Time-sharing compression system

Claim 2

In a time-sharing compression system, the combination comprising: a. a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, and a source of low pressure fluid b. accumulator means including at least one pressure reservoir for storing gas at at least one intermediate pressure, above that of said low pressure fluid and c. first valving means for cyclically placing said reservoir first in communication only with said compressor outlet and then in communication only with said compressor inlet whereby said compressor first delivers gas at one or more intermediate pressures above said low pressure fluid and then delivers gas to a discharge passage at a final higher pressure.

Claim 3

The system according to claim 1, further comprising; d. second valving means for placing said discharge passage in communication with said compressor outlet when said reservoir is in communication with said compressor inlet.

Claim 4

The system according to claim 2, wherein; e. said first and second valving means comprising a multi-way type valve having two operative positions.

Claim 5

The system according to claim 3, wherein; f. said valve remains in each of its operative positions for from 0.1 to 20 seconds.

Claim 6

The system according to claim 1, wherein; d. said reservoir is in communication with said compressor inlet for from 0.1 to 20 seconds.

Claim 7

The system according to claim 5, further comprising; f. valving means for placing said discharge passage in communication with said compressor outlet when said reservoir is in communication with said compressor inlet.

Claim 8

In a time-sharing compression system, the combination comprising; a. a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, and a source of low pressure fluid b. accumulator means including at least one pressure reservoir for storing gas at at least one intermediate pressure above that of said low pressure fluid, c. a final discharge gas passage, and d. a multi-way type valve having two operative positions for cyclically placing said reservoir first in communication with said compressor outlet and then in communication with said compressor inlet and for placing said final discharge gas passage in communication with said compressor outlet when said reservoir is in communication with said compressor inlet.

Claim 9

In a time-sharing compression system, the combination comprising; a. a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, and a source of low pressure fluid b. accumulator means including at least one pressure reservoir for storing gas at at least one intermediate pressure above that of said low pressure fluid, c. a final discharge gas passage, and d. a multi-way type valve having two operative positions for cyclically placing said reservoir first in communication with said compressor outlet and then in communication with said compressor inlet and for placing said final discharge gas passage in communication with said compressor outlet when said reservoir is in communication with said compressor inlet.

Claim 10

In a time-sharing compression system, the combination comprising; a. a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, and a source of low pressure fluid b. accumulator means including at least one pressure reservoir for storing gas at at least one intermediate pressure level between that of said low pressure fluid and a final higher discharge pressure level, and c. valving means having two operative positions, in the first of which communication is established between said compressor outlet and said reservoir and communication is blocked between said reservoir and said compressor inlet, in the second operative position of which communication is established between said compressor inlet and said reservoir and communication is blocked between said reseRvoir and said compressor outlet whereby said compressor outlet first contains gas at one or more intermediate pressure levels and then delivers gas to a discharge passage at a final higher discharge pressure level.

Claim 11

In a time-sharing compression system, the combination comprising; a. a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, and a source of low pressure fluid b. accumulator means including at least one pressure reservoir for storing gas at at least one intermediate pressure level between that of said low pressure fluid and a final higher discharge pressure level, and c. valving means having two operative positions, in the first of which communication is established between said compressor outlet and said reservoir and communication is blocked between said reservoir and said compressor inlet, in the second operative position of which communication is established between said compressor inlet and said reservoir and communication is blocked between said reseRvoir and said compressor outlet whereby said compressor outlet first contains gas at one or more intermediate pressure levels and then delivers gas to a discharge passage at a final higher discharge pressure level.

Claim 12

The system according to claim 8, wherein said valving means remains in each of its operative positions for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 13

The system according to claim 9 wherein said predetermined period of time is from 0.1 to 20 seconds.

Claim 14

The system according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined period of time is sufficient for said compressor to undergo many cycles of compressor action.

Claim 15

The system according to claim 8, wherein the actuation of said valve means from one of its operative positions to the other is responsive to the pressure level in said accumulator means.

Claim 16

The system according to claim 8, wherein the actuation of said valving means from one of its operative positions to the other is responsive to the elapsing of a predetermined period of time.

Claim 17

The system according to claim 8, wherein the actuation of said valving means from one of its operative positions to the other is cyclic and repetitive according to predetermined conditions.

Claim 18

The system according to claim 8, wherein said valving means comprises a multi-way type valve.

Claim 19

The system according to claim 8, further comprising: d. additional valving means for placing said discharge gas passage in communication with said compressor outlet.

Claim 20

The system according to claim 16, wherein said valving means and said additional valving means comprise a multi-way type valve.

Claim 21

The system according to claim 16, wherein said valving means remains in each of its operative positions for a period of time sufficient for said compressor to undergo many cycles of compressor action.

Claim 22

The system according to claim 18 wherein said compressor is of the rotary-type.

Claim 23

The system according to claim 8, wherein said compressor is of the rotary-type.