System and method for providing oxygen

A compressor for compressing a gas, comprising:

• first and second cylinders;
• first and second pistons received in said first and second cylinders;
• a drive mechanism coupled to the first and second pistons for reciprocating the first and second pistons in the first and second cylinders;
• a cylinder head that includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a component chamber that extends from the inlet portion to the outlet portion, the cylinder head further comprising a first charging port in fluid communication with the component chamber and the first cylinder and a second charging port in fluid communication with the component chamber and the second cylinder;
• a first check valve disposed in the component chamber between the inlet portion and the first charging port;
• a second check valve disposed in the component chamber between the first charging port and the second charging port;
• a third check valve disposed in the component chamber between the second charging port and the outlet end portion;
• wherein each of the first, second and third check valves include a valve body, a spring, and a valve element, wherein the valve body includes a cage that surrounds the spring and the valve element, wherein the valve body includes an opening and the spring biases the valve element into engagement with the valve body to close the opening;
• a first spacer disposed between the first check valve and the second check valve, wherein the first spacer is a separate component than the cages of the first and second check valves, wherein a first end of the first spacer abuts the valve body of the first check valve and a second end of the first spacer abuts the valve body of the second check valve, the first spacer includes an external groove in fluid communication with the first charging port, a first spacer central opening in fluid communication with the first check valve and the second check valve, and a radially extending passage that connects the external groove and the first spacer central opening;
• a second spacer disposed between the second check valve and the third check valve, wherein the second spacer is a separate component from the cages of the second and third check valves, wherein a first end of the second spacer abuts the valve body of the second check valve and a second end of the second spacer abuts the valve body of the third check valve, the second spacer includes an external groove in fluid communication with the second charging port, a second spacer central opening in fluid communication with the second check valve and the third check valve, and a radially extending passage that connects the external groove and the central opening.

A compressor for compressing a gas, comprising:

• first and second cylinders;
• first and second pistons received in said first and second cylinders;
• a drive mechanism coupled to the first and second pistons for reciprocating the first and second pistons in the first and second cylinders;
• a cylinder head that includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a component chamber that extends from the inlet portion to the outlet portion, wherein the component chamber has a constant diameter cylindrical configuration, the cylinder head further comprising a first charging port in fluid communication with the constant diameter cylindrical component chamber and the first cylinder and a second charging port in fluid communication with the constant diameter cylindrical component chamber and the second cylinder;
• a first check valve disposed in the component chamber between the inlet and the first charging port;
• a second check valve disposed in the component chamber between the first charging port and the second charging port;
• a third check valve disposed in the component chamber between the second charging port and the outlet portion;
• wherein each of the first, second and third check valves include a valve body, a spring, and a valve element, wherein the valve body has a cylindrical configuration with an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the constant diameter cylindrical component chamber, wherein the valve body includes a central opening and the spring biases the valve element into engagement with the valve body to close the opening;
• a first spacer disposed between the first check valve and the second check valve, wherein the first spacer has a cylindrical configuration with an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the constant diameter cylindrical component chamber, wherein the first spacer is separate from the valve bodies of the first and second check valves, the first spacer is in fluid communication with the first charging port, the first check valve, and the second check valve;
• a second spacer disposed between the second check valve and the third check valve, wherein the second spacer has a cylindrical configuration with an outside diameter that is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the constant diameter cylindrical component chamber, wherein the second spacer is separate from the valve bodies of the second and third check valves, the second spacer is in fluid communication with the second charging port, the second check valve, and the third check valve.