Compressor

Abstract

An air compressor formed of a plurality of collapsible members engaged between opposing rotating side members. The collapsible members alternate between a collapsed state and enlarged state during rotation around the side members which are engaged to polygonal segments of a generally circular rotating frame. Air compressed in each of said collapsible members during rotation toward the collapsed state is communicated to a reservoir in sealed communication with each of the plurality of bellowed members. The reservoir acts to hold-compressed air for use for powering air powered devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top plan view of the device.

FIG. 2 depicts a view of the device showing the circular planar members.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the device.

FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged view of the plenum engagement to the rotating shaft of the device.

FIG. 5 depicts a more detailed view of the plenum and exhaust flow channels.

FIG. 6 shows the sealed engagement at the collection conduit.

FIG. 7 depicts the operation of the rollers to translate the intake and exhaust valves during rotation of the planar members.

FIG. 8 shows a cut away view of the typical engagement of the exhaust valve stems relative to the discharge port.

FIG. 9 depicts the timing of opening and closing of the valves during rotation of the planar members.

FIG. 10 shows the relative locations and timing of operative and non-operative engagement of intake and discharge rollers during operation of the device

FIG. 11 is a graphical representation of the angles and dimension involved between the circular members when operatively engaged at a central portion of the individual segments.

FIG. 12 shows methods of imparting rotational motion to the circular member and to the apparatus as a whole.

Claims

1. An air compressor comprising: a frame, said frame formed in a generally circular circumference formed of a plurality of individual linear members, each linear member having two ends and center portions between said ends;means for rotational support of said frame above a surface;means for rotational angled engagement of said ends of said linear members forming said frame, to adjacent said ends of said linear members;a planar circular member located at said center portions of each of said linear members;each planar circular member having two sides defining two opposing side surfaces;adjacent said planar circular members engaged to adjacent said linear members thereby forming a plurality of pairs of planar circular members with facing respective said side surfaces;said angled rotational engagement of said linear members placing said facing side surfaces of each of said pair of said pair of circular planar members at an angle to the other of said pair;a pathway formed between said respective side surfaces of each said pair of planar circular members, said pathway being wider outside said circumscribed area of said frame, and narrowest inside said circumscribed area of said frame;a plurality of collapsible members, engaged to said side surfaces adjacent to said member circumference and between each said pair of planar circular members;said collapsible members having an internal cavity communicating with an intake aperture and a discharge aperture;means for powered rotation of said planar circular and said linear members forming said frame for imparting a rotation of said linear members and said circular members toward said inside of said circumference;said collapsible members engaged between said each said pair of planar circular members alternating between an enlarged dimension outside said frame circumscribed area, to a collapsed dimension inside said frame circumscribed area, during said rotation;a first time duration during said rotation causing a translation of said collapsible members from said enlarged dimension to said collapsed dimension;a second time duration during said rotation causing a second translation of said collapsible members from said collapsed dimension to said enlarged dimension;means to communicate gas discharged from each said internal cavity, to a common reservoir, only during a portion of said first time duration;means to communicate gas from the atmosphere into said internal cavity only during a portion of said second time duration;whereby said gas from said plurality of collapsible members between each said pair of planar members, is communicated to said common reservoir for storage in a pressurized state.

2. The compressor of claim 1 wherein said means to communicate gas discharged from each said internal cavity, to a common reservoir, during said first time duration comprises: means for timed opening of a discharge valve from a closed position preventing communication of said air through a conduit running between said internal cavity and said reservoir, to an open position allowing said communication of air, said open position occurring only during said first time duration.

3. The compressor of claim 1 wherein means to communicate gas from the atmosphere into said internal cavity during an said second time duration comprises: means for timed opening of an intake valve from a closed position preventing communication of said air into said internal cavity, to an open position allowing said communication of air into said internal cavity wherein said open position occurring only during said second time duration.

4. The compressor of claim 2 wherein means to communicate gas from the atmosphere into said internal cavity during an said second time duration comprises: means for timed opening of an intake valve from a closed position preventing communication of said air into said internal cavity, to an open position allowing said communication of air into said internal cavity wherein said open position occurring only during said second time duration.

5. The compressor of claim 4 additionally comprising: said means for timed opening of said discharge valve comprises a discharge valve engaged with said discharge aperture and having an open and biased to a closed position;said discharge apertures in sealed communication with a reservoir when said discharge valve is in said open position;said means for timed opening of an intake valve comprises an intake valve engaged with said intake aperture and having an open position and being biased to a closed position;said intake apertures in communication with a gas supply when in said open position;a first push rod communicating between said discharge valve and a rail, said rail having a first path adjacent to at least one of each said pair of planar members;an engagement of said first push rod on said rail causing a translation of said first rod concurrently said discharge valve to said open position;a second push rod communicating between said intake valve and a railing, said railing having a second path adjacent to at least one of each said pair of planar members; andan engagement of said second push rod on said railing causing a translation of said second pushrod, said translation moving said intake valve to said open position.

6. The compressor of claim 1 wherein said additionally means for rotational support of said frame above a surface comprises: vertical support members adapted for engagement with said planar circular members; andbearings at an upper end of said support members adapted for engagement with said planar circular members.

7. An air compressor comprising: an generally annular frame, said frame formed of a plurality of individual linear members, each linear member rotationally engaged at two ends, to an adjacent linear member of said plurality;said frame having an exterior to a circumscribed area and an interior to said circumscribed area;a planar circular member located at center portions of each of said linear members;means for rotational support of said frame above a surface;adjacent said planar circular members engaged to adjacent said linear members thereby forming a plurality of pairs of planar circular members;said linear members being in angled engagement to adjacent linear members thereby imparting an angle of each planar circular member to the other in said pair;a pathway formed between each said pair of planar circular members, said pathway being wider outside said circumscribed area, and narrowest inside said circumscribed area of said frame;a plurality of collapsible members, engaged adjacent to a circular planar member circumference and in between each said pair of planar circular members;said collapsible members having an internal cavity communicating with an intake aperture and a discharge aperture;means for powered rotation of said circular planar members engaged to said linear members forming said frame thereby imparting a rotation of said linear members and said circular members toward said inside circumscribed area;said collapsible members engaged between said each said pair of planar circular members alternating between an enlarged dimension at said outside circumscribed area to said inside circumscribed area, to a collapsed dimension at said interior to said frame circumscribed area, during each said rotation;a first time duration during said rotation causing a translation of said collapsible members from said enlarged dimension to said collapsed dimension;a second time duration during said rotation causing a second translation of said collapsible members from said collapsed dimension to said enlarged dimension;means to communicate gas discharged from each said internal cavity, to a common reservoir, only during a portion of said first time duration;means to communicate gas from the atmosphere into said internal cavity only during a portion of said second time duration; andwhereby said gas from said plurality of collapsible members between each said pair of planar members, is communicated to said common reservoir for storage in a pressurized state.

8. The compressor of claim 1 additionally comprising: a center relief in each said planar circular member, said center relief extending from a member circumference to a hub, said relief defining a gap between said side surfaces.

9. The compressor of claim 6 additionally comprising: a center relief in a plurality of said planar circular members, said center relief extending from a member circumference to a hub, said relief defining a gap between said side surfaces; andsaid bearings adapted for rotational engagement with one or a plurality of said hubs.