The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 16, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 04, 1998
Carl W Townsend, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Raytheon Company, Lexington, MA (US);
Abstract
A compressor that uses liquefied gas at high pressure as a hydraulic medium for compressing gas from low pressure to high pressure. The compressor comprises a central liquid cylinder and two gas cylinders disposed adjacent opposite ends of the liquid cylinder that are axially aligned therewith. A piston assembly is disposed within the cylinders that comprises a central liquid drive piston and two compression pistons that are free to slide within the respective liquid and gas cylinders. A low pressure gas manifold coupled to the piston assembly, and a liquid-gas manifold coupled to opposite ends of the piston assembly. A liquid switching valve having a first port comprising a high pressure liquid inlet, a second port coupled to an inlet of the central liquid cylinder, a third port coupled to an outlet of the central liquid cylinder, and a fourth port coupled to the liquid-gas manifold. Limit switches disposed at opposite ends of the piston assembly that are coupled to the liquid switching valve and cause the switching valve to rotate as a function of movement of the piston assembly.