further including a valve communicably connected to said man-portable air/gas reservoir at a valve input and communicably connected to said pressure regulator, said valve being so constructed so as to be capable of delivering air/gas from said man-portable air/gas reservoir to said pressure regulator.

8 more elements

A tailorable, man-portable, pneumatic tool power supply system comprising:

a man-portable air/gas reservoir containing air/gas compressed to a high initial pressure;
a pressure regulator in air/gas flow communication with said man-portable air/gas reservoir, said pressure regulator including an air/gas pressure adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting pressure of air/gas outflow therefrom, said pressure regulator being so connected to said man-portable air/gas reservoir such that compressed air/gas which exits said man-portable air/gas reservoir is delivered to said pressure regulator;
an interconnect attached to and providing air/gas flow communication between said pressure regulator and an air/gas outlet;
said air/gas outlet including a coupler mechanism for connecting said air/gas outlet to a pneumatically operable tool;
said interconnect comprising a flexible conduit having a quick connect-disconnect coupler attached proximal one end thereof for connecting and disconnecting to a pneumatically operable tool;
wherein said air/gas pressure adjustment mechanism is capable of operating to deliver a plurality of selected air/gas pressures which correspond to pressures useful for operating a plurality of pneumatically operable tools;
wherein said pressure regulator is capable of receiving said compressed air/gas and thereafter delivering said air/gas to said interconnect at a reduced pressure relative to said high initial pressure as contained in said man-portable air/gas reservoir;
wherein said pressure regulator is so constructed such that said air/gas flow output pressure is regulated by said pressure regulator in a single stage regulation step comprising:
receiving air/gas flow at said high initial pressure and thereafter delivering said air/gas flow at reduced pressures relative to said initial high pressure, said reduced pressures being selectable from within a range of air/gas pressures suitable for operating a plurality of pneumatic tools;
wherein said pressure regulator further includes an air/gas flow input which is so constructed so as to be capable of being communicably connected to an air/gas storage reservoir so that said air/gas storage reservoir can replenish air/gas pressure to said man-portable air/gas reservoir;
and
wherein said air/gas storage reservoir comprises a supply vessel having a quick connect-disconnect coupler for communicably connecting to said air/gas flow input.

9 more elements

A tailorable, man-portable, pneumatic tool power supply system comprising:

a man-portable air/gas reservoir containing air/gas compressed to a high initial pressure;
a pressure regulator in air/gas flow communication with said man-portable air/gas reservoir, said pressure regulator including an air/gas pressure adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting pressure of air/gas outflow therefrom, said pressure regulator being so connected to said man-portable air/gas reservoir such that compressed air/gas which exits said man-portable air/gas reservoir is delivered to said pressure regulator;
an interconnect attached to and providing air/gas flow communication between said pressure regulator and an air/gas outlet;
said air/gas outlet including a coupler mechanism for connecting said air/gas outlet to a pneumatically operable tool;
said interconnect comprising a flexible conduit having a quick connect-disconnect coupler attached proximal one end thereof for connecting and disconnecting to a pneumatically tool;
wherein said air/gas pressure adjustment mechanism is capable of operating to deliver a plurality of selected air/gas pressures which correspond to pressures useful for operating a plurality of pneumatically operable tools;
wherein said pressure regulator is capable of receiving said compressed air/gas and thereafter delivering said air/gas to said interconnect at a reduced pressure relative to said high initial pressure as contained in said man-portable air/gas reservoir;
wherein said pressure regulator is so constructed such that said air/gas flow output pressure is regulated by said pressure regulator in a single stage regulation step comprising:
receiving air/gas flow at said high initial pressure and thereafter delivering said air/gas flow at reduced pressures relative to said initial high pressure, said reduced pressures being selectable from within a range of air/gas pressures suitable for operating a plurality of pneumatic tools;
wherein said pressure regulator further includes an air/gas flow input which is so constructed so as to be capable of being communicably connected to an air/gas storage reservoir so that said air/gas storage reservoir can replenish air/gas pressure to said man-portable air/gas reservoir;
and
wherein said man-portable air/gas reservoir has a rated pressure of at least 5000 psi and weighs less than approximately 30 lbs.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.